Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Online
Length	1 year full-time
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$40,000 for 1 yr full-time AUD
CRICOS code	060188G Burwood (Melbourne)
Level	Undergraduate
Deakin course code	H400
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Build on your knowledge of health care, policy and systems with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours). Through a combination of coursework and original research, you will learn the analytical skills and research techniques that will take you into further study, or employment in the booming health sector.

Do you have questions about the health of our population you want answered? Why not follow your passions and discover the answers with your own research?

Contribute to existing studies in the contemporary health sector by completing an honours degree. You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class supervisor who will guide you through all the stages of research from data collection to implementation and execution, helping you produce a piece of independent, original research.

Focus on an area within the health sciences that you are passionate about. Research themes can include:

community health
gambling
gender, family, reproductive and sexual health
health, diversity and social inclusion
health economics
nature and health
obesity prevention, healthy food environments and food policy
physical activity, motor skill competence and self-perception
refugee health
sustainability
violence and abuse, prevention and intervention.

You will learn more than just your topic of research. You will develop the necessary skills to successfully conduct research, with units designed to build your knowledge of the process.

You can be confident that your research is guided by the most recent and ground-breaking findings within the health sector. Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development is home to a large range of multidisciplinary research groups, encompassing public health, health promotion, and social, commercial, behavioural, and environmental determinants of health.

The school addresses the complex connections between determinants of health in their broadest sense, and social development in a variety of settings, and at a range of intervention levels. This means you will be immersed in the work of some of the world’s best researchers.

Follow your passion to improve the health and wellbeing of society by studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours).

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Completing an honours year in health sciences prepares you for careers requiring an advanced skill set. Career opportunities include:

community health development officer
community recreation officer
disability services advocacy and development
family and community support
food safety and development
health services management
health reform, policy and health promotion roles
program developer in physical health and nutrition
officer for refugee advocacy.

Your studies will also equip you with the research skills to take you into further postgraduate and research degrees.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion knowledge to formulate a testable research question; develop a conceptual framework and select the appropriate methodological procedures for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and disseminate research findings.
Communication	Communicate, defend and discuss all elements of the research project in the chosen field of study via oral and written means to a variety of audiences.
Digital literacy	Select and use appropriate technologies to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate relevant information to a variety of audiences.
Critical thinking	Critically evaluate and synthesise the literature in the chosen field of study; and interpret research findings in the context of the literature in the chosen field of study.
Problem solving	Select and apply appropriate methodological principles and analytical techniques to answer a research question within the context of Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion; and troubleshoot solutions to resolve complex problems associated with the research study.
Self-management	Produce a realistic timeline for the research project and demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning as a researcher within Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion.
Teamwork	Collaborate and work effectively with specialists, peers, academics and others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.
Global citizenship	Engage in ethical and professional research practice whilst maintaining confidentiality and respecting cultural sensitivities.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
8 credit points of core units
- including 4 credit points of an independent research project

As a full-time student you will study four credit points per semester and usually undertake two semesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Semester 1

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0 credit points)

HBS400

Research Methods

HSH401

Developing Research Skills

Semester 2

HSH402

Honours Research Project

Honours

For detailed information, particularly with respect to the selection of areas of study and availability of appropriate supervision, students should consult the School of Health and Social Development Current Student Honours page.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher or major in a related discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65 in third year units, or where relevant, final year units

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Non-academic requirements

Non-academic requirements

Applicants are required to submit an honours project preference form as part of their application. Details of the comings year's projects will be available here.

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Pathways

This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree.

Work experience

Due to the nature of Honours, students may have supervisors who are based in industry, which gives them a chance for work integrated learning. Even for students whose supervisors are based at Deakin, the form of work integrated learning takes the form of a research internship. In terms of data collection, this can involve interviews, focus groups or surveys, which may happen in the context of health and other services in which the students will be exposed to professional staff and associates carrying out their duties.

Participation requirements

There is a minimum of four compulsory sessions, which will be delivered online via Blackboard Collaborate although more sessions are offered to help students in their Honours year.

At Deakin, we’re committed to creating an inclusive learning environment that supports all students to succeed. We work closely with students to identify and reduce barriers, and where possible, provide tailored support to help students engage with learning and assessment activities, ensuring every student has the opportunity to belong and thrive.

If you are disabled, neurodivergent, Deaf, and/or you live with the effects of a mental health condition, chronic health condition, or other condition that impacts your studies or participation in university life, we encourage you to reach out to our Disability Resource Centre for a collaborative and confidential discussion.