Tertiary Preparation Program (Health Sciences)

Overview

The Tertiary Preparation Program (Health Sciences) is a course designed to prepare students for tertiary study in the health sciences field. The program is offered at the Brisbane, Melbourne, and North Sydney campuses.

Credit Points and Duration

• The course consists of 80 credit points.
• The minimum duration of the course is 1 year full-time.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must:

• Have completed the equivalent of year 11 (completion of senior high school in countries where this is not considered equivalent to an Australian year 12).
• Have a minimum English language proficiency level of IELTS 6.0, with no individual score less than 6.0, or equivalent.

Completion Requirements

To qualify for course completion, a student must pass all 8 units, 80 cp, from the Schedule of Unit Offerings (Part A).

Progression Requirements

• Students are required to follow the pattern of unit enrolment set out in the relevant Course Enrolment Guide, unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator.
• In all aspects of progress through the course, students will be advised by the Course Coordinator.
• Supplementary Assessment is not available in this course.

Schedule of Unit Offerings

Part A

Complete exactly 80 credit points from the following:

• ACOM103 Academic English for Health Sciences 1 (10 CP)
• ACOM105 English Language Communication Skills (10 CP)
• ACOM115 Academic English for Health Sciences 2 (10 CP)
• ACOM121 Proficiency Test Preparation (10 CP)
• PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life (10 CP)
• ACOM122 Health Science and Communication 1 (10 CP)
• ACOM123 Health Care in Australia (10 CP)
• ACOM124 Biology for Health Science (10 CP)
• ACOM225 Health Science and Communication 2 (10 CP)

Course Map

Commencing Semester 1 2026

Year 1 Semester 1

• ACOM103 Academic English for Health Sciences 1 (10.0 cp)
• ACOM105 English Language Communication Skills (10.0 cp)
• ACOM122 Health Science and Communication 1 (10.0 cp)
• ACOM123 Health Care in Australia (10.0 cp)

Year 1 Semester 2

• ACOM115 Academic English for Health Sciences 2 (10.0 cp) (Pre: ACOM103)
• ACOM121 Proficiency Test Preparation OR PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life (10.0 cp)
• ACOM124 Biology for Health Science (10.0 cp)
• ACOM225 Health Science and Communication 2 (10.0 cp)

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode.

Note

• Not offered Brisbane 2026
• EFTSL value of units: All 10cp units in this course have an EFTSL value of 0.125. Units with a credit point (cp) value of a multiple of 10 have corresponding EFTSL values.

Australian Catholic University (ACU)

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Overview:

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a leading Catholic university in Australia, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. It is known for its strong commitment to faith and values, fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

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Services Offered:

ACU provides a comprehensive range of student services, including:

Academic Skills Development:

The Academic Skills Unit offers support in developing essential study skills, academic writing, referencing, maths and numeracy, and exam preparation.

Campus Ministry:

Provides spiritual guidance and support to students.

Career Development Services:

Offers career advice, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Connect2Uni:

Provides support and resources for first-year students.

Counselling Services:

Offers confidential counselling and support for students' mental health and wellbeing.

Disability Support:

Provides tailored support for students with disabilities.

Medical Centres:

Offers healthcare services on campus.

Student Advocacy:

Provides support and guidance to students facing academic or personal challenges.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Services:

Offers dedicated support and resources for Indigenous students.

Student Veterans Support Program:

Provides support and resources for students who have served in the military.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

ACU offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience, with opportunities for students to:

Join clubs and societies:

Participate in a wide range of clubs and societies catering to diverse interests.

Engage in creative and cultural activities:

Participate in various events and activities, including arts, music, and theatre.

Develop leadership skills:

Take advantage of leadership opportunities within clubs, societies, and student associations.

Participate in ACU Sport:

Access gyms, fitness classes, and sports facilities, and join sports clubs and activities.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Catholic values and ethics:

ACU's commitment to faith and values creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Comprehensive student services:

Provides a wide range of support services to help students succeed.

Vibrant campus life:

Offers a diverse range of clubs, activities, and events to enhance the student experience.

Focus on practical skills and real-world application:

Emphasizes the development of practical skills and knowledge relevant to future careers.

Strong reputation and rankings:

ACU is consistently ranked among the top universities in Australia.

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Academic Programs:

ACU offers a wide range of academic programs across its four faculties:

Faculty of Education and Arts:

Offers programs in education, arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Faculty of Health Sciences:

Offers programs in nursing, medicine, psychology, and allied health.

Faculty of Law and Business:

Offers programs in law, business, and economics.

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy:

Offers programs in theology, philosophy, and religious studies.

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Other:

ACU has campuses located in Ballarat, Blacktown, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Rome, and Strathfield. It also offers a range of online programs through ACU Online.