Program Overview

Diploma of Health Sciences

Key Information

Duration

8 to 12 months

Intake Dates

February, June, October

Campus Location

Melbourne

2025 Domestic Fees

$29,800

FEE-Help available

2025 International Fees

A$36,024

CRICOS M

Course Overview

Your Path to a Purpose-Driven Career

The Diploma of Health Sciences at La Trobe College Australia can give you the best possible head start to your career as a health professional. The Diploma of Health Sciences provides you with an introduction into a range of health services professions, and can help you discover your ideal role in this rapidly evolving sector.

You’ll be introduced to the anatomical organisation of the body, the basics of cell structure and function, and the fundamentals of the nervous and endocrine systems. You will also begin to learn how the particular characteristics and actions of a person can impact health and welfare, social and legal considerations of a professional in the health services industry, fundamentals of statistical analysis and software used in this analysis, important aspects of biochemistry and body structure and how this can influence a person’s wellbeing.

There are also options to delve into the psychological aspects of an individual’s and society’s development, and options to explore the chemical building blocks of life.

Throughout your diploma, you will also develop your academic skills, including writing, verbal communication, active listening and proactive engagement skills, in addition to building strong independent learning skills that will begin your most successful journey through your learning journey.

Pathways to La Trobe University

• Bachelor of Health Sciences (multiple majors)
  • Majors in: Health Promotion, Public Health, Allied Health, Psychological Science, Human Physiological Sciences
  • WAM required: 50
  • Credits: 8
  • Duration: The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
  • WAM required: 70 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 70 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.
  • Credits: 7
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take 2.5 years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Nursing
  • WAM required: 70
  • Credits: 8
  • Duration: The degree will take two years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Please note: Students must also meet AHPRA English Requirement; This is a separate declaration/submission from that made at diploma entry.
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
  • WAM required: 75
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours)
  • WAM required: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours)
  • WAM required: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: Students will receive credit towards their La Trobe University degree, the duration of the degree will still be standard, and students will have a less than full-time course load in their first year of the course.
  • Please note: This course is only offered at the Bendigo Campus.
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
  • WAM required: 80 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 75 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
  • WAM required: 70
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)
  • WAM required: 80 – students must also achieve a minimum score of 75 in Human Biosciences A and Human Biosciences B.
  • Credits: 5
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.
• Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
  • WAM required: 80
  • Credits: 6
  • Progression Quota: Strict quotas apply – please contact the College for more information.
  • Duration: The degree will take four years to complete after finishing the Diploma of Health Sciences.

Course Structure

Core Units

• LTM1AIM Academic Integrity Module
  • (online, zero credit point unit, all students must complete this unit in their first trimester)
• HSTM1001 Making Sense of Data
• HHBS1HBA Human Biosciences A
• HHLTRAE Research and Evidence in Practice
• HPHE1UHW Understanding Health and Wellbeing

Electives

• HPHE1005 Principles of Public Health
  • (Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Bachelor of Nursing, and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)
• HPHE1007 Introduction to Health Promotion
  • (Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Nursing, and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)
• HHLT1FPC Foundations of Professional Communication
  • (Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Nursing and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)
• HHBS1HBB Human Biosciences B
  • (Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Nursing and all indicated Allied Health Pathways)
• SBIO1MGC Molecules, Genes and Cells
• SCHE1CHF Chemistry Foundations
  • (Required elective for all students on Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Pathway)
• PPSY1SFP Scientific Foundations of Psychology
• PPSY1PAC Introductory Psychology: People and Culture

LTCA Agreed Pathways

International and Domestic Student Requirements

• Bachelor of Nursing
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Nursing after successful completion of Foundation Studies or the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve the required IELTS.
  • International Student English Proficiency requirements: Please note that to receive a package offer for Foundation Studies or the Diploma of Health Sciences leading to the Bachelor of Nursing, an IELTS of 6.5 (no band less than 6.5) is required. Students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency before progressing to the Bachelor of Nursing.
  • Domestic Student English Proficiency requirements: Local students must submit a declaration of completion of six years of schooling in English including at least 2 years of secondary school in English in one of the following countries: Australia New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada, Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom.
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.
• Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.
• Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Paramedic Practice (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences, students will need to achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.
• Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honors) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter this course.
• Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter these courses.
• Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
  • To be eligible for a transfer into the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) after successful completion of the Diploma of Health Sciences students must achieve the required WAM and achieve an IELTS score of 7.5 (no band less than 7.0) to demonstrate adequate English language proficiency to enter this course.

Meet Devi – Diploma of Health Sciences Graduate

Devi has completed the Diploma of Health Sciences at La Trobe College Australia and is currently studying Bachelor of Nursing at La Trobe University.