Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Program Overview

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Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Pathology and Laboratory Medicine can be considered the basis of modern scientific medical knowledge and plays a critical role in evidence-based medicine.

Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

After completing this major, you have numerous professional pathways on offer including employment in a wide range of allied and paramedical fields, university and hospital laboratory research, the health care or pharmaceutical industry and diagnostic laboratories.

Further Study

You can pursue further study at honours level and could thereafter pursue a PhD. Other further study options include the Master of Clinical Pathology, Master of Infectious Diseases, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course.

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE): 11.5
• Canadian High School (except Quebec): 70
• French Baccalaureate: 12
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750: 525
• GCE A-Levels: 9
• German Abitur: 3.3
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: 15
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE): 60
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65: 79
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB): 26
• Malaysian STPM: 11
• Monash University Foundation Year: 270
• NCUK Foundation Program: 9
• Norwegian Vitnemål: 3.8
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels: 8
• South African National Senior Certificate: 4.6
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 330
• Sweden Slutbetyg: 15
• Trinity College Foundation: 300
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC): 12
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program: 66
• US College Board Advanced Placements: 8
• US College Board SAT: 1170
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP): 60
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards: 80

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Chemistry/biology requirement

Applicants are required to have completed Chemistry ATAR and Biology ATAR or Human Biology ATAR or equivalent. Students without these prerequisites will be required to complete bridging units in their first year.

How to apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course details

This major provides you with a thorough understanding of the scientific basis of diagnosing, treating and preventing human disease, as well as an appreciation of how medical research forms new insights into disease every day. You'll be taught by medical practitioners involved in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions and by pathologists, researchers, physicians and medical scientists engaged in various disciplines of pathology. You'll be given the opportunity to interact with traditional academic staff as well as working with professional pathologists from PathWest.

About the course

You have a unique opportunity to sample content from a wide variety of disciplines of pathology including microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, anatomical pathology, haematology and medical genetics. You’ll graduate with an appreciation of the cooperative contribution of these disciplines to the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing understanding of a variety of human diseases.

Quick details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1
• Weekly contact time: 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-PLMED
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])

Course structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core:
  • ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human (6)
  • SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell (6)
• Bridging:
  • ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human (6)
  • BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology (6)
  • CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (6)
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)

Level 2

• Core:
  • PATH2221 Principles of Human Disease (6)
  • PATH2222 Pathology of Body Systems (6)

Level 3

• Core:
  • MICR3305 Immunobiology and Immune Diseases (6)
  • PATH3305 Medical Genetics (6)
  • PATH3308 Biotherapeutics and Regenerative Medicine (6)
  • PATH3309 Cancer Pathology (6)

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

• Bachelor of Philosophy
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Clubs and societies

• Health Students' Society

The Health Students' Society (HSS) is a student-run, not-for-profit organisation for undergraduates completing health-related majors at UWA. HSS provides social and education opportunities and encourages students to make the most of their time on campus and of university life. HSS offers a support network for members during their degrees and aims to enhance the university experience and raise the profile of graduates to prospective employees.