Program Overview

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Humanities in Health and Medicine

Course Description

The major in Humanities in Health and Medicine is an interdisciplinary, humanistic and cultural study of health, illness, health care and the human body, mind and spirit. You'll be prepared to care for people by bringing together the traditions of humanities, inquiry, compassion and judgement to bear on the management and on the promotion of health and the treatment of illness.

About the Course

In order to be effective, healthcare professionals need to understand not only the workings of the body from a scientific perspective, but also know how people and societies function, and the art and science of caring for people. A caring health professional is assisted by interpretive ability and insight, applies ethical sensitivity and has an awareness of their own values and attitudes.

This major proposes to balance the educational experience for students where arts and humanities subjects might make a contribution to their preparedness for a cycle two degree in the health professions. Any students already planning a career in medicine, dentistry or as a health professional, in healthcare policy or law, psychology, public/global health, social work, patient advocacy or health journalism will benefit from completing this major.

This major is coordinated by the Division of Health Professions Education in the School of Allied Health and is a collaboration with the Medical School.

Quick Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-HHMED
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Why Study Humanities in Health and Medicine?

An interdisciplinary, humanistic and cultural study of health, illness, health care and the human body, mind and spirit.

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 Biomedical Science
• Bachelor of Philosophy

Humanities for Health and Medicine Course Themes

Humanities for Health and Medicine lies at the intersection of healthcare, education, self-care and research. The discipline of health humanities provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the effects of illness and disease on patients, health professionals, and the social worlds in which they live and work. Drawing on approaches that includes history, visual arts, literature, and narrative medicine among others, health humanities helps us to appreciate the art and science of caring for people, and understand how people and societies function.

Career Pathways

A major in medical humanities is intended primarily for undergraduate students who are planning careers in healthcare. As a Humanities in Health and Medicine graduate, possible careers include:

• Health education
• Public health
• Community health
• Healthcare administration

Further Study

The Humanities in Health and Medicine major provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study in other health related courses:

• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Dental Medicine
• Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
• Master of Pharmacy
• Master of Social Work
• Master of Public Health

Fees and Scholarships

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.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee: $46,300.00 (2025)

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

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.

Admission Requirements

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

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.

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 Structure

Level 1

• Bridging: Take units if applicable:
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)
• Option - Level One: Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • ANTH1001 Being Human: Culture, Identity and Society (6)
  • ENGL1902 Reading Bodies (6)
  • HART1003 Ways of Seeing: Themes and Theories in Art (6)
  • INDG1150 Aboriginal Encounters: Strangers in our Backyard (6)
  • LAWS1111 Law in Context (6)
  • NEUR1001 Neuroscience in Society (6)
  • PHIL1002 Introduction to Critical Thinking (6)
  • PSYC1102 Psychology: Behaviour in Context (6)
  • PUBH1101 Health and Illness in Human Populations (6)
  • PUBH1102 Foundations of Global Health (6)

Level 2

• Core - Level 2: Take all units (6 points):
  • BMED2001 Humanities in Health and Medicine (6)
• Option - Level 2 Options: Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
  • AHEA2201 Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing (6)
  • ARTF2031 Living Art (6)
  • IMED2200 Mental Wellbeing for Today's World (6)
  • LAWS2220 Birth, Life and Death: Health and Medical Law (6)
  • PHIL2001 Bioethics (6)
  • PUBH2204 Disease Prevention and Control (6)

Level 3

• Core: Take all units (18 points):
  • BMED3001 Narrative Medicine for research, education and practice (6)
  • BMED3002 Application of Humanities to Health care (6)
  • BMED3003 Building the bridge while walking over it: the journey to person centred health care (6)
• Option: Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
  • SVLG3003 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship (6)