Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2023 close 29 October 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Build a degree tailored to your interests with a Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Arts. This flexible and diverse degree will equip you with a unique skill set that will unlock wide-ranging career opportunities and give you a competitive edge in the job market. You will develop specialist knowledge in your chosen disciplines and learn how to apply critical, creative and strategic thinking to solve real-world issues.
Your studies in the arts will arm you with transferable skills in communication, research, analysis and problem-solving, making you highly employable in many areas. You will also gain a solid grounding in multiple fields of health sciences, preparing you for a successful career in the largest and fastest-growing employment sector in Australia, with employment in Health Care and Social Assistance projected to grow by 15.8% by 2026.
Are you looking to develop a cross-disciplinary skill set that empowers you to design your own future?
This combined degree gives you the freedom to choose majors based on your interests to connect and expand your career prospects. You will study equal parts health sciences and arts, ensuring you graduate with a well-developed skill set in both disciplines.
Build a solid foundation in health while developing your skills across a range of arts, communications, humanities and social science disciplines. Create original course combinations by choosing majors including (but not limited to):
- strategic advertising
- criminology
- disability and inclusion
- education
- family, society and health
- food studies
- health, nature and sustainability
- health promotion
- international relations
- sport journalism
- media and communication
- physical activity and health
- politics and policy studies
- public health
- sociology
- sport and society.
Opportunities to pursue work-integrated learning experiences and industry practicums are available throughout the course, including the Health Science Practicum offered in third year, giving you the option to complete a 120 hour practice education placement.
You will gain invaluable experience by immersing yourself in your chosen field – whether it’s helping to design public relations campaigns for major food companies or working at grassroots level in the community through health education programs.
You will also have the opportunity to experience different cultures by taking your studies abroad. You could find yourself working on community health projects in Fiji or studying politics and policy in Norway. Various in-country and authentic virtual global experiences are offered through the course. Gain a global perspective that will give you an international outlook and a competitive edge.
^2021 Employment Outlook – for the five years to November 2026, Australian Government National Skills Commission
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Arts
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
1400314071 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400514071 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400614071 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- D391
- CRICOS code?
- 035503K Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Arts students must attain 32 credit points. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. In order to gain 32 credit points you will need to study 32 units (AKA 'subjects') over your entire degree. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters each year.
You must fulfil the requirements of each of the two degrees in your course of study.
The course comprises a total of 32 credit points which must include:
- 16 credit points from the Faculty of Health including 6 compulsory core units in the Bachelor of Health Sciences PLUS one major (6 credit points) and one minor (4 credit points)
- 16 credit points from the Faculty of Arts comprising of core units in either the Global Challenge sequence (3 credit points) or Employability sequence (3 credit points) PLUS one major sequence (8 credit points) as described under course A310 Bachelor of Arts. The remaining credit point(s) may be used to undertake a Bachelor of Arts minor sequence or to take additional elective units chosen from the Bachelor of Arts. A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Arts coded units.
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate course work students are required to complete HAI010 Academic Integrity in their first trimester of study (0 credit point compulsory unit).
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Core units
The course structure includes 16 credit points from each of the two component courses. The 16-unit maximum size of the component degrees of combined courses does not permit students in D391 to complete two major sequences within the Health Sciences degree. For this reason, they are restricted to a major sequence and a minor sequence.
The sixteen credit points within the Health Sciences component of the combined course are made up of:
- The six core units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences;
- A major sequence of six credit points consisting of the specified units at Levels 1, 2 and 3
- A minor sequence of four credit points, consisting of at least one unit at Level 1 and no more than one unit at Level 3 (subject to pre-requisite requirements) from the set of approved minor sequences.
Students cannot select a minor in Environmental Health, or Psychological Science, due to difficulties of sequencing and in maintaining curriculum logic.
Level 1 - Trimester 1
Level 1 - Trimester 2
Level 2 - Trimester 1
Level 2 - Trimester 2
Level 3 - Trimester 1
Level 3 - Trimester 2
The sixteen credit points within the Arts and Education component of the combined course are made up of:
- The three credit points in the Employability sequence OR 3 credit points in Global Challenge sequence;
- A major sequence of 8 credit points as described under course A310 Bachelor of Arts;
- Remaining credit point(s) may be used to undertake a Bachelor of Arts minor sequence or to take additional elective unit chosen from the Bachelor of Arts.
- A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Arts coded units.
Employability sequence
Plus 1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
OR
Global Challenges sequence
Major sequences
Health Majors - Major and minor sequence available unless stated otherwise
- Disability and Inclusion
- Environmental Health - Major only
- Exercise Science
- Family, Society and Health
- Food Studies
- Health Promotion
- Health, Nature and Sustainability
- Medical Biotechnology
- Nutrition
- Physical Activity and Health
- Psychology for Allied Health
- Public Health
Arts Majors - Major and minor sequence available unless stated otherwise
- Animation - Minor only
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Chinese
- Criminology
- Design thinking - Minor only
- English-Children's Literature
- English Creative Writing
- English-Literature
- Education
- Film and television studies
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- History
- Indigenous Studies- Minor only
- Indonesian
- International Relations
- Media and Communication
- Media Studies
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Politics and Policy studies
- Public Relations studies
- Religious Studies
- Social Media
- Sociology
- Sport and Society - Minor only
- Sport Journalism
- Spanish
- Strategic Advertising
- Visual Arts and Photography
- Visual Communication Design
- Web Design - Minor only
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online
Note - Online is not available to international students.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Please refer to the relevant unit guide.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning
A core unit at third-year level, based on inter-professional learning (IPL), provides students the opportunity to draw together their cross-disciplinary learning to demonstrate the knowledge and the skills they have acquired throughout the course and apply them to real-world issues. HSH324 Integrated Learning for Practice involves interdisciplinary teams working to develop responses to real-world problems for presentation to a professional audience.
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Ask a question about studying at Deakin
Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection..
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your secondary education and subsequent academic records as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
All Faculty of Health undergraduate courses require you to sit a STAT Multiple Choice if you have not completed a Year 12 (senior secondary education, or equivalent) in the last 10 years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
STAT Multiple choice is not required if you have undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV or higher).
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
All Faculty of Health undergraduate courses require you to sit a STAT Multiple Choice if you have not completed a Year 12 (senior secondary education, or equivalent) in the last 10 years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
STAT Multiple choice is not required if you have undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV or higher).
Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish experience to be considered should include this information on their personal statement. Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in Art, Biology, Dance, Drama, any English, Health And Human Development, any Humanities, any LOTE, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I, any Music, Studio Arts, Theatre Studies or Visual Communication Design equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Art, Biology, Dance, Drama, English other than EAL, Health And Human Development, any Humanities, any LOTE, Media, Creative And Digital Media (VCE VET) I any Music, Studio Arts, Theatre Studies or Visual Communication Design equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354.0KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete 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 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that 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 fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
To learn more about what a Bachelor of Arts at Deakin has to offer, download our course flyer.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Health Sciences/Bachelor of Arts with our pathways finder.
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses (if students undertake an additional Honours year) and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
Your career outcomes will depend on the majors you complete with this degree.
Studying health sciences could lead you into careers in areas such as:
- community health
- counselling
- disability and inclusion
- environmental health
- health education
- health promotion
- nutrition
- regional health service planning
- sports development.
An arts degree provides you with solid transferable skills that can be applied across diverse industries and careers. Depending on your majors, you could find yourself in fields such as:
- advertising and marketing
- business
- education
- ethnic affairs
- government
- international relations
- media
- politics and policy
- public relations.
Your majors could also help you pursue careers where your degrees overlap. Careers such as health media, food writing, international relations and public relations for health and food organisations all require the skills acquired from both health science and arts degrees.
Professional recognition
Not applicable
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
See course entry for Bachelor of Health Sciences (H300) or Bachelor of Arts (A310)
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