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Key facts
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Build on your knowledge of health care, policy and systems with a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours). Through a combination of coursework and original research, you will learn the analytical skills and research techniques that will take you into further study, or employment in the booming health sector.
Do you have questions about the health of our population you want answered? Why not follow your passions and discover the answers with your own research?
Contribute to existing studies in the contemporary health sector by completing an honours degree. You will have the opportunity to work with a world-class supervisor who will guide you through all the stages of research from data collection to implementation and execution, helping you produce a piece of independent, original research.
Focus on an area within the health sciences that you are passionate about. Research themes can include:
- community health
- gambling
- gender, family, reproductive and sexual health
- health, diversity and social inclusion
- health economics
- nature and health
- obesity prevention, healthy food environments and food policy
- physical activity, motor skill competence and self-perception
- refugee health
- sustainability
- violence and abuse, prevention and intervention.
You will learn more than just your topic of research. You will develop the necessary skills to successfully conduct research, with units designed to build your knowledge of the process.
You can be confident that your research is guided by the most recent and ground-breaking findings within the health sector. Deakin’s School of Health and Social Development is home to a large range of multidisciplinary research groups, encompassing public health, health promotion, and social, commercial, behavioural, and environmental determinants of health.
The school addresses the complex connections between determinants of health in their broadest sense, and social development in a variety of settings, and at a range of intervention levels. This means you will be immersed in the work of some of the world’s best researchers.
Follow your passion to improve the health and wellbeing of society by studying a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours).
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H400
- CRICOS code?
- 060188G Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 8 credit points of core units
- including 4 credit points of an independent research project
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per semester and usually undertake two semesters per year.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Semester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Semester 2. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Semester 1 - February
- Start date: February
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Honours
For detailed information, particularly with respect to the selection of areas of study and availability of appropriate supervision, students should consult the School of Health and Social Development Current Student Honours page.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Workload
You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree.
Participation requirements
There is a minimum of four compulsory sessions, which will be delivered online via Blackboard Collaborate although more sessions are offered to help students in their Honours year.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Work experience
Due to the nature of Honours, students may have supervisors who are based in industry, which gives them a chance for work integrated learning. Even for students whose supervisors are based at Deakin, the form of work integrated learning takes the form of a research internship. In terms of data collection, this can involve interviews, focus groups or surveys, which may happen in the context of health and other services in which the students will be exposed to professional staff and associates carrying out their duties.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Academic requirements
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher or major in a related discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65 in third year units, or where relevant, final year units
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in any other English
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Non-academic requirements
Non-academic requirements
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Recognition of prior learning
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses and other postgraduate coursework programs.
Students may be eligible to apply for credit for this course.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose, as each unit has its own cost. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in 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 this 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 on our Current students fees website.
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 Semester 1, 2026 open in July.
In the meantime, why not speak to our student advisers about your course and career options? It’s the best way for future students like you to get expert advice on preparing your application.
Pathways
This course provides a pathway to higher degree by research courses 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 Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Monday - Friday
- 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
Completing an honours year in health sciences prepares you for careers requiring an advanced skill set. Career opportunities include:
- community health development officer
- community recreation officer
- disability services advocacy and development
- family and community support
- food safety and development
- health services management
- health reform, policy and health promotion roles
- program developer in physical health and nutrition
- officer for refugee advocacy.
Your studies will also equip you with the research skills to take you into further postgraduate and research degrees.
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.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Apply Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion knowledge to formulate a testable research question; develop a conceptual framework and select the appropriate methodological procedures for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and disseminate research findings. |
| Communication | Communicate, defend and discuss all elements of the research project in the chosen field of study via oral and written means to a variety of audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Select and use appropriate technologies to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate relevant information to a variety of audiences. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise the literature in the chosen field of study; and interpret research findings in the context of the literature in the chosen field of study. |
| Problem solving | Select and apply appropriate methodological principles and analytical techniques to answer a research question within the context of Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion; and troubleshoot solutions to resolve complex problems associated with the research study. |
| Self-management | Produce a realistic timeline for the research project and demonstrate effective self-management skills, autonomy and accountability that contribute to the development of lifelong learning as a researcher within Health Sciences/Public Health and Health Promotion. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate and work effectively with specialists, peers, academics and others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Global citizenship | Engage in ethical and professional research practice whilst maintaining confidentiality and respecting cultural sensitivities. |
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Footnotes
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page