Diploma of Health Sciences

Take your first step towards a rewarding career in health with La Trobe's Diploma of Health Sciences. Discover a supported pathway to one of our health degrees - or get the skills to step into entry-level roles.

Build key health knowledge and get the full university experience when you study core subjects alongside Bachelor's degree students. Learn the fundamentals of health sciences, including anatomy and physiology, and explore the social and psychological impacts of health and science.

We've designed this Diploma so you could earn up to one year's worth of course credit (also called advanced standing) for the subjects you study. This means you could jump directly into the second year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences or, if you prefer, you could take the skills you've developed and head straight into your career.

Whatever path you choose, we'll support you to get there. You'll be connected to a dedicated Senior Support Adviser and peer mentors who'll help you with career advice, academic assistance and navigating university life throughout your studies. Plus, you'll have access to La Trobe's Career Service for resume and interview skills support.

You'll learn:

• Anatomy and physiology
  • Understand the structures of the human body, including the cellular, nervous, muscular, endocrine, renal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems and how they affect our health.
    
    
    
• Teamwork in healthcare
  • Gain insight into the collaborative nature of healthcare and how consumers and professionals interact in various settings, with a focus on Indigenous and mental health.

• Communication in healthcare
  • Build communication skills - including writing, speaking and listening - for a range of audiences. Explore how to best communicate when dealing with conflict, social and cultural differences in healthcare settings.
    
    
    
• Research in health and science
  • Learn to use research-based evidence to determine appropriate healthcare techniques.

The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 5 - Diploma.

Please note, the following course structure is indicative and subject to change depending on your course location, offer year or how you tailor your course with specialisations, majors, minors and electives. Structures for the following year are not normally finalised until October, so the sample provided is based on the most recently approved structure. For more information, please refer to the La Trobe University Handbook.