Program Overview

Our Diplomas are equivalent to the 1st year of your La Trobe University degree – only with tailored learning and more support.

Diploma of Health Sciences
La Trobe University is one of Australia’s leading health education providers and can give you the best possible head start to your career as a health professional.

The Diploma of Health Sciences provides an introduction into a range of health professions, and can help you discover your ideal role in the rapidly evolving health sector. 

You’ll be introduced to the anatomical organisation of the body, the basics of cell structure and function, and the fundamentals of the nervous and endocrine systems. You’ll also begin to learn how the particular characteristics and actions of a person can impact health and welfare.

Gain direct entry into 2nd year of:

Bachelor of Health Sciences
Healthcare is Australia’s largest and fastest-growing industry.* With an aging population and a variety of emerging health issues, there’s a huge need for skilled professionals in a wide range of areas across healthcare – in Australia and around the world.

If you're passionate about making a positive difference, La Trobe's Bachelor of Health Sciences will give you the skills and confidence to build a rewarding career in this diverse field. Whether you want to work with individual people or whole populations, you'll have the opportunity to fine-tune your skills and get the real-world experience that'll set you apart

Look at health from every angle. While we often measure health through the body, we can also examine the way our minds, our society and our environment – not to mention our political structures – affect the health of every individual, family and community. You'll learn how to use data as a powerful tool to improve the health of everyday people and develop the research skills to make a real impact

Design your own study program and carve your unique path in the world of health. In this highly flexible degree, you can choose to major in a range of fascinating areas of health sciences, including human physiological sciences (Melbourne only), medical and exercise science (Bendigo only), psychological science, public health and more.

Delve deeper into subjects you're fascinated in, with the option to take up to two majors if you want to develop broad expertise and keep your career options open. You'll also have the option to study an open access major or minor from across the university to gain extra skills and explore your passions.

Learn from expert academics with strong ties to the health industry. Be mentored in the areas you're passionate about and take the opportunity to get real-world experience at leading organisations via internships at La Trobe's partners. Develop your professional networks when you connect with diverse industry leaders.

Gain deep knowledge of the most impactful areas of the health sciences and build a meaningful career. Through your studies, you can aspire to make positive differences at local, national and international levels. You'll learn the skills employers are searching for. Hone your abilities in critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, research, leadership and teamwork, then use them to address the biggest issues in health and wellbeing.

You'll graduate ready to make a positive impact on health policy and practice – for both current and future generations.

You'll learn:

• Professional scientific thinking - Learn how science contributes new knowledge and finds solutions to problems in our society.
• Lab and fieldwork skills - Learn how to collect data and use specialist technical skills to develop new findings in the laboratory and in the field.
• Problem-solving - Learn to develop solutions to complex scientific problems.
• Collaboration - Collaborate and work effectively in teams to solve problems and achieve shared goals.
• Professional conduct - Learn about ethical conduct when working as a scientific professional and how to promote and communicate your professional identity to potential employers and peers.
• Communicating as a professional scientist - Gain experience communicating to a range of audiences, both in written and verbal formats.

Psychological Science (Major)
Discover psychology using a scientific approach. In this fascinating major, you’ll deepen your understanding of how people think, behave and relate to one another. Expand your understanding of psychological health and illness, while learning how to assess psychological functioning in individuals.

Explore how culture and society can shape our experiences and health choices. You’ll investigate how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by other people and you’ll learn how to use statistical techniques to understand the differences between groups of people.

Investigate a range of evidence-based psychological interventions and develop your research skills by conducting an in-depth investigation into an area of psychology. Throughout your studies, you’ll build practical skills in analysis, evaluation and communication. Learn how to apply psychological theory and research to real-world individuals and their communities.

You’ll learn:

• Scientific foundations of psychology - Examine how psychological theories and research studies are developed and used.
• Psychological health and illness - Investigate the biological, social and psychological factors that influence our psychological health.
• Psychological assessment - Learn how to conduct a psychological assessment and understand how to evaluate the information you gather.
• Psychological intervention - Gain a deep understanding of different approaches to psychological intervention
• Psychological research in practice - Conduct an in-depth investigation into an area of psychology and create a research report.