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Bachelor of Medical Science

Study Medical Science at Flinders

Investigate the science of the human body.

This specialised degree covers areas such as biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience and more. It provides exciting options for students interested in a wide range of careers in the medical and health sciences, and emphasises the fundamental sciences that underpin virtually all fields of medical science. Also available is a Bachelor of Medical Science (Laboratory Medicine) which is a new four-year Laboratory Medicine course that builds on the Bachelor of Medical Science degree.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.
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I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Switch to Domestic

Prerequisites

None

Assumed knowledge

None

2022 selection rank

85.00

Guaranteed selection rank

95.00

TAFElink

Advanced Diploma or above

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

214421

Delivery mode
On campus:
  • – Bedford Park
Online: No.
Duration

3 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)
Deferrable: Yes

Annual indicative fee
  • 2022: $8,571
How are these fees calculated?
Start dates
  • – March
  • – July

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Why study
Medical Science at Flinders

  • Access state-of-the-art research facilities
  • Choose topics from both biological sciences and medicine to combine a solid understanding of the human body with the laboratory skills for medical science
  • Laboratory practicals and experiments prepare you for work as a medical scientist
  • Be immersed in a strong clinical and research environment
  • Eligibility to apply, on graduation, for a sub-quota of up to 25 places in Flinders’ Doctor of Medicine (domestic students only)
  • Optional postgraduate pathways into nutrition and dietetics, speech pathology, audiology and medicine
  • Sub-quotas available for rural and remote applicants (domestic students only)
See all events  

Events

Get inspired

Discover Flinders’ Medical Science degree, including what you can expect to study, the support available to you, unique learning experiences during your degree and what you can expect in your future career.

Kylie Howard
I work as a Medical Scientist for SA Pathology in Adelaide. It’s a high pressure environment, tasked with our local response to the global SARS-CoV2 Pandemic.

Kylie Howard, Bachelor of Medical Science, Graduate 2012. Medical Scientist, Medical Scientist for SA Pathology, Adelaide

Read my story

Tasfia Khanam
I chose to study at Flinders because it offers a highly-regarded Bachelor of Medical Science degree with outstanding lecturers, researchers and academics in each field and topic.

Tasfia Khanam, Graduate, Bachelor of Medical Science.

Read my story

Your career

The degree provides options for students interested in a wide range of careers in the medical and health sciences. Graduates may find employment in such fields as medical science, pharmaceutical research, biomedical organisations, diagnostic laboratories, health administration, and health planning and policy.

Potential occupations include:

  • bone densitometry technician
  • cardiac physiologist
  • medical laboratory technician
  • medical scientist
  • research and development scientist.

Potential employers include:

  • universities
  • government
  • industry-funded organisations
  • the pharmaceutical industry
  • government regulatory bodies
  • biomedical companies
  • diagnostic laboratories.

What you will study

First year

A typical first year may include:
  • core topics in biology, chemistry, physiology, and skills for medical scientists
  • a selection of option topics from a range of areas including biotechnology, chemistry, biostatistics, legal studies, nutrition and physics.

Second year

A typical second year may include:
  • core topics in biochemistry, human physiology, molecular biology, and skills for medical scientists
  • a selection of option topics from a range of areas including human immunology and infectious diseases, fundamental neuroscience, virology, and microbiology.

Third year

A typical third year may include:
  • core topic in skills for medical scientists
  • study in a specialisation in physiology and neuroscience, medical biotechnology, pharmacology and toxicology, biochemistry and molecular biology, nutrition, or microbiology
  • a professional placement topic involving a semester of laboratory-based project work.

View study program

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.

  • Undertake a professional placement in your third year.
  • Get hands-on experience in a laboratory of your choice.
  • Develop important practical skills that enhance your employability.

Study abroad

There are opportunities to take your studies overseas for a semester as long as the topics align with the course curriculum.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2022. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 99.95 99.95
Median rank to receive an offer 93.25 96.95
Lowest rank to receive an offer 73.25 84.00

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2022 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
Applicant background (Semester 1, 2022) Number of students Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 46 30%
Vocational education and training (VET) study 6 4%
Work and life experience 5 3%
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) 58 38%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) 19 13%
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) 12 8%
International Students 6 4%
All students 152 100%

Innovation and
enterprise topics

At Flinders University, we recognise that careers are evolving and the workplace of the future will look very different from today.

Whatever undergraduate course you are studying at Flinders you can add innovation and enterprise electives to your degree to gain new, adaptable and transferrable skills that will equip you for changes in the global job market.

These innovation and enterprise electives prepare you for the careers of tomorrow by developing what we like to call ‘personal enterprise skills’ – the innate ability to adapt to whatever life throws at you, professionally and personally.

Pursue multiple passions with a combined degree

Expand your career options by combining this degree with the Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical) (Honours).

Search all combined degree options

How to apply

1

Choose your preferred course.

 

2

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

 

3

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

 

4

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

An annual subquota is available for applicants from rural and remote areas. To be considered for the rural and remote subquota applicants must apply to SATAC in the normal way.

Applicants must also, within 10 working days after submitting the SATAC application, submit a Statutory Declaration to SATAC which confirms that they have lived in non-metropolitan areas of Australia (Remoteness Classifications RA2 to RA5) for at least 5 consecutive years, or 10 years cumulatively, from birth (i.e. during any period of their life). A Statutory Declaration form can be downloaded here.

Applicants can check their eligibility in accordance with the definition above using the search tool at the Remoteness Area (RA) Locator site. Filter your search using the ASGS Remoteness Areas (2016) layer.

Am I eligible?

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous higher education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through adult entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

Find the entry path that’s right for you.

Explore our pathways

How to apply

1

Select your course.

 

2

Check entry requirements.

 

3

Check your eligibility for credit.

 

5

Obtain certified documents.

 

6

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through academic pathways programs provided by the Flinders International Study Centre.

Find out more

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

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Last Updated: 22 Jul 2022
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