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The Bachelor of Clinical Sciences provides students with a strong background in biomedical science and health with a clinical focus.
During the course students will acquire the knowledge and skills required to work in a range of health-related situations and can tailor their study program through the choice of majors to pursue specific career paths. The degree can also be completed without a major, providing the option of a general study program from a wide range of elective units.
The course is also ideal as a first degree for those who wish to continue their health education with a graduate course in a professional field such as medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, nutrition and dietetics, or osteopathic medicine.
This course provides a pathway into graduate entry osteopathy, psychology and dietetics, and a potential articulation into naturopathy. It also prepares students for a variety of career directions in the health and education sectors, including at medical centres, health centres, pharmacies, resorts and retreats, in research, as natural health or nutrition consultants to the industry sector and within the media.
For students interested in pursuing a career in osteopathy, five years of education and training is required (three-year Bachelor of Clinical Sciences majoring in Osteopathic Studies and Human Structure and Function; and a two-year Master of Osteopathic Medicine offered by Southern Cross University). In Australia, entry level training in osteopathic medicine is accredited by the Osteopathy Board of Australia and this course pathway was granted full accreditation in 2012. Registration in Australia gives mobility across all states and territories and New Zealand.
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited Psychology major offers a pathway for admission to the Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours program, for eligible graduates who complete the degree with all 10 units in the Psychology major.
For students interested in naturopathy, the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences provides the foundation to enter a career in industry or private enterprise as advisors. However, in order to enter private practice, further clinical studies are necessary. Students need to complete the majors in Naturopathic Studies and Complementary Medicine.
The Human Nutrition major offers students the underpinning knowledge to work as nutritionists as well as to further their studies in postgraduate nutrition/dietetics. Graduates of this major will be eligible to apply for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and membership of the Nutrition Society of Australia.
Students who wish to become pedorthists must complete the Pedorthic Studies and Foot Care double major. A pedorthist is a health care professional who specialises in the improvement of human movement, in particular gait and better foot function. A pedorthist conducts a comprehensive assessment which may lead to them manufacturing corrective footwear, orthoses or other supportive devices to address conditions which affect the feet and human mobility. To practise as a pedorthist, graduates must be a member of the Australian Pedorthic Medical Grade Footwear Association.
Students who have chosen the osteopathic or pedorthic areas of study will have the opportunity to undertake a supervised professional placement.
Majors to choose from include:
The course can also be completed without a major, providing the option to pursue a general study program from a wide range of elective units.
For more information about the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences generic stream (16 electives), please refer to the Course Enrolment Guide. Please note this guide is for the current year and that information contained in it may vary for future intakes.
Note for International Students: The majors Ageing and Psychology are not available to International Students.
To qualify for the Bachelor of Clinical Sciences a total of 288 credit points (usually 24 units) must be completed.
This course offers an intermediate award (early exit point) at Associate Degree level.
Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.
For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Unavailable | |
| Lismore | Session 1 Session 2* * Session 2 is not available to international students. |
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| Coffs Harbour | Unavailable | |
| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Unavailable | |
| Course Duration | Domestic students: 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time* 3.5 years for students commencing Session 2 * May be completed in a shorter duration subject to unit availabilities. International students: 3 years |
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| Fees and Charges | • Domestic fees • International fees • Additional fee information |
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| School | School of Health & Human Sciences | |
| Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries | scu.edu.au/enquiries | |
| Further Information | Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481 International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au |
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| Total Units: | Award Abbreviation: | 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP: |
| 24 | BClinSc | 68/17 |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| Lismore: 335115 | Lismore: 055111 | Lismore NSW: 059054K |
On-campus students experience a variety of different teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, workshops, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.
The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.
The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. Most units utilise progressive assessment with marks typically allocated across a combination of assessment tasks due at different times during the study period that often include a formal end of session examination. Assessment requirements for each unit are advised in writing to students at the commencement of each study period with clear guidelines, due dates, and the weighting for each assessment task.
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audiovisual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Specialist facilities for clinical science students include access to fully equipped and up-to-date scientific laboratories for clinical sciences, psychology, biomechanics and biochemistry, and state-of-the art facilities for human anatomy. A specialist pedorthics facility at the Gold Coast campus provides access to equipment used in footwear manufacturing and patient assessment.
The SCU Health Clinic, also located on the Lismore campus, is a fully operational clinic for naturopathy and postgraduate clinical osteopathy student training.
Pre-requisite Year 12 subjects
There are no pre-requisite subjects required for this course.
On-campus Undergraduate applications
To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.
We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.
Associate Degree of Allied Health
Bachelor of Health Science
Bachelor of Exercise Science and Nutrition
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science/Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Trauma and Healing
Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences (Honours)
Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours
Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology
Master of Osteopathic Medicine
Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
4.1 Requirements for the AwardNote: It is the students’ responsibility to check the level of required English language proficiency put forward by any of the relevant professional accrediting bodies associated with this course, to ensure that individuals meet the level of English ability required by that accrediting body at the point of registration to practice as a health professional.
The University is not responsible for ensuring individual students meet the level of English language proficiency required by these accrediting bodies.