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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July
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Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
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Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
N/A
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 5.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
DipHlthHuSc
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Course code
2125160
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Credit points
96
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Equivalent units
8
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
-
Duration
1 year full-time
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Location
-
Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
N/A
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
-
Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 5.5
-
Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
DipHlthHuSc
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Course code
2125160
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Credit points
96
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Equivalent units
8
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Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
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"Students will dive into their area of passion, building core knowledge while also receiving the skills, support and confidence to enter the workforce or continue on to a Bachelor degree."
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Exercise judgement to identify problems & contribute to their solutions in defined health or human science settings. |
GA2: Creativity Apply theoretical & technical knowledge & skills within defined contexts in the field of health or human science. |
GA3: Ethical practice Apply ethical & sustainable values & practices within defined health or human science contexts. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Exercise judgement to identify problems & contribute to their solutions in defined health or human science settings. Apply theoretical & technical knowledge & skills within defined contexts in the field of health or human science. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Demonstrate responsibility & accountability for own learning & work in defined health or human science contexts. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Apply academic knowledge & skills to communicate information, concepts, & solutions, individually &/or in a team within defined health or human science contexts. |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultural perspectives within defined health or human science contexts. |
Students will choose from the following specialisations:
- Nursing
- Counselling
- Community Welfare
- Psychological Sciences
- Naturopathic Medicine.
Please note, not all specialisations are available at all locations. Not all units are available online.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1 |
| Online | Term 1, Term 3 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates can work in a range of health professions including as personal care assistants, disability support workers, and case workers. Please note that the Diploma qualification does not allow you to register to practise as a health professional, nor advertise as a professionally qualified practitioner.
The Diploma is also a pathway into a range of Bachelor degrees. Successful completion of the Diploma of Health and Human Sciences enables entry* and up to 8 units of credit (depending on the specialisation taken) towards a linked Southern Cross Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle), Bachelor of Community Welfare, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Counselling, or Bachelor of Nursing.
Please note: not all units are offered online. Check the specialisation you are interested in for more details. If you are interested in continuing onto a Bachelor degree, check the individual course for details about where they are offered.
*Some courses have additional entry requirements. Please refer to the relevant course page for further information.
Nursing specialisation:
Graduates of the Diploma in the Nursing specialisation who have an Academic IELTS 7.0, with no band less than 7.0, qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Nursing.
Applicants need to meet the English Language standards specified by NMBA registration standards in order to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards.
Graduates of the Diploma who qualify for direct entry will need to commence the Bachelor of Nursing in early January, with a unit that includes professional placement. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to commencement.
Up to 7 units of advanced standing is included in this pathway. The duration of this pathway may exceed 3 years depending on unit availabilities.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Applicants for admission to candidature to the Diploma of Health and Human Sciences must have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or have completed an International English Language Test (or equivalent) with:
Counselling and Psychological Science specialisations requiring:
- A minimum overall score of 5.5 and a minimum score of 5.0 in each subtest, except for writing with a minimum score of 5.5 (or equivalent).
Community Welfare and Naturopathic Studies specialisations requiring:
- A minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 6.0 in each subtest (or equivalent).
Nursing specialisation requiring:
- A minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each subtest (or equivalent).
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5.5 |
| Writing | minimum 5.5 |
| Reading | minimum 5.0 |
| Speaking | minimum 5.0 |
| Listening | minimum 5.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Diploma of Health and Human Sciences, students must complete 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 1 specialisation in:
- Community Welfare; or
- Counselling; or
- Naturopathic Studies; or
- Nursing; or
- Psychological Sciences
Other things to consider
As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us.
There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.
Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.
SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.
Course structure
Why study Health at Southern Cross University
Support to build academic skills
This course is offered through SCU College, where we support your success through carefully designed curriculum with embedded support
Tailor studies to your interests
Choose from a range of specialisations to hone your expertise
Pathway to further study
Successful completion of the Diploma guarantees entry and eight (8) units of credit towards a linked Bachelor degree
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access, an initiative created to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
How can we help?
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway