The Bachelor of Health Science produces work-ready professionals who have the knowledge and skills to make a real difference within the health sector. Throughout this course, you will develop fundamental knowledge across a range of health-related topics, including anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, evidence-based practice, health psychology, and rural health. In addition to these core study areas, you can choose two minors or specialise with a major in areas such as strategic communications or human and community wellbeing, among others. This course will provide you with opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills in rich and authentic learning environments through laboratory activities, research projects and work-integrated learning, where you will be engaged in genuine, real-life professional experiences. At the completion of your studies, you will be well-placed to find employment and follow your chosen career path within the wider health sector, and/or to continue with further studies at an honours or postgraduate level.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Science degree from CQUniversity will have the expertise to gain employment within a wide range of health-related fields throughout Australia, given the ability to tailor their degree with a major, or multiple minor study streams. Graduates will be exceptionally well placed to fill roles within aged care, the disability sector, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare, as well as other community health, health promotion and project management roles. Graduates will also be well placed to find employment in health research, or articulation into other health-related education courses.
Students can choose to exit this course after their first year with a Diploma of Health Science, or after two years with an Associate Degree. The Bachelor of Health Science will also provide students with the necessary skill set to enter many professional graduate entry Masters courses. Many Allied Health careers now prefer postgraduate qualifications, and as such, our Bachelor of Health Science is the first step to a rewarding career in Allied Health.
Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time |
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Credit Points that Must be Earned | 144 |
Number of Units Required | CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24). |
Expected Hours of Study | One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term. |
Course Type | Undergraduate Award |
Qualification (post nominal) | BHSc(AlliedHlth) |
AQF Level | Level 7: Bachelor Degree |
Course Fees |
Indicative Year - 2024
Indicative Year - 2023
Indicative Year - 2022
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Domestic Students Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes |
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International Students CRICOS Codes |
Rank Threshold | SR 60 | ATAR 60 |
English (Unit 3 & 4 C) or equivalent
English Language Proficiency Requirements
If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.
Applicants are required to provide documentation confirming completion of:
completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United States of America, which will meet the English proficiency.
If you are an international student, additional requirements may apply, please visit international student information for more details.
If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:
English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.
Each student will be assessed individually.
Biology (Unit 3 & 4 C) or equivalent, or Chemistry (Unit 3 & 4 C) or equivalent, or Physics (Unit 3 & 4 C) or equivalent.
Interim Awards | Not applicable |
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Exit Awards | CL13 - Diploma of Health Science CB70 - Associate Degree of Allied Health |
Accreditation |
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Compulsory Residential School | All students will be required to attend a compulsory Residential School for ALLH11010 Skills for Allied Health Assistants, regardless of study mode. Students may also be required to attend additional compulsory Residential Schools throughout their study if they choose to study Online via Distance, or select a major or minor with a Residential School component. |
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Click here to view all Residential Schools |
ALLH11010 - Students will be required to undertake approximately 120 hours of professional placement in an allied health setting. Whilst every effort will be made to arrange placement within the student's community, this is not guaranteed, which may mean that students are required to travel for their professional placement. |
ALLH13009 - Students will be required to undertake approximately 60 hours of professional placement in a health setting relevant to their major or minor study area. During this placement, students will be required to undertake and perform duties typical of a work-ready professional in the health sector. Whilst every effort will be made to arrange placement within the student's community, this is not guaranteed, which may mean that students are required to travel for their professional placement. |
Year | Number of Students |
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2024 | 109 |
2023 | 96 |
2022 | 97 |
2021 | 101 |
2020 | 106 |
Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.
If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.
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Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such, students are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks. Mandatory checks are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement, and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.
Mandatory health requirements may include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) for the following diseases: COVID-19, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations or screenings will be subject to the site or state health authority.
COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for students attending WIL placements in the healthcare industry. This vaccination may be mandatory for some placement providers.
Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.
Other mandatory requirements may include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, other training modules relevant to the placement site, and Respirator mask fit testing if required by the placement site.
Course Learning Outcomes | ||||||
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Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
1. KNOWLEDGE Have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines as a basis for independent lifelong learning | ||||||
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge | ||||||
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of knowledge with depth in some areas | ||||||
4. SKILLS Have cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in identifying and solving problems with intellectual independence | ||||||
5. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas | ||||||
6. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship | ||||||
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts | ||||||
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and professional practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters | ||||||
KNOWLEDGE Develop an understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture in contemporary and historical context using the respectful and appropriate protocols and terminology | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Engage in reflective self-evaluation of own cultural values and perspectives to proactively create an inclusive workplace that affirms and celebrates cultural diversity | ||||||
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner |
Number of units: 16 | Total credit points: 96 |
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All students must accumulate a total of 144 credit points to complete this course.
These credit points will be broken down into eight (8) core units, eight (8) discipline units, and eight (8) extension units completed as one major or two minors. Each successfully completed unit equates to six (6) credit points.
YEAR 1
All full-time students are required to complete seven (7) units from the core structure in Year 1 (including ALLH11010 in Term 3).
Students are then required to choose two (2) units from their selected major or minor/s to complete their first year of study, provided eligibility and requisite requirements are met.
YEAR 2
All full-time students are required to complete four (4) units from the core structure in Year 2.
Students are then required to choose four (4) units from their selected major or minor/s to complete their second year of study, provided eligibility and requisite requirements are met.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ALLH12006 | Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals | |
NUTR12001 | Human Nutrition | |
MPAT12001 | Medical Pathophysiology | |
BMSC12014 | Pharmacology for Health Professionals |
YEAR 3
All full-time students are required to complete five (5) units from the core structure in Year 3.
Students are then required to choose two (2) units from their selected major or minor/s to complete their third year of study, provided eligibility and requisite requirements are met.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
ALLH14002 | Research Project for Health Professionals 1 | |
ALLH13011 | Rural and Remote Practice for Health Professionals | |
HLTH13031 | Population Health Epidemiology | |
ALLH14001 | Research Project for Health Professionals 2 | |
ALLH13009 | Work-Integrated Learning for Health Professionals |
For students NOT enrolled in CB66, the following are recommended study options for a major or minor(s) in Health Science:
Minor in Health Science:
Minor in Research for Health Sciences:
Major in Health Science:
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Many Indigenous Australians experience poorer health than other Australians, especially in rural, regional and remote communities. As such, they require care that is contextualised within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander systems of kinship, reciprocity and spirituality, and which acknowledges the intergenerational effects of past government policies, discrimination and racism on the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. In this minor, you will engage with colonialism taking you into the national context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and perspectives in interface with non-Indigenous power and authority. You are enabled to make connections to the international global and colonial context. You will develop skill sets to critically investigate, argue and interpret issues around identity, nationalism and power, and to question issues and approaches that purport to be about ‘reconciliation’. You will develop your critical and ethical thinking skills, and be enabled to be a transformative citizen skilled in the struggle for social justice.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
INDG11015 | Contemporary Indigenous Issues | |
NURS11171 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Health | |
ENEV12002 | First Nations Community Engagement | |
SOWK14004 | Reconciliation in the Workplace and Community |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Please note: SOWK11015 Professional Communication in Human Services has a compulsory Residential School that must be completed to pass this unit.
With an ageing population and an increase in services for people with disability, there is an unprecedented opportunity for professionals to work within the human service sector in Australia. This minor will introduce you to the human services sector in Australia, and the concepts of social justice, inequality and disadvantage. You will gain practical skills in active listening and cross-cultural communication, and critically analyse different contexts for community work. You will gain an understanding of different organisational theoretical models to analyse and creatively consider organisational and system change.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SOWK11014 | Contemporary Human Services | |
SOWK11015 | Professional Communication in Human Services | |
SOWK12012 | Organisational Practice | |
SOWK13012 | Professional Practice and Mental Health |
Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
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Please note: SOWK11015 Professional Communication in Human Services and SOWK12009 Casework and Case Management have compulsory Residential Schools that must be completed to pass these units.
With an ageing population and an increase in services for people with disability, there is an unprecedented opportunity for professionals to work within the human service sector in Australia. With a focus on social justice, inclusivity and person-centred support, this major will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to communicate, engage and work with diverse population groups in your community. You will gain an understanding of social justice, inequality and disadvantage in Australia and how these principles underpin work in human services in Australia. You will gain practical skills in active listening, cross-cultural communication, case management and evidence-based practice. You will critically analyse different contexts for community work and develop strategic responses to a range of differing community contexts. This major will prepare you for employment within the human service sector and/or for future postgraduate studies.
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Note: Access to this minor is restricted. Please contact the Course Management Team to discuss. Rockhampton and Bundaberg campuses only. The Introduction to Physiotherapy, Introduction to Podiatry, or Introduction to Speech Pathology minors cannot be completed with this minor.
This minor is designed to introduce you to the profession of occupational therapy, including occupational, biomedical, and social foundations. Occupational therapists support people of all ages, and their families, to engage in their desired and required occupations and activities of daily life, optimising physical and mental health and wellbeing. During this minor you will be introduced to: the scope of contemporary occupational therapy practice; the history of occupational therapy; occupational therapy theories and models; foundational professional skills, including interviewing; how personal, environmental, and occupational factors can represent strengths and barriers to occupational engagement; and the support occupational therapists provide to people to achieve their goals. This minor is subject to quota availability.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
OCCT11002 | Introduction to Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice | |
OCCT11001 | Introduction to Activity and Occupation | |
BMSC12007 | Neurological Physiology & Measurement | |
HLTH13035 | Health in all Policies |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Note: Access to this minor is restricted. Please contact the Course Management Team to discuss. Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Cairns campuses only. The Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Introduction to Podiatry, or Introduction to Speech Pathology minor cannot be completed with this minor.
Physiotherapy is an exciting and rewarding allied health profession that has employment opportunities in hospital, community, sports and occupational settings. Physiotherapists work collaboratively with other health care providers to improve the quality of life for individuals with health and/or movement disorders. In this minor, you will develop an understanding of the ethical, legal and professional frameworks that underpin physiotherapy practice, including evidence-based and inter-professional healthcare. You will acquire basic knowledge and skills in the assessment of posture and movement, and the safe use of therapeutic massage, manual handling, and mobility aids in the context of physiotherapy practice. You will also be introduced to the physiological and biochemical determinants of exercise performance, and develop basic skills in the assessment and prescription of exercise for healthy individuals. This minor is subject to quota availability.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PSIO11004 | Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 1 | |
PSIO11003 | Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2 | |
BMSC12006 | Cardiorespiratory Physiology and Measurement | |
HLTH13035 | Health in all Policies |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Note: Access to this minor is restricted. Please contact the Course Management Team to discuss. Rockhampton campus only. The Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Introduction to Physiotherapy, Introduction to Speech Pathology, and Public Health minor cannot be completed with this minor.
Podiatry is a specialised allied health profession focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conditions related to the lower limb. This minor will introduce you to foundational aspects of podiatry practice including the standards and codes of practice for a podiatrist. You will gain knowledge in functional anatomy and biomechanics of the lower limb, learn how to set up a clinical workspace, apply infection control principles and conduct general assessments of the foot and lower limb.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
PODI11001 | Introduction to Podiatry Practice | |
PODI12010 | Advanced Anatomy and Podiatric Biomechanics | |
HLTH13035 | Health in all Policies |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Note: Access to this minor is restricted. Please contact the Course Management Team to discuss. Rockhampton campus only. The Introduction to Occupational Therapy, Introduction to Physiotherapy, or Introduction to Podiatry minor cannot be completed with this minor.
Speech Pathology is an exciting field that helps people overcome communication difficulties that prevent them from fully engaging with people around them. In this minor, you will develop an understanding and appreciation of how communication disorders across the lifespan create barriers to participation in community, education and employment. Strategies to facilitate development of language in children and improved understanding and use of language to promote better health outcomes will also be explored. This minor is subject to quota availability.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
SPCH11001 | Introduction to Communication and Swallowing | |
SPCH12006 | Linguistics | |
SPCH12008 | Phonetics | |
HLTH13035 | Health in all Policies |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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This minor has been designed to support credit, articulation agreements and transition arrangements. Students cannot opt-in to complete the Liberal Studies minor. Please contact the Course Management Team for further information.
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Effective project management is crucial in the health sector to ensure the successful execution of complex initiatives. This minor will introduce you to fundamental project management principles, provide skills in planning and managing project scope, risk and quality and an understanding of the project life cycle including initiation, planning, implementation, and project closing phases.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PPMP11001 | Project Management Principles | |
PPMP11002 | Project Planning and Integration | |
PPMP12001 | Project Management Life Cycle Phases | |
PPMP12002 | Project Scope Management |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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In this minor, you will be introduced to the social and cultural bases of human behaviour and the theory behind the skills and interventions that are commonly implemented with clients in applied health and sports settings. You will examine human lifespan development, including cognitive and social development, and investigate social psychology as well as abnormal psychology. Additionally, you will analyse individual and societal attitudes to psychoactive drug use by exploring the history of its use, drug policy, public health responses and current media representations.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
PSYC11009 | Fundamentals of Psychology 2: Psychological Literacy | |
PSYC12050 | Applied Health and Sports Psychology | |
HLTH12030 | Drugs in Society | |
PSYC13017 | Foundations of Psychopathology |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Note: This minor cannot be taken with the Introduction to Podiatry minor.
Public health is a dynamic field dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing the health of entire populations. The discipline of public health involves the study and application of various strategies to identify health-related concerns, prevent diseases, prolong life, and promote health on a community and global level. Within this minor, you will examine social determinants of health on both community and global scales. You will be introduced to different types of community assets and needs assessments, and apply fundamental health promotion concepts that can be applied in communities. You will also explore prominent public health issues that arise during and after disasters, and compare and contrast traditional and contemporary community-based disaster management frameworks.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
HLTH12028 | Health Promotion Strategies | |
HLTH12032 | Community Assets and Needs Assessment | |
PBHL13002 | Public Health Disaster Management |
Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
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Public health is a dynamic field dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing the health of entire populations. The discipline of public health involves the study and application of various strategies to identify health-related concerns, prevent diseases, prolong life, and promote health on a community and global level. Within this major, you will examine social determinants of health on both community and global scales, and identify risk factors for lifestyle-related chronic conditions. You will be introduced to different types of community assets and needs assessments, and apply fundamental health promotion concepts that can be applied in communities. You will also appraise evidence from epidemiological investigations, to understand the distribution of health outcomes in diverse populations and understand influential factors that determine this distribution.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
HLTH11027 | Foundations of Health | |
HLTH11029 | Health Promotion Concepts | |
HLTH12032 | Community Assets and Needs Assessment | |
PBHL11002 | Public Health and Chronic Disease | |
HLTH12030 | Drugs in Society | |
PBHL12002 | Public Health Initiatives | |
HLTH12028 | Health Promotion Strategies | |
HLTH13035 | Health in all Policies |
Number of units: 4 | Total credit points: 24 |
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Strategic communication involves using contemporary communication approaches to reach diverse audiences. In the context of health, this may involve translating complex health information to diverse population groups. In this minor, you will become a critical consumer of information and learn how information is created, distorted, and shared in contemporary (online) environments. You will examine crisis management from a communications perspective, learn the processes involved in a successful communications campaign, and develop the skills required to create impact with individuals, organisations and the wider population.
Available units | ||
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Students must complete the following compulsory units: | ||
COMM11110 | Introduction to Public Relations | |
COMM11112 | The Internet Never Lies?: Social Media and Society | |
COMM12018 | Advanced Public Relations | |
COMM20110 | Crisis Communication |
Number of units: 8 | Total credit points: 48 |
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Strategic communication involves using contemporary communication approaches to reach diverse audiences. In the context of health, this may involve translating complex health information to diverse population groups. In this major, you will become a critical consumer of information and learn how information is created, distorted, and shared in contemporary (online) environments, and develop a critical awareness of new communication technologies and their impact on a global scale. You will learn the processes involved in a successful strategic communications campaign and work on real-world scenarios, enabling you to develop clear knowledge about how to communicate effectively, devise and implement strategies, and maintain relationships with stakeholders. You will examine crisis management from a communications perspective, and develop skills for managing intense media scrutiny. The major will prepare you for employment within the health-related strategic communications sector.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Health Science degree from CQUniversity will have the expertise to gain employment within a wide range of health-related fields throughout Australia, given the ability to tailor their degree with a major, or multiple minor study streams. Graduates will be exceptionally well placed to fill roles within aged care, the disability sector, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare, as well as other community health, health promotion and project management roles. Graduates will also be well placed to find employment in health research, or articulation into other health-related education courses.