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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March, July
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Duration
3 years full-time; 6 years part-time
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Location
Gold Coast, Lismore
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Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
65
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 6.5
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BHSc(HlthLifest)
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Course code
3007319
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Credit points
288
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Equivalent units
24
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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.
Overview
The World Health Organisation estimates a projected shortfall of 18 million health care workers by 2030, which has resulted in rebuilding the health care workforce as a core global health priority.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) is a foundation degree for students who wish to pursue a career in health, naturopathic medicine, or lifestyle medicine.
To practice as a Clinical Naturopath, students must successfully complete the Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) and the Southern Cross University Master of Naturopathic Medicine. The total full-time duration for this clinical training program is four years. This is the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree.
This course allows students to develop an understanding of health science, social science, lifestyle medicine, clinical science, scientific enquiry and naturopathic medicine. Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding of health promotion through undertaking a work-integrated health placement, health promotion project or professional engagement with Aboriginal communities.
This degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in evidence-based practice and a deep understanding of naturopathic medicine’s philosophical foundations of preventing ill-health, improving patient health outcomes, supporting a patient’s innate ability to heal and addressing the underlying causes of illness.
This is the only undergraduate Naturopathic Medicine degree in Australia offering Commonwealth Supported places (HECS-HELP).
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“Having lifestyle medicine as an evidence-based strategy for preventing and managing diseases has set me up with a good arsenal of tools to help people move towards prevention rather than cure.”
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 Interpret evidence-based clinical-decision making frameworks appropriate for contemporary health and lifestyle contexts |
GA2: Creativity Use initiative and problem-solving skills to respond creatively to intellectual, professional, environmental and social challenges |
GA3: Ethical practice Understand and function within applicable professional competencies, scope of practice, codes of conduct, codes of ethics, laws and policies |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Demonstrate broad and coherent understanding of health and lifestyle philosophies, theories and frameworks in applicable professional contexts Demonstrate a body of knowledge and skills derived from the physical, biological, behavioural, clinical and social sciences |
GA5: Lifelong learning Use reflection to guide professional development and to be a self-directed and life-long learner |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate and apply well-developed verbal and written communication skills applicable to diverse settings with high academic and professional integrity Collaborate effectively with a diverse range of individuals, groups and interdisciplinary teams |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate respect and responsiveness to socio-cultural preferences, needs and values of individuals and groups in diverse settings Display social responsibility to others in the community and within the broader healthcare setting |
This course includes 52 hours of professional placement. Elective units may include additional placement hours.
There are regulatory requirements that students must meet before commencing professional placements.
The Bachelor of Health Science (Health and Lifestyle) provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine.
The 24 units of study in this course (including 23 core units and 1 elective unit) centre around three themes:
- Profession and Principles: professional contexts in naturopathic medicine 1-2; language and learning in your discipline.
- Practitioner and Practice: exercise physiology; introductory pharmacology; nutritional medicine; botanical medicine; manual and mind-body medicine; clinical studies in naturopathic medicine 1-5; work-integrated health placement (elective); working with Aboriginal communities I (elective).
- Patient and Population: introduction to science for health professionals; human anatomy; human physiology I and II; biological chemistry and human metabolism; psychology and sociology for health professionals; introduction to evidence for health science practitioners; health promotion and wellness; counselling theory and practice; practice-based health research.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 |
| Lismore | Term 1 |
Career Outcomes
This course provides a direct pathway into the Master of Naturopathic Medicine, which enables graduates to practice as a Clinical Naturopath. As a clinical naturopath, graduates will be qualified to work in private practice, as well as in a range of primary and specialised healthcare settings, such as aged care, palliative care, rural health centres or integrative health clinics.
In addition to careers in naturopathic medicine, students will be well-prepared for diverse roles working within health care teams (as an allied health assistant, associate massage therapist, health/lifestyle coach or care coordinator), community teams (as a health promotion officer, community development officer, or project officer), or independently (as a health/lifestyle consultant, or health communicator/writer).
Graduates are eligible to apply for membership with the Complementary Medicine Association and Massage & Myotherapy Australia.
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
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
- completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
- a. the IELTS (academic module) minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four components: or
- the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 59 and a minimum score of 59 in each of the four communicative skills; or
- the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 79 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 20 listening, 19 reading, 24 writing, and 20 speaking; or
- successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College.
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.
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
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 6.5 |
| Reading | 6.5 |
| Writing | 6.5 |
| Listening | 6.5 |
| Speaking | 6.5 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Health Science (Heath and Lifestyle), students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:
- 23 core units (288 credit points)
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma after completing the first 8 units in the course progression. Students are to contact Client Services for more information.
Work Integrated Learning
This course includes work integrated learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning page, must be met prior to attending placement. All work integrated learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
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 Science at Southern Cross University
Graduates in high demand
81% of our graduates are employed full-time within four months of completing their course
Good Universities Guide 2025 (Health Services and Support, UndergraduatePathway to further study
This degree forms part of the only four-year program in Naturopathic Medicine offered in Australia where students will graduate with a Masters degree
Guaranteed entry with Diploma of Health
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.
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?
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