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New is life changing
About health and medical services
With Australia’s ageing population and increasing rates of chronic disease combined with growing awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, there is strong demand for a range of health and medical graduates. Providing life-changing preventative and restorative treatments to people from all walks of life, graduates are able to take their skills anywhere in the world.
A degree in health and medical services is incredibly rewarding. With the average life expectancy of Australians expected to raise to 93+ years, graduates in this area will enjoy unique and interesting opportunities and challenges throughout their careers.
Why study health and medical services at UON?
- We are global leaders in health and medicine - we're home to the $90 million Hunter Medical Research Institute and leading minds like neurologist Professor Neil Spratt and his team who have revolutionised the way stroke patients are treated, or Professor Vanessa McDonald who is a key figure in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Experience new age learning - we integrate the latest technologies into all our health and medical degrees. Learn through a range of futuristic tools, virtual reality scenarios or lifelike robotic manikins.
- Get hands on experience with over 1,000+ hours of practical experience as part of your study, within a range of settings, and contact with real patients and cases from your first year onwards. This includes exciting international placements in Speech Pathology through the degree’s Southeast Asian stream; experiences in West Timor, Cambodia or Vanuatu for oral health therapy students; or rural and remote clinical placements for allied health students through our Department of Rural Health.
- Connect with communities to improve access to healthcare services both nationally and internationally. Our strong approach to equity is carried through with access to our degrees - this is why we are the largest trainer of Indigenous doctors in Australia.
- Start earning sooner with fast tracked degrees like Podiatry where you can work from year 2 onwards, or Medicine where you get two qualifications in only 5 years of study.
13%
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of Australia's workforce - the largest employing industry
229,400
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new jobs in Community Services and Health sectors by 2018
World top 100
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for nursing
Top 150 in the world
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for medicine
AHPRA
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approved programs of study
Undergraduate health and medical services degrees
We understand that sometimes you don't know exactly which degree you'd like to pursue, particularly in an area as diverse as health and medicine. You may, however, know which specialisation or major excites you. Use these areas of interest to narrow down your study options based on your interests and career goals.
All degrees
Aged care
Aged care involves learning to work with, and advocate for, older people in assisting them to navigate the evolving health services environment. As Australia’s population ages, the demand for aged care graduates is expected to increase. A career in this industry can be enriching and extremely rewarding.
Career examples
- Community Worker
- Care Manager
- Home Care Worker
- Residential Team Leader
Degrees
Food and nutrition
Food is fundamental to our health and wellbeing. Within your degree, you will learn about diet and nutrition-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. You will study why these conditions are becoming increasingly common worldwide. At the same time, you will consider the growing evidence suggesting that certain foods and food-based nutrients could be used to help manage and treat these and other diseases.
This industry is rapidly growing and opportunities for students with degrees in food and nutrition are constantly evolving.
Career examples
- Dietician
- Flavourist
- Food Scientist
- Health Promotion Officer
Degrees
Health and fitness
The Western world is moving towards a new era of health problems related to lifestyle and inactivity, while at the same time elite sport enjoys a high profile in the community. Health and fitness degrees produce qualified specialists with an understanding of the relationship between exercise and health.
Studies in health and fitness can lead to a range of broad and varied careers, helping people achieve and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Career examples
- Biomechanist
- Exercise Physiologist
- Health and Physical Education Teacher
- Sports Scientist
Degrees
Medical engineering
Medical engineering students learn to be involved with the design, development, testing and implementation of safe and effective technological solutions for the health and medicine industry. Depending on their area of specialisation, a medical engineering graduate could study how to work with biomechanical devices, surgical equipment, nanotechnology drug delivery systems and diagnostic tests, prosthetic limbs, artificial organs, or electrical and computing systems relating to radiotherapy, respiration or dialysis.
Medical engineers work in hospitals and other medical institutions, health-related manufacturing and technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, and research organisations.
Career examples
- Medical Devices Engineer
- Biomechanics Designer
- Medical Imaging Engineer
- Biosignal Processing Engineer
Degrees
Medical radiation science
Medical radiation science is a field that’s constantly evolving. Medical radiation students learn the skills to become healthcare professionals who perform complex testing and treatment to help diagnose and solve medical issues. There are three main branches of this scientific field: diagnostic radiography, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.
Diagnostic radiography is an important first step to diagnosing, treating and managing injuries and disease. Nuclear medicine scientists conduct nuclear medicine scans of a person’s body using radioactive material called radioisotopes. Radiation therapy, also known as radiotherapy, uses sophisticated radiation technology to target and destroy cancer cells and shrink tumours – allowing cancer to be treated, managed and cured.
Career examples
- Radiographer
- Nuclear Medicine Scientist
- Radiation Therapist
- Sonographer
Degrees
Medical research
Medical research is conducted to aid and support the development of knowledge in the field of medicine. Your degree in medical research will be heavily grounded in biology and can either focus on biomedical science or biotechnology. Biomedical science studies the human body, its structure and function in health and disease. While, biotechnology uses living organisms to modify products for a specific human purpose. Biotechnology plays a key role in the creation of vaccines.
Career examples
- Biotechnologist
- Embryologist
- Geneticist
- Molecular Biologist
Degrees
Medicine
Medicine is a field of study which is both challenging and rewarding. As a doctor, you will act as a key player in multi-disciplinary medical teams to diagnose and treat patients. The field of Medicine is also rapidly changing with advances in technology and research bringing new therapies and treatments, meaning doctors have new, revolutionary tools at their disposal in patient care.
Studying a degree in medicine builds a lifelong career in health and can open up doors to a range of specialities.
Career examples
- General Practitioner (GP)
- Medical Oncologist
- Neurologist
- Surgeon
Degrees
Nursing and midwifery
A nursing student will learn to care for individuals, families, and communities, ensuring that they maintain good health or recover from injury and disease. The study of Midwifery, however, focuses on the care of women, babies and their families prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy, labour, birth and the early infancy period.
Nurses and midwives are a key part of the team of health professionals who care for patients across hospitals and community health centres.
Career examples
- Nurse
- Midwife
- Child and Family Health Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
Degrees
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy students learn to work with clients and their families to allow them to participate in the activities of everyday life. Their studies focus on a range of different scenarios including helping children with development of fine motor skills; in aged-care assisting to retrofit a home to improve safety; in injury rehabilitation to allow people to return to work; and in mental health helping people regain confidence and independence. Occupational therapy degrees produce trained specialists who work to alter the occupation or the environment to allow clients to lead a rich and fulfilling life.
Career examples
- Occupational Therapist
- Exercise Rehabilitation Advisor
- Lifestyle Coordinator
- Rehabilitation Consultant
Degrees
Oral health
Oral health therapy graduates may work alongside dentists and perform a range of preventative and restorative tasks like cleaning, scaling, polishing and x-rays. Their degree will largely focus on work with adults but depending on the specialisation, may involve work with children as well. Graduates of an oral health therapy degree can also work in a range of other dental health promotion and research roles.
Career examples
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Prosthetist
- Health Promotion Officer
- Dental Therapist
Degrees
Pharmacy
The study of pharmacy is not just about filling prescriptions. It is about learning how to promote health awareness and contributing to ongoing community health. As a pharmacy student you will study consulting on the best use and management of medications, and how to provide advice on symptoms and treatments of common ailments. Pharmacists support the work of other medical professionals by ensuring the safe use of medications and other drugs.
Within your pharmacy degree you will be exposed to the work that the majority of pharmacists undertake in hospitals, community centres or private practice.
Career examples
- Pharmacist
- Pharmaceuticals Scientist
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Medicinal Chemist
Degrees
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy graduates learn to work with people of all ages to help patients overcome injuries and disabilities that hinder their mobility and quality of life. Their studies focus on working closely with other professionals to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders.Throughout their degree, they will learn the application and health benefits of a range of techniques such as massage, heat treatment, ultrasound and exercise.
Career examples
- Physiotherapist
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist
- Physiologist
- Rehabilitation Consultant
Degrees
Podiatry
Podiatry students learn to diagnose, treat, prevent and manage medical conditions and injuries of the leg, foot and ankle. As a Podiatry graduate you may find yourself correcting sports injuries; addressing developmental issues in children; or helping restore a person's independence and mobility. Podiatry degrees have found graduates work in a range of different environments including public and private practice, hospitals, sports clinics and research centres.
Career examples
- Podiatrist
- Orthotist
- Health Promotion Officer
- Sports Podiatry Treatment Officer
Degrees
Psychology
Psychology degrees focus on the scientific study of human behaviour, the human brain and its effect on the way we act and why. This field moulds graduates into experts in human behaviour and they learn the skills and strategies to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Career opportunities are broad and varied and understanding human behaviour is a definite advantage in any industry.
Career examples
- Clinical Psychologist
- Counsellor
- Neuroscientist
- Mental Health Clinician
Degrees
Speech pathology
Speech pathology degrees train graduates to be responsible health professionals, skilled in the assessment and treatment of children and adults with communication and swallowing disorders. Students learn about identifying and treating conditions such as delayed speech and language development, cleft lip and palate, voice disorders and stuttering. They learn to work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, plus a range of other problems that can impact speech. Studying speech pathology can lead to work in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, rehabilitation units and private practice.
Career examples
- Audiologist
- Disability Services Officer
- Speech Pathologist
- Voice or Vocal Coach
Degrees
Experience
Meet Matilda
Matilda talks about her experience at the University of Newcastle, studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
Student achiever - Jessica White
Meet Jess, a High Achiever Scholarship recipient - “Getting the scholarship meant recognition for my academic achievements and gives me the opportunity to meet my career goals and aspirations”.
