Bachelor of Biomedical Research (Honours)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Entry Scores
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Entry requirements
Candidates for admission must have successfully completed a recognised bachelor degree in biomedical, pharmaceutical, nutrition or natural sciences or equivalent qualification. Students will normally have a credit average in their most recent undergraduate degree.
Additional Entry Requirements
Prior to submitting an application to SATAC, applicants must email CHS-Research@unisa.edu.au to confirm the availability of a suitable honours supervisor and research project.
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Prior to submitting an application to SATAC, applicants must email CHS-Research@unisa.edu.au to confirm the availability of a suitable honours supervisor and research project.
Degree overview
- Advance your research skills and specialist knowledge in biomedical, pharmaceutical, biological and chemical sciences.
- Graduate ahead of the crowd with a highly regarded honours degree.
- Contribute to the development of industry knowledge in your chosen area of specialisation.
- Gain valuable practical one-on-one experience with world-class researchers or within a research group.
- Study at a university with above world-class research in health and medical sciences.1
- Learn in state-of-the-art on-campus facilities and laboratories.
- Benefit from UniSA’s strong links with internationally-renowned research groups, such as the Centre for Cancer Biology.
- Use this honours degree as a pathway to a Master of Research and doctoral studies.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,2 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This honours degree is for students who have successfully completed a relevant bachelor degree in biomedical science, pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, nutrition and food sciences, natural sciences or laboratory medicine.
Over one year, you'll develop and extend your research skills and specialist knowledge, focusing on your area of interest. Working in collaboration with your supervisor, your intensive research experience will confidently prepare you for a career in research or further studies such as a PhD.
Read the Honours Research Guide for information on our supervisors' research interests and activities.
What you'll learn
You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with researchers and contribute to the development of knowledge in your area of specialisation. You’ll learn transferable skills such as research training, reporting, communication and presentation skills, data analysis and high-level project management skills.
During the first six months you’ll explore research methodologies, research hypotheses and proposals. You’ll also gain an awareness of ethical research practice.
During the final six months you’ll be required to analyse, understand and contextualise your research results. You’ll then prepare a written thesis and present your findings during a research seminar.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- research proposals
- presentations
- thesis
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Honours
This honours degree ensures you graduate with advanced knowledge of research and professional practice. You’ll receive First Class, Second Class or Third Class Honours, depending on your performance.
During the honours preparation, you’ll undertake training courses in research methods and ethics. Within the honours thesis course, you’ll undertake a research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher and report on this project through a thesis and oral presentation.
Why Bachelor of Biomedical Research (Honours)
This advanced qualification will build on your undergraduate studies with a greater depth of knowledge of research methodology and research practice in a specialisation of your choice.
Health research at UniSA brings together internationally recognised researchers in cancer, pharmaceuticals, clinical neuroscience and mental health, population health, nutrition and food sciences, and Aboriginal health. You’ll have the opportunity to be involved in these areas of research, work closely with industry professionals and gain valuable practical experience.
You’ll benefit from UniSA’s many decades of experience working with industry across scientific fields. Our strong links with internationally-renowned research groups, such as the Centre for Cancer Biology (an alliance between UniSA and SA Pathology) will help you grow your specialist knowledge in the areas of biomedical, pharmaceutical, biological and chemical sciences.
Your career
Honours graduates are highly qualified to embark on a career in research. You could find work in:
- university laboratories, hospital laboratories or research institutes as a laboratory research assistant or technician
- quality control and production for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies
- specialised roles in the pharmaceutical and laboratory supplies sector
You may also decide to continue your education with a Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Research degree.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
You will have access to:
- on-campus laboratories
- facilities used by our affiliated research groups
Your program director
I am privileged to lead a degree focused on developing independent research skills for students to graduate ready to meet the challenges and diverse roles of their profession or for further postgraduate study. This is achieved within a supportive learning environment where students work with world-class researchers and facilities in their chosen area of discovery and innovation.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
