Diploma in Health, University of South Australia (UniSA). 2025 information for International students

You're viewing degree information for International students

You're considered an International student if you are:

NOT an Australian or New Zealand citizen
NOT an Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Not an International student? Switch to Australian content

International students

Start date
January
March
June
September

Campus
Online

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Mode
Online

Program Code
XDHE

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 27,100 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]
IELTS speaking [6.0]
IELTS listening [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
This program is not available to students wishing to study in Australia on a student visa

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
- Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate III or above

OR

Work and life experience

Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have work experience, or

Complete a University enabling program or equivalent, or

Qualify for Special Entry

Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
English language entry requirements
In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:
English language test
- IELTS total [6.0]
- IELTS reading [6.0]
- IELTS writing [6.0]
- IELTS speaking [6.0]
- IELTS listening [6.0]
Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Diploma in Health provides an alternate pathway to bachelor level study for students who have an ATAR, TAFE Certificate III or IV or have completed UniSA Foundation Studies. Students build academic literacy and study skills as well as undertaking foundational discipline specific courses.

Upon successful completion of the diploma, students can apply to transition, via competitive entry, into a UniSA bachelor degree.

Content & Structure

The program consists of 36 units of study. This is comprised of six foundational courses designed to develop academic literacies and foundational level discipline knowledge and two electives from approved specialisation areas.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning	CURR 3021	4.5
Elective 1		4.5	Note(s): 1
UO Applied Computer Practices	COMP 1049	4.5
UO Introduction to Biosciences	NASC 1012	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
UO Introduction to Anatomy	HLTH 1067	4.5
UO Critical Thinking: Media and Academia	LANG 1065	4.5
UO Introduction to Human Physiology	HLTH 1068	4.5
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Pathway to UO Community Health:
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO Introduction to Mental Health	HLTH 1052	4.5
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
UO Psychology Concepts	BEHL 1027	4.5
Pathway to UO Health Science:
UO Psychology Concepts	BEHL 1027	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity	HLTH 1053	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
Pathway to UO Health Science (Healthy Ageing):
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO Psychology Concepts	BEHL 1027	4.5
Pathway to UO Nutrition and Exercise:
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity	HLTH 1053	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
Pathway to Nursing and Midwifery:
UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
UO Introduction to Mental Health	HLTH 1052	4.5
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
UO Psychology Concepts	BEHL 1027	4.5
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
Pathway to UO Public Health:
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5

UO Health and Society	HLTH 1054	4.5
UO Foundations of Health and Physical Activity	HLTH 1053	4.5
UO Introduction to Mental Health	HLTH 1052	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Foundations of Nutrition and Health	BIOL 1054	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO The Social World	SOCU 1008	4.5
UO Psychology Concepts	BEHL 1027	4.5
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To meet entry requirements, students planning to articulate into the Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery upon successful completion (subject to competitive entry) must consider the professional registration requirements, including the English Language Skills standard, and complete a declaration stating how they will demonstrate their English language competency, as determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). Further details can be accessed via the undergraduate program pages.

Notes

1. Electives are to be selected from the list above, aligning with the discipline area students wish to pursue in their bachelor degree. It is important to note that some electives may have prerequisite requirements.

2. Students pursuing a pathway into the Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery are recommended to select electives from the Nursing and Midwifery listing. Please note credit will not be granted for these courses in the undergraduate program due to accreditation requirements.

3. Undergraduate degrees in health may have pre-placement requirements that must be met prior to commencement. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit website for details: https://study.unisa.edu.au/student-placements-and-internships/nursing-health-medical-sciences/cpu/