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

This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
DDHE

SATAC Code
426086 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 50.00 (for 2024)
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

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
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND

Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)

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

OR

Work and life experience

Qualify for Special Entry, or
Complete a University enabling program or equivalent, or
Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

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 including nursing and public health. Students pursuing a midwifery pathway will complete seven foundational courses designed to develop academic literacies and foundational level discipline knowledge and one elective from the midwifery discipline.

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

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Introduction to Academic Life	SOCU 1010	4.5
Introduction to Biosciences	NASC 1013	4.5
Applied Computer Practices	COMP 1050	4.5
Elective 1		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4,5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Critical Thinking: Media and Academia	LANG 1068	4.5
Introduction to Anatomy	HLTH 1069	4.5
Introduction to Human Physiology	HLTH 1070	4.5
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4,5

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Nursing discipline:
Human Body 1	BIOL 1047	4.5
Human Body 2	BIOL 1048	4.5
Global and National Health	HLTH 1036	4.5
First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1047	4.5
Midwifery discipline:
First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1047	4.5
Individual and Society in Contemporary Australia	HUMS 1062	4.5
Public Health discipline (student must choose between on-campus and UO courses):
First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1047	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Contemporary Aboriginal Issues	HUMS 1059	4.5
UO Introduction to Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 1057	4.5
Aboriginal Health: Culture, Community and Country	HLTH 1063	4.5
Introduction to Public Health	HLTH 1038	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to complete the diploma within 2 years to transfer into an undergraduate degree, subject to competitive entry. Students who do not transfer into an undergraduate degree within this time will be required to apply via SATAC.

2. Commencing students may have their enrolments withdrawn if they fail to engage with their studies (Enrolment policy A48 section 4.5).

3. This program requires weekly participation in all enrolled courses. Student engagement is monitored, with a lack of participation or contact with student support services and/or the Program Director resulting in students being unenrolled from courses they have not engaged with. This action will occur in week 3, prior to census, to ensure students' future program performance (cumulative GPA) is protected.

4. 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 and elective selection should be discussed with College staff. Students must discuss alternate elective course choices with the Program Director to ensure they comply with the program requirements of their future bachelor degree.

2. Students may elect to study UniSA Online electives within the Public Health discipline and must discuss with the Program Director prior to enrolment.

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/

4. Due to professional accreditation limitations within the Bachelor of Midwifery, students pursuing this pathway are permitted to obtain a maximum of 4.5 units of credit.

5. Students pursuing a nursing or midwifery pathway are not permitted to complete UniSA Online electives for credit purposes.