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Undergraduate

Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences

Domestic students International students
Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences (ABSC)
Entry requirements
ATAR 62.70
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Study mode
  • On-campus
  • External
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes
Notes: The External study mode is not suitable for international students studying from overseas.

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Overview

  • Complete a range of courses in human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, nutrition and biochemistry and gain an understanding of what it is like to work in research and clinical science laboratories.
  • Experience hands-on learning in laboratory-based residential schools or fortnightly labs for most of the first-year courses and laboratory-based residential schools supported by online or on campus learning in your second year. 

Further study

After completing the Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences, you have the option to take the credit from your studies and go on to complete the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences.

Career outcomes

  • As a graduate of this degree, you may have employment opportunities as a university and secondary school science laboratory technician or technical assistant in a public or private research laboratory. You will have contemporary laboratory skills to assist in roles in both research and teaching laboratories.
  • Are you a secondary school science teacher? Use this degree to upskill or enhance your employment opportunities. 

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 62.70 64.00
Pre-requisites

To study this degree we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C), and
  • General Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C)

We assume that your knowledge is equivalent to a grade C or higher in Units 3 and 4 at high school level (typically studied in Year 12). Find out more about assumed knowledge.

It is also recommended that you have studied either Biology  (Units 3 & 4, C), Chemistry  (Units 3 & 4, C), or Science (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent. 

Further admission information

Adjustments are additional points given in certain circumstances that may increase your Rank. Find out if you qualify for any adjustment factor pathways such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study UniSQ's UniReady courses TPP0122 and TPP0123, or the English for Academic Purposes EAP2 pathway program through the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education Pathways Program (IHEPP).

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 8
Biomedical Sciences courses 4
Elective courses  4 
Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 9312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 26400

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
External 906935
Toowoomba 906931

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check our application closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.
Apply direct to UniSQ
Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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What are the entry requirements and pathways to entry?

To gain entry into an Associate Degree in Biomedical Science you need to meet a specific ATAR, pre-requisites and assumed knowledge requirements. ‘Assumed knowledge’ is the term we use to explain the minimum level of knowledge we presume you have in some subjects before you start your degree.

For more information on entry requirements at UniSQ, please view the entry requirements section of this page.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, we have a pathway option for you:

Do you still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iConnect support staff to talk through your options.

How can an Associate Degree in Biomedical Science credited towards further study?
An Associate Degree in Biomedical Science can be used as a stepping-stone to further study. At UniSQ you have the option to take the credit from your biomedical science associate degree and go on to study the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences. 
What are the career opportunities for graduates who hold an Associate Degree in Biomedical Science?

Associate Degree in Biomedical Science graduates can enjoy a variety of career opportunities within many difference sectors including:

  • universities
  • secondary schools
  • public or private research laboratory. 
Are flexible study options available?

At UniSQ you can study our Sciences Associate Degree in Biomedical Science on-campus or externally, allowing you to learn your subject theory online and attend on-campus residential schools when required. We’ve been delivering distance education for over 40 years, so you can be sure that you are learning your degree from the online education experts.

Discover more about the different ways you can study at UniSQ.