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Undergraduate

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

Domestic students International students
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BLAB)
Entry requirements
ATAR 65.60
View full details
Study mode
  • On-campus
  • External
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 3.5 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May
Intakes

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Overview

  • Start working sooner – UniSQ’s Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science is a 3.5 year degree (one of the shortest qualifications of its kind in Australia and New Zealand) and is accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). 
  • With UniSQ, your work integrated learning and clinical placements start with a pre-analytical placement in your first year of study. Clinical placements provide real-world experience in pathology laboratories and opportunities to enhance your employability. 
  • Our graduate medical laboratory scientists are workplace ready to commence an exciting career in haematology, molecular diagnostics, clinical biochemistry, transfusion science, infectious disease, anatomical pathology and more. 
  • In fact, some of our undergraduate students are employed as medical laboratory technicians after two years of study. 
  • This degree was designed in collaboration with Pathology Queensland and the UniSQ Medical Laboratory Science Industry Advisory Panel to ensure that course content is reflective of current industry needs and in-demand skills.  
  • Develop the specialised skills required to process patient tissue samples for diagnosis of diseases, such as cancer, and determine the compatibility of blood products for patients requiring transfusion.  
  • Learn how to use molecular and conventional methods to identify the cause of infectious diseases (like pneumonia and meningitis) and blood and surgical wound infections.   
  • Your studies in laboratory medical science will also give you the foundational, advanced, and real world biomedical science skills that are critical in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and maintenance of human health and disease through the analysis of human samples.  
  • You have the flexibility to study the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science full-time or part-time to fit it in around life and work commitments. You can study fully on campus or via a blended mode (external) where you complete the theoretical content in your courses online, and the practical laboratory classes as face-to-face residential schools  at UniSQ Toowoomba. 
Upon successful completion of this degree, you can go on to complete postgraduate study, including a Bachelor of Science (Honours), a Master of Research or a Master of Public Health, amongst many other options. 

Professional memberships

UniSQ is seeking accreditation with the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) for the redeveloped Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BLAB). Students are eligible for free student membership of AIMS and graduates are eligible for discounted membership of AIMS. 

You will also be eligible to apply for membership to professional organisations including the Australian Society for Microbiology, Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Australian Society for Medical Research.

Career outcomes

  • You will be prepared for employment in private and public pathology laboratories, medical research institutions and universities, blood banks, fertility clinics, and forensic science laboratories. 
  • Medical laboratory scientists are a critical part of the healthcare system supporting pathologists, doctors, nurses, and associated health professionals by performing analyses on patient specimens, to provide information that is vital in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of human disease.  
  • This qualification can be a pathway to study medicine. 

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. 65.60 68.05
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 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.

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements that must be met in order to successfully complete this degree. Inherent requirements are fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree. Please read and understand the inherent requirements specific to the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science before applying.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting inherent requirements, you can talk to a Student Equity Officer about reasonable adjustments that may be put in place to assist you. Any reasonable adjustments made must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

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 7.0 with a minimum 6.0 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.

Additional requirements for placements

All students must provide the following documents prior to commencing any clinical placements in the program:

  • UniSQ Student Declaration
  • UniSQ Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) form
  • Queensland Health Student Orientation Checklist
  • Queensland Health Student Deed Poll
  • Queensland Health iLearn Modules
  • Pathology QLD Visitor Confidentiality Protocol
  • AUSLAB Clinical WILS Student Access
  • QML Online Induction Certificate
  • Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form for Students

Students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing clinical placements:

  • Hepatitis B seroconversion
  • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella immunisation evidence
  • Varicella immunisation evidence
  • Pertussis immunisation evidence
  • Covid-19 immunisation evidence

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 28 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 27
incl. 80 days of clinical placement
 1 x elective 1
Total 28

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

Residential schools

If you are enrolled in the External study mode in this degree, you will be required to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face practical classes and workshops, use the laboratory facilities and specialised equipment, and engage with staff and other students.

Professional experience / clinical placements

As part of your study, you will complete 80 days of professional practice (clinical placement) in accredited pathology laboratories. We have a team of professional placement officers who will liaise with you to arrange your placements.   

All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of clinical/professional practice components of the degree. 

Applicants must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland, Queensland Health and private pathology providers for practical placement. Please visit Resources and Forms to download the latest Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Placement Guide.

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 31520

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.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

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

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1 or 2.

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

More information on applying key dates is available.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

Talk to us
What is a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science?
A Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Australia is a qualification that prepares you to work in the field of health as a medical scientist. This clinical role provides a critical function of the healthcare profession. They support the healthcare team, analysing patient samples and providing laboratory data to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of medical issues and conditions.
What do you do in Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science?
At UniSQ, a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science prepares you with specialised skills to enter the healthcare industry. Through coursework and professional experience placements in pathology laboratories, you will explore subject areas such as molecular diagnostics, haematology, chemistry, pathology studies, human anatomy and physiology, immunopathology, and microbiology.
Why study a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science?
A Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science degree provides you with exciting career opportunities and allows you to create positive impact in the healthcare field within Australia and globally. The degree also provides an excellent pathway to study medicine, work in medical research or pursue forensic sciences.
What are the entry requirements?

To study a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at UniSQ you need to meet a minimum ATAR and assumed knowledge. ‘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.

Additional documentation must also be provided prior to any clinical placements.

For further information on ATAR, assumed knowledge and additional documentation, please view the entry requirements section of this page for details.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, we have many pathway options you can explore. UniReady is a free and flexible pathway, giving you an alternative entry option into the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.

Not sure if you want to commit to the full degree? Why not start with our Associate degree of Medical Laboratory Science? Upon completion, if you have followed the recommended enrolment pattern, you can then articulate into the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science if you choose.  

How long does a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science take?

The duration of a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science will vary depending on the learning provider you choose to study with.

At UniSQ, a full-time course load will take 3.5 years, or you can undertake the part-time equivalent option which is up to 7 years. 

How much does a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science cost in Australia?

The cost of a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science in Australia will vary depending on the education provider you choose to study with.

When you study with us, the first year of your studies will cost approximately AUD 9000 (Commonwealth supported place), not including:

  • Professional experience costs
  • Student services and amenities fees
  • Residential school costs.

Please view the fees and scholarships section of this page for details. 

Why study a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science with UniSQ?
  • Ranked above world standard in Medical and Health Sciences in the latest ERA results.
  • We offer Australia’s only 3-year Medical Laboratory Science degree accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) and our graduates are eligible for discounted membership of AIMS.
  • Begin work integrated learning and clinical placements with a pre-analytical placement in your first year of study.