Why Bachelor of Health Science (Healthy Ageing)?
Do you want to make a real and meaningful impact on the lives of Australians who are older? Are you ready to shape better health outcomes and improve the way we transition through life’s stages?
Our specialised qualification in healthy ageing is backed by world-class research, industry experience and a foundation of generalist health science knowledge. You’ll be empowered to pursue a rewarding career across a wide range of healthcare roles, influencing health systems and social policy.
You’ll explore innovative and creative ways to support individuals as their needs evolve. Discover how nutrition, medicine and social connectivity can enhance wellbeing. Learn about psychology concepts related to ageing, and wellbeing practices for different demographics of people throughout the lifespan.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Health Science (Healthy Ageing) explores a range of factors that influence our health and wellbeing as we grow older. Learn how communities, organisations, and governments are responding to challenges and opportunities, and your role in taking on these challenges.
You’ll study core courses offered in the Bachelor of Health Science before moving on to your Healthy Ageing specialisation from the second year. Discover what age-friendly environments and landscapes look like and learn about the role of nutrition and food as we age. Explore personal, structural, and social factors that influence lifestyle choices and analyse factors that influence workforce participation. You’ll also analyse international and national policy perspectives in this field, informed by current trends and industry practice.
Prepare for career success in a growing and vital sector, equipped with a specialised skill set strengthened by strong foundational health knowledge. You’ll graduate ready to launch or advance your career in a range of industries or take the next step in your current role as a health professional in a key sector.
Key features
Study a degree aligned to strong industry demand across the healthcare and social assistance sector.- Explore the core influences on the health and wellbeing for people who are older, including personal, structural, cultural and social factors.
- Explore nutrition and food for healthy ageing, advocating for dignity through enablement, needs of older Aboriginal Australians, and existing government and social policies that promote healthy ageing.
- Examine the current issues, opportunities and future requirements for Australian health systems and services.
- Gain the skills to develop strategies and solutions to tackle growing challenges in the health and aged care sectors.
What you'll learn
Our Bachelor of Health Science is a generalist health science degree offering a holistic understanding of health, human biology and the healthcare system. Adelaide University’s online Bachelor of Health Science (Healthy Ageing) builds on this core knowledge to deliver a specialised degree tailored to industry and social demand, focused on the unique healthcare and social needs of Australians who are older.
Develop critical skills and knowledge across psychology concepts, Aboriginal health and health systems and services. Then further your knowledge exploring issues and opportunities central to the aged care and healthcare sectors. You’ll discover how nutrition and food can support healthy ageing, how social connectivity helps us thrive, and how innovation and creativity can be applied to foster engagement.
You’ll study a range of tailored career-relevant courses, including:
- Pharmacology
- Pathophysiology
- Health law, ethics and policy
- Supporting dignity through enablement
- Diversity and discrimination in disability and ageing
- Aboriginal Australian ageing and wellbeing.
Strengthen your learning with a practical capstone project. Apply your skills and knowledge to professional practice by developing a community health project. You’ll gain valuable experience based on real-world practice, and develop your critical thinking, project design and management skills.
Graduate with the specialised skills to affect change, advocate for the needs of Australians who are older, and drive better outcomes in a sector experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals. You’ll be well positioned to step into an evolving field where you can make a meaningful change in people’s lives, equipped with the skills to provide care respectfully and effectively.
Our 100% online Bachelor of Health Science also offers the opportunity to follow a specialised pathway in two complimentary fields by studying a major in Nutrition and Exercise.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 138 units for all Core courses, and
- 6 units for Electives
Complete 138 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1
|
Course code
BIOL1028
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2
|
Course code
BIOL1029
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Psychology Concepts
|
Course code
PSYC1017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO First Peoples' Health
|
Course code
PUBH1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health and Society
|
Course code
PUBH1008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health Systems and Services
|
Course code
PUBH1009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Research Methods for Public Health
|
Course code
PUBH1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health Law, Ethics and Policy
|
Course code
HLTH2011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Anatomy 1
|
Course code
HLTH2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Social Connectivity to Support Healthy Ageing
|
Course code
HLTH2020
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Nutrition and Food for Healthy Ageing
|
Course code
NUTR2006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Pathophysiology
|
Course code
PHAR2017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Fundamentals of Pharmacology
|
Course code
PHAR2018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Physiology
|
Course code
PHAR2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Ageing and Disability Friendly Environments
|
Course code
SOCI2011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Innovation, Creativity and Social Roles in Healthy Ageing
|
Course code
SOCI2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Supporting Dignity through Enablement
|
Course code
HLTH3018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Project Management for Health and Wellness
|
Course code
HLTH3020
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health Practice Project 1
|
Course code
PUBH3010
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Health Practice Project 2
|
Course code
PUBH3011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Ageing and Wellbeing in Aboriginal Australians
|
Course code
PUBH3013
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care
|
Course code
SOCI3012
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UO Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination
|
Course code
SOCI3016
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
A career in the healthcare industry is flexible, diverse and opens up endless opportunities to make a meaningful impact on people’s wellbeing and quality of life. Specialising your skill set in meeting the needs of Australians who are older will give you the competitive edge to step into a field experiencing rapid growth and evolution. You’ll be well prepared for a career as a leader in a frontline service, helping individuals transition into the next stage of their life with dignity.
Our Bachelor of Health Science (Healthy Ageing) will allow you to pursue a career pathway in a range of healthcare roles. You could advocate for improved outcomes for the aged care sector, implement innovative community initiatives that enhance people’s daily lives, or work for the government advising policy that will help people make the most of their longer lives.
Careers to consider include:
- Healthy ageing coordinator
- Aboriginal health officer
- Community program developer
- Healthy ageing policy analyst
- Health and welfare services officer
- Active and healthy ageing adviser
- Aged care services manager.
Industry trends
Over the next few decades, it’s predicted that Australia’s aged care sector will need to quadruple the current workforce numbers to meet growing demand. Coupled with the increasing need for skilled workers, leaders and advocates across the broader healthcare sector, healthy ageing professionals will have a competitive edge in a changing and dynamic industry (Sero Institute, 2023).
Ask Adelaide University
Your study experience and support
Studying 100% online with Adelaide University means joining a dynamic community of learners – all supported by dedicated teams committed to your success. From day one to graduation, you’ll have access to comprehensive academic, student and technical support teams to ensure you get the most out of your online learning journey.
Student support services
Need help with enrolments, managing your study load, or setting your academic goals? Our student support team is here to assist. They’re your first point of contact for advice and are available seven days a week, including out-of-hours and on weekends. Get the help you need – when it suits you.
As an online student, you’ll also have access to our specialised on-campus student support services. Whether you’re looking for career advice, health and wellbeing support, international student assistance, accessibility services, or something else, we’ve got you covered. Visit the Support webpage to explore the services available.
Online academic support
From understanding course content to tackling assignments, writing, and referencing, our expert academics are here to guide you. Available seven days a week, they’ll provide personalised support to help you progress through your studies.
Tech support
We’ve got your back when it comes to technology. Our IT support team is available 24/7 to resolve any tech challenges you might face. With fast response times and tailored solutions, we’ll ensure nothing stands in your way. You’ll also enjoy free access to software downloads required for your program.
Study hours
Adelaide University’s 100% online programs offer the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. You can engage with course materials at any time that works for you – there’s no need to log in at set times. To stay on track, we recommend setting aside 10 to 15 hours per week for each course, but you can adapt your schedule and your study load to suit your needs.
Assessment
All assessments, including exams (if required) are conducted 100% online – so you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or sit an exam. Depending on your program, your assessments might include:
- An industry-relevant project or case study
- An online presentation
- Essays and reports.
