Where can a career in health science take you?
Wondering what kind of career options are out there for health science graduates?
The healthcare sector has a range of roles and positions available, many of which are in high demand.
Studying health science can lead to a rewarding career, where you can do good and have a positive impact on people’s lives.
You could help agitate for social change, improving the health and wellbeing of Australians by influencing health policy. Or, you can make a direct impact – caring for individuals, or helping them develop strength and increase mobility.
If you’re calm in an emergency, you could assist people at times of medical crisis, maintaining a clear head and providing, in some cases, life-saving assistance.
What is health science & how can studying it expand my career options?
There are plenty of job opportunities in the health sector besides those in medicine, nursing and other clinical settings. A health science degree, such as VU’s Bachelor of Health Science is a great option if you know you want a career in healthcare, but you’re not sure which specialty will suit you best.
A degree in health science can also be a great pathway to other options, if you didn’t get into your first preference, or you haven't decided which field you’d like to specialise in.
You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to work in a range of roles – and not only in hospitals and at health clinics. You could find yourself engaged in rewarding community or organisational work or even having a hand in shaping government policy.
Discover potential health science careers you can work towards, when you study a degree in health sciences.
What kind of health science career paths are there?
Physiotherapy, osteopathy, speech pathology, optometry and audiology are all streams of health science.
Opportunities beyond traditional healthcare settings may include roles at:
- government departments, particularly those focused on public health and health promotion
- not-for-profit organisations
- international organisations such as the UN, UNICEF and WHO
- health and community organisations
- pharmaceutical industries
- public health research programs in academic and research institutions.
Your work could dive deep into the shaping of public health policy and even take you overseas, with an exciting career in global health.
The healthcare sector is one that tends to experience near constant growth, with many roles in high demand. A job in this industry could well turn out to be a job for life.
What can I study?
If you’ve decided a career in health science is the right one for you, what should you go on to study?
You can start with a degree in health science to gain foundational knowledge, then specialise in an adjacent field, or even opt for further postgraduate study to put yourself ahead of the crowd.
Health Science
A degree specifically in health science prepares you for a range of related careers.
If you choose to study a Bachelor of Health Science at VU, you’ll major in public health, learning how to improve the health of groups of people and provide solutions to the world’s evolving health challenges.
You’ll also gain a well-rounded set of skills in fields such as nutrition, health promotion, Indigenous health, and sports and exercise science.
Once you’ve completed your studies, you can kick-start your career or enter other fields, such as paramedicine, nursing, osteopathy, speech therapy or physiotherapy.
Biomedical Science
Excited by medical research? You could choose to study a Bachelor of Biomedical Science.
You'll gain in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and cell biology. You'll also examine the causes, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Honing skills in communication and critical thinking, you could go on to have a long and rewarding career in medical research, genetic engineering, or at hospitals and pharmaceutical companies.
Paramedicine
Want a rewarding career that saves lives? Consider studying to become a registered paramedic. You’ll provide urgent care to patients requiring ambulance services during medical emergencies and no day at work will be the same
Here at VU, we offer a highly regarded Bachelor of Paramedicine. You’ll gain the skills needed to work as a registered paramedic in a range of different settings, graduating job-ready.
Paramedicine is experiencing record growth and graduates are in high demand. See what you can expect to earn as a paramedic across Australia.
Nursing
We offer a well-respected Bachelor of Nursing, which will enable you to work as a Division 1 Registered Nurse in hospitals and other healthcare areas.
The are many other pathways to nursing. The Diploma of Nursing HLT54121 will give you the foundational skills and knowledge needed to work as an Enrolled Nurse, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
You may wish to specialise as a midwife, with a Bachelor of Midwifery/Bachelor of Nursing double degree. Or perhaps you’re looking to skill up and provide specialist care, with a Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing.
Discover the average nursing salaries within Australia, state by state.
Osteopathy
Want a career providing specialised care, optimising mobility and alleviating pain?
Become an osteopath in just 4.5 years, with the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) at VU.
Not only will you learn how to offer preventative care and promote healthy lifestyle changes, you’ll gain extensive hands-on experience at our Osteopathy Clinic, located in our City Campus, in the heart of Melbourne.
Choose an exciting & rewarding career in health science
Depending on your interests, a degree in health science can lead you down plenty of different career paths. And if you don't meet the entry requirements for your dream course, there are plenty of different pathways available to get you there.
No matter what you end up specialising in, you’ll enjoy a rewarding career that helps people live happier, healthier and fuller lives.
Ready to get started?
Explore the health sciences degrees and courses on offer at VU.
