Thinking of studying health and medicine at UWA? Not sure what bachelor's degree will suit you best?
We're here to help!
Both degrees will prepare you for extraordinary career opportunities and provide you with practical knowledge across a broad area of health and medical disciplines. Let’s break them down to find out which is right for you.
Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised):
This specialised, practical degree provides you with essential pre-clinical knowledge, designed to articulate with UWA's accredited health professional degrees such as Medicine, Dentistry and Podiatry. It encompasses essential training and clinical context for a strong foundation in these health-specific postgraduate studies at UWA.
It contains four degree-specific extended majors, one being the Medical Science Extended Major which includes multiple specialisations in biomedical disciplines to enable breadth and depth of learning in your field of interest.
Dr Demelza Ireland, Head of Discipline in the School of Biomedical Sciences shares, "We are really excited about the new Extended Major in Medical Science! It is the best of both worlds providing high-achieving students with foundational training in the pre-clinical biomedical sciences plus core research skill development via a specialisation. We think that this will prepare students for higher degree health and medical research, graduate entry into a health or medical profession, or both even."
The other extended majors are only available to students on an Assured Pathway. These are, Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice, Integrated Dental Sciences and Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences.
In this bachelor, you all take the same set of core units in your first and second year, along with your chosen specialisation units. In your third year, those who are on an Assured Pathway commence their professional speciality units, while those who are completing the Medical Science Extended Major complete their specialisation units plus two body systems units.
This multi-disciplinary program is perfect for students looking at wanting to break into health or medical profession opportunities.
Bachelor of Biomedical Science:
This flexible, comprehensive degree offers a wide range of health science disciplines spanning from studies of human cells, organs and systems to the design of new drugs, the epidemiology of infectious diseases and the applications of exercise to health, and more.
It encompasses the biological basis of human structure and function and the application of this knowledge to disease, wellbeing and society. You'll gain an excellent understanding of how the human body functions in healthy and diseased states, barriers to health care and methods for treatment.
You can choose to major in one or two of the following: Aboriginal health and Wellbeing, Anatomy and Human Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Exercise and Health, Genetics, Humanities in Health and Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Neuroscience, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Pharmacology, Physiology and Public Health.
You can even combine a Biomedical Science major with another from Arts, Commerce or Science to match your interests and tailor your studies with your career goals.
Professor Jeff Keelan, Head of School for the School of Biomedical Science explains, "In the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, you'll have the opportunity to learn from, and network with, some of the brightest minds in the State, including graduate students and experts from the Lions Eye Institute, Telethon Kids Institute and Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, as well as your peers in the biomedical and clinical undergraduate programs."
This degree is suited for you if you are passionate about wanting to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of communities through science-based evidence.
Differences in ATAR
This may be helpful when it comes to making your choice. The Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) has a minimum ATAR requirement of 92, while the Bachelor of Biomedical Science has a minimum ATAR requirement of 80 (70 for Broadway schools). Entry into the Bachelor of Biomedicine (Specialised) is competitive, with places being awarded to the highest ranked applicants based on their ATAR or equivalent.
If you're not sure what course is right for you, give our Future Students team a call on 131 UWA (131 892), submit a question through askUWA, or book an appointment.
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