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Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

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Summary
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS)
Study Mode
  • External
  • On-campus
Start
  • Semester 1 (February)
  • Semester 2 (July)
Number of Units
  • 24 units
Duration
  • 3 years or part-time equivalent
Campus
  • Toowoomba
Semester 2 entry is only available part-time, therefore is not suitable for international students who wish to study full-time on-campus.
View USQ Handbook
Program Information Set

Explore pathology and biomedicine

Find out how blood groups are determined and what malarial parasites or leukaemia look like under the microscope when you study USQ’s Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science. Graduates have work-ready skills in transfusion science, microbiology, haematology, histopathology and clinical biochemistry for a career as a medical laboratory scientist. USQ’s Medical Laboratory Science degree includes 65 days of clinical placement where you will gain hands-on pathology experience in a laboratory.

Medical laboratory scientists perform analyses on blood and other body fluids and tissues to provide information that is vital in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease. You can choose to study your degree online or enjoy an on-campus experience.

Professional accreditation

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

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science prepares graduates for employment in private and hospital pathology laboratories, medical research institutions, blood banks and forensic science laboratories.
Clinical experience

In addition to the courses listed below, you will also need to complete clinical experience, where interactive hands-on activities, such as experiments and use of specialist equipment, are undertaken.

All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of clinical/professional practice within this program.

Residential schools

If you are enrolled in the External study mode in this degree, you will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials, use the facilities and meet staff and other students.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 8
Medical Laboratory Science courses 16
plus    65 days of clinical placement    
Total 24
Refer to the USQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

How much will it cost?

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

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported AUD 9184
Domestic full fee paying AUD 22630

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.

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

Scholarships and financial assistance

You may be able to apply for scholarships to help with your study costs.

Professional experience

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

Residential schools

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

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2018 and costs will vary depending on the actual courses selected during your study. Fees may also vary from year to year as they are reviewed annually.

15/68
OP/Rank
This is the 2019 adjusted OP / Rank for this program.

Entry Requirements

  • Subject pre-requisite: English (4, SA) or equivalent
  • Assumed knowledge: Mathematics (4 SA) 
  • Recommended study: in one of Biology, Chemistry or Science21 (4 SA), or equivalent. 

All students must be able to meet the physical and other requirements of professional experience placements within this program. These include:

  • evidence of immunity to notifiable and contagious diseases
  • a signed QLD Health Student Orientation Checklist, QLD Health Placement Deed and a QLD Health Placement Privacy and Consent Deed, or a signed SA Health Student Orientation Checklist, SA Health Placement Deed and a SA Health Privacy and Consent Deed. 
  • a signed USQ Student Clinical Placement Policy Declaration.

English Language Requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. This program requires a minimum of IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Admission pathways

A number of other pathways are also available if you haven't been able to study previously or don't meet the requirements for entry into your program of interest.

We can help

How to apply

  • Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:
    1. have never studied with USQ before, or
    2. are a Year 12 student.

Please note down the QTAC codes below to complete your application.

  • Alternatively, you may be able to apply directly to USQ if you:
    1. are a current or previous USQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
    2. want to transfer to USQ from another university, or
    3. have recently graduated from TAFE.

QTAC codes

Mode Codes
External 906135
Toowoomba 906131

Closing dates

Applying directly to USQ:

  • Semester 2, 2019 - applications close Monday 1 July, with semester 2 commencing on Monday 15 July 2019.
  • Semester 1, 2020 - applications close Friday 28 February, with semester 1 commencing on Monday 24 February 2020.

If you are applying via QTAC, you will need to check the QTAC closing dates.

Credit for previous study or work experience

You may be eligible for credit 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.

Other options for you

Associate Degree of Medical Laboratory Science
Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences