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Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences

How to apply
Entry requirements
Duration
  • 2 years (or part-time equivalent)
Location
  • Toowoomba
  • External
Start
Fees
  • AUD 9,312
  • (Indicative annual fee)
QTAC codes

Overview

  • Begin your path towards an exciting career in the dynamic field of biomedical science with UniSQ’s Associate Degree of Biomedical Science.
  • Complete a range of courses in human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, nutrition and biochemistry and gain an understanding of what it is like to work in research and clinical science laboratories.
  • Experience valuable hands-on learning in laboratory-based residential schools or fortnightly labs for most of the first-year courses, and laboratory-based residential schools supported by online or on campus learning in your second year. 

Personable

My favourite thing about studying at UniSQ is how personable it is and how important you are as a student. I was always worried that going to university would be about big classes and having to scramble to keep up with the lectures. It sounded very overwhelming.

Georgia - Biomedical Sciences

Career outcomes

As a graduate, you can apply for job as a:

  • university and secondary school science laboratory technician
  • technical assistant in a public or private research laboratory
  • support role in both research and teaching laboratories.

Are you a secondary school science teacher? Use this degree to upskill or enhance your employment opportunities.

Learn from the best

Be taught by our internationally accomplished biomedical science researchers.

Practical learning

Get hands-on valuable experience and apply the theory you've learned.

Feel secure in your future

#1 in Queensland for science and mathematics graduates in full-time employment.
 (Good Universities Guide, 2025)

What you'll study

To graduate from the Associate Degree of Biomedical Sciences, you must successfully complete 8 units of study.

Degree structure

An undergraduate university degree typically consists of a combination of core, major and elective courses designed to provide you with foundational knowledge and opportunities for an in-depth deeper dive into your chosen field.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for detailed recommended enrolment patterns and course availability.

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previous studies or relevant work experience. This could reduce the number of courses you need to study to complete your degree.

Degree requirements

You will be required to attend on-campus residential schools as part of this degree. During these sessions, you will attend face-to-face practical classes and workshops, use the laboratory facilities and specialised equipment, and engage with staff and fellow students.

Other study options

If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (if you meet all the entry requirements).

Entry requirements

There are many ways to be considered for entry into a UniSQ degree based on your education, work experience and relevant personal attributes.

To be eligible

Select the highest level of education you have or will be completing to find the entry requirements that applies to you.

You need to satisfy the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

ATAR 62.70
This is the lowest adjusted score to which UniSQ made an offer in Trimester 1, 2025. Meeting the lowest adjusted score doesn't guarantee admission.

To study this degree, we assume you have sound knowledge in:

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent and
  • General Mathematics (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent

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.

This information applies if you’ve previously completed or started higher education study at university.

If you’ve done any study at UniSQ or another university, you may be eligible to apply based on your previous studies. We’ll use the best selection rank from your previous studies when assessing your application.

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you can use your Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) awards of: 

  • certificate III 
  • certificate IV 
  • diploma or  
  • advanced diploma  

to apply to study with UniSQ. 

We will review your academic history to determine if you’re eligible for admission. We’ll convert your TAFE or VET qualification, past school results and any relevant work experience into a selection rank. This selection rank will determine which degrees you meet the entry requirements for.

If it’s been over two years since you completed secondary education and you haven’t pursued any vocational education training (VET) or higher education since, you’re still eligible to study at UniSQ. 

You don't need to have an ATAR or come straight from high school to study at uni. Your work experience and other adjustment factors may help you meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Let us help you navigate through our entry options – start a conversation, whenever suits you.

All applicants

You'll need to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires:

  • IELTS (Academic) - Minimum overall score of 6.0 and a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Alternative English language proficiency tests may also be accepted.

Explore the ATAR/selection rank of students offered a place in this degree in the first 2025 intake, based entirely or partly on their ATAR. To learn more about the backgrounds of students in this degree, access the QTAC website via the How to apply section.

Toowoomba

  • Highest ATAR/selection rank - 99.95
  • Median ATAR/selection rank - 99.95
  • Lowest ATAR/selection rank - 63.60

External

  • Highest ATAR/selection rank - 99.95
  • Median ATAR/selection rank - 99.95
  • Lowest ATAR/selection rank - 99.95

Entry pathways

There is more than one way to get into university, and if you're not sure about your entry options get in touch to discuss.

Fees and scholarships

Commonwealth supported AUD 9,312
The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your degree, and you need to pay a student contribution.
  • This estimated 2025 annual fee is based on the current average rate for your first year of study (8 units per year) and does not include cost of materials such as textbooks, additional costs or the Student Services and Amenities fee
  • This is an indicative guide only and your fees will vary depending on the courses you select, with the actual rates calculated at enrolment.
  • We review our fees annually and they may increase each year.
  • Further details are available on the Fees website.

Additional costs

You may be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as part of your degree cost.

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

Payment options

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP is a government loan scheme that allows you to defer payment until your income reaches a certain threshold. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Services Australia.

UniSQ Scholarships

We offer scholarships for academic excellence, community leadership, and financial need - you can apply for more than one!

Find out more

How to apply

You can apply to study at UniSQ via the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.

  1. Copy the QTAC code for the study location you've chosen for this degree.
  2. Click on the location you’ve chosen in the below table to take you to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.
  3. Select 'Apply Now' to create a QTAC account.
Apply
Degree code
ABSC
Location QTAC Code
External 906935
Toowoomba 906931

Some applicants may be eligible to apply directly to UniSQ if they meet certain criteria. Explore the application process that’s right for you.

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Start date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February 
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May 
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September
Trimester 1, 2026  Monday 16 February Monday 9 February  Monday 16 February 

More information on application key dates is available.

There are several special admission schemes that use adjustment factors to boost your ATAR or selection rank with additional points, to improve your chances of getting into your preferred degree.

You may be eligible for these admission schemes based on:

  • your background and personal circumstances
  • where you live
  • the subjects you studied at school.

You do not have to apply for these adjustments as they will be automatically applied by QTAC when your application is assessed.

Preparing to apply

You've made the decision to study at UniSQ - congratulations! Take the next steps:

Each degree has unique entry requirements so it’s essential to know the specifics for your chosen degree.

The documentation you need to provide with your application depends on your qualifications.

If applying through QTAC, you will also need a Unique Student Identifier which is your individual education number for life.

Application dates can vary so be sure to check our key dates to get all the details.

Follow our easy instructions to discover further information on applying to study that’s right for you.

Depending on how you applied to study at UniSQ, the process to accept your offer will vary.

Offer to study at UniSQ from QTAC

Offer to study from UniSQ

  • After you’ve submitted your application, you will be emailed a reference number. You will be notified via email the outcome of your application within 10 business days.
  • Follow the link in your email from UniSQ or log in to the application portal to accept your offer.

Find out more

Connect with us - start a conversation, whenever suits you.

Live Chat

Available 5 days a week
Chat now

Phone

Freecall
1800 269 500

Email

Email us at study@unisq.edu.au

Appointment

Book an appointment

Frequently asked questions

An Associate Degree in Biomedical Science can be used as a stepping-stone to further study. At UniSQ you have the option to take the credit from your biomedical science associate degree and go on to study the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences

Associate Degree in Biomedical Science graduates can enjoy a variety of career opportunities within many difference sectors including:

  • universities
  • secondary schools
  • public or private research laboratory. 

At UniSQ you can study our Sciences Associate Degree in Biomedical Science on-campus or externally, allowing you to learn your subject theory online and attend on-campus residential schools when required. We’ve been delivering distance education for over 40 years, so you can be sure that you are learning your degree from the online education experts.

Discover more about the different ways you can study at UniSQ. 

To gain entry into an Associate Degree in Biomedical Science you need to meet a specific ATAR, pre-requisites and assumed knowledge requirements. ‘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.

For more information on entry requirements at UniSQ, please view the entry requirements section of this page.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, we have a pathway option for you:

Do you still have questions? Get in touch with one of our iConnect support staff to talk through your options.