- ATAR 62.70
- View full details
- 2 years (or part-time equivalent)
- Toowoomba
- External
- Feb, May
- View dates
- AUD 9,312
- (Indicative annual fee)
Overview
- Set yourself up for a career in the pathology laboratory sector and gain the skills and knowledge to needed to become a medical laboratory technician.
- Assist in identifying diseases such as anaemia and leukaemia by examining blood samples, and learn how to perform blood grouping for patients requiring a transfusion.
- Develop the skills required for processing patient tissue samples to assist the diagnosis of diseases such as cancer.
- Learn to apply state of the art methods to assist in diagnosing the causes of infectious diseases like pneumonia and meningitis, as well as blood and wound infections.
- Develop valuable, real-world skills by completing 48 days of clinical placement, where you'll apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, work alongside experienced professionals, and gain firsthand insight into day-to-day clinical operations.
Dedicated to helping
UniSQ is dedicated to helping everyone develop their abilities and academic skills so they can reach their full potential on their chosen path.
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Career outcomes
As a graduate, you can apply for jobs as a:
- medical laboratory technician or technical officer in private and public pathology laboratories
- medical or clinical research technicians in universities, health organisations, or biotechnology sectors.
- biomedical science support role, assisting in disease diagnosis and research
- health, medical, and scientific product marketer, working with medical and laboratory equipment.
What you'll study
To graduate from the Associate Degree of Medical Laboratory Science, you must successfully complete 16 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.
As part of the degree, you will need to complete 48 days of practical placements in accredited pathology laboratories. Placements in industry provide professional experience, putting the theory into practice, and opportunities to start networking with potential employers.
We have a team of professional placement officers who will liaise with you to arrange your placements. Please note that you may be required to travel outside the Toowoomba/Greater Brisbane area and/or interstate to undertake placements.
All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of practical placements within this degree.
Applicants must be willing to undertake and submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland, Queensland Health and private pathology providers for practical placement. Please visit Resources and Forms to download the latest Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Placement Guide.
Other study options
If you’re interested in further study, after completion of this degree you can go on to study the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (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.
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.
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 - 64.95
- Median ATAR/selection rank - 64.95
- Lowest ATAR/selection rank - 64.95
External
- Highest ATAR/selection rank - 81.80
- Median ATAR/selection rank - 81.80
- Lowest ATAR/selection rank - 81.80
During your study
While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet these requirements throughout your studies.
Inherent requirements are fundamental skills, capabilities, and knowledge that you must be able to demonstrate to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree.
If you think you may experience any problems meeting inherent requirements, you can talk to an Accessibility Support Officer about reasonable adjustments that may be put in place to assist you. Any reasonable adjustments made must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.
Review the inherent requirements for this degree.
All students must be able to meet the physical and other requirements of placements within this degree. These include:
- UniSQ Student Declaration
- Queensland Health Student Orientation Checklist
- Queensland Health Student Deed Poll
- Queensland Health iLearn Modules
- Pathology QLD Visitor Confidentiality Protocol
- AUSLAB Clinical WILS Student Access
- QML Online Induction Certificate
Students must also provide the following immunisation evidence prior to commencing clinical placements:
- Hepatitis B seroconversion
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella immunisation evidence
- Varicella immunisation evidence
- Pertussis immunisation evidence
- Covid-19 immunisation evidence.
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
- 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.
Placement courses may incur some additional costs, including uniform and equipment, transport to and from venues and, in some instances, living expenses, particularly for placements in rural and remote settings
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 moreHow to apply
You can apply to study at UniSQ via the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.
- Copy the QTAC code for the study location you've chosen for this degree.
- Click on the location you’ve chosen in the below table to take you to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) website.
- Select 'Apply Now' to create a QTAC account.
| Location | QTAC Code |
|---|---|
| External | 906925 |
| Toowoomba | 906921 |
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 or 2.
| 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 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:
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.
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
- QTAC will send you an email if you have received an offer. To respond to your offer, log in to the QTAC application portal.
- Information regarding QTAC key dates for when offers will be made is available.
- Didn’t receive an offer? Don’t worry – you may just need to update your preferences.
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.
Available 5 days a week
Chat now
Freecall
1800 269 500
Email us at study@unisq.edu.au
Frequently asked questions
At UniSQ, to gain entry into our Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science you will need to meet specific pre-requisites, assumed knowledge requirements, as well as a number of inherent 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. ‘Inherent requirements’ are fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree.
For more information on entry requirements for this associate degree in laboratory science, please view the entry requirements section of this page.
This course covers all the fundamentals that are generally explored in a lab technician course. Throughout the duration of your studies, you will gain the skills to:
- examine blood samples and process patient tissue samples to assist in identifying a range of diseases
- understand the methods behind diagnosing the causes for various infectious diseases
- interpret and generate scientific data using appropriate experimental, computational, statistical and technological approaches
- apply fundamental ethical, professional and workplace health and safety standards in clinical and research laboratories.
Upon completion of your studies you will be well prepared to step confidently into roles within a medical laboratory setting.
At UniSQ you can study our Sciences Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory 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 studying your degree with the online education experts.
Discover more about the different ways you can study at UniSQ.
