The University of Western Australia
Future Students

Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing

Understanding the origins and strategies for more equitable health and wellbeing for Aboriginal communities is the leading health issue in Australia.

On this page

  1. Introduction
  2. Course description, features and facilities
  3. Student profile
  4. Structure
  5. You may also be interested in…
  6. Career opportunities
  7. Further study opportunities
  8. Entrance requirements
  9. How to Apply
 

Introduction

The Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing major will provide students with a solid grounding in the many factors that influence health and wellbeing of Aboriginal peoples, families and communities in Australia.

Students completing this major will gain:

  • a broad introduction to Aboriginal health and wellbeing from an Aboriginal perspective
  • an understanding of the underlying issues that influence health and wellbeing including from historical, cultural, political and spiritual perspectives
  • an understanding of particular health problems and their impacts
  • knowledge of the strategies, policies and practices that have been implemented to improve health and wellbeing with a particular focus on Aboriginal community led initiatives
  • practical experience in Aboriginal health settings.

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Course description, features and facilities

Students who take this major as their primary major will also be required to gain a strong fundamental knowledge of human biology. This knowledge will assist students in evaluating the biological evidence about disease mechanisms.

Students will be encouraged to integrate this biological knowledge with their understanding of Aboriginal ways of understanding health and disease in formulating effective strategies required to address health issues.

The major is offered in the Bachelor of Science program given its strong health focus.

The Aboriginal health and wellbeing major, offered from within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, emphasises an evidence-based approach to decision making, policy development and practice. This emphasis, in combination with a strong grounding in Aboriginal knowledge and understandings, provides a unique opportunity for students undertaking the major to develop an understanding of equity and translation of evidence into policy and practice that reflects the way forward in Closing the Gap in Aboriginal health.

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Student profile

Student profile – Luke Davies

Improving Aboriginal health is a subject that sits close to my heart.

Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing is not only about the health of Aboriginal people, it’s also about the history of illness and having the cultural awareness to treat Aboriginal people.

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Structure

UWA's streamlined course structure allows you to pursue studies in a wide range of areas and to take one or two majors in your degree. Your second major can be from a similar field to your first (degree-specific) major, or from a different area or degree entirely.

As well as the units specified in your major, you will study broadening units outside your main area of study and may be able to take a number of elective subjects as well.

You can explore the structure of this major in detail in the University Handbooks.

 

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Career opportunities

Graduates will be well prepared for careers in Aboriginal health research, policy, management and practice in Aboriginal and government contexts.

I want to be a…

This course could lead to becoming a:

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Further study opportunities

On completion of the Aboriginal health and wellbeing major students may undertake honours or masters level studies in a range of areas including Aboriginal health and population health. Students may also be able to proceed into one of the postgraduate professional health courses.

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Check the Entrance requirements

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. Additional information
  3. Recommended subjects
  4. English competency
  5. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in at least WACE Mathematics 2C/2D
80
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)
29

Additional information

If you have a pass in Mathematics 2C/2D only, you will need to do a mathematics subject during your first year.

Prerequisites may not apply to students completing this major in a degree other than the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours).

Please note: to complete this major within the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) will require a minimum ATAR of 98 (or equivalent).

Recommended subjects

Qualification and recommended subjects
Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
  • A scaled score of 50 or above in WACE Mathematics 3A/3B
International Baccalaureate
  • A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods)

English competency

University study demands strong English language competency. To be eligible for admission to a undergraduate program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

The minimum requirement is a scaled score of 50 or more in WACE English, Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect achieved at Stage 2 or Stage 3 – or an equivalent level of achievement in an interstate or international qualification.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken prior tertiary study within the last five years, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit and/or exemption).

Applications for advanced standing are assessed upon acceptance of any offer of admission made by the University.

On this page

  1. Prerequisites and minimum scores
  2. English competency
  3. Advanced standing

Prerequisites and minimum scores

Qualification and prerequisite subjectsCourse entry score
All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
Canadian Matriculation (except Quebec)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
French Baccalaureat
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		12
GCE or Cambridge Advanced-level Examinations
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in GCE AS-level Mathematics.		8
Chinese Gao Kao
A score of 80 (out of 150) or above in Mathematics		525
German Abitur
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		3.17
Indian School Certificate (CISCE)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		60
International Baccalaureate
A score of 4 or above in SL or HL Mathematics (at least Mathematical Studies)		29
Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY)
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		270
Norwegian Vitnemål
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		4.14
Swedish Slutbetyg
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		15.70
Trinity College Foundation Program
Studies equivalent to WACE Mathematics 2C/2D		85
Chinese Unified Examinations (UEC)
A grade of B6 or above in Mathematics; if you do not have Advanced Mathematics (I) or (II), you will be required to complete a mathematics unit in your first year.		12
UWA Foundation Programme (UWAFP)
Mathematics units as specified in UWAFP prospectus		66
Western Australian Universities Preparatory Program (WAUPP)
A scaled mark of 50 or more in at least Mathematics 2C/2D		63
Singapore-Cambridge A-Levels
A minimum grade of B or above in GCSE O-level Mathematics, or E or above in H1-level Mathematics.		8
South African National Senior Certificate
A grade of 3 (40%) or above in Mathematics		4.60

These are the required prerequisites for applicants who have completed these particular qualifications.

If you are applying for a place based on other qualifications you need to demonstrate that you have knowledge at least equivalent to the subjects specified.

English competency

To be eligible for admission to a program at UWA, you must demonstrate satisfactory performance in a UWA-approved test of English. This is the case even if English is your first language.

Advanced standing

Students with previous tertiary level qualifications will be considered for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply

This course is available to Australian and International students.

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Fees
  4. Information for…
  5. Contact details - admission information

We have two intakes of undergraduate students each year: first and second semester.

First semester entry

Australian citizens or permanent residents, including humanitarian visa holders, and New Zealand citizens apply through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre. Applications open Monday 13 August 2012.

Closing dates:

  • On-time closing date - Friday 28 September 2012
  • The deadline for adding preferences for Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry is Friday 28 September 2012, and late applications will not be accepted.
  • Late applications for other courses will be accepted, with a late fee, until Friday 4 January 2013.
  • Students completing Year 12 in Australia in 2011 can add preferences (except for Medicine and Dentistry Assured Entry Pathways) until Friday 4 January 2013.

Contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Second semester entry

Apply online for second semester entry to a range of courses at UWA.

Closing date:

  • Friday 22 June 2012.

After the closing date, contact the Admissions Centre for advice.

Fees

$, per year.

This figure has been arrived at by assuming that you study a full-time study load for one year made up of units all within the same fee band. As some units vary in cost, the actual student contribution will depend on the mix of units you choose. See the unit costs website for details of individual unit costs.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA Admissions Centre (M353)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Location
UWA Map
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 2477 – General enquiries
1800 653 050 – General enquiries (country callers)
Fax
(+61 8) 6488 1226
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Opening hours
Monday – Friday, 9am–5pm

On this page

  1. First semester entry
  2. Second semester entry
  3. Information for…
  4. Contact details - admission information

First semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing dates:

  • Assured Entry Pathways to Medicine and Dentistry - 30 June 2011
  • All other courses - 1 December 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Second semester entry

International undergraduate applicants must complete this application form and submit it through an authorised UWA overseas representative or directly to the UWA International Centre.

Closing date:

  • 1 June 2011

You must also:

If you will be under 18 when you begin study at UWA you are required by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to have appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements while studying in Australia.

Information for

Contact details - admission information

UWA International Centre (M352)

Address
The University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, Perth
Western Australia 6009
Telephone
(+61 8) 6488 3939
Fax
(+61 8) 9382 4071
Contacts
International Centre
Enquire on-line
askUWA
Location
UWA Map
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
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Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing: the details

Status
Available 2012
Locations offered
Crawley
Attendance types
Part-time, Full-time
Delivery mode
Internal
Starting dates
Semester 1, Semester 2
Weekly first year time commitment
12-18 hours plus your own study time
Standard full-time completion
3 years (BSc), 4 years (BPhil(Hons))
Maximum time to complete
10 years
Degrees (available in)

This major is available in:

Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

All majors (except Economics and Biomedical Science double majors, Architecture, Specialist Music Studies and Science Communication) can also be taken as second majors in any of our undergraduate degrees

Honours available
Yes
Contact details: course information

Centre for Aboriginal Medical and Dental Health
Shenton House, Hackett entrance No. 2, Hackett Dr, Crawley, WA
camdh@uwa.edu.au
(08) 6488 1917

Footnote links and information

University information

CRICOS Code: 00126G

This page:

Last updated
Wednesday, 8 June, 2011 10:47 AM
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