Undergraduate

Humanities in Health and Medicine

To be an effective healthcare professional you need to understand the workings of the body from a scientific perspective and how people and societies function.
Course Details Careers & further study Fees & Scholarships Admission requirements How to apply Contact us Enquire Apply

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Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Email

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Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

Career Pathways

A major in medical humanities is intended primarily for undergraduate students who are planning careers in healthcare.

As a Humanities in Health and Medicine graduate, possible careers include:
  • health education
  • public health
  • community health
  • healthcare administration
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Career Pathways

A major in medical humanities is intended primarily for undergraduate students who are planning careers in healthcare.

As a Humanities in Health and Medicine graduate, possible careers include:
  • health education
  • public health
  • community health
  • healthcare administration

Further Study

The Humanities in Health and Medicine major provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study in other health related courses:
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
  • Master of Pharmacy
  • Master of Social Work
  • Master of Public Health
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Further Study

The Humanities in Health and Medicine major provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study in other health related courses:
  • Doctor of Medicine
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
  • Master of Pharmacy
  • Master of Social Work
  • Master of Public Health

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required. More information on how fees are calculated.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

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Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Find out more about international student tuition fees and visit the fee calculator for the relevant course fees.

Fees are subject to annual indexation.

Fee calculator

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Search Scholarships

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Cost of living

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying one of these majors, find out the admission details below. 

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.

Admission requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

English competency

How to apply

Apply through TISC

  1. Log in to the TISC website
    If you’re a Year 12 student studying a WACE course at a WA high school or a pathway program, you are already automatically registered with TISC.
  2. Select your preferences
    You can choose up to six preferences when you apply through TISC. You should list your preferences in order from your most desired course onwards; this way you’ll have plenty of options to get into UWA.
  3. Lodging your application
    You’re almost there! After answering a few questions, you’ll need to make a declaration about your application.
  4. Application processing fee
    Your TISC application is lodged once you’ve completed the payment. For more information on fees and payments, visit the TISC website.
     

Course details

The major in Humanities in Health and Medicine is an interdisciplinary, humanistic and cultural study of health, illness, health care and the human body, mind and spirit. You'll be prepared to care for people by bringing together the traditions of humanities, inquiry, compassion and judgement to bear on the management and on the promotion of health and the treatment of illness.

About the course

In order to be effective, healthcare professionals need to understand not only the workings of the body from a scientific perspective, but also know how people and societies function, and the art and science of caring for people.
View full details

About the course

In order to be effective, healthcare professionals need to understand not only the workings of the body from a scientific perspective, but also know how people and societies function, and the art and science of caring for people. A caring health professional is assisted by interpretive ability and insight, applies ethical sensitivity and has an awareness of their own values and attitudes.

This major proposes to balance the educational experience for students where arts and humanities subjects might make a contribution to their preparedness for a cycle two degree in the health professions. Any students already planning a career in medicine, dentistry or as a health professional, in healthcare policy or law, psychology, public/global health, social work, patient advocacy or health journalism will benefit from completing this major.

This major is coordinated by the Division of Health Professions Education in the School of Health and Clinical Sciences and is a collaboration with the Medical School.
Humanities in Health and Medicine

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HHMED
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
View full details
Humanities in Health and Medicine

Quick details

Status
  • Available
Locations
  • Perth (Crawley campus)
Attendance
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Delivery
  • On-campus
Starting dates
  • Semester 1, Semester 2
Level of study
  • Undergraduate
Course Code
  • MJD-HHMED
Full time/part time duration
  • 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
Degrees course is available in
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science
  • Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)

Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang
Find out more

Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang
As an undergraduate student studying the Bachelor of Biomedical Science, I chose to study Humanities in Health and Medicine as a second major because for me it was a perfect fit – it complements my medical science major and links to my interests of literature and refugee health. 

The new Humanities in Health and Medicine major is in-depth in its exploration of medical narratives and patient-centred healthcare and includes units in other disciplines such as healthcare law, health economics, English literature, sports science, philosophical bioethics and mental well being in today’s world as well as opportunities to study abroad.

It has been eye-opening to see how clinical knowledge intersects with patient values in anecdotes and autobiographies and would highly recommend this course for anyone seeking to better understand how we as future health professionals can become more empathetic and understanding of a diverse patient population.

UWA offers a rich and vibrant campus culture – with over 150 clubs and societies on campus, there is a community and event for everyone. As an ambassador, committee member and volunteer of the Student Guild it has been a joy to offer my time to a multitude of non-profit organisations.

As a UniMentor it has been rewarding to help link students, their interests and time commitments to their perfect volunteer opportunity.  It is incredibly rewarding to see how my mentees have flourished as individuals and leaders. Not only have I met some amazing people through mentoring them, but I’ve also met some exceptional mentors who inspire me to do my best every day.
 

Course Structure

Popular combinations

Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Medical Science Medical Science Philosophy Philosophy

Course structure details

Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.
Level 1

Bridging

Take units if applicable:

Option - Level One

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Level 2

Core - Level 2

Take all units (6 points):

Option - Level 2 Options

Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
Level 3

Core

Take all units (18 points):

Option

Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
Course structure details Other combinations

Why study Humanities in Health and Medicine?

Why study Humanities in Health and Medicine?

An interdisciplinary, humanistic and cultural study of health, illness, health care and the human body, mind and spirit.

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Humanities for Health and Medicine course themes

 

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Humanities for Health and Medicine course themes

Health Humanities Wheel

Humanities for Health and Medicine lies at the intersection of healthcare, education, self-care and research. The discipline of health humanities provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the effects of illness and disease on patients, health professionals, and the social worlds in which they live and work. Drawing on approaches that includes history, visual arts, literature, and narrative medicine among others, health humanities helps us to appreciate the art and science of caring for people, and understand how people and societies function. 
A professional wishing to work in the broad field of health is assisted by interpretive ability and insight, applies ethical sensitivity, and has an awareness of their own values and attitudes, all of which can be developed through engagement with health humanities.