Bachelor
With the rise in prevalence in dementia and the need to provide quality care in the community, health care centres and hospitals, and in residential care, it is becoming essential that health care workers in aged care develop specialised knowledge in this field so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.
This course has been developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, global leaders in dementia education with a mission to transform the understanding of dementia worldwide.
This is a fully online course with no exams, face to face study, or workplace assessment component. Dedicated Student Advisers are on-hand throughout the course, providing support and guidance throughout your studies. Our program can be studied full-time or part-time, offering you a choice to graduate with a:
Students may study part-time (1-2 units) or full-time (3-4 units) per semester. Students are advised to approximately 10 hours of study per week per unit of study. There are no formal examinations, all assessments occur throughout the semester.
Assessments may include assessed discussion boards, quizzes, essays or reports, presentations.
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you're not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. We anticipate that the lowest ATAR that will receive an offer for this course in 2024 will be ATAR 50.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement. Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate III (or equivalent) or higher in any discipline.
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
This course is delivered fully online, therefore you must be able to access a computer, have current software and a reliable connection to the internet.
All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.
This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.5, with no individual band less than 6.5, or a PTE Academic score of 58, with no score lower than 58 or equivalent.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.
Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the "For Domestic Students" section of the entry requirements on this page.
You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:
Students must have access to a computer, reliable internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone.
Over 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia; this number increases every year. The impact on communities, families, governments and health professionals will be significant as these numbers increase.
Our workforce is currently ill equipped to help care for such large numbers of people living with dementia - by 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 900,000 people in Australia living with dementia. Graduates from this course may find work in a range of career paths such as in the aged care industry in both the public and private sectors, or as a pathway to undertaking further study in graduate health programs.
In March 2021, Australia's Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety released its final report (Pagone & Briggs, 2021). "We are deeply concerned that so many aged care providers do not seem to have the skills and capacity required to care adequately for people living with dementia" (Pagone & Briggs, 2021, p. 69). Care, dignity, and respect: Executive Summary and Final report (Volumes 1-5). Australian Government Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service and allied health professionals, may find study in this course advantageous - and opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (or credit) are available.
There are a growing number of leadership and case management positions in dementia care, which require qualifications higher than aged care certificates. Leadership roles, and specialist positions in the aged care sector are increasingly calling for tertiary level qualifications such as the Dementia Care Program.
The Diploma and Associate Degrees are particularly relevant to aged care workers and health professionals wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in dementia. The Bachelor Degree offers additional learning about research and the understanding of how evidence may be translated into clinical care practice.
To support the development of a career structure for aged care workers in the future we will continually evaluate the course and make representations to government and industry. We know that workers with greater knowledge and skills in dementia care will be critical in delivering enhanced capacity to a sector which is facing an enormous challenge both now and into the future.
If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here - this helps you plan what units to enrol in and when.
There are three graduation points available in the Dementia Care Program, each available as part-time or full-time:
To enrol in the Dementia Care Program
The Bachelor of Dementia Care requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:
Note that the 100 credit points of elective units can be used in two quite different ways, the choice is yours:
or
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Enquire online about your credit transfer.