Bachelor
The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine is the perfect degree to prepare you for a career in specialised medical or pathology laboratories. Your studies will build foundation knowledge in chemistry, anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. Then you'll gain knowledge and a variety of practical laboratory skills in clinical chemistry, haematology, blood transfusion science, microbiology, histopathology, human molecular biology, immunology and more.
In addition to helping you develop a breadth of laboratory medicine related knowledge, we prepares you for your future career by including hands-on laboratory experience right from first year. These experiences increases throughout your studies until, in third year, each unit contains an average of three hours of practical laboratory experience per week.
The three and half year course culminates with a seventh semester of clinical placement in an accredited laboratory in Australia. This clinical placement is undertaken off campus in an accredited diagnostic pathology laboratory. There, you'll further develop your practical laboratory skills and contribute to patient care via the provision of laboratory results.
With the knowledge and practical skills developed in this course, you'll be ready to work in diagnostic pathology or medical research laboratories in Australia or around the world, and start making your own contributions to the medical science field.
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the UTAS 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 at UTAS.
Applicants who have recently completed secondary education (in the past two years)
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2022, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 82.60. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive.
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
You must also meet the subject prerequisites listed below.
Applicants with previous higher education study
Completed course at Diploma level or above at any Australian higher education provider (or equivalent overseas qualification) OR Partially completed a relevant (refer to Prerequisites) course at Associate Degree level or higher at any Australian higher education provider (or have partially completed an equivalent overseas qualification). Applicants must have completed the equivalent of at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points).
If an applicant has failed any units, the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
Applicants with previous VET / TAFE study.
Completed relevant Certificate IV or above.
Applications on the basis of work or life experience
This course does accept applications based on work or life experience.
Prerequisites
CHM415115 Chemistry (or equivalent) or KRA161 Chemistry for Life Sciences or KRA001 Chemistry Foundation Unit and one of MTG315120 General Mathematics or MTM315117 Mathematics Methods - Foundation, or MTM415117 Mathematics Methods, or KMA002 Applied Mathematics Foundation, or KMA003 Mathematics Foundation Unit
All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a Professional Experience Placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements documentation. Please note, students in Laboratory Medicine courses are required to either provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B or administration of at least the first dose of a three dose course of Hepatitis B vaccination, by the start of the second week of their degree. Students must bring all documentation relating to Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity (in English) with them when they commence the course. Details on Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity can be found here.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
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 UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
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.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, 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.
Applicants are ranked by their academic scores and offers made based on the number of places available.
You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.
The following course specific requirements must be met to be eligible to study this degree. To be an eligible for an offer, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following subjects:
CHM415115 Chemistry (or equivalent) or KRA161 Chemistry for Life Sciences or KRA001 Chemistry Foundation Unit and one of MTG315120 General Mathematics or MTM315117 Mathematics Methods - Foundation, or MTM415117 Mathematics Methods, or KMA002 Applied Mathematics Foundation, or KMA003 Mathematics Foundation Unit
All students enrolling in College of Health and Medicine programs which include a professional experience placement component, laboratory and/or field activity are required to establish and maintain their capacity to practice safely via Safety in Practice Requirements documentation. Please note, students in Laboratory Medicine courses are required to either provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B or administration of at least the first dose of a three dose course of Hepatitis B vaccination, by the start of the second week of their degree. Students must bring all documentation relating to Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity (in English) with them when they commence the course. Details on Hepatitis B vaccination and immunity can be found here.
With the skills and knowledge delivered by this course, you may find yourself providing vital diagnostic services as part of a small remote team in a regional hospital, or contributing more specialised skills as part of the combined operations of a large laboratory in a major city.
This degree can also be used to launch a career in medical research, veterinary laboratories, diagnostic and pharmaceutical companies or health management. Your skills and knowledge are recognised internationally, and you can forge an exciting career in in pathology laboratories around the world.
"A career in biomedical science is an exciting and rewarding, yet challenging career, where no two days are ever the same. The Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine) is an excellently rounded degree, which allows graduates to work in numerous scientific fields and apply your skills to a diverse collection of jobs."
- Dr Elizabeth Witherden, Post-doctoral research associate, Kings College London, Alumni, Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine), University of Tasmania.
Further study opportunities
This course provides an excellent foundation if you are hoping to enter postgraduate medicine and allied health courses.
Students interested in pursuing an honours course in Laboratory Medicine should contact Dr Kiran Ahuja (Honours Coordinator).
The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).
Graduates meet the requirements for Graduate membership of AIMS and can progress to full membership on the completion of 2-years postgraduate medical laboratory experience. For further membership requirements, please visit the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).
Graduates meet the requirements for Graduate membership of AIMS and can progress to full membership on the completion of 2-years postgraduate medical laboratory experience. For further membership requirements, please visit the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
If you are starting in 2023 you can find your course planner here - this helps you plan what units to enrol in and when.
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.
Talk to us on 1300 363 864 or enquire online about your credit transfer.