Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science
In just two years become an entry-level medical laboratory technician and gain employment in Australia’s expanding pathology industry, working in hospital and private pathology laboratories. Learn to perform tests on blood and other bodily fluids and tissues, assisting clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases and clinical disorders. Receive full credit towards the Bachelor of Biomedical Science which you can complete with one additional year of study.
In this program you will:
- Conduct clinical investigations on human diseases
- Develop technical skills in haematology, histology, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, blood banking, and medical microbiology
- Receive training by laboratory scientists and technicians to handle human specimens
Location
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSPQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Delivery mode
-
- Total courses
- 16
- Total units
- 192
- Duration
- 2 years 2 years
- UniSC program code
- SC211
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
HLT140
LFS100
MLS101
SCI105
LFS112
MLS110
MLS121
MLS131
Developing and Graduate courses (8) 96 units
BIM203
HLT221
LFS251
LFS261
MLS210
MLS231
LFS262
MLS211
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 65.00 |
- Recommended prior study
- English; General Maths, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths; at least one science subject (preferably Chemistry)
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100) coded courses.
In order to commence industry placement you must:
- Before undertaking industry placement courses, students must provide proof of vaccination against Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pertussis and Varicella (Chickenpox).
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
- Hold a valid USC Blue Card for working with children.
- Students must undertake mandatory online orientation courses for the organisations where they will be placed, and will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement regarding patient information.
- Students will be required to complete placement(s) in rural/regional locations. Students will be required to fund the cost for travel, accommodation, fuel etc. associated with placement. USC scholarships and bursaries are available for students to apply to supplement these costs.
For information about how to complete Post-admission requirements, visit Medical Laboratory Science (Placements) - Mandatory requirements.
Program notes
- Follow the program structure for your year and semester of commencement unless advised otherwise
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence. Please be aware that if commencing in semester 2, the duration will be 2.5 years and some semesters can only be taken part-time.
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
- Concurrent study with the Bachelor of Biomedical Science is generally not permitted. However in some special circumstances applications for concurrent study may be considered on a case by case basis for students that have completed at least 144 units (12 courses) of the Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Please contact Student Central for application information.
- CSP estimate
- A$8,016