Course Overview

About This Course

The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) prepares you to work as a medical laboratory scientist in diagnostic pathology or research. Medical laboratory scientists support clinicians by diagnosing, managing and treating disease through testing patient samples, researching the causes and cures of disease, and developing improved methods of disease detection.
You develop core knowledge of the natural and biomedical sciences and their application in diagnostic pathology, learning to perform diagnostic tests including cross-matching for blood transfusions, identifying infection-causing organisms, screening for cancer cells and detecting genes responsible for disease conditions.
Training covers all areas of pathology — biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, molecular pathology, haematology and histopathology. First year introduces core biomedical science topics in chemistry, anatomy, mathematics and quantitative health research methods. Second year expands into pathological processes with courses in biochemistry, haematology, genetics, histology, immunology, microbiology and pathophysiology.
Third and fourth year strengthen your knowledge through clinical courses and professional placements supervised by accredited and experienced medical laboratory scientists, and you complete either a major research project or a clinical practice placement in an area of interest.
You undertake up to 26 weeks of clinical laboratory placements across private, public, community and allied health settings, and work in purpose-built histopathology and haematology laboratories using industry-standard equipment.
The program totals 192 units — 144 units of core courses and 48 units of work integrated learning — over four years at the Adelaide City Campus.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported

Duration

4 years full-time

Intakes

February, July

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: Any one of SACE Stage 2 Physics, Biology or Chemistry (or equivalent).
Assumed knowledge: None
SATAC code: ABP124
Entry scores:
• 2026 cut-offs — Year 12 (ATAR-based): 72
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (ATAR-based): 80
• 2027 guaranteed entry — Guaranteed entry score (Grades-based): A, A, B
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program in an undergraduate diploma (AQF level 5) or higher.
• Work and life experience — Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR Qualify for special entry
ATAR profile (2026 Semester 1 intake, ATAR-based offers):
• Highest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 99.6, selection rank 99.95
• Median rank to receive an offer — ATAR 85.78, selection rank 91.1
• Lowest rank to receive an offer — ATAR 69.7, selection rank 72.3

International students
Prerequisite: Any one of SACE Stage 2 Physics, Biology or Chemistry (or equivalent).
Assumed knowledge: None
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Secondary education (Year 12) — Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) — Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Higher education study — Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program in an undergraduate diploma (AQF level 5) or higher.
Indicative academic entry requirements by country:
• Australia — ATAR: 80
• Canada — Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): 75%
• China — Gaokao: 70%
• Denmark — Studentereksamen (stx: Upper Secondary School Diploma): 4 (Fair)
• France — French Baccalaureate: 12.0
• Global — International Baccalaureate: 28
• Hong Kong — Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): 18
• India — CBSE and CISCE: 75
• India — State Board Examinations: 85
• Indonesia — SMA III: 80%
• Kenya — Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): B+
• Malaysia — Matrikulasi: 3.00
• Malaysia — Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM): 3.00
• Malaysia — United Entrance Certificate (UEC): 21
• Norway — Upper Secondary School Certificate (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole) / Vitnemal For Videregaende Opplaering: 4.0
• Phillippines — High School Diploma (Grade 12) (Academic Track) K12: 88%
• Singapore — Singapore GCE Advanced Levels: 9
• South Korea — College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT): 325
• Sri Lanka — GCE A Levels: 10
• Sweden — Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate: 15.0
• Taiwan — GSAT %: 70%
• Taiwan GSAT — Score out of 60: 40
• Thailand — Matayom 6: 3.60
• UK / Global — GCE Advanced Levels: 9
• USA / Global — Advanced Placement (AP): 9
• USA / Global — America College Test (ACT): 24
• USA / Global — Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): 1170
• Vietnam — Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese Year 12): 8.3
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6.5
• IELTS Listening 6.5
• IELTS Speaking 6.5
• IELTS Writing 6.5

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Medical laboratory scientists are employed in a wide range of areas, including:
• Clinical biochemistry
• Cytology
• Diagnostic pathology
• Forensic science
• Government policy
• Haematology
• Histopathology
• Immunology
• Medical microbiology
• Product manufacturing
• Public health and health management
• Research
• Transfusion science
• Veterinary medicine
• Virology

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

AIMS

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units30 units

CHEM1005

Chemistry 100

BIOL1018

Human Physiology 100

MATH1024

Mathematics for Laboratory Sciences

PUBH1002

Health, Society and Systems

CHEM1006

Chemistry 101

BIOL1019

Human Physiology 101

MDST1002

Professional Issues in Laboratory Medicine

STAT1000

Data Skills for Scientists

BIOL2027

Biochemistry

BIOL2033

Histology

BIOL2030

Genetics

BIOL3044

Microbiology

BIOL3029

Genomics and Bioinformatics

BIOL2034

Immunology

MDST2009

Pathophysiology

MDST2010

Essential Haematology

MDST3004

Histotechnology

MDST3005

Infectious Diseases

BIOL3023

Chemical and Molecular Pathology

MDST3008

Transfusion and Haemostasis

MDST3006

Clinical Practice A

MDST3007

Clinical Practice B

MDST4004

Advanced Clinical Practice A

MDST4005

Advanced Clinical Practice B

MDST4000

Clinical Biochemistry

MDST4001

Advanced Haematology

MDST4002

Histopathology and Cytopathology

MDST4003

Specialised Microbiology

MDST4006

Experimental Research Practice A

MDST4007

Experimental Research Practice B

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) take to complete?

The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) at Adelaide University has a duration of 208 weeks (approximately 4 years), as listed on the CRICOS registry.

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) for international students?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative annual tuition fee of AU$52,500 for international students commencing in 2027, which is AU$210,000 across the four-year program. With the AU$707 non-tuition fee, the estimated total course cost is AU$210,707.

Where is the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) delivered?

The course is delivered at Adelaide University's Adelaide City Campus, located in Adelaide, South Australia. The campus is owned and operated by the provider.

Is the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights?

This course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights if it meets all required criteria: it must be in 'Registered' status, be a Skills Level 1 qualification, have a duration of 92 weeks or greater, have a narrow Field of Education that aligns with the Skills Level 1 priority list, and not fall under the Management and Commerce broad field. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

What field of education does the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) fall under?

The Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine (Honours) falls under the broad field of Natural and Physical Sciences (01), with a detailed field classification of Medical Science (019901), under the narrow field of Other Natural and Physical Sciences (0199).

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level — Intern / PGY1 (0-2 years)AUD $70,000 to $95,000 per year

Early Career — Resident / Registrar (2-5 years)AUD $95,000 to $160,000 per year

Mid-Level — GP / Junior Specialist (5-10 years)AUD $160,000 to $300,000 per year

Career Paths

Intern / Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) DoctorResident Medical Officer (RMO)General Practitioner (GP)Rural GeneralistEmergency Medicine Physician

Key Skills

Clinical diagnosis and patient assessmentMedical history taking and physical examinationEvidence-based clinical reasoning and decision-makingPharmacology and safe prescribing practicesProcedural and surgical skills

Full Course Overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses