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Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies)

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This is the world's only degree-level dermal therapies course offered by an English-speaking university. It is designed to provide you with the next step in your beauty therapy education.

It provides a seamless transition from Vocational Education (TAFE) into the Higher Education qualification. It gives qualified beauty therapists the opportunity to establish and develop knowledge and skills in advanced dermal therapy treatments, and receive additional training such as para-medical dermal care.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Health and Biomedicine

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Careers

Graduates of this course find work in:

  • Dermal therapies clinics
  • medical practices
  • advanced beauty and cosmetic settings
  • medical aesthetic equipment and product companies
  • sales and training
  • vocational education and teaching

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

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Study pathways

Transferring to VU

You can get credit in the Bachelor of Health Science (Dermal Therapies) (HBTD) for study you have done at other universities. We have formal credit transfer arrangements for this course with the following universities

Chisholm Institute

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Think: Colleges Pty Ltd t/a Australian National College of Beauty

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Australian Academy of Beauty and Spa Therapy

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Australasian College Broadway

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Australasian College Broadway

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Australian Academy of Beauty and Spa Therapy

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Australian Institute of Applied Sciences

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Ella Bache College of Skin and Beauty Therapy

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

Elly Lukas Beauty Therapy College

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to one and a half years of credit.

GCTA Pty Ltd

  • If you studied the Diploma of Beauty Therapy you may get up to a year of credit.

To find out more about the pathways available for this course, please contact the .

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Get credit for your work, study and life experience through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Graduate faster

If you've done previous study related to this course, you may be awarded credit. This means you can graduate in less time.

Completing this course also gives you a head-start on other at VU courses at a higher level of study.

We also award credit for relevant work and life experience. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

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Course Objectives

  • Provide an education so graduates have the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively participate in Dermal therapies practice.
  • Prepare graduates for entry into the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters of Dermal Science
  • Provide an education which contributes to the individual's personal, professional and intellectual growth.

The area of dermal therapies, although relatively new, is expanding at a considerable rate. Recent global and western trends indicate that the beauty and dermal therapies areas are second only to the areas of hospitality and foods. Not only is there an increasing demand for services, but an increasing demand by industry, including from recent VU graduates, to improve the quality and quantity of trained graduates in the field. In addition, the interdisciplinary links amongst dermal therapists and those in the established basic sciences and health disciplines are strengthening sufficiently that the number of research publications in refereed journals in dermal therapies is also increasing. All these factors will ensure that dermal therapies will continue to grow as a professional field its own right. The course in existence was originally developed about nine years ago. Over the years, technological advances in equipment and cosmetic products have been extensive and consumer demand (from an increasingly articulate client base for both services and training) is on the increase.

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Units and electives

The entire course is a 4-year program which includes the Diploma of Beauty Therapy. The Higher Education component of this 4-year program is 3 years. Those who have already completed a Diploma of Beauty Therapy or equivalent need only to complete the 3 year Higher Education program. The course can be completed in full time mode or part time equivalent. There is also an exit point at the end of the third year where graduates can qualify with an Associate Degree in Dermal Therapies.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission Information

  • TAFE: Successful completion of the Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SIB50110) or equivalent. All applicants are also required to attend an interview and complete an entrance test.
  • Year 12: Units 3 and 4-a study score of at least 20 in English (any). ATAR and all applicants are required to attend an interview.
  • International: Achieve an IELTS (Academic Module) result with an overall score of 6 or equivalent (no band less than 6).

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Admission requirements in your country

Find out if you meet the minimum academic (international qualification) requirements to be eligible to apply for this course by reviewing the academic entry requirements listed by country.
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How to apply for this course

Apply online

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 1164

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students starting the course in 2013. Fees are subject to approval and may change. In some courses students must buy equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend you seek advice from the relevant faculty.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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