Bachelor of Dermal Sciences

VU course code: HBDS | CRICOS: 092158E | Level of study: Undergraduate
4 years full time or longer for part time
In Person
City Tower
20 January 2025
12 January 2025
Overview

Overview

Equip yourself for an exciting career performing evidence-based skin treatments with a Bachelor of Dermal Sciences at Victoria University. 

Get qualified for a rewarding career in the rapidly-growing dermal therapies industry. With a dermal sciences degree, you’ll be empowered to better the lives of others by improving skin health and healing for a range of conditions.

Studying at VU means you’ll get practical, hands-on experience in our brand new state-of-the-art Dermal Clinic at our City Campus in the heart of Melbourne. Using the latest high-quality equipment and under the guidance of expert dermal clinicians, you’ll learn how to safely and efficiently perform:

  • laser and light-based treatments 
  • resurfacing procedures 
  • lymphatic procedures 
  • and much more.

Designed in collaboration with industry and the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians, VU’s Bachelor of Dermal Sciences is the only one of its kind in the country and will equip you with comprehensive knowledge in all areas of dermal science.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Please note: There may be a limit on how many students can access pathways to the Bachelor of Dermal Sciences due to high demand. If you are eligible for a pathway but unsuccessful in securing a place, please contact VUHQ (student service centre) on +61 3 9919 6100 for advice.


Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Dermal Sciences, students are required to complete

  • 96 credit points of Core First Year College units
  • 288 credit points of Core Dermal Science units.

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

10% discount for alumni

If you’ve previously completed a qualification with us, and you’re paying full fees for this course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount.

Find out how

Fees

Scholarships

Additional materials fees (Year 3)

HBD3004 Dermal Skills 2 - Small Wound Management Kit

HBD3103 Chemistry for Dermal Sciences - Chemistry Kit

Note: These kits are not included in your tuition fees, and must be purchased separately.

Careers

You’ll be in high demand as a qualified dermal clinician, as Australia’s population ages and cosmetic treatments continue to increase in popularity.

A Bachelor of Dermal Sciences qualifies you to work independently or collaboratively with reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons, dermatologists, skin cancer practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals and general practitioners in clinics, medical practices, advanced beauty and cosmetic settings.

You could work in:

  • plastic, cosmetic and dermatology medical practices
  • dermal therapies clinics, performing aesthetic medical treatments, such as laser, on clients
  • healthcare, along with allied health professionals to enhance aesthetic outcomes in areas such as cosmetic, plastic and re-constructive surgery, and in the prevention and early identification of skin cancers
  • the vocational-education sector as an educator conducting training for medical aesthetic companies.

Industry recognition

Graduates of this course are eligible to apply for full membership of the Australian Society of Dermal Clinicians.

This course is officially recognised by the Radiological Council (Government of Western Australia). It meets the prerequisites for a licence to perform hair removal and superficial cosmetic procedures (pigment and vascular treatments).

Professional accreditation/Industry recognition

Radiological Council (Government of Western Australia)

Accreditation with no conditions.