Bachelor of Dermal Sciences

VU course code:HBDSCRICOS:092158ELevel of study:Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

4 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

City Campus

Intakes

View all intakes

Overview

Equip yourself for rewarding career in evidence-based skin treatments with a Bachelor of Dermal Sciences at Victoria University.

Get qualified for an in-demand career in the rapidly-growing dermal therapies industry. With a dermal sciences degree, you’ll be able to improve people's lives by addressing skin health and providing healing treatments 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.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Exhibit advanced interpersonal communication skills and devise appropriate skin assessment techniques to extrapolate, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of clients undergoing dermal assessment and treatment;
Formulate, implement and evaluate evidence-based and patient-centred care plans for dermal practice;
Exemplify dermal skills and techniques within dermal protocols and exhibit knowledge of dermal science necessary for identifying, preventing and managing risk to provide safe skin health services;
Interpret the health needs of clients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an ethical and integrated approach to dermal practice;
Exemplify safe and appropriate skin health services in compliance with regulatory requirements, as an independent and self-reflective practitioner, and as a member of a health care team in a dermal environment;
Predict and respond effectively to relevant issues relating to diverse communities when providing dermal services; and
Critically review current research and developments in dermal practice and evaluate their implications for dermal clinicians and the profession.
: As a VU student, you’ll get hands-on experience working under the supervision of qualified dermal clinicians with real patients in our Dermal Clinic at VU’s City Campus. Gain confidence and an industry edge by using some of the most advanced, evidenced-based technologies available.
On top of this, you’ll also get external placement opportunities as part of your dermal sciences course, so you’ll graduate with a wealth of workplace experience behind you.
Discover the Dermal Clinic
: Your dermal sciences degree will give you the knowledge to assist clients with treatments for a range of conditions such as:
wound healing
scarring
pre/post-operative skin care
fluid retention
inflammatory conditions
skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
uneven skin tone and pigmentation
ageing or sun damaged skin
removal of excess hair, tattoos, skin tags and leg veins.
In this course, you’ll also learn how to provide pre- and post-operative care for clients who have undergone plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. If you’re interested in performing injectable treatments, browse our nursing courses.
: A Bachelor of Dermal Sciences is an ideal way to progress your career after qualifying in beauty therapy.
If you’re coming from VU’s TAFE courses in beauty therapy, you’ll enjoy a seamless transition into higher education.
Enhance your employability by developing skills in advanced dermal therapy treatments, and get the essential training in clinical skin treatments to prepare you for jobs in this exciting and growing industry.
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which helps you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub

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.

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)
an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE
an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Health Sciences or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 30 16.8%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study 44 24.6%
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA
(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
80 44.7%
(D) Work and Life experience 8 4.5%
International students 12 6.7%
All students 179 100%
"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	30	16.8%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	44	24.6%
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	80	44.7%
(D) Work and Life experience	8	4.5%
International students	12	6.7%
All students	179	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of the course.

You should carefully consider the inherent requirement statement as a:

guide for your learning during the course
way for you to identify challenges you may have in studying this course.

Learn more about inherent requirements

Additional information

Police check: Students must complete a National Police Records check prior to undertaking clinical practice & placements.
Working with Children Check: Students must complete a working with children check prior to undertaking clinical practice & placements.

Health Status: Students must be prepared to declare their health and immunisation status prior to undertaking clinical practice & placements. Students are required to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Influenza prior to undertaking clinical practice. Some health service placements will require students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

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.

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

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

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).

Intakes

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne City Campus

Semester 1 - Block 1

Course starts 15 February 2027

Applications close07 February 2027

Semester 2 - Block 1

Course starts 26 July 2027

Applications close18 July 2027

Apply via VTAC if you are:

in Year 12 or
applying to multiple universities

VTAC course code 4300241151

VTAC late applications are due by 30 October 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.