Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics

If you are creatively or technically-minded and enjoy working with people, consider a career in prosthetics and orthotics. This program is the first and only program in Queensland that allows you to specialise in this area.

Prosthetists and orthotists work with people who have amputations, musculoskeletal weaknesses, or neurological conditions, throughout the varied process of treatment. This includes client assessment and care, intervention prescription, treatment planning, the design and manufacture of devices, and modifying devices for optimal outcomes.

In this program you will:

  • Gain specialist training in an increasingly advanced and dynamic area of health
  • Learn to provide innovative, compassionate, and client-centred care to help address the functional limitations of people, resulting from illness, disease, or disability
  • Develop skills, through study and clinical placements, to enter the profession and help break down barriers for people living with disability

Location

CRICOS code

109235J

Entry threshold

70.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

3 years 3 years 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.
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 2023 fees (A$)

A$8,296 - 2023 Fees CSP
CSP
A$25,800 / A$77,400 Annual fee / Estimated total fee
Annual fee / Estimated total fee

QTAC code

013055

Start

  • Semester 1

Start
  • Semester 1
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
22
Total units
288
Duration
3 years 3 years
CRICOS code
109235J
UniSC program code
SC307
Program structure
Introductory courses (8) 96 units

HLT102 Introduction to Prosthetic and Orthotic Practice
HLT105 Foundations of Prosthetic and Orthotic Practice
HLT140 Think Health
HLT150 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
SCI110 Science Research Methods

Developing courses (8) 96 units

HLT204 Clinical Foundations in Orthotics
HLT205 Health Research and Evidence
HLT208 Clinical Skills in Prosthetics and Orthotics #
OCC232 Foundational Placement Competencies in Allied Health
PUB252 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning

Graduate courses (6) 96 units

HLT302 Prosthetics and Orthotics Practicum(36 units)
HLT320 Clinical Foundations in Prosthetics
HLT321 Developing Professional Practice in Prosthetics & Orthotics
HLT322 Clinical Reasoning in Prosthetics & Orthotics
HLT323 Advanced Concepts in Prosthetics & Orthotics
SPX322 Biomechanics II

Study sequences

This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.

Student profile

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Notes
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Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.

Entry requirements

For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.

Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.

Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.

If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.

English language requirements

You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast 70.00

Additional entry information

Non standard English language requirements apply.

IELTS (Academic): Overall score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each subtest

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 85 with minimum score of 21 for writing and all other sections to be a minimum requirement of 20.

TOEFL: Paper-based : Overall score of 575 with minimum essay score of 4

Pearson Test of English: Overall score of 58 with no subscore less than 54

Language of Instruction English (LOI)*: Minimum 2 year full-time tertiary study, or 2 year full-time other post-secondary study where the language of instruction is English, successfully completed in the last 5 years in one of the of the following countries:

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America

Study completed in countries that don't appear in this list will be considered in a case by case basis.

CAE/CPE: Overall score of 177 or above with no less than 169 in each skill

USC's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 2: Successful completion

USC's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 3: Successful completion

Recommended prior study
English; General Maths, Biology; at least one science subject
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including case studies, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses
WIL notes

In order to commence field education placement, you must have completed the following mandatory checks prior to the commencement of your placement:

  • Hold a valid Blue Card, throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
  • Comply with the Vaccination Preventable Diseases requirements. USC recommends that students are vaccinated in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook. You are responsible for all costs associated with meeting the immunisation requirements of USC. All required vaccinations must be completed by your designated deadline. You will receive an email advising the deadline date, prior to placement.
  • You are required to possess a current First Aid and CPR Certificate to be able to participate in placement.
  • Complete the UniSC Student Placement Agreement.
  • Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
  • Complete Preplace online modules.
  • Travel to attend field education placements
  • Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed, and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.

For some placements, additional checks may be required for: HLT321 and HLT302

  • Queensland Health Orientation and Training.
  • Students attending a Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service facility will need to complete these site specific requirements.
  • Queensland Health Tuberculosis Risk Assessment for Students.
  • Refer to Prosthetics and Orthotics - Placement

Career opportunities

  • Clinical Prosthetist and/or Orthotist

Memberships

Graduates may be eligible to become members of:

  • The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

Headstart Program - Year 11 or 12

The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.

Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12

The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at USC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.

Previous qualifications or experience

If you:

  • have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
  • have a TAFE/VET qualification
  • have relevant work experience, or
  • have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)

You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.

Tertiary Preparation Pathway

If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.

If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.

It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.

I identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

You may be eligible for direct entry into a USC degree based on your potential to succeed, under USC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.

CSP estimate
A$8,296 - 2023 Fees
Annual tuition fee (A$, 2023)
A$25,800
Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2023)
A$77,400

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.

If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.

Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:

  • meet the citizenship and residency requirements
  • complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
  • meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.

Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to USC if they meet certain criteria.

Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.

QTAC code

Location QTAC code
Sunshine Coast 013055
5 stars for teaching quality
1st in Queensland THE Impact Rankings 2023