Vertical Double Degree Pathways
Do you want to supercharge your time at ANU and graduate with a Bachelor and Masters degree within 4 years? Why not combine an undergraduate degree with a Masters by coursework and enter the workforce with an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification.
Key facts
What is a Vertical Double Degree pathway?
Three year single undergraduate degrees offered by the ANU College of Science or ANU College of Health and Medicine require 96 units of Science courses and 48 units of ANU electives. This empowers you with the flexibility to enrol in courses from across the University in your undergraduate degree. However, if your passion is Science and you want to fast track your entry into the employment market with a Masters degree in a Science or Health & Medicine related discipline, you can opt to swap out 24 units (4 courses) of those ANU electives and get a jump start on postgraduate courses in your third year of study. This requires a bit of thought and advance planning in your second year of study, but our student advisors will help you every step of the way.
Why choose a Vertical Double Degree pathway?
This is your opportunity to complete a Bachelor and Masters degree in less time and save yourself one year of postgraduate tuition fees. Once you have met the conditions of offer for the Masters degree, you will be eligible for 48 units of credit: 24 units of credit from the postgraduate courses already completed and 24 units from your Bachelor degree. This leaves you only one year of postgraduate study to get that Masters qualification. If you are a domestic Commonwealth supported student, there is an extra cost reduction as the 24 units of postgraduate courses taken in the 3rd year will be invoiced as per the same scheme as courses contributing towards your undergraduate Commonwealth supported degree.
What do I need to know before I express interest?
This study pathway has a progression hurdle in the Bachelor degree which must be met before postgraduate study can commence. Students who opt for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0 in the first 96 units of undergraduate courses attempted in the Bachelor degree to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in the Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses. If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.
Pathway options
Below is a list of possible pathway combinations for the College of Health & Medicine. The Bachelor of Science has the broadest range of options however it is possible to start from other programs such as the Bachelor of Health Science. A list of pathway options from majors in the Bachelor of Science is available from here (indicative only). Study plans on this website provide a general example of how the programs can be combined, each study plan is tailored to suit each individual student in alignment with published degree requirements, admissions requirements and cognate credit requirements for the destination Masters program and course scheduling (subject to change).
Bachelor of Health Science &
Master of Public Health
Combine the Bachelor of Health Science with a Master of Public Health regardless of which stream you are in. Both the pre-med stream and the Applications of Health stream are compatible with a pathway to the MPH.
Indicative study plans (subject to change)
Semester 1 Start – Applications of Health stream
|
Year 1
|
Semester 1
|
Bachelor
HLTH1001 |
Bachelor
BIOL1008 |
Bachelor
Applications of Health Course List |
Bachelor
ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Semester 2
|
Bachelor
HLTH1002 |
Bachelor
BIOL1004 |
Bachelor
Applications of Health Course List |
Bachelor
ANU Elective |
|
|
Year 2
|
Semester 1
|
Bachelor
HLTH2001 |
Bachelor
MEDN2001 |
Bachelor
Applications of Health Course List |
Bachelor
ANU Elective |
|
Semester 2
|
Bachelor
HLTH2002 |
Bachelor
MEDN2002 |
Bachelor
POPH3000 |
Bachelor
ANU Elective |
|
|
Year 3
|
Semester 1
|
Bachelor
HLTH3001 |
Bachelor
HLTH3002 |
Master
POPH8100 |
Master
POPH8101 |
|
Semester 2
|
Bachelor
SCOM3033 |
Bachelor
3000-level Science |
Master
POPH8108 |
Master
Public Health Topic List |
|
|
Year 4
|
Semester 1
|
Master
POPH8103 |
Master
Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master
Public Health Elective List |
Master
Public Health Topic List |
|
Semester 2
|
Master
Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Master
Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master
Public Health Elective List |
Master
Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Semester 1 Start – Pre-Med stream
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH1001 |
Bachelor BIOL1008 |
Bachelor CHEM1101 |
Bachelor ANU elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor HLTH1002 |
Bachelor BIOL1004 |
Bachelor CHEM1201 |
Bachelor ANU elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH2001 |
Bachelor MEDN2001 |
Bachelor BIOL2171 |
Bachelor ANU elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor HLTH2002 |
Bachelor MEDN2002 |
Bachelor POPH3000 |
Bachelor ANU elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH3001 |
Bachelor HLTH3002 |
Master POPH8100 |
Master POPH8101 |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor SCOM3033 |
Bachelor 3000-level Science |
Master POPH8108 |
Master Public Health Topic List |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master POPH8103 |
Master Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master Public Health Elective List |
Master Public Health Topic List |
| Semester 2 | Master Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Master Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master Public Health Elective List |
Master Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Master of Science Communication
Indicative study plan (subject to change) - Semester 1 start
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH1001 |
Bachelor BIOL1008 |
Bachelor Applications of Health Stream |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor HLTH1002 |
Bachelor BIOL1004 |
Bachelor Applications of Health Stream |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH2001 |
Bachelor MEDN2001 |
Bachelor Applications of Health Stream |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor HLTH2002 |
Bachelor MEDN2002 |
Bachelor POPH3000 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor HLTH3001 |
Bachelor HLTH3002 |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor SCOM3033 |
Bachelor 3000- level Science |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master SCOM8014 |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
| Semester 2 | Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master ANU Elective |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
Master SCOM8004 or 6000- 8000 level SCOM Course List |
Bachelor of Science &
Master of Public Health
Academic requirements for admission to this Vertical Double Degree can be satisfied in different ways depending on your Bachelor of Science course selection.
Indicative study plan (subject to change) based on a Psychology Major and Science Communication Minor
Semester 1 Start
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) PSYC1003 |
Bachelor (SCOM-MIN) SCOM1001 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) PSYC1004 |
Bachelor (SCOM-MIN) SCOM1002 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) PSYC2009 |
Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) 2000- level PSYC |
Bachelor (SCOM-MIN) 2000- 3000- level SCOM |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) 2000- level PSYC |
Bachelor (SCOM-MIN) 2000- 3000- level SCOM |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective | Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) 3000- level PSYC |
Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) 3000- level PSYC |
Master POPH8100 |
Master POPH8101 |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (PSYC-MAJ) 3000- level PSYC |
Bachelor 3000- level Science |
Master POPH8108 |
Master Public Health Topic List |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master POPH8103 |
Master Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master Public Health Elective List |
Master Public Health Topic List |
| Semester 2 | Master Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Master Public Health Integrative Course List |
Master Public Health Elective List |
Master Public Health Topic or Elective List |
Master of Science Communication
Indicative study plan (subject to change) with an Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology Major and a Cognitive Psychology Minor - Semester 1 start
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1003 |
Bachelor (COPS-MIN) PSYC1003 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1004 |
Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1009 |
Bachelor (COPS-MIN) PSYC1004 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL2151 |
Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) PSYC2009 |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL2114 |
Bachelor (COPS-MIN) PSYC2008 |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL3191 |
Bachelor 3000- level Science Elective |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL3206 |
Bachelor (COPS-MIN) PSYC3015 |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM course list |
Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM course list |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master SCOM8014 |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
| Semester 2 | Master 6000- 8000- level SCOM Course List |
Master ANU Elective |
Master SCOM8000 or SCOM8004 |
Master SCOM8004 or 6000- 8000 level SCOM Course List |
Master of Science in Biological Sciences
Academic requirements for admission to this Vertical Double Degree can be satisfied in different ways depending on your Bachelor of Science course selection.
Indicative study plan (subject to change) based on an Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology Major and a Chemistry Minor
Semester 1 Start
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1003 |
Bachelor (CHEM-MIN) CHEM1101 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1004 |
Bachelor (CHEM-MIN) CHEM1201 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL1009 |
Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL2131 |
Bachelor (CHEM-MIN) 2000- level CHEM |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL2202 |
Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL2114 |
Bachelor (CHEM-MIN) 2000- level CHEM |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL3109 |
Bachelor 3000- level Science |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (EEOB-MAJ) BIOL3191 |
Bachelor 3000- level Science |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master BIOL8291 |
Master 8000- level BIOL |
Master Science & Society Course List |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
| Semester 2 | Master BIOL8700 / BIOL8704 |
Master 8000- level BIOL |
Master Science & Society Course List |
Master 6000- 8000- level BIOL |
Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics
Academic requirements for admission to this Vertical Double Degree can be satisfied in different ways depending on your Bachelor of Science course selection.
Indicative study plan (subject to change) based on a Quantitative Biology Major and Maths Minor
Semester 1 Start
| Year 1 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) BIOL1003 |
Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) MATH1013 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (Science Elective) STAT1008 |
Bachelor (MATH-MIN) MATH1014 |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
Bachelor ANU Elective |
|
| Year 2 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) STAT2001 |
Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) BIOL2151 |
Bachelor (MATH-MIN) MATH2305 |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) MATH2307 |
Bachelor (MATH-MIN) MATH2306 |
Bachelor (MATH-MIN) 3000- level MATH |
Bachelor ANU Science Elective |
|
| Year 3 | Semester 1 | Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) MATH3353 |
Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) MATH3511 |
Master BIOL6200 |
Master COMP6730 |
| Semester 2 | Bachelor (QBIO-MAJ) BIOL3157 |
Bachelor 3000- level Science |
Master STAT6038 |
Master BIOL8002 |
|
| Year 4 | Semester 1 | Master MATH6208 |
Master COMP8410 |
Master BIOL8291 |
Master BIOL8001 |
| Semester 2 | Master BIOL6243 |
Master Any List |
Master Any List |
Master Science & Society Course List |
How to apply
Have a conversation with us
Embarking on a pathway to a Masters degree is a big decision, especially if you are only just beginning your university career. If you are a current student, we encourage you to start the conversation with us at the start of your second year of study and ideally no later than the end of your second year. The minimum considerations to keep in mind are whether your course choices are suitable for satisfying admission to the postgraduate program and any requisite requirements of the masters courses, and your GPA is on track.
Find a combination that suits your interests
- Explore the list of degrees presented above to find a combination to suit your interests, strengths and career goals.
- Make sure you understand the admission requirements for your chosen degree by reading them carefully on Programs and Courses website.
- All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
Talk to a student adviser in the College Student Services Office
The student advisers will step through your academic record, put you in touch with the Masters program convener so you can get specialist advice about course selection and career opportunities, and help you map out a study plan for the remainder of your undergraduate program which will include 24 units of postgraduate study from your Master of choice.
Submit an Expression of Interest to a Vertical Double Degree pathway
You can Submit an Expression of Interest to a Vertical Double Degree pathway up until you have completed 72 units of study.
Contact us
Please contact the science enquiries team.