Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February, July
Fees
$11,550+
$36,357^
+
estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee for a full-time study load. Please note this estimate is variable and subject to fluctuation depending on choice of elective subjects.
^
estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee. Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2026, which are subject to change in following years.
Duration
1 year full-time
or part-time equivalent
Entry Requirements
AQF level 7 bachelor degree in biomedical sciences or cognate degree; or equivalent
Course Code
116107
Course detail
Build on your existing medical, biomedical or clinical knowledge and experience with JCU’s Graduate Diploma of Medical Science. This one-year degree has two pathways for students, one as a Medical Laboratory scientist (MLS) and the other as a Clinical Measurements scientist (CMS). You’ll have extensive opportunities to apply your theoretical skills as you complete clinical placement at public and private Clinical Measurements or Medical Science Laboratories.
Through this graduate certificate, you will gain advanced skills that will enable you to work in high-demand areas including regional, rural, remote, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Throughout your placement, you will apply recognised methods and tools of medical science to the process of enquiry and discovery, particularly in a clinical/medical investigative context. You will develop strong skills in communicating information to those with and without a medical or scientific knowledge base.
As you complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Sciences, you will transition to work alongside experts in the clinical and medical laboratory science field; the network connections that you make and professional relationships that you form will have the potential to lead to future employment.
Course pre-requisites and admission requirements
Course pre-requisites and admission requirements
This Graduate Diploma of Medical Sciences requires completion of an AQF level 7 bachelor degree in biomedical sciences or an equivalent related degree.
Students wishing to complete the Graduate Diploma of Medical Science with a Medical Laboratory Science major will be admitted on a case-by-case basis following discussions with the academic advisor for biomedical sciences. This will ascertain their completion of subjects in their undergraduate degree which fulfil the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS) requirements for accreditation.
This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, the requirement to obtain a Suitability to Work with Children Card, federal police check and/or other requirements that students must comply with. Students must complete all Professional Experience Placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of all certifications in order to stay admitted in the course.
You will find your course requirements on the JCU Professional experience placement website.
Hide course pre-requisites and admission requirementsView the Handbook for a detailed overview of available subjects.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Medical Science.
As a JCU Medical Science graduate, you will be equipped with specialist skills that enable employment in a variety of medical settings.
By choosing the Clinical Sciences major you could work as a clinical scientist, cardiac scientist, respiratory scientist, sleep scientist, or neuroscientist. By choosing the Medical Science major you could specialise in areas of diagnostic pathology such as clinical microbiology, haematology or transfusion science. Alternatively, you could find opportunities in clinical biochemistry, histopathology, immunology, serology, or laboratory management. Some graduates also go on to study the Master of Medical Science.
Graduates may be eligible for membership with the Australian Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS).
Graduates (CMS major) may be eligible for membership with Australian Council of Clinical Physiologists (ACCP) or Professionals in Cardiac Sciences Australia (PICSA).
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD11,550.00
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD36,357.00
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
Learn more about fees and financial support
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Complete an online application through our Online Application Portal.
Real stories
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Student
Eva Birosova
Graduate Diploma of Medical Science (Medical Laboratory Science)
This course has perfectly met my need for acquiring new clinical skills and knowledge as well as further development and refreshment of those skills I had in past. The course offers very relevant content, including authentic industry work experience.
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Alumni
Boni Sebayang
Master of Medical Science, majoring in Future Leaders in Tropical Research
When I wanted to study tropical health research, James Cook University was my first choice. I made the best decision of my life! Meeting and learning from JCU lecturers who write the journal articles that you read has been an exceptional experience.
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Lecturer
Associate Professor Donna Rudd
Course Coordinator, Medical Sciences
Our focus within Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at JCU is developing a scientific health workforce for the region and remote areas. We train multidisciplinary scientists capable of working independently to provide a comprehensive service and support.
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Employer
Michael Wilhelm
Group Laboratory Manager, Pathology Queensland
The JCU MLS graduates are one of the most highly sought after Medical Scientists for employment in Diagnostic Pathology Services. We have many JCU scientists working for Pathology Queensland over a wide range of roles, ranging from entry level to operations manager.
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Employer
Megan Harbourne
Statewide Clinical Education Program Manager, Department of Health, QLD
JCU graduates have a really strong focus on the patient journey, probably because they have developed interpretation and analysis skills across multiple sciences. They are great at understanding the pathophysiology of the various chronic diseases that impact our patients.