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Bachelor of Dementia Care (M3S)

Overview (2027)

Duration

Minimum 3 years, up to a maximum of 7 years.

This course is available to study as both part-time or full-time
Duration
Duration refers to the minimum and maximum amounts of time in which this course can be completed. It will be affected by whether you choose to study full or part time, noting that some programs are only available part time.

Location

Online
Semester 1, Semester 2

The Bachelor of Dementia Care, delivered by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, will help you develop specialised knowledge so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.

Lead the change in dementia care – study online, your way

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of people living with dementia? Whether you're just starting out, already working in health or aged care, or simply curious about this growing field, Australia's first degree in dementia care is designed with you in mind.

Offered fully online and open to both domestic and international students, this course gives you the flexibility to study from anywhere, at your own pace. There are no exams, no face-to-face classes, and no workplace placements required.

With dementia becoming increasingly common, there’s never been a more important time to build specialised knowledge in this area. You’ll gain practical, up-to-date insights that can be applied in community settings, hospitals, aged care facilities and beyond.

Developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, this course is backed by global leaders in dementia education with a mission to transform the understanding of dementia worldwide.

Choose your path

  • Diploma of Dementia Care – 8 units (up to 3 years)
  • Bachelor of Dementia Care – 24 units (up to 7 years)

You can study part-time (1–2 units) or full-time (3–4 units) each semester, with around 10 hours of study per unit per week. Assessments are spread throughout the semester and may include quizzes, discussion boards, essays, reports or presentations.

Dedicated student advisers are available throughout your studies to provide support and guidance whenever you need it.

Career outcomes

“My goal is just to provide a tangible difference in quality care for dementia. I’ve loved the course because it’s so specific, just focusing on the one field. I feel like having a specific topic actually broadens what you can learn about the topic, because you can start to look at it from all these different angles, and actually get something that’s beginning to build a bigger picture of dementia, both from a personal perspective and care, but also looking at it in terms of social impact. The best bit about the course has been I think it’s changed my perspective; that I really do believe that people can live well with dementia, and that’s been inspiring and also it’s exciting to keep learning about how we can actually achieve that.”

Emma Elaine, Bachelor of Dementia Care student

Over 430,000 Australians are currently living with dementia; this number increases every year. The impact on communities, families, governments and health professionals will be significant as these numbers increase.

Our workforce is currently ill equipped to help care for such large numbers of people living with dementia – by 2050, it is estimated that there will be over 900,000 people in Australia living with dementia. Graduates from this course may find work in a range of career paths such as in the aged care industry in both the public and private sectors, or as a pathway to undertaking further study in graduate health programs.

Some of the careers projected to grow in into the year 2034 include:*

31.9% Aged and Disabled Carers

19.6% Health and Welfare Support Workers

20.6% Special Care Workers

Individuals with backgrounds in healthcare, community service and allied health professionals, may find study in this course advantageous – and opportunities for Recognition of Prior Learning (or credit) are available.

There are a growing number of leadership and case management positions in dementia care, which require qualifications higher than aged care certificates. Leadership roles, and specialist positions in the aged care sector are increasingly calling for tertiary level qualifications such as the Dementia Care Program.

The Diploma and Associate Degrees are particularly relevant to aged care workers and health professionals wishing to develop their skills and knowledge in dementia. The Bachelor Degree offers additional learning about research and the understanding of how evidence may be translated into clinical care practice.

* Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections, May 2024 - May 2034

Course structure

There are three graduation points available in the Dementia Care Program, each available as part-time or full-time:

  • Diploma (8 units, completed over a maximum of 3 years)
  • Associate Degree (16 units, completed over a maximum of 5 years)
  • Bachelor Degree (24 units, completed over a maximum of 7 years)

To enrol in the Dementia Care Program

  • You must be willing to devote approximately 10 hours per week for each unit of study
  • You must be able to access a computer, current software and a reliable connection to the internet

The Bachelor of Dementia Care requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:

  • 200 credit points of core units
  • 100 credit points of electives units, or an optional major 

Note that the 100 credit points of elective units can be used in two quite different ways, the choice is yours: 

  • Study 100 credit points of elective units - you can choose to enrol in any unit available as an elective (some units do have prerequisites which must be met, but many do not)

or 

  • Study a 100 credit point major. A major is an area of focus in your degree. You can choose the Ageing Studies and Services major (see below), a major from another area, or you can choose to study our Sustainability major. The University is deeply committed to building sustainable futures and that is why we've made the Sustainability major readily available in most courses. For details see the Bachelor of Science. Or find out more at What is a Major?

Entry requirements

Fees & scholarships

Domestic students

Commonwealth supported places (CSP) are available for this course. For eligible domestic students, this means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.

Commonwealth Supported Place indicative annual fee: $10,942

How is this calculated?

This is an estimate. The calculation is based on the average full-time enrolment for this course in 2026. All figures are indicative only for 2027. Actual tuition fees will depend on specific unit enrolment, and are subject to annual increases each year. You can find the complete fee details for each unit of study on the individual unit pages. The units for this course are found in the course structure section of this page.

These figures do not include other costs such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). For further information, please visit Scholarships, fees and costs.

HECS-HELP loans

You may be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.

Further information on student loans and a CSP eligibility checker can be found at Australian Government Study Assist.

International students

2027 annual international student tuition fee: $15,250 AUD

The standard year of study for this course is 100 credit points.

Indicative total tuition fee for international students: $ 48,076 AUD.

This total tuition fee is indicative only. Please visit fees and costs for further information on how this is calculated.

International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.

Domestic scholarships

For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.

International scholarships

The University of Tasmania offers a range of scholarships for international students, designed to recognise academic merit and support access to university study.

For many of our international scholarships, you will be automatically assessed when you submit your International Student Application, so no separate scholarship application is required. Some scholarships may require additional application steps. Explore our International Scholarships to learn more about available opportunities and application requirements.

Additional costs

In addition to course costs, students may be subject to other costs related to study at university including:

  • Text books and stationery
  • Accommodation
  • Student Services and Amenities Fee

How can we help?

Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.