Master of Laboratory Medicine

Apply TodayRegister Your Interest
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Location
Online
Next start term
Term 1, 2027
Study mode
On Campus, Online
Course code
CM18
First-year fee
$33,300 (2026 Indicative) (FFP)
OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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A medical student using their laptop in a laboratory with two other students using laboratory equipment in the background.

Overview

Enhance your clinical decision-making skills, knowledge and experiences as a laboratory scientist, and open up opportunities for research or leadership within your field of expertise with CQU's Master of Laboratory Medicine. Gain advanced discipline-specific knowledge in medical laboratory science and advance your career.  

During your studies, you will gain advanced theoretical and technical knowledge in the clinical disciplines of laboratory medicine for application in the diagnostic setting. You will build technical and evaluative skills through laboratory and clinical training to assess and implement recommendations for best practices in patient testing and monitoring.

Choose to major in:

  • Advanced Pathology
  • Digital Pathology
  • Pathology Research
  • Practice Management and Leadership

Learn more about each major in the Structure & Availability section below. 

This course will enable you to develop an advanced level of communication skills to interact positively with patients and other health professionals ready for the clinical or scientific work environment. Clinical decision-making and problem-solving abilities are key skills for the medical laboratory scientist. You will develop clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills through experience in professional practice, clinical case studies and research opportunities.

Study Experience

Discover more about your postgraduate laboratory medicine degree, offering flexible study options and practical learning opportunities throughout your studies. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Online or On-campus
  • Research Pathways
  • Residential Schools
  • Student Accommodation Options
  • Student Support
  • Study Full-time or Part-time

Career Opportunities

A Medical Laboratory Scientist is a health professional who conducts medical laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. They require specialised education and skills to prepare tissue sections for microscopic examination, analyse samples to study the effects of microbial infections and develop techniques to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A Medical Laboratory Scientist has a degree of responsibility in the diagnostic process through the provision of advice to Medical Practitioners on the interpretation of tests, methods for use in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. They can undertake research and prepare scientific papers and reports. They ensure quality management processes and safety standards are followed in medical laboratories and undertake research in their area of expertise. Communication skills and exemplary professional attitude are all critical to success in this field.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. 

You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.

Available Locations

Your Course

Depending on your chosen major, you will complete 11 or 14 units (96 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (8 units)
  2. 2
    One major (three to six units, depending on your chosen major)

Core Units

You will study the eight units listed below.

Advanced Pathology Major

The Advanced Pathology Major consists of six units. 

You will choose four electives from the first seven units listed below, in addition to the final two compulsory units.

Showing 8 of 9

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

Learned Society - Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS)

Core

This course is fully accredited by the Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS). Full accreditation was awarded by AIMS for the Melbourne, Rockhampton and Mixed-mode campuses from Nov 2024. Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to graduate as a Medical Laboratory Scientist ANZSCO 234611. You will also be eligible to apply for Professional membership of AIMS.

We launched the Sydney campus offering of the course and have also applied for accreditation with AIMS for this campus in March 2026.

You will be required to attend a block practical intensive at the Rockhampton campus or a location to be advised in Melbourne and Sydney.

Clinical Placement in Laboratory Medicine - LMED29013

560 hours (16 weeks full time or part-time equivalent) of work placement at a NATA-approved diagnostic pathology (or suitable research) laboratory. Student learning supported by clinical supervisors on-site and academics at CQUniversity.

If you have prior experience or have studied previously, you may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL), which can help reduce your study load and the time it takes to complete your degree.

Learn more about credit and RPL, including application timelines and the overall process.

Advanced Standing

You will be eligible for advanced standing and be required to complete one of the following majors (36 credit points) to complete the Master of Laboratory Medicine if you meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant with a 4-year AIMS-accredited Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 1 year postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
  • Applicant with a 3-year AIMS-accredited Bachelor degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 2 years postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
  • Applicant with a non-accredited degree in Medical Laboratory Science (or equivalent) and 5 years postgraduate professional experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.

You will be required to provide an Official Academic Transcript, Testamur, Resume and Letter of Employment to be awarded credit towards the first year (Core) units, including Clinical Placement in Laboratory Medicine (LMED29013).

This course does permit you to defer your offer and commence at a later date.

Learn more about the offer process.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee for a Full Fee Paying (FFP) Place is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (this is usually eight units studied over two terms) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.

You may be eligible for FEE-HELP, an Australian Government loan scheme that helps eligible students pay their tuition fees. Provided you meet the FEE-HELP eligibility criteria, you can choose to use FEE-HELP to cover all or part of your tuition fees. 

Learn more about paying for university or view the FEE-HELP information booklet on the Australian Government’s Study Assist website.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier
  3. 4
    Receiving an offer
    Find out more about how your application will be assessed, offer types and timelines for receiving and responding to an offer.

Extra Admission Information

Learn about the assessment of applications and everything you need to know about receiving and accepting an offer to study with CQU.

Start Your Application

Use the Apply button below to access our Apply Online portal and start your application.

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