How to apply

Master of Genetic Counselling (C04374)

Apply now. Applications close 31 October.

It is recommended to apply as soon as applications open, as your application and eligibility for interview will be assessed on a rolling basis. Selected competitive applicants will be invited to interview throughout September, October and November. 

You are welcome to apply in your final session of your qualifying degree. Provide your academic transcript with evidence of enrolment in your final session. If successful, you may receive a conditional offer pending the successful completion of your qualifying degree, prerequisite subject and/or any other conditions. Once available, you will be required to provide your final official transcript to meet the conditions of your offer, prior to commencing the course.

Entry is competitive and assessment is based on Grade Point Average (GPA). It is important to note applications are assessed not only on academic performance but also on relevant voluntary or paid work experience in a caring role, references and personal statement. Please be aware that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an interview nor offer of a place.

Applying as a domestic (local) student

If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder, apply through UTS Student Portal.

If you are an Indigenous applicant, apply through UTS Student Portal and you will be contacted by the Professor of Practice in Indigenous Health with further information.

Applying as an international student

If you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident, apply through UTS International. 

Dates

The Master of Genetic Counselling is a two-year full-time course offered as a blended learning program with weekly live and online classes and a one week block teaching week on campus each session. Part-time and distance options are not available. Applications for February intake (Autumn B Session) open around August and close 31 October each year. There is no mid year intake (Spring B session).

The course commences in February (Autumn B Session) with compulsory attendance at the on campus block teaching week during Professional Skills Week (Autumn B Orientation). See Subjects and Clinical Placements for more information.

Fees

To calculate the fees for this course, visit UTS Fees. You can search by Fee type Postgraduate Coursework, Course Area Graduate School of Health (formerly Health GEM) and course number or name C04374 Master of Genetic Counselling

There are no Commonwealth Supported Places available for this course, however, domestic students may be eligible for the FEE-HELP loan scheme.

It is important to note that New Zealand citizens are required to pay tuition fees upfront. However, if you are a New Zealand citizen who is also a Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, and you meet the requisite residency criteria, you may be eligible to access Government HELP schemes (students are required to submit a new FEE-HELP form for each new course). 

For information about scholarships, visit Scholarships at UTS.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is not accepted for this course. The Master of Genetic Counselling is an intensive program containing specialised coursework and research subjects that are integrated with practical and clinical experience. 

For this reason, no credit can be granted from prior learning and students are required to complete the full period of study.

Academic admission requirements

See Admission requirements.

Applicants must have completed a:

• Bachelor’s degree in a cognate discipline
• Human genetics subject at a tertiary level (to second or third year undergraduate level, or equivalent) within the last 10 years.

Supporting documentation

Prerequisite assessment table and subject outlines

You must have completed a human genetics at a tertiary level (to second or third year undergraduate level, or equivalent) within the last 10 years. Submit the completed prerequisite assessment table and relevant subject outline(s) with your application.

For reference, at UTS 91822 Human Genetics and Precision Medicine is an approved option to meet the human genetics subject requirement for the Master of Genetic Counselling. Please note prerequisite subject approvals are subject change as they undergo annual academic review.

For questions about non-award subject availability in Spring and January sessions, please contact Ask UTS.

Reference

You will need to provide at least one reference as evidence of relevant voluntary or paid work experience in a caring role. This is an opportunity for the referee to speak about your character, ability, and suitability to be a genetic counsellor. Referees may include: supervisor of your caring role, teacher, lecturer, academic, employer or supervisor of paid work or other relevant person.

Experiences of caring roles refer to opportunities where you have provided support to people who may be vulnerable, in need or in distress. Opportunities for experience in a caring role may be found working with: Non-profit or community organisations; Patient support organisations; Lifeline and other telephone crisis or peer support lines; Groups that work with people with disabilities, refugees, homeless or children with special needs; or caring for relatives. These are just some examples, there are many other opportunities in which you can provide evidence and reflect on your capacity to interact effectively and appropriately with people who need support.

Experience of working in a caring role is imperative for genetic counselling as it helps applicants to appreciate the impact of inherited conditions on individuals and their families and understand their own responses to this and decide whether they are suited to the role.  Many people find their work as genetic counsellors both interesting and rewarding but it is also demanding emotionally.  As genetic counselling involves working with individuals in emotive circumstances, it will be helpful to spend some time working in similar settings prior to training to help determine whether this is the right career for you. 

Indigenous applicants are welcome to submit cultural and/or community referees to accompany their application.

Personal statement

Your application will be strengthened if you use your personal statement to talk about your experience working in a caring role and the insights it has given you which are relevant to genetic counselling.

Your personal statement is an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, motivation and commitment to a career in genetic counselling. The personal statement is also an opportunity to reflect on your experiences professionally and personally.

Where possible, we also encourage students to speak with genetic counsellors in their local area for further insight into the profession. You may also wish to listen to genetic counselling podcasts, read articles about genetic counselling or visit relevant professional organisation’s websites and refer to what you have learnt from these in your personal statement.

Master of Genetic Counselling (Research) (C03061 – CRICOS 098375C)              
Doctor of Philosophy (Genetic Counselling) (C02065 – CRICOS 098404C)

Step 1:              
Identify your proposed area of research. See Genetic Counselling Research

Step 2:              
Submit an enquiry to UTS Genetic Counselling. This helps us to connect you to a supervisor and start your application process.

Step 3:              
The school’s research team will help guide you to identify potential supervisor/s.

Domestic students should follow the research degree application process outlined by the Graduate Research School.

International students should visit UTS International for comprehensive information on the application process, fees and English language requirements.

Application dates

It is important for candidates to submit an enquiry. For application deadlines visit application deadlines.

Scholarships

UTS Genetic Counselling offers a range of scholarships for PhD students. Visit our scholarships page for details.

Fees

You are considered a domestic student if you are an: Australian citizen; New Zealand citizen; or Holder of an Australian permanent resident visa (including permanent Humanitarian Visa holders). Domestic students currently have their course fees met through the Commonwealth Government’s Research Training Program. However, students are responsible for other fees incurred by their project (eg. software, photocopying, transport).

If you are an international student, visit international student fees to find out more about international student tuition fees.

Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills (C11375)

Applications will open in 2025.

It's recommended to apply as soon as applications open, as your application will be assessed on a rolling basis.

You're welcome to apply in the final session of your qualifying degree. Provide your academic transcript with evidence of enrolment in your final session. If successful, you may receive a conditional offer pending the successful completion of your qualifying degree, prerequisite subject and/or any other conditions. 

Entry is competitive and assessment is based on grade point average (GPA). It's important to note applications are assessed both on academic performance and evidence of work with people. 

Please be aware that meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place.

Applying as a domestic (local) student

If you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or humanitarian visa holder, apply through UTS Student Portal.

If you are an Indigenous applicant, apply through UTS Student Portal and you will be contacted by the Professor of Practice in Indigenous Health with further information.

Applying as an international student

If you are not an Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident, you will need to apply through UTS International. 

Dates

The course commences in 2025.

Fees 

To calculate the fees for this course, visit UTS Fees. You can search by Fee type Postgraduate Coursework, Course Area Graduate School of Health (formerly Health GEM) and course number or name C11375 Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills.

Note: There are no Commonwealth Supported Places available for this course, however, domestic students may be eligible for the FEE-HELP loan scheme.

It is important to note that New Zealand citizens are required to pay tuition fees upfront. However, if you are a New Zealand citizen who is also a Special Category Visa (SCV) holder, and you meet the requisite residency criteria, you may be eligible to access Government HELP schemes (students are required to submit a new FEE-HELP form for each new course). 

Supporting documentation

You must have completed a UTS recognised Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (or an equivalent or higher qualification). In addition, you must have completed at least one subject at a tertiary level within the last ten years in human genetics, genomics, or genetics. 

Work experience

You will need to provide evidence of relevant voluntary or paid work experience with people, preferably in a healthcare setting. This must be supported by provision of a detailed resume.

Indigenous applicants are welcome to submit cultural and/or community referees to accompany their application.