Head of School Welcome

Professor Bruce Thompson

Bruce Thompson Head Shot

Since its inception in July 2009, the Melbourne School of Health Sciences has embraced the Melbourne Model to create an inter-professional learning community at the forefront of leadership in health sciences education, clinical research, scholarship, professional practice, workforce training and knowledge exchange. Our highly skilled team and outstanding students contribute to local, national and global efforts to improve health and wellbeing.

Based in the Parkville precinct in the heart of Melbourne, we work closely with our valued partners in Australia and worldwide to:

  • educate graduate entry and post-graduate students in the disciplines of Nursing, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, and Optometry and Vision Sciences through accredited programs tailored to workforce needs nationally and internationally
  • provide national and international health sciences students with professional training to enable them to be competent and effective health professionals who are work ready, eligible for registration and, in the case of Physiotherapy, primary contact practitioners
  • advance the careers of experienced professionals through education and training that enables them to be leaders in their field
  • train research higher degree students to be competent in clinical research and evidence based practice to prepare them for research, clinical, professional or academic careers
  • obtain external funding and conduct high quality clinical research and knowledge transfer and exchange activities with impact nationally and internationally
  • deliver professional education courses and training for the health sciences professions
  • build strong relationships and active programs of interaction with the alumni in each discipline
  • continue to build effective collaborations with clinicians, patients, the healthcare sector, the research community, governments, industry partners and communities in Australia and internationally.


We are proud of the excellent quality of our programs, students, academics and research, and the leadership of our health sciences team. Measures of this leadership include:

  • graduation of highly competent practitioners who demonstrate leadership, are attuned to cultural diversity and active in local, national and global communities
  • accreditation of our existing Nursing, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, and Optometry and Vision Sciences programs and excellence in our post-graduate professional courses
  • being one of the top health sciences divisions in Australia and worldwide
  • being one of the preferred Health Sciences Schools nationally for students and staff through a learning environment that fosters collegiality, academic excellence and a student-centred approach
  • being a leading tertiary Health Sciences School that provides information, advice and consultancy for Australian governments, healthcare and community service organisations, consumer groups, businesses and the research community.

We invite you to take a look at our excellent discipline websites and welcome you to our learning community.

Professor Bruce Thompson
Head, Melbourne School of Health Sciences

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