Study areas

Each study area offers a variety of courses, programs, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and research opportunities.

Students learning in the Medicine & Health facilities at the UNSW Kensington campus

Exercise scientists are specialists in the human body both at rest and in response to exercise. Exercise scientists gain knowledge in a broad array of subdisciplines such as biomechanics, motor control and exercise prescription – they use this knowledge to better prescribe exercise for the maintenance of health and improvement of performance.

Exercise physiologists use physical activity as a rehabilitative and preventative therapy. Exercise prescriptions are used to manage a wide range of conditions including cancers, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, respiratory, neurologic and mental health conditions.

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Global health brings together epidemiology, data, policy and medical service design to provide an international perspective on the health and illnesses of populations. It explores disease control, health systems, health promotion and health policy across a wide range of populations and countries.

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Health data science is the science and art of generating data-driven solutions for critical health issues. It uses the insights uncovered from data to better support clinical care, inform health policy and improve population health. 

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Health leadership and management explores current and emerging influences on the healthcare sector. It examines the principles that underpin health systems and services, including strategic planning, policy development, change management, financial management, health economics, evidence-informed decision-making, clinical governance, risk management, quality improvement, integrated care, patient safety and value-based healthcare. 

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Despite our improved understanding of the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases pose ongoing threats to global health security. This study area explores infectious disease surveillance and intelligence, outbreak investigation and response, and infection prevention and mitigation. 

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Throughout your medical studies, you’ll learn the basic medical sciences in relation to the human life cycle, examine social/ethical/legal issues related to healthcare and build your clinical and communication skills. As you progress through the program, you'll gain increased clinical exposure in hospital placements. Your fourth year is dedicated to research, where you'll complete either an Independent Learning Project (ILP) or honours year. In your final two years (the MD portion of the program), you'll complete clinical placements in surgery, internal medicine, psychiatry, primary care, obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics.

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Dietetics is an allied health profession that applies the science of food and nutrition to optimise health, treat illnesses and prevent the onset of chronic diseases. A dietitian can help people manage health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases, obesity and food allergies. 

Food innovation examines all aspects of the food value chain from agriculture, food technology, food manufacturing and the retail sector, through to innovations and digital technologies. It looks at how we can improve the food system to address current and future food equity and sustainability challenges. 

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We rely heavily on our five senses to navigate life: touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight. Each of these senses play a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Problems with eyesight can have a profound impact on an individual’s life. Through optometry, many vision problems and eye diseases can be corrected or managed, restoring sight to people from all walks of life.

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Orientation & Mobility (O&M) is the practice of enabling people with low vision or blindness to know where they are, so they can get where they want to go safely.

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Be at the forefront of the evolving pharmacy sector with a comprehensive education in the pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice and management. 

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Physiotherapists are experts in the structure and movement of the human body. Physiotherapists use hands-on physical therapy, tailored exercises, rehabilitation technologies and lifestyle modifications to help people affected by injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, and neurological and cardiovascular disorders. Along with improving mobility and function, physiotherapists provide health education to prevent further injury or illness.

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Psychiatry is the field of medicine that is concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders. Psychiatrists work with individuals affected by a range of clinical disorders. They are employed in various medical-related settings, including hospitals, private practice, community health teams and other organisations. 

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While doctors and other practitioners in the clinical healthcare system focus primarily on diagnosing and treating an individual, public health looks at the health of communities to try and prevent people from falling ill in the first place. This study area examines how to identify, understand, prevent and contain disease in populations, as well as identify and address the social determinants of population health inequities. 

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Vision science is the study of the sensory processes that underlie vision and understanding of vision-related technologies. A degree in vision science will prepare you to identify problems a client has with vision, understand the theory of why or how eye problems occur and develop treatment options. 

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Reproductive medicine is offering hope and clinical support to many couples trying to have a child. Complications with HIV/STIs, infertility and unplanned pregnancy are consistent health issues that require addressing through new reproductive technologies and specialised professionals. 

Women's health medicine encompasses sexual, reproductive, pre-pregnancy and pregnancy care as well as the management of female specific conditions and malignancies. 

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