Master of Health Leadership and Management
Leading health systems and services.
Leading health systems and services.
Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details
Study the oldest and largest health management program in Australia. For over 60 years, this degree has prepared students for leadership and managerial roles in healthcare, both within Australia and globally.
Become a leader who can drive change, enhance quality and execute well-considered management decisions to make a real impact on health services and systems. The Master of Health Leadership and Management will equip you with the essential knowledge, skills and attributes required for leadership and managerial roles in healthcare.
This degree will broaden your understanding of the current and emerging influences on the health sector. You’ll gain the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary for leadership and management across:
This degree is designed for aspiring leaders and managers and those already working in the field who are seeking career progression.
Study Australasia’s first Master of Health Leadership and Management
For more than 60 years, this program has equipped students with the knowledge and skills required to respond to the challenges faced by health managers and leaders.
Gain international connections through the PLuS Alliance
The PLuS Alliance combines the strengths of three leading research universities – Arizona State University, King’s College London and UNSW – to solve global challenges. You’ll have the opportunity to take online courses with Arizona State University to bring a global perspective to your education. Moving away from the traditional classroom, this degree will immerse you in a global learning environment, where you’ll study alongside students from Australia, the United States and around the world.
Join a sector-leading population health community
Join a community that’s playing a key role in enhancing population health and healthcare systems. This program is delivered by the School of Population Health – a dynamic, international community of staff, alumni, practitioners and students. Our multi-disciplinary teaching and research staff have research and practitioner experience in local, national and international settings. Research and collaboration opportunities are available for students in our internationally recognised research centres and institutes. You will be part of a community involved in translating ground-breaking research into disease prevention and response strategies and informing health policy.
Build your professional network
Join an engaged cohort of like-minded students and a successful alumni community. Our graduates currently hold leadership roles in public and private services spanning ministries/departments of health, local health districts, public service roles relevant to social determinants of health, non-government organisations across Australia and around the world, in addition to graduates who bring population health expertise to their clinical work.
For entry into this program, you must have one of the following:
In exceptional circumstances, applicants with extensive relevant professional work experience (e.g., hospital-trained nurses, paramedics, Aboriginal health workers) may be considered. A minimum of five years full-time relevant professional experience is required and an interview with the School of Population Health may be conducted.
Relevant fields
Examples of relevant fields include, but are not restricted to:
Aimed at redressing the imbalance of access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to population health programs, this scheme provides entry to our postgraduate coursework degrees based on your interest in public health and relevant educational and/or professional experience.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For entry into this program, you must have one of the following:
In exceptional circumstances, applicants with extensive relevant professional work experience (e.g., hospital-trained nurses, paramedics, Aboriginal health workers) may be considered. A minimum of five years full-time relevant professional experience is required and an interview with the School of Population Health may be conducted.
Relevant fields
Examples of relevant fields include, but are not restricted to:
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Your coursework will cover:
The Master of Health Leadership and Management can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years part-time. The program is made up of eight courses total, including:
Please visit the program handbook to view the elective courses on offer.
The graduate certificate and graduate diploma provide an articulation pathway into the Master of Health Leadership and Management.
You can choose to extend your Master of Health Leadership and Management degree or combine it with another degree.
Extension degree: An extension to this degree includes a research component.
Dual degrees: Complete two degrees in 1.7 years of full-time study.
Dual degrees + research extension: Complete two degrees with a research focus in two years of full-time study. This option includes an extension component where you’ll complete additional electives including a research project or a research methodology course.
There’s strong demand for health management professionals in the public and private health sectors, both within Australia and globally. You’ll develop transferable leadership skills that can be applied throughout your career into senior management positions at health service and health system levels. Many of our graduates occupy senior executive, general management, health ministry and other health leadership roles in Australia and across the world.
This degree is ideal if you’re looking at a career in:
This degree is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA). It also provides the core competencies required for individuals wishing to apply for RACMA Fellowship.
“My degree has already proven immensely useful in my day-to-day managerial duties. It’s provided me with essential skills to be a caring and inspiring leader, and an effective and responsible manager. The degree has laid a strong foundation for my ongoing personal and professional development, which will ultimately contribute to safer and better care of my patients.”
Eva Wegner
Head of Department of Nuclear Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital and Community Health Services
“This degree will assist me in my endeavour to transition from clinical medicine to be a full-time researcher and public health practitioner. Through my degree I have developed communication skills, leadership skills and a global perspective which will allow me to look at issues in my own country through a new lens.”
Nikita Bathla
Research Assistant, The George Institute for Global Health
Applications for domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Postgraduate.
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
$13,505*
$13,505*
There are limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available for this degree. Domestic students who receive a CSP will have a substantial proportion of their fees subsidised by the Australian government. CSP places are assessed on the basis of merit. CSP are offered to the most competitive applicants and the remaining eligible applicants will be offered a full-fee place. You should list both CSP and full-fee codes in your UAC preferences if you wish to be considered for both places. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Ausstudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some Masters degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
Full Fees are the cost of the degree for students who do not receive a CSP place.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year). Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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