Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program

Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details

Understand disease intelligence, identify epidemic patterns, investigate outbreaks and develop disease control strategies. This degree provides exposure to real-world scenarios that infectious diseases professionals face in Australia and abroad. 

 

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Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
Award
Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration (Full Time)
1 - 1 Year(s)

Overview

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.

The Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence takes a cross-sector approach to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Gain the advanced disciplinary knowledge and skills required to improve population health outcomes in the control of infectious diseases and health emergencies, across a range of contexts and settings. You’ll graduate with an advanced understanding of the public health aspects of infectious disease surveillance and intelligence, outbreak investigation and response, and infection prevention and mitigation.

This program is designed for professionals wanting to gain an advanced understanding of infectious diseases intelligence in the era of emerging disease threats, as well as management approaches for the identification, assessment, prevention and control of infectious diseases. 

Key features

  • Wide range of career opportunities
    Our graduates find work across a range of employers, including ministries and departments of health, government organisations, NGOs, international health organisations and primary care and community healthcare services in both public and private sectors.
  • Research extension options
    The Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence (Extension) gives you the opportunity to extend your knowledge and skills in research through additional research methodology courses and/or an advanced research project. Opportunities are available to progress from a coursework master’s degree that includes a research component to enrolment in a PhD.
  • Dual degree options
    Make the most of your studies by completing two master’s degrees within 1.7 years. You can combine this degree with the master’s programs in health leadership and management, public health or global health. Studying two programs concurrently enhances your career prospects and gives you the opportunity to combine knowledge and skills from two related disciplines.
  • Industry relevant program
    This program is designed to be relevant to the workplace, with many opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practice. One such opportunity is our internship program, where you’ll gain practical experience in relevant health organisations. We offer a range of domestic and international internship placements in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
  • Flexible delivery
    Complete your study from anywhere in the world. This degree provides flexible learning options so you can complete the degree according to your needs and commitments. Courses can be taken online or face-to-face, full-time or part-time. Our online learning spaces facilitate collaborative learning so you can connect with fellow students and course convenors in real-time.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

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. 

 

Program Code
8362
CRICOS Code
089223E
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
48
Indicative Enrolments
24

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Entry requirements

For entry into this program, you must have one of the following:

  • A three-year undergraduate degree, plus, an honours or postgraduate degree, in a field relevant to public health or health management.

OR

  • A three-year undergraduate degree in a field relevant to public health or health management, plus, two years full-time professional or volunteer experience. This may also include equivalent professional experience acquired as part of a degree of four or more years duration (e.g., MBBS, BMed, MD).

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:

  • medicine
  • nursing 
  • allied health
  • health sciences
  • biomedical sciences
  • dentistry
  • sociology
  • behavioural and social sciences
  • psychology
  • marketing
  • human services
  • emergency services
  • environmental health
  • veterinary science
  • health administration
  • business
  • management
  • engineering 
  • law 
  • science 
  • mathematics and statistics
  • economics
  • policy studies
  • development studies.

Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme

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.

Find out more

 

English language requirements

 

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:

  • A three-year undergraduate degree, plus, an honours or postgraduate degree, in a field relevant to public health or health management.

OR

  • A three-year undergraduate degree in a field relevant to public health or health management, plus, two years full-time professional or volunteer experience. This may also include equivalent professional experience acquired as part of a degree of four or more years duration (e.g., MBBS, BMed, MD).

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:

  • medicine
  • nursing 
  • allied health
  • health sciences
  • biomedical sciences
  • dentistry
  • sociology
  • behavioural and social sciences
  • psychology
  • marketing
  • human services
  • emergency services
  • environmental health
  • veterinary science
  • health administration
  • business
  • management
  • engineering 
  • law 
  • science 
  • mathematics and statistics
  • economics
  • policy studies
  • development studies.

English language requirements


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.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

Through the Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence, you’ll learn the multi-disciplinary, public health approach needed for infectious diseases control. You’ll graduate with a sophisticated understanding of epidemic patterns and the critical analysis and application of this knowledge for real-world impact.

You’ll study under the guidance of internationally recognised staff, learning about and gaining hands-on experience in critical areas of infectious diseases intelligence, including:

  • current and future infectious disease challenges
  • disease surveillance
  • outbreak investigation and implementing infection prevention and control programs
  • emergency response
  • research
  • infectious disease epidemiology.

Full program structure

The Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence 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:

  • five core courses 
  • three elective courses

Future careers

There’s strong demand for infectious diseases professionals in the public and private health sectors, both within Australia and internationally. Our graduates typically find work across a range of employers, including ministries and departments of health, government organisations, NGOs, and primary care and community healthcare services.

Our graduates have successful careers and play crucial roles in infectious disease control and response around the world. The areas you’ll be able to work in include:

  • government ministries and departments of health
  • International health organisations and NGOs 
  • international aid agencies
  • military and first responder organisations
  • health education and advocacy
  • research.

Our alumni

“After finishing my MSc – Epidemiology I was looking to specialise in infectious diseases and after much research I found that the degree UNSW was offering was the best one in Australia. The tutorials especially allowed for discussions on personal experiences which opened a whole new door into public health around the globe. I also very much enjoyed my internship with Health Protection NSW. It gave me a real insight into having a career in government and infectious diseases. Honestly this has been the most rewarding university experience I’ve had.”

Kathleen McKenzie

Administrative Officer, NSW Health

“Among the many invaluable experiences that have proved helpful in my career was my internship at the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence, Integrated Systems for Epidemic Response. During this program I learnt leadership and presentation skills, research and analysis of data and improved my computer skills.”

Asma Awadh

Sub-County Director of Health, Kenya

How to apply

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.

Ready to start your application?

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.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

Commonwealth Supported Places

2023 Indicative CSP First Year Fee

$8,300*

2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree

$8,300*

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

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$36,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$36,000*

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.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$54,000*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$55,000*

*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.

Scholarships


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.


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The discussion boards are a great tool for interacting with other students.
Kathleen McKenzie

Kathleen McKenzie

NSW Health

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