Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this program

Check the Fees & Scholarships tab for details

Enhance your career opportunities by specialising in both public health and health services management. This innovative dual degree will empower you to lead health systems and services, guided by public health principles and practices.

 

Still undecided on what path to take?

Discover which of our Population Health degrees are right for you.
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
Award
Master of Public Health, Master of Health Leadership and Management
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration (Full Time)
1.7 Year(s)

Overview

This innovative dual degree will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to carry out leadership and management roles in population health, clinical settings and departmental health services.

Gain experience in managing and improving health services and systems across diverse settings. Learn the specialist knowledge and skills to recognise the relationships between public health and healthcare delivery. You’ll graduate with the capabilities to lead in increasingly complex and rapidly changing environments.

The program includes core courses related to:

  • strategic planning
  • policy development
  • change management
  • quality enhancement
  • decision-making
  • epidemiology
  • biostatistics
  • health promotion
  • health policy
  • planning and management 
  • addressing challenges associated with the social determinants of health.

This degree is designed for professionals who want to enhance their career opportunities by specialising in both public health and health services leadership and management. 

Key features

  • Research extension options
    Add an extension to one of your master’s degrees to extend your knowledge and skills in health services or public health research. You’ll complete additional research methodology courses and/or an advanced research project on a related topic. Opportunities are available to progress from a coursework master’s degree that includes a research component to enrolment in a PhD.
  • Industry relevant programs
    Our programs were 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?

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.

Tailor your public health degree to your interests
Tailor your degree to suit your goals through a broad program of study or a focused public health specialisation. We offer nine specialisations in areas where we have extensive expertise, including:

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. Through the PLuS Alliance, you’ll have the opportunity to take online courses with Arizona State University.

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
9047
CRICOS Code
061598D
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
910831
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
72
Indicative Enrolments
207

Want to see more from UNSW Medicine and Health?

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

The Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Public Health can be completed in 1.7 years of full-time study or three years part-time. The program is made up of 12 courses total, including:

  • eight core courses
  • four elective courses
  • Please visit the program handbook to view the elective courses on offer. 

  • For the public health component of this dual degree, you can choose to complete a specialised program of study.

    • Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
      Enhance the capacity of the primary health care, public health, allied health and community development sectors to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This specialisation explores the physical, psychosocial, cultural and environmental determinants of health and wellbeing for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
    • Epidemiology 
      Explore the principles of epidemiology that underpin public health programs and policies. You’ll learn how to apply epidemiological and biostatistical skills to your future career. This specialisation is suitable for students who want to transition to a career in quantitative research methods in public health.
    • Health Economic Evaluation
      Gain an understanding of the use and purpose of economic analyses in healthcare. You’ll learn how to apply economic evaluation to assess the costs and benefits of healthcare programs. This specialisation is suitable for students who want to transition to a career in health economics.
    • Health Promotion
      Public health practice requires consideration of social determinants, health policies, equity gaps and social justice. This specialisation focuses on social understandings of health. It explores a multi-sectoral approach to promoting health through research, practice, policy and advocacy.
    • Infectious Diseases Control
      Learn the principles and practice of disease surveillance and fundamentals of outbreak investigation. This specialisation explores methods of disease control including vaccination, treatment programs and processes for containing emerging infections such as pandemic influenza.
    • International Health
      Explore global health and development from a public health perspective. This specialisation provides students from developing countries with the skills and knowledge to address key health issues in their home countries. It also enables Australian students to contribute effectively to international health development.
    • Primary Health Care
      Learn how to contribute and respond to current developments in primary health care services. Primary care is recognised as a critical component of any health system, with the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the whole health system. This specialisation explores the role of primary care and integrated care in improving the health of populations.
    • Public Security
      Gain a strong grounding in public health combined with the health aspects of disasters, emergency management and crises. This specialisation is particularly aimed at first-responders, analysts or policy makers from health, emergency management, law enforcement, military or related backgrounds.
    • Social Research
      Many of the causes of health, illness and wellbeing are only partly explained by biomedical factors. The solutions to health problems often lie outside the health system – in social policy, urban design and the penal system, to name a few.  This specialisation focuses on the social aspects of health and social approaches to addressing public health problems. 
  • 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. 

Future careers

There’s strong demand in Australia and globally for professionals with specialised interdisciplinary skills in public health and health management. This dual degree enhances your career prospects as you’ll graduate with leadership skills underpinned by public health principles.

This dual degree can lead to a career in:

  • government departments and ministries of health
  • public health networks
  • local area health services
  • universities and research institutes
  • international health policy and funding institutions
  • non-governmental agencies
  • mental health services
  • indigenous health organisations
  • health services general management
  • health services c-suite roles
  • government and non-government policy
  • medical communications
  • medical insurance management
  • non-government health service management
  • health economics
  • health program management
  • health care consultancy.

Our alumni

"The lessons I’ve learnt from UNSW have already added immense value to work I’ve done at all levels of the health sector, including working with federal and state governments. This has not only fostered my professional development but has helped fuel my passion for improving the health of all Australians by making change at a systematic level.”

Dr Lesh Satchithananda

Senior Consultant, KPMG

“When I finished my undergraduate studies in medicine, I decided that I wanted to transition from a more patient-focused role into a more challenging role involving population health, leadership, and management. That was my reason for applying to the Dual Master's Program in Public Health and Health Management. I enjoy participating in the many extracurricular activities and programs that are offered at UNSW, which has allowed me to expand my network and community and provided me with opportunities to contribute to UNSW as a student leader.”

Madhav Raman

Student Ambassador, UNSW Health Promotion Unit

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

$13,555*

2023 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree

$18,205*

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
$55,000*

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
$84,000*

*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.

This program fuelled my passion for improving the health of all Australians.
Dr Lesh Satchithananda

Dr Lesh Satchithananda

Senior Consultant, KPMG

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