Master of Public Health
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 1 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- CSP UAC code 910800
- Full Fee UAC Code 910801
- Program code 9045
- CRICOS code 008969M
-
Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2026 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $9,500*
-
2026 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $9,500*
-
2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $60,500*
-
2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $61,500*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
-
Placement options
-
Industry relevant
-
Flexible delivery
Application closures for 2026
Undergraduate programs for 2026 intakes are closed for New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) applications. Applications for postgraduate programs remain open. Find out if this closure applies to you.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
Tackle real-world health challenges and drive better outcomes for communities in Australia and around the world with the Master of Public Health at UNSW – ranked #20 globally for public health research (Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, 2024). Delivered by UNSW’s School of Population Health, this degree equips you with the knowledge and skills to lead change in public health practice.
You’ll develop an advanced, integrated understanding of how to identify and contain disease in populations, address the social determinants of health and reduce health inequities. With nine specialisations, you can tailor your Master of Public Health to your interests. Build your expertise in Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing, Epidemiology, Health Economic Evaluation, Health Promotion, Infectious Diseases Control, International Health, Primary Health Care, Public Security, and Social Research.
Throughout your studies, you'll deepen your knowledge of epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, qualitative and quantitative research methods, health policy, and health service planning and management – all aligned with the needs of today’s public health workforce.
If you’re looking to pursue a career in research, the Master of Public Health (Extension) lets you enhance your skills through additional research methodology courses and/or an advanced research project. This stream can also be designed to meet eligibility requirements to apply for a PhD in Public Health.
Key features
Expand your expertise
Double your impact by completing two master’s degrees in just 1.7 years. Combine the Master of Public Health with a UNSW degree in Health Leadership and Management, Global Health or Infectious Diseases Intelligence and graduate with advanced, cross-disciplinary expertise to lead change across public health and healthcare systems.
Drive innovation in public health
Join a globally ranked research community at UNSW Medicine & Health. Delivered by the School of Population Health, this program connects you with leading researchers, practitioners and peers working on real-world challenges across local, national and international public health contexts.
Learn anywhere, any time
Study your way with flexible delivery modes to suit your lifestyle. Complete the Master of Public Health online or on campus, full-time or part-time. Our interactive learning platforms support real-time collaboration, giving you the opportunity to connect with peers and course convenors – wherever you are in the world.
Why study at UNSW?
Global leader in public health
UNSW is ranked #20 globally for public health research (Shanghai GRAS, 2024). Our work addresses complex health challenges across Australia and the world. Join researchers at leading institutes like the Centre for Big Data Research in Health and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), and help translate discoveries into real-world health policies and solutions.
Build your professional network
Join a global community of students, alumni and health professionals. UNSW graduates lead in ministries of health, local health districts, NGOs and public service roles – both in Australia and internationally. Learn from and connect with experts shaping population health, healthcare systems and social outcomes around the world.
Accelerate your career
UNSW has been ranked #1 in Australia for career outcomes (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Best Universities Ranking, 2025) and recognised for producing Australia’s most employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025).
Want to see more from UNSW Medicine and Health?
Entry requirements
There are two pathways for entry and a third exceptional pathway. These include:
Pathway 1
Applicants must have both:
a) A three year undergraduate degree in any field of study. See the list of relevant fields of study below.
b) Two years of full-time professional or volunteer experience in a relevant field. The professional experience may include experience in health or public health services acquired as part of a degree of four or more years' duration, e.g. MBBS, MD. Refer to the list of professional or volunteer experience below.
Pathway 2
Applicants must have at least one of the following:
a) An undergraduate degree plus an honours in a relevant field of study. See the list of relevant fields of study below.
b) A postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study. Refer to the list of relevant fields of study below.
Pathway 3
In exceptional circumstances, applications will be considered for entry when they have extensive professional health or public health experience but do not hold a relevant degree qualification. 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 of study
Accepted areas of study include:
- medicine
- nursing
- allied health
- health sciences
- biomedical sciences
- dentistry
- social sciences
- social work
- psychology
- paramedicine
- environmental health
- health administration
- policy studies
- development studies
Professional or volunteer experience
Relevant professional experience includes:
- Roles in health (including allied health, medicine, nursing, oral health, public health, environmental health and psychology)
- Health service provision or health management roles in human services (e.g., social work, community development, service navigation, case management)
- Roles that involve working specifically on health-related activities or portfolios, such as health-focused positions in emergency services, management, research, engineering, law, science, mathematics and statistics, economics, journalism or policy.
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.
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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 more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
There are two pathways for entry and a third exceptional pathway. These include:
Pathway 1
Applicants must have both:
a) A three year undergraduate degree in any field of study. See the list of relevant fields of study below.
b) Two years of full-time professional or volunteer experience in a relevant field. The professional experience may include experience in health or public health services acquired as part of a degree of four or more years' duration, e.g. MBBS, MD. Refer to the list of professional or volunteer experience below.
Pathway 2
Applicants must have at least one of the following:
a) An undergraduate degree plus an honours in a relevant field of study. See the list of relevant fields of study below.
b) A postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study. Refer to the list of relevant fields of study below.
Pathway 3
In exceptional circumstances, applications will be considered for entry when they have extensive professional health or public health experience but do not hold a relevant degree qualification. 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 of study
Accepted areas of study include:
- medicine
- nursing
- allied health
- health sciences
- biomedical sciences
- dentistry
- social sciences
- social work
- psychology
- paramedicine
- environmental health
- health administration
- policy studies
- development studies
Professional or volunteer experience
Relevant professional experience includes:
- Roles in health (including allied health, medicine, nursing, oral health, public health, environmental health and psychology)
- Health service provision or health management roles in human services (e.g., social work, community development, service navigation, case management)
- Roles that involve working specifically on health-related activities or portfolios, such as health-focused positions in emergency services, management, research, engineering, law, science, mathematics and statistics, economics, journalism or policy.
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:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
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 more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
What will I study?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
Program structure
The Master of Public Health is a face-to-face or online program that takes one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study to complete. Students will complete a total of 48 units of credit (UOC), made up of four core courses and four specialisation or elective courses.
Full program structure
The Master of Public Health 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:
- four core courses
- four elective courses
-
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 Public Health.
-
You can choose to study a broad Master of Public Health or 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 equips people for careers developing interventions into the physical, psychosocial, cultural and environmental determinants of Indigenous Australians’ health and wellbeing.
- Epidemiology
Learn how implement the principles of epidemiology that underpin public health programs and policies. You’ll gain sector-needed advanced epidemiological and biostatistical skills. 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 population health. 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 will equip you for a career taking 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 with the skills and knowledge to address key health issues in low and middle income countries. It also enables 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 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
The solutions to health problems often lie outside health systems or departments – in social policy, urban design or the penal system, to name a few. This specialisation will provide you with expertise in the methods and practices needed to develop public health responses which meet community needs.
- Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
-
You can choose to extend your Master of Public Health 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.
- Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Public Health
- Master of Global Health/Master of Public Health
- Master of Public Health/Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence
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.
- Master of Public Health (Extension)/Master of Health Leadership and Management
- Master of Public Health/Master of Health Leadership and Management (Extension)
- Master of Public Health (Extension)/Master of Global Health
- Master of Global Health (Extension)/Master of Public Health
- Master of Public Health (Extension)/Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence
Future careers
Demand for skilled public health professionals is growing – both in Australia and globally. With expertise in disease prevention, health promotion, policy development and research, graduates of the Master of Public Health are equipped to lead change across a range of sectors.
Wondering what you can do with a Master of Public Health? This versatile degree opens the door to diverse career paths in population health, health systems, and disease control. Our alumni work in government departments, public health units, universities, NGOs and global health organisations.
Jobs in public health
- Public health officer
- Health policy advisor
- Health promotion officer
- Epidemiologist
- Public health consultant
- Health data analyst
- Clinical research coordinator
- Public health researcher
- Biostatistician
- Environmental health analyst
- Health program manager
- Global health project officer
- Disease surveillance coordinator
- Community health program coordinator
- NGO program officer
- Infectious disease specialist (non-clinical)
- Health economist
- Disaster & emergency health planner
- Public health educator
- Occupational health advisor
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
“My MPH has already assisted me in my career, affording me the opportunity to quickly make the transition from research and disability sector work into a Health Promotion position with NSW Health. Day to day, my MPH has given me the solid theoretical foundation upon which to build my career in population health, as well as an eagerness to use all available resources to full advantage.”
Arlita Willman
Operations Manager, Health Promotion at Northern Sydney Local Health District
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 details, visit the international admissions information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. To be considered for a CSP for this degree/program, please ensure you preference the CSP code in UAC. Please note that eligibility for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) is competitive, with places awarded based on academic merit. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Austudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some master's degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. Your eligibility to receive a CSP will be automatically assessed when you apply. To find out more about Commonwealth Supported Places visit Postgraduate Commonwealth Support.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year)
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*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.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
Top 20 Worldwide
Ranked in the global top 20 for three consecutive years
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
Winner of the AFR Most Employable University Award six years in a row
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025
Australia's #1 for Innovation
Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech
SCOPR report, 2024
This program fuelled my passion for improving the health of all Australians.
