Graduate Certificate in Public Health

What you will study

The Graduate Certificate in Public Health online from the University of Melbourne includes two compulsory core subjects plus your choice of two multidisciplinary electives.

Core units

• Foundations of Public Health
• Prioritising and Planning in Public Health

Electives

• Epidemiology 1
• Biostatistics
• Qualitative Research in Public Health
• Public Health Leadership and Management

Entry requirements

Admission criteria 

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

• An undergraduate degree in public health.
• An undergraduate degree and at least two years of appropriate full-time work experience (or equivalent) in a public health setting, including work activities focused on health policy, health economics, health planning, epidemiology research and more.
• An undergraduate degree and at least two years appropriate full-time work experience (or equivalent) in a professional healthcare setting, including medical, nursing, AHPRA-registered allied health professional degrees (eg physiotherapist, pharmacist, chiropractor).
• A master's degree (by research or coursework) or PhD in health or public health, including a medical degree, a nursing degree and an AHPRA-registered allied health professional degree.

English language requirements

• Applicants must satisfy the University's English language requirements for graduate courses. For those seeking to meet these requirements through a standard test approved by the Academic Board, a performance band of 6.5 is required.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning). Contact the university for more details.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Choose how and where you study, with the ability to learn in real time or on demand.
• Have more control over your learning with the ability to take breaks from study when needed.
• Receive ongoing one-on-one support from the application through to graduation.
• Access resources and support systems designed to help you succeed.
• Experience personalised interactions from expert educators who value your development.
• Gain a competitive edge with a recognised qualification from Australia’s top university (QS, 2025).

Career outcomes

This transformative qualification will help prepare you for a variety of roles, such as:

• Health Education and Development Leader
• Nursing Director/Team Lead
• Health Director
• Public Health Researcher
• NGO Manager
• Policy Adviser
• Government Adviser
• Industry/Professional Association Adviser.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Cost per 12.5-credit-points in 2026: $4,248 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated total cost for four subjects in 2026: $16,992 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Fees are subject to annual review by the university, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of subjects studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of subjects.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.