University of Canberra
Master of Public Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Commitment: 34 - 40 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
Prepare students for a dynamic career working across various fields with this master's degree.
Course overview
Improve community health outcomes
This degree can be tailored to meet individual interests and needs through electives. These include work placements, advanced training in biostatistics and epidemiology and other areas listed above. Mentored by researchers from the UC Health Research Institute, you’ll also develop research skills, plan and execute a research project to prepare for success in a variety of fields.
This interdisciplinary degree has a focus on the ecological model of public health that emphasises and analyses the important interactions between the social, biological, economic and environmental influences on human health.
You’ll graduate equipped with the skills and knowledge to confidently understand and deliver the core elements of public health. Your understanding of the multiple systems in which public health operates will allow you to investigate and apply interdisciplinary and creative approaches to address real-world problems, within the goals of sustainable development.
Study a Master of Public Health at UC and you will:
- Be prepared to undertake core elements and competencies for public health.
- Understand the social determinants of public health.
- Be equipped with the skills to develop health-promoting and sustaining environments.
- Understand ecological public health and its real-world application.
- Be able to analyse public health problems and develop solutions critically.
- Possess an advanced understanding of the complex knowledge associated with contemporary and emerging local and global public health issues.
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary approaches to public health with key stakeholders.
- Confidently plan and execute a substantial research-based project or capstone experience.
Key facts
10th August, 2026
15th February, 2027
9th August, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Public Health, students must complete 36 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth three credit points.
Students must pass 27 credit points as follows:
- Research Planning
- Research Project in Health (six credit points)
- Epidemiology and Principles of Research
- Ecological Public Health
- Health Economics
- Health Promotion Principles
- Policy and Public Health
- Introduction to Biostatistics
Entry requirements
Applicants for this course must have completed a bachelor's degree.
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit and the number of available places.
Assumed knowledge
Students are expected to have basic competency in understanding of bio-statistical concepts.
English language requirements
An IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with no band score below 6.0 (or equivalent).
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previous studies or professional work experience that is relevant to your intended field of study at UC, you can gain credit towards your degree. This reduces the number of units you must take to complete your course, meaning you could finish your studies sooner and save money too.
For more information, please get in touch with the university or visit its website.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate specialised theoretical knowledge and applied skills in the practice of public health.
- Apply advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge associated with contemporary and emerging local and global public health issues.
- Interpret and effectively communicate public health information via a multidisciplinary lens, demonstrating high-level skills in communication and advocacy.
- Critically analyse public health programs and evaluate recent developments in the field.
- Investigate and apply creative interdisciplinary approaches to generate solutions to real-world problems.
- Generate solutions to public health problems by planning, designing and executing ethical research projects.
- Reflect on culturally safe public health practices with a focus on First Nations' health imperatives locally and globally.
Career outcomes
Completion of this course opens doors to a variety of careers in public health, including but not limited to:
- Public health officer
- Community health officer
- Health policy officer
- Health project officer
- Health program officer
- Health educator
- Epidemiological officer
- Healthy Lifestyle Project officer
- Public health communications officer
- Policy officer
- Advocacy officer
Fees and CSP
Average full-course fee in 2026: From $13,704 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The average full-course fee shown is calculated based on a full-time study load of 36 credit points.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
