University of Canberra
Master of Public Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Commitment: 9 - 40 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
Gain the skills needed to analyse health information and plan and manage public health programs for communities and populations.
Course overview
The Master of Public Health 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 below. 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.
It also has an emphasis on health equity and the development of culturally safe public health practices with a spotlight on First Nations’ health imperatives, locally and globally.
You’ll delve into a broad range of topics, including:
- Public, ecological and global health
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health promotion,
- Health systems, policy and advocacy
- Communicable disease prevention and control
- Indigenous health
- Health economics
- Health and environmental sustainability
- Health management, including:
- Program management
- Program evaluation
Download the course guide above for more information.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
15th February, 2027
9th August, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Master of Public Health, you must complete 36 credit points. Unless otherwise indicated, each unit is worth three credit points.
You 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
For further information, you can download the course guide above.
Entry requirements
A completed 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).
For further information, you can download the course guide above.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.
You may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy.
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
Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $4,736 to $9,536 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 24 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
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.
