University of Melbourne

What you'll study

The Master of Public Health provides a mix of core public health disciplines and applied practice. Core topics typically include epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods, health systems and policy, program planning and evaluation, environmental and occupational health, health promotion and ethics in public health.

Study is structured around compulsory core units, a selection of electives to tailor specialist interests, and a practical component. Students can expect modules such as:

• Epidemiology and study design: principles of disease surveillance, causal inference and outbreak investigation.
• Biostatistics for public health: descriptive and inferential statistics, data management and interpretation for population health.
• Health systems and policy: organisation of health services, financing, policy analysis and health governance.
• Health promotion and program planning: behaviour change frameworks, intervention design and evaluation methods.
• Environmental and occupational health: exposure assessment, risk management and the health impacts of environmental change.
• Research methods and ethics: qualitative and quantitative methods, applied research design and ethical considerations in public health research.
• Electives and specialisations: options often include infectious disease control, global health, Indigenous health, maternal and child health, health economics and digital health.
• Practical placement or capstone project: an applied practicum or research/dissertation project working with community organisations, health services or research groups to consolidate skills in a real-world setting.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold a recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent) with a sound academic record. The programme welcomes graduates from health, medical, allied health, social science and related quantitative backgrounds; applicants from other disciplines may be considered where they can demonstrate relevant experience and suitability.

Selection is typically based on academic performance and, where relevant, professional experience in health or community sectors. Some candidates may be expected to have prior study in statistics or epidemiology; bridging coursework can be available for those who need to build foundational skills. International applicants must meet the University's English language requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Master of Public Health enter a wide range of roles across the public, private and non-profit sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Public health practitioner or program manager in local, state or national health departments.
• Epidemiologist or surveillance officer in health protection units and communicable disease control teams.
• Health policy analyst, advisor or consultant working on policy development, implementation and evaluation.
• Health promotion officer or community health coordinator in NGOs, community health organisations and primary care settings.
• Research officer or coordinator in universities, research institutes and hospitals.
• Roles in international and humanitarian organisations focused on global health, emergency response and development programmes.

The degree develops analytical, quantitative and communication skills valued by employers, enabling graduates to design, implement and evaluate public health interventions.

Why study at University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne’s Master of Public Health is taught within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, which combines strong teaching with active research and engagement across health services, policy and community practice. Students benefit from interdisciplinary expertise, access to leading researchers and links with hospitals, government agencies and international partners.

The University’s location provides opportunities for placements and collaboration with a broad range of public health organisations. The programme emphasises applied learning and real-world experience, preparing graduates to respond to contemporary public health challenges locally and globally.