University of Melbourne

What you'll study

The MPhil in Population and Global Health is primarily a supervised research degree culminating in a substantial thesis that addresses a question in epidemiology, population health, global health policy, health systems or implementation science. Students work closely with academic supervisors to design and conduct original research, apply appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and communicate findings in written and oral form.

Although the emphasis is on research, candidates commonly undertake formal coursework or short professional development units to support their project. Typical topics covered through research activity and supplementary units include:

• Research design and methods: advanced epidemiological methods, biostatistics, longitudinal data analysis, mixed methods and qualitative approaches.
• Global and population health topics: social determinants of health, non-communicable and infectious disease epidemiology, maternal and child health, health equity and rights.
• Health systems and policy: health policy analysis, health service evaluation, implementation science and program monitoring.
• Data science and applied skills: use of administrative and survey data, modelling for public health, GIS and data visualisation, reproducible research practices.
• Research communication and translation: scientific writing, policy brief development, knowledge translation and stakeholder engagement.

Progress milestones typically include a research proposal, ethics approval where required, regular progress reports, and submission and oral examination of the thesis. Many students also present work at seminars and conferences and are encouraged to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised undergraduate honours degree with a significant research component or a master's degree with a research thesis in a relevant discipline, such as public health, epidemiology, medicine, biostatistics, social sciences or allied health. Demonstrated research ability and academic achievement at a high level are essential.

Typical application materials include a detailed research proposal, academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, and referees' reports. Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University's English language proficiency requirements. In some cases, relevant professional experience in research, public health practice or policy may be considered alongside formal qualifications.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MPhil in Population and Global Health develop strong research skills that prepare them for a range of careers. Common pathways include:

• PhD study and academic research positions in universities and research institutes.
• Research roles in government health departments, public health agencies and national disease control programs.
• Positions with international and non-governmental organisations focused on global health, development and humanitarian response.
• Health policy analysis, programme evaluation and implementation roles in policy think-tanks and consultancy firms.
• Data- and evidence-focused roles in hospitals, health services and private sector organisations involved in health analytics and outcomes research.

Why study at University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is home to a leading population and global health school with strong interdisciplinary links across medicine, social sciences, statistics and policy. Students benefit from experienced supervisors, active research programs, and collaborations with major hospitals, public health agencies and international partners.

The university provides structured researcher development, including training in advanced methods, ethics and knowledge translation, and access to computing and data resources. The research culture emphasises real-world impact, offering opportunities to work on projects that inform health policy and practice at local, national and global levels.