University of Western Australia

What you'll study

The Master of Public Health combines core public health disciplines with options to specialise through elective units or a research project. Core subjects commonly cover epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems and policy, health promotion, and research methods. Students learn to critically appraise evidence, design and evaluate population health interventions, and apply quantitative and qualitative methods to public health problems.

Typical modules and topics include:

• Epidemiology: principles of disease distribution and determinants, study design, outbreak investigation.
• Biostatistics: descriptive and inferential statistics for public health, regression modelling and statistical interpretation.
• Health systems and policy: health service delivery, financing, governance and policy analysis.
• Health promotion and behavioural sciences: programme planning, community engagement and behaviour change strategies.
• Environmental and occupational health: risk assessment, environmental exposures and workplace health.
• Indigenous and rural health: understanding health inequities, culturally appropriate practice and service delivery in remote settings.
• Research methods and ethics: qualitative and quantitative methods, study conduct and ethical considerations.

Programme structure typically offers coursework-only or coursework with a capstone/practicum or a research thesis. Practical placement options and industry-linked projects are often available, enabling students to apply skills in government agencies, community organisations or health services.

Entry requirements

Applicants are usually expected to hold a recognised bachelor degree (or equivalent) in a health-related, science or social science discipline. Applicants with degrees in other fields but with relevant professional experience may also be considered. Some pathways require or prefer prior coursework in basic statistics or epidemiology; bridging units can sometimes be taken if applicants lack specific background.

Entry commonly requires academic transcripts demonstrating satisfactory performance at undergraduate level. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements demonstrated by recognised tests or equivalent evidence. Professional experience in health, community or research roles strengthens an application, particularly for competitive places or research pathways.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Master of Public Health pursue careers across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Typical roles include:

• Public health practitioner or program manager in government health departments and local health authorities.
• Epidemiologist or biostatistician in research institutes, universities or surveillance units.
• Health policy analyst, advisor or consultant developing and evaluating health programs and policy.
• Health promotion officer, community development practitioner or NGO program coordinator.
• Occupational and environmental health officer or roles in industry managing population-level health risks.
• Further study leading to research careers, including PhD programmes in population health, epidemiology or health policy.

Why study at University of Western Australia

UWA's School of Population and Global Health provides a research-informed curriculum delivered by academics with active engagement in local and global public health research. The school maintains links with health services and the WA Department of Health, offering practical placement and collaboration opportunities across metropolitan, regional and remote settings.

Studying in Perth gives access to a diverse range of public health contexts, including Indigenous health, rural and remote health services, and environmental health challenges unique to Western Australia. The programme emphasizes applied skills, research training and professional networks to support graduates moving into leadership, policy and research roles in population health.