Master of Public Health
    Go to University of Melbourne

    Master of Public Health

    University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne
    Australia
    Australia, Melbourne
    University Rank:#19
    Go to Official Website
    Duration2 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    AUD 43,591 / Year
    Next IntakeJuly 1, 2026
    Master of Public Health

    About

    Overview

    • Become an expert in public health by choosing from 11 specialisations
    • Gain practical knowledge and skills through work-based placements and industry connections with leading organisations, such as The Royal Melbourne and Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
    • Learn from academics who are leaders in their respective fields.

    The Master of Public Health offers students the opportunity to gain the skills and knowledge required for a career in public health practice. Within the course, students are exposed to the core foundations of public health theory and practice while also having the opportunity to specialise in advanced public health training streams. The course is delivered by academic staff with extensive experience and depth of knowledge, who are leaders in their chosen fields of public health.

    Who is the Master of Public Health (MPH) for?

    The Master of Public Health is suitable for those who have studied in any discipline, whether you’re aspiring to enter a career in public health or looking to upskill or transition into the field of public health.

    11 specialisations of the Master of Public Health (MPH)

    Students can tailor their MPH journey by choosing one or more specialisations, allowing them to gain cross-disciplinary education and learn how to apply the skills they have gained in their area of interest. The specialisations are as follows:

    1. Global Health
    2. Health, Gender and Society
    3. Sexual Health
    4. Health Policy, Systems and Practice
    5. Health Economics and Economic Evaluation
    6. Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    7. Indigenous Health
    8. Infectious Disease Epidemiology
    9. Gerontology
    10. Evaluation and Implementation Science
    11. Climate, Environment and Health.

    Watch the video below to hear from Martin, a recent Master of Public Health graduate, and learn more about the course.

    Courses related to the Master of Public Health (MPH)

    The University of Melbourne also offers the following courses:

    • Graduate Certificate in Public Health
    • Graduate Certificate in Sexual Health
    • Graduate Certificate in Climate Change and Health.

    Click the button below to explore more courses in the area of public health.

    Explore more

    Upcoming information session

    Master of Public Health Information Session: 2025 Mid Year Intake

    When: Wednesday 30 April 2025, 5.30-6.30pm AEST

    Join us for a session to learn more about our Master of Public Health program, including its course structure, and career opportunities available to graduates. This informative event will feature insights from our Course Coordinator, as well as current Master of Public Health students.

    Booking link coming soon

    Source for Public Health rankings: 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Admission criteria

    To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

    • An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65% (or equivalent), OR
    • An undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline AND one of the following graduate certificates from the University of Melbourne, with a WAM of at least 65% (or equivalent):
      • Graduate Certificate in Health Economics and Economic Evaluation
      • Graduate Certificate in Sexual Health
      • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology
      • Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics and Digital Health
      • Graduate Certificate in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
      • Graduate Certificate in Public Health
      • Graduate Certificate in Climate Change and Health.

    Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

    Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

    You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

    Calculate your eligibility

    English language requirements

    All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

    • English language test score requirements

    • If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

      IELTS

      6.5

      with no band less than 6.0

      TOEFL

      79+

      with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

      PEARSON

      64+

      with no communicative skill below 60

      CAMBRIDGE

      176+

      with no skill less than 169
      *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

      International students can participate in the University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program (UMELBP) offered by Hawthorn-Melbourne as a qualifying pathway for those who have received a conditional offer for the Master of Public Health (due to English Language requirements).

    About selection

    When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

    The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

    Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

    In addition to your prior study, the Selection Committee will consider any relevant work experience in public health and health-related settings.

    English Program Requirements

    All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

  • English language test score requirements

  • If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

    IELTS

    6.5

    with no band less than 6.0

    TOEFL

    79+

    with writing 21; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13

    PEARSON

    64+

    with no communicative skill below 60

    CAMBRIDGE

    176+

    with no skill less than 169
    *Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

    International students can participate in the University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program (UMELBP) offered by Hawthorn-Melbourne as a qualifying pathway for those who have received a conditional offer for the Master of Public Health (due to English Language requirements).

    • Career

    • Hone highly sought-after skills applicable in various settings, including government universities, research institutions, and private companies
    • Explore diverse career paths, with past graduates securing over 50 different types of roles
    • Be empowered to land a job in Australia or overseas.

    The Master of Public Health is an internationally recognised degree and the most common pathway for people pursuing a career in public health. At the University of Melbourne, the course focuses on developing the highly sought-after skills needed in the public health field.

    Career outcomes of Master of Public Health (MPH) graduates

    The Master of Public Health produces industry-ready graduates who go on to a range of career options. We often find that students come to the degree and discover career options that they had never considered. Local and international students can find work in Australia and overseas, depending on their area of focus. Through our alumni survey, we found that the most common types of organisations our graduates are employed with include:

    • Government– local, state and federal (e.g. Department of Health)
    • Universities and research institutions (e.g. Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
    • Government-affiliated organisations (e.g., hospitals, primary health care organisations such as Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, and large international health organisations like the World Health Organisation)
    • Non-government organisations (e.g., international health agencies either based in Australia or overseas and large and small local disease-specific agencies such as the Cancer Council and Diabetes Australia)
    • Private companies, usually based in Australia (e.g., large consulting firms like PwC Australia or Deloitte Access Economics, small health-focused consulting firms, health communication companies and companies in the pharmaceutical industry.).

    The roles our graduates secure post-graduation are varied. In the same alumni survey, we found that 70 graduates secured over 50 different job titles after graduation. Learn more about the diverse career paths our alumni have pursued.

    Some of the job titles identified by the survey as their post-graduation job include:

    • Health promotion, planning and evaluation officer
    • Epidemiologist
    • Awareness officer
    • (Senior) Research assistant
    • Project officer/manager/coordinator
    • Monitoring and evaluation coordinator
    • Health economist
    • Evaluation officer
    • Community health and wellbeing officer
    • Data analyst
    • Public health associate
    • Health coordinator
    • Communications and policy officer
    • Capacity building officer
    • Ethics officer
    • Public health consultant
    • Policy officer
    • Quality advisor
    • Program officer/manager/coordinator.

    Watch the video below to hear from our Master of Public Health alumni and how they are making an impact in their careers.

    Hear from Master of Public Health (MPH) alumni

    The Master of Public Health has empowered many graduates to pursue careers in various sectors. Below is a quote from Andrew Likaka, who pursued a career at the Malawi Ministry of Health, and a story from Shantanu Sheshgir, who secured a role at Larter Consulting.

    Quote from Andrew

    I am a health systems strengthening expert. My studies in public health, especially health program evaluation, global health program design, implementation and evaluation, health policy and health systems gave me skills to address the immediate task I was given when I returned to Malawi.

    Andrew Likaka, a graduate of the Master of Public Health

    Story from Shantanu

    Read about how the Master of Public Health has empowered him to advance his career in public health.

    Physician Assistant

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    43,591 / year
    Application Fee 154
    Master of Public Health
    University of Melbourne
    University of Melbourne
    Australia

    Australia, Melbourne

    Go to Official Website