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The University was ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreThe University is ranked third in Australia and 35th in the world for public health in the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities.
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In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
The Master of Health Policy provides students with a comprehensive and practical understanding of health systems and the policy-making process. It offers a critical perspective on how health systems operate, how policies across a range of sectors, both public and private, influence health and how to create health policy change. Graduates will have a comprehensive and practical understanding of policymaking, including systems thinking; economic evaluation; health financing and budgets; power, politics and agenda setting; and the critical use of evidence.
What is the different between the Master of Health Policy and the Master of Public Health?
The Master of Health Policy is an accelerated program for people that have existing work experience and can be completed in one year full time. It equips you to work across all sectors und understand and shape both public health systems as well as the healthcare system - including primary, tertiary and oral healthcare. By completing the Master of Health Policy you will learn how to use policy instruments to make system level changes that improve efficiency and bring change forward by understanding the political, institutional and structural aspects of decision making in health.
Do I have to sit exams?
The assessments in this degree are a mix of written assignments, short answer assignments, take-home quizzes and group problem-solving. We make sure your assignments are directly relevant to current health policy issues – so you will practice writing convincing cases for policy change throughout your degree.
Listen to more FAQs about studying health policy at the University of Sydney.
There are no specialisations for this course.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission criteria’ section on this page.
We’ve relaunched our scholarships program and offer a variety of postgraduate coursework scholarships for both domestic and international students.
Criteria, eligibility and application deadlines vary. Check the scholarships website or contact the school directly for more information.
We’ve relaunched our scholarships program and offer a variety of postgraduate coursework scholarships for both domestic and international students.
Criteria, eligibility and application deadlines vary. Check the scholarships website or contact the school directly for more information.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 11 February of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 30 June of the commencing year
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March) and Semester 2 (August)
The Master of Health Policy consists of 48 credit points (cp), including six core units (36cp) of which 6cp is a health policy project, and two elective units of study (12cp). You may be allowed to undertake elective units outside the prescribed list with the approval of the course coordinator and unit coordinator.
The Master of Health Policy has one unit - 'Evidence into Policy and Planning' - that is taught in block intensives – with the remainder taught online. This unit is taught in 2x 2-day intensives, on a Friday and Saturday making it easy for people working full time, or living interstate, to participate.
Core units include:
Electives include, but are not limited to:
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:
View the health policy course structure diagram (PDF, 44KB).
Admission to the Master of Health Policy degree requires:
In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without this qualification who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
In addition to the above criteria, please be advised that a statement of intent is a mandatory document for this program. For statement of intent, please specify the reason(s) why you would like to apply for this program and how do you think it will be beneficial to you after completing the program?
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
The Master of Health Policy enables graduates to work at a high level across the health sector, whether it be in government and policy roles, leading health services, or working in advocacy, strategy, political advisory, regulation, or business development.
There are many employment opportunities for health policy graduates to work in a range of organisations across different spheres. These include:
Renata's career timeline
| 2018 - present | Country Director - Fiji and the Pacific UNAIDS |
| 2017 | Programme Management Officer World Health Organization |
| 2017 | Consultant Global Fund Project Advisor Oceania Society for Sexual Health and HIV Medicine |
| 2016 | Consultant Policy Adviser Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat |
| 2015 | Master of Health Policy University of Sydney |
