Study public health at the University of Sydney
About us
The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022.
Find out more.The University is ranked third in Australia and 34th in the world for public health in the 2021 Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Find out more.
This course is available to be studied in several different study modes, including online or face-to-face. Check study modes offered in the 'course details’ section below.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of the face-to-face version of this course, and this will be available for students to study face-to-face or remotely in 2022. For the latest updates on course availability, visit the COVID-19 information page.
About this course
The Master of Public Health focuses on the prevention of illness and promotion of health.
Learning opportunities are aimed at developing the essential knowledge and skills required for practitioners in public health - including the effective management of community health problems to improve conditions and outcomes.
You will learn how to educate the community and create a healthier future by introducing impactful programs and strategies.
Why study public health with us?
Who should study this course?
You don’t have to come from a health or medical background to study public health at the University of Sydney. Our students come from a diverse range of medical, non-medical, academic and professional backgrounds. Regardless of your experience, the structure of our public health programs will provide you with advanced postgraduate training and equip you with the skills and requirements for a career as a public health professional.
Find out what we look for in a Public Health applicant.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
We’ve relaunched our scholarships program and offer a variety of postgraduate coursework scholarships for both domestic and international students.
Scholarships available to Public Health students include:
Criteria, eligibility and application deadlines vary. Check the scholarships website or contact the school directly for information on the full suite of scholarships on offer.
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.
Applying for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)
There is no separate application required to apply for a CSP, an earlier closing date may apply – check the closing dates section below. Once you apply for admission, if you are successful in securing a CSP, you will receive notification via an offer of admission.
A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is not guaranteed as there are a limited number of CSPs available for postgraduate courses. The number of available CSPs for a course can change each semester/year. CSPs are also not automatically awarded for course transfers and upgrades.
CSPs are awarded for the duration of a course based on academic merit determined by the University and eligibility criteria specified by the Australian Government. Learn more about CSPs. If you do not qualify for a CSP you may be offered a domestic fee-paying place.
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
CSP closing date: 13 June 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.
Please submit your CV with relevant public health work experience and your academic transcript, as these are used to rank candidates. If you do not submit these documents then we cannot assess your eligibility.
Semester 1 (February) 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 - 15 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 25 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 (February) and Semester 2 (August)
The core units of the Master of Public Health will provide basic health knowledge and skills in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Qualitative Health Research, Health Promotion and Public Health Ethics.
In the elective unit component of the program, you will undertake a minimum of 18cp of PUBH electives and a maximum of 12cp of non PUBH elective units.
We offer one of the broadest range of electives and focus areas of any School of Public Health in Australia. You will be able to curate your learning around focus areas including:
Or you may prefer to complete a generalist degree and select elective units from across the specialisation groups.
Most elective units will initially be offered in semester two of each year, and many are also available in online mode.
The Master of Public Health requires an undergraduate degree in public health, medicine, medical science, nursing, allied health (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry), dentistry, veterinary science, education, communication and journalism, science, arts, psychology, social science, political science, policy analysis, government, international relations, engineering, architecture, mathematics, law, economics, commerce, business, accounting or marketing for admission.
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the School, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
Commonwealth Supported Places
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for students commencing their degree in Semester 1 and 2.
Please submit your CV with relevant public health work experience and your academic transcript, as these are used to rank candidates. If you do not submit these documents then we cannot assess your eligibility.
For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.
The Master of Public Health leads to hands on careers in public health, such as working with people in the field, as well as research-oriented jobs which involve conducting studies and examining overall health trends.
Careers in public health include working as a public health officer in government health departments; health education/promotion officer; clinical research manager; health information manager or health project manager.
Our Head of School outlines some of the career opportunities that exist for our graduates.
Chief of Health, Nutrition and WASH, UNICEF
In 2000, Vandana was working with tuberculosis patients in Kashmir. In 2005, she was a team leader providing care in the tsunami-affected Andaman and Nicobar islands. In 2009, she was in Sudan establishing community based screening for severely malnourished children. In 2014, she was part of the Ebola response team in Sierra Leone and today she is in Bhutan, working to make it the first country in the region to have zero mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Health Economics and Social Policy Consultant, Deloitte
"The Master of Public Health offers great flexible study options which have enabled me to continue living and working interstate whilst completing my degree.
It's really rewarding to know you can have a positive impact on people's lives. I am doing that by implementing policies that are evidence based, and an effective and efficient use of public funds."
