Master of Public Health
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
Public health aims to improve the health of populations through knowledge (collecting data to develop and test explanations and hypotheses), values (combining ethics with knowledge to assist in decision-making), action (making decisions to translate research into policy and practice and advocate for change) and outcomes (understanding research and practice to systematically evaluate public health programs).
Students will be exposed to public health values, decision-making, practice and policy throughout their studies.
Specialisations
Units of study
For full information on Units of Study available in this course, please visit the Sydney Courses website
Detailed course structure and units of study information
Full units of study list
- BETH5203 - Ethics and Public Health
- BETH5206 - Introduction to Public Health Ethics
- BETH5207 - Arts in Health
- CEPI5200 - Quality and Safety in Health Care
- CEPI5310 - Advanced Statistical Modelling
- DENT5013 - Preventative Dentistry
- DENT5014 - Dental Health Services
- DENT5015 - Population Oral Health
- HPOL5000 - Introduction to Health Policy
- HPOL5001 - Economics and Finance for Health Policy
- HPOL5003 - Analysing Health Policy
- HPOL5007 - Global Health Policy
- LAWS6252 - Legal Reasoning & the Common Law System
- LAWS6839 - Critical Issues in Public Health Law
- MECO6919 - Health Communication
- MIPH5008 - Travel and Tropical Medicine
- MIPH5112 - Global Communicable Disease Control
- MIPH5115 - Women's and Children's Health
- MIPH5116 - Culture,Health,Illness and Medicine
- MIPH5117 - Global Non-Communicable Disease Control
- MIPH5118 - Global Perspectives of HIV/AIDS
- MIPH5124 - Health Issues & Humanitarian Emergencies
- MIPH5127 - Mental Disorders in Global Context
- MIPH5134 - Primary Care in Low Resource Settings
- MIPH5135 - Health Systems in Developing Countries
- MIPH5136 - Nutrition in International Settings
- MIPH5219 - International Health Project Management
- PSYC5011 - Applying Models of Health Behaviour
- PUBH5010 - Epidemiology Methods and Uses
- PUBH5017 - Public Health Program Evaluation
- PUBH5018 - Introductory Biostatistics
- PUBH5019 - Cancer Prevention and Control
- PUBH5020 - Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
- PUBH5024 - Global Obesity and Health Promotion
- PUBH5025 - Physical Activity and Public Health
- PUBH5026 - Mass Media Campaigns & Social Marketing
- PUBH5030 - Public Health: Achievements & Challenges
- PUBH5031 - Introductory Qualitative Methods
- PUBH5032 - Making Decisions in Public Health
- PUBH5033 - Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
- PUBH5034 - Public Health Capstone
- PUBH5037 - Introductory Indigenous Health Promotion
- PUBH5040 - Practice Placement in Public Health
- PUBH5041 - Practice Placement in Public Health 1
- PUBH5042 - Practice Placement in Public Health 2
- PUBH5101 - Special Project in Public Health
- PUBH5102 - Special Project in Public Health
- PUBH5111 - Environmental Health
- PUBH5114 - Alcohol,Drug Use and Health
- PUBH5115 - Alcohol,Drug Use and Health
- PUBH5116 - Genetics and Public Health
- PUBH5117 - Communicable Disease Control
- PUBH5118 - Indigenous Health Promotion
- PUBH5205 - Decision Analysis
- PUBH5206 - Controlled Trials
- PUBH5208 - Screening and Diagnostic Test Evaluation
- PUBH5211 - Multiple Regression and Stats Computing
- PUBH5212 - Categorical Data Analysis
- PUBH5213 - Survival Analysis
- PUBH5215 - Introductory Analysis of Linked Data
- PUBH5224 - Advanced Epidemiology
- PUBH5302 - Health Economic Evaluation
- PUBH5307 - Advanced Health Economic Evaluation
- PUBH5308 - Health Workforce Policy Analysis
- PUBH5309 - Translational Health
- PUBH5414 - Public Health Advocacy
- PUBH5415 - Injury Prevention
- PUBH5416 - Vaccines in Public Health
- PUBH5417 - Injury Epidemiology Prevention & Control
- PUBH5418 - Tobacco Control in the 21st Century
- PUBH5419 - Falls Prevention in Older People
- PUBH5420 - Public Health Advocacy Strategies
- PUBH5500 - Advanced Qualitative Health Research
- PUBH5906 - Dissertation A
- PUBH5907 - Dissertation B
- PUBH5908 - Dissertation C
- QUAL5005 - Introducing Qualitative Health Research
- SEXH5008 - Sex and Society
- SEXH5101 - Public Health Aspects of STIs
- SEXH5102 - Public Health Aspects of HIV/AIDS
- SEXH5205 - Advanced Adolescent Sexual Health
- SEXH5405 - Contraception and Reproductive Health
- SEXH5407 - Sex Gender and Sexuality
- SEXH5410 - Sexual Health Promotion
Embedded courses
Further course information
Study plan
The Master of Public Health consists of 48 credit points (cp), including 28cp of core units, and 20cp of elective units. The majority of core units of study are scheduled in Semester 1.
The core units provide basic health knowledge and skills in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Qualitative Health Research, Health Promotion and Public Health Ethics. Most electives are in semester two of each year.
You will undertake a minimum of 8cp of PUBH electives and a maximum of 12cp of non PUBH elective units. Many units of study are also available in distance mode.
Course outcomes and further study
Graduate opportunities
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.
Further study
A Professional Practice degree is available to high achieving students creating the opportunity to undertake a supervised work placement and giving them a competitive edge in the employment market.
Outstanding graduates may also be eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in the courses of Doctor of Philosophy or Master of Philosophy offered by Sydney Medical School. A research degree provides students with the opportunity to prepare a substantial piece of work which represents a significant contribution in a particular field of study; and to gain transferable skills in general research methodology.
Sydney Medical School is affiliated with over 40 independent medical research institutes aimed at achieving medical firsts in specialist areas of health and medicine.
It provides an outstanding environment for postgraduate research. Sydney Medical School's research activities consistently attract high levels of funding from the Commonwealth and state governments, overseas funding agencies and other public and private sources.
Other study options
Sydney Medical School offers a wide range of short professional development courses for health professionals through its clinical schools, disciplines and associated research institutes.
Many of the courses offered are pre-accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME) points, and other courses may be awarded CME points on request to your relevant association or professional body. For further information and a list of courses available please see the Sydney Medical School website http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/future-students/courses/short-courses.php.
Admission
Admission requirements
A successful applicant for admission to the degree of Master of Public Health requires:
(a) a minimum four-year full time degree or equivalent qualification from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification; or
(b) a shorter degree from the University of Sydney or an equivalent qualification, and non-degree professional qualifications and/or substantial relevant experience and/or other relevant qualifications.
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.
How to apply
Domestic students
How to apply
Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.
International students
How to apply
Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount
This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2012 your student contribution may differ.
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents
Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.
International students
International tuition fees for postgraduate students
This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.
In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.