Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
The Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health at Sydney Medical School emphasises the importance of clinical, laboratory, public health and behavioural aspects of sexual health. While specialising in the infectious disease aspects of sexual health, the course also provides a sound basis of knowledge for those in a wide range of sexual health related professions. It is of particular benefit to those wishing to improve their scientific understanding of the discipline.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are major public health concerns in both developed and developing countries, with millions of adults and children becoming infected each year. Effective prevention, diagnosis, management and surveillance of HIV and STIs require a thorough understanding of issues such as microbiology, immunology, diagnostics, therapeutics, harm reduction strategies and program delivery. Optimum delivery of such services needs to be on a sound basis of holistic concepts of sexual health, sexuality, sexual function, sexual abuse, sex education and reproductive health.
The Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health is embedded within the Master of HIV, STIs & Sexual Health. The master's degree builds on concepts learned during the graduate diploma. You may choose to complete the graduate diploma, or use it as a pathway into a master’s degree in this discipline, subject to meeting admission requirements.
Core units of study provide professionals with foundational competence in medicine, nursing, laboratory, counseling and public health streams. An additional wide range of electives creates opportunities for candidates to explore related areas of interest. Furthermore, the cross-professional structure encourages candidates to develop effective multidisciplinary collaborative approaches and prepares them for work in a wide variety of healthcare settings.
All units of study are founded on evidence-based practice and focus strongly on critical review of recent literature.
Units of study
For full information on Units of Study available in this course, please visit the Sydney Courses website
Table of units of study (online handbook)
Full units of study list
- INIM5001 - Fundamental Immunology
- INIM5002 - Virology and Cell Technology
- INIM5011 - Advanced Medical Bacteriology
- MIPH5116 - Culture,Health,Illness and Medicine
- MIPH5118 - Global Perspectives of HIV/AIDS
- MIPH5135 - Health Systems in Developing Countries
- NURS5069 - Research in Nursing and Health Care
- PUBH5010 - Epidemiology Methods and Uses
- PUBH5018 - Introductory Biostatistics
- SEXH5008 - Sex and Society
- SEXH5101 - Public Health Aspects of STIs
- SEXH5102 - Public Health Aspects of HIV/AIDS
- SEXH5200 - Advanced STIs
- SEXH5202 - Advanced HIV Infection
- SEXH5205 - Advanced Adolescent Sexual Health
- SEXH5206 - Diagnostic Methods in Sexual Health
- SEXH5401 - Introduction-HIV,STIs and Sexual Health
- SEXH5402 - Counselling in Sexual Health 1
- SEXH5403 - Counselling in Sexual Health 2
- SEXH5404 - Variations in Sexual Function
- SEXH5405 - Contraception and Reproductive Health
- SEXH5407 - Sex Gender and Sexuality
- SEXH5409 - Adult Sexual Assault
- SEXH5410 - Sexual Health Promotion
Further course information
Study plan
Students complete coursework and clinical or laboratory assignments equivalent to 36 credit points (cp) to qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health in one of the following streams:
- Clinical medicine
- Nursing
- Counselling
- Laboratory
- Public Health
This course contains 6cp of core units, 24cp of stream specific core units of study and 6cp of stream specific elective units of study which may be undertaken full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Students are required to attend lectures and tutorials and undertake field visits to laboratory and clinical areas. While lectures take place at the University of Sydney Camperdown Campus and at Westmead Hospital, clinical and laboratory experience occurs at a variety of locations throughout Sydney. An increasing proportion of the course is being made available online. Assessment is by written examination, oral presentations, written assignments, multiple choice examinations, online discussions and placement reports.
Graduate opportunities
The course provides a sound basis of knowledge for those in a wide range of sexual health related professions. It is of particular benefit to those wishing to improve their scientific understanding of the discipline.
Admission
Admission requirements
A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs and Sexual Health will hold one of the following degrees: a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification and a minimum of 12 months research or work experience in the field or pass a preliminary
examinations(s) as prescribed by the faculty. 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 (a) directly to the University, or (b) through a University overseas representative (education agent).
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health.
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Graduate Diploma in HIV, STIs & Sexual Health.
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.