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Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities designed to open up the experiential side of health and illness, as represented in the arts and humanities. The course offers one way of integrating the unique views of the medical world offered by non-medical disciplines such as philosophy, history, art, literature and music. Through this course, many medical humanities students who have previously undertaken science-based courses and not had the opportunity to explore the humanities as they relate to medicine while studying their undergraduate degrees, are now able to pursue their professional and personal interests in this field. The course also provides a way for graduates from non-medical backgrounds to develop their interests in areas where science and the arts intersect.

The Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities is embedded within the Master of Medical Humanities. The master's degree builds on concepts learned during the graduate diploma and graduate certificate. You may choose to complete the graduate diploma or use it as a pathway into the master’s degree in this discipline.

Units of study

Full units of study list

Further course information

Study plan

The Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities consists of 36 credit points (cp), including at least 30cp from Part 1 of the list of units of study. You may choose a maximum of 6cp of elective units from outside the list of units of study as approved by the course coordinator.

Graduate opportunities

The Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities is designed to develop enhanced professional skills in communication, clinical interaction and ethics. Career destinations include non-clinical professional fields in health and medicine, including journalism, media and communications, policy development and deployment, teaching and mentoring positions, and a foundation for an academic pathway in medical humanities.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification deemed by the faculty to be equivalent. 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.


International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Admission requirements

A successful applicant for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities requires a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification deemed by the faculty to be equivalent. 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.


Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount not available for Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities.

Annual review

Annual review not available for Graduate Diploma in Medical Humanities.

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 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 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

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 Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

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

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are 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 EFSTL 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. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

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.