Overview
Contribute to health improvements worldwide, and make a real difference to individuals and communities, with a Master of Global Public Health from Victoria University.
Our postgraduate degree will give you the knowledge and skills needed to find solutions to current and emerging health challenges.
You will learn to appraise public health evidence, and contribute to collaborative programs and policies.
On graduation, you will be skilled in developing public health solutions for sustainable development. You will be a voice for inclusive policy and practice, advocating for all members of society, and ensuring Indigenous views are heard.
With excellent problem-solving and people skills gained through work-based learning, you will be ready to begin your career.
The Master of Global Public Health is a recommended option for recent graduates with ambitions to work in health policy and programs, and health professionals interested in enhancing their professional practice.
Commonwealth Supported Places in 2023
Fees are heavily subsidised and HECS-HELP loans available for eligible students in 2023. Apply now or register your interest - there's never been a better time to study!
Focus on sustainability & a healthy planet
Victoria University is part of a global planetary health community, which recognises the intersect between the health of people and the planet – and the impact of human behaviour upon the natural world.
As students prepare to enter the world of work, their employers will increasingly require the knowledge, skills and mindsets to both respond to the health impacts of climate change and to drive the transformation to a more sustainable and carbon neutral health system.
With its focus on global health, our new, revitalised and contemporary curriculum is built around planetary health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The course's focus ensures you will create more significant networks of influence and change to become a real world citizen – adaptable, resilient, and with deep concern for the planet, social justice and health for all.
Authentic learning through a public health project
You will gain authentic exposure to the real world of work by undertaking a professional project with an industry partner in a public health setting. This will help you to develop your career networks and build your work experience.
You will research, design and manage a public health project in the community, working collaboratively as part of a team.
The opportunity to gain work experience will help your job prospects both in Australia and internationally.
Pathway into PhD studies
If you are interested in a career in public health research, you can choose to undertake a research minor thesis as a pathway into PhD study.
Academics at Victoria University are involved in a wide range of public health research. Join one of our research teams to undertake your minor thesis research or choose your own topic in an area that interests you.
The minor thesis provides an opportunity to network with public health researchers to help you start your career in public health research.
Employability & work readiness
The Master of Global Public Health is highly practical, emphasising applying new knowledge gained to workplace settings, so that you graduate work-ready.
Our course is delivered through a combination of in-person workshops and self-paced online sessions to suit the varied learning styles of students, and ensure that students learn the soft skills necessary for public health.
You will become adept at interpersonal skills, including:
- effective communications (written and spoken)
- advocating
- teamwork and collaboration
- critical thinking
- ethical awareness.
We also emphasise tech-readiness so that you can apply your public health skills in today's digital environment.
Learn in workshops & online
In the Master of Global Public Health, you will get the benefit of in-person intensive workshops, and the flexibility of online self-paced learning.
Our teaching team has expertise across the range of public health settings and issues. In-person workshops provide the opportunity for you to learn directly from this expertise. Our links with industry mean we can provide authentic learning experiences that draw directly on the expertise of public health practitioners in the workplace.
The course is delivered in our highly successful Block Model, a learning model where students undertake one, or at most two, units at a time, then move onto the next (rather than studying several at once).
These learning methods will help you to achieve the best possible outcomes in your study.
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Request a call backCareers
With significant global changes in public health, there is a need for professionals with the high-level knowledge and skills to respond to these changes.
Graduates of this course will be well-equipped for a diverse and rewarding career in areas such as:
- global health, nutrition, physical activity research and teaching
- community development work in health, nutrition and food security
- delivering health, food and nutrition programs in response to emergencies
- health policy development
- program planning, development and evaluation
- specific population focused health interventions (e.g. older adults, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, chronically diseased populations)
- inclusive physical activity programming
- physical activity and sedentary behaviour measurement.
You may find work opportunities both in Australia and internationally within:
- national, state and local governments
- the United Nations and other international health organisations (WHO, UNICEF, ACSM, International Coalition for Aging and Physical Activity)
- non-profit organisations
- academic institutions and research institutions.
Job titles & salaries
While many job opportunities will be overseas, some example job titles, job prospects and average annual salaries in Australia (according to Labour Market Insights) are:
Course structure
To attain the award of Master of Global Public Health, students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of:
-
144 credit points of Core Studies
-
24 credit points of Capstone Unit
-
24 credit points of Elective Units
Course structure and units
Year 1, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HMG7100
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPO6001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7002
- Credits
- 12
Year 1, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HMG7220
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPO6002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7003
- Credits
- 12
Elective unit 1
Year 2, Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HPO6004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPO6005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7950
- Credits
- 12
Elective unit 2
Year 2, Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HMG7004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7005
- Credits
- 12
Select 24 credit points from:
-
- Unit code
- HMG7400
- Credits
- 24
-
- Unit code
- HMG7430
- Credits
- 24
Electives Units
-
- Unit code
- ASA5010
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7130
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7230
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HMG7410
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- SMG7240
- Credits
- 12
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Critically apply knowledge of public health theory and practice to address current and emerging complex public health challenges in global and local contexts and across diverse populations; | ||
| 2. | Select, interpret and apply epidemiological and biostatistical concepts to the study of disease exposure, risk and outcomes in populations for evidence-based decision making in public health practice; | ||
| 3. | Investigate and propose systems thinking approaches to respond to global and local health challenges across the domains of public health practice thereby promoting strategies for health equity and addressing the social determinants of health; | ||
| 4. | Propose, design, implement, evaluate and lead innovative, evidence and place-based public health action for sustainable development, planetary health and 'Health For All'; | ||
| 5. | Practice cultural safety and humility when working with diverse populations, listening to and respecting Indigenous voices and standpoints, to advocate for health equity and social justice across all domains of public health practice; | ||
| 6. | Interpret, justify and communicate knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences across a range of media in order to advance and defend efforts to promote and protect health and prevent disease; and | ||
| 7. | Demonstrate intellectual independence, collaborative practice and career readiness through research or a professional project with an industry partner that contributes to the evidence base in public health research or practice. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Applicants without an undergraduate qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate of Global Public Health based on approved work experience. Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate, graduates will be eligible for admission to this course with credit granted for completed units.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 48 credit points of study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
