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6 reasons to study public health

Why you should study public health at the University of Sydney
With over 2,000 public health students graduating in Australia each year, the job market is as competitive as ever. Stand out from the crowd with a Master of Public Health at the University of Sydney.

1.ÌýStand out in an increasingly competitive field with our unique degree

Our 1.5-yearÌýMaster of Public HealthÌýwill provide you with the time needed to build competency and gain skills from a wide range of public health units and electives, allowing you to specialise in an area that will boost your career prospects. You can choose from units of study such asÌýClimate Change and Health,ÌýGlobal Communicable Disease Control, andÌýLeadership and Strategy in Health.ÌýYou will also be able to curate your elective units to develop a specialty in areas such as:

2.ÌýGraduate job-ready with diverse placement opportunities and links to industry

We chose an 18-month format for our flagship masters degree to provide our students with the opportunity to undertake a professional placement or capstone project. Through this you can engage with practitioners and leading academics, gain experience in public health practice and graduate with a competitive edge.

The University of Sydney School of Public Health has thousands of alumni and partners and therefore can offer opportunities few others can.

Our students have participated in a diverse range of placements at:

  • Local Health District Public Health Units
  • Local Health District Health Promotion Units
  • Brain and Mind Centre
  • Primary Health Networks

3. Flexible study options

You can tailor your study schedule around your lifestyle and other commitments with our flexible study options, ideal for full-time workers. You only pay for the units you enrol in each semester and your course may be tax deductible. 

Ïã½¶Ö±²¥ mode options:

  • online
  • on-campus
  • intensive

Duration:

  • 18 months (1.5 years) full time
  • 36 months (3 years) part time

4.ÌýLearn from Australia’s leading practitioners and policy influencers in public health

This course is taught by over 130 public health academics who are the leaders in the Australian public health community and have specialised experience working in organisations such as the , , , the , the , and

You’ll learn from experts such as:

  • Professor Andrew Wilson, Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics and former Chief Health Officer of NSW and Deputy Director of Queensland Health
  • Professor Karen Canfell, the inaugural Director of theÌý, a joint venture between the University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW and one of the world’s leading cancer researchers
  • Associate Professor Melody Ding, one of the world’s most prominent physical activity researchers and the 2018 NSW Young Tall Poppy of the Year
  • Associate Professor Becky Freeman, expert advisor onÌýcross-border Tobacco Advertising Promotion and Sponsorship and the depiction of tobacco in the entertainment media for the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
  • DrÌýSeye AbimbolaÌýis the Editor-in-Chief of BMJ Global Health and a member of the WHO Constitutive Forum on Health System Governance.Ìý

5. Discover a new and rewarding career path in health

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 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.

6. Graduate with a range of career optionsÌý ÌýÌý

Ïã½¶Ö±²¥ing public health allows you to broaden your knowledge in your chosen health or research area and add value to an existing career. Public health graduates can pursue a wide range or careers across research and policy positions at private and public health providers, academic institutions, research centres, non-government organisations and government ministries.

Our graduates have gone on to work as:

  • Scientific writers at
  • Program Development Managers at
  • Public Health Coordinators for
  • Health Economics and Social Policy Consultants at
  • External affiars and government relations at pharmaceutical companies
  • Research positions at universities and health institutes

What can you study?


Still have questions?Ìý

Email the course coordinator atÌý.Ìý

26 July 2018

Dr Vandana Joshi

public health alumni
Master of Public Health graduate
Saving lives and spreading smiles are the most important things to me. It’s because of the look in people’s eyes; the love in their eyes keeps you going.
Read Vandana's story

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