Study Public Health at ANU
Do you care about the health and medical care of people around the world? The Master of Public Health will give you the skills and experience you need to get into the public health and population health sector, either through research or the workforce.
It offers a unique mix of applied education and practical techniques tackling contemporary global health problems.
The program is offered both online or in person, and has an advanced option available that incorporates a research project. The courses will teach you basic knowledge and incorporate electives to allow you to follow your interests. The skills you learn can be workplace-related.
Your teachers will be practicing researchers who bring to the classroom their findings from case studies and the field, including their work from on the frontlines of COVID-19.
You'll also have access to leading practitioners as guest lecturers, thanks to our close relationships with government departments and industry bodies in Canberra.
New students in the Advanced program are eligible to apply for a Commonwealth Supported Place.
What you will learn
Master of Public Health
You will graduate from the Master of Public Health with knowledge of globally significant fields including ageing, mental health, health services research, global health, chronic disease epidemiology, environment, climate and health, infectious disease epidemiology and modelling, and society, culture and health.
Advanced program
The Advanced program provides you with the opportunity to extend your practical, coursework experience in public health with the development and implementation of a research project. It is particularly relevant if you want to benefit from the research strengths of ANU and its ready access to the local and national health administration policy scenes.
Key facts
- Rated ‘Well above world standard’ for public health and health service research
- 2 years full-time
- Semester 1 & 2 intake
- Study full time or part time
- Study online
- Advanced option available
- Prior learning recognised
- #1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)
Careers
A Master of Public Health from ANU is an internationally-recognised population health qualification. You will graduate with the skills to improve the mental and physical health of a whole population. You can find work in Australia and overseas in non-government organisations, primary health care, policy roles, research and private consultancies.
The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2023-24. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.
If you’re interested in public health, international development, or working in the most highly-prized government department, Emeline's job ticks all the boxes.
Read moreLearning experience
Exploring the uncharted territory of public health research
The Bachelor-Masters vertical double degree pathway enabled Jasmine Pearson to become among the first to analyse how Australians engage with drug checking services.
Discover Jasmine's journey
Translating skills into health policy and practice
Sarp Kaya always wanted to work at Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and studying a Master of Public Health helped him reach that goal.
Find out more about Sarp's internship
A balancing act of full-time work and online study
Working full-time, Sai Lyons has found time to do her Masters with an all online program.
Read how Sai did it
Gain the skills needed to fight disease
“The public health program is diverse and flexible, where I get to choose the subjects I am interested in. I plan to return home after graduating and put my new skills to use, working on disease prevention. I did my undergrad in microbiology in Botswana, then studied and practiced teaching for twenty years, and found an interest in public health.” - Malebogo Solomon
Fees & scholarships
Fees
Please visit the Programs and Courses website for information about fees.
View fees View fees for advanced programScholarships
Whether you are looking for financial support to start your studies at ANU or help to move away from home for the first time, we have scholarship opportunities for you and your situation.
Key people
Dr Matthew Kelly
Dr Kelly has been leading health research on the major health challenges of the Asia-Pacific region for over 15 years. His research track record includes work on global health and health transitions; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); Neglected Tropical Diseases; burden of disease assessment, particularly for mortality; and public health nutrition. He works in collaboration with the World Health Organization and a network of Ministries of Health and leading regional universities in Southeast Asia including in Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Timor-Leste.
Dr Kayla Smurthwaite
Kayla is the Convenor of the Public Health Surveillance and the Human Health, Environment and Climate Change courses for the Masters of Public Health. Kayla is an epidemiologist experienced in public health research design, human health risk analysis, systematic review, and community-based research. Her research aims to inform public health guidance for environmental and occupational health risks in Australia.
Dr Tsheten
Tsheten convenes an introductory course for biostatistics in the MPH program. Tsheten is interested in understanding the determinants of health by applying spatial and statistical modeling to develop evidence-based public health policies.
Watch the webinar
Master of Public Health Information Session 2024
How to apply
Understand the how to apply steps
Visit the domestic postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.
Understand the how to apply steps
Visit the international postgraduate applications page to prepare for your application to ANU.