Program Overview

Master of Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professionally focused postgraduate qualification that equips students with the knowledge and practical skills to improve population health and address public health challenges.

Introduction

With a strong applied component—either through a work-integrated practicum or a research-based project—students will be work-ready and able to critically apply their skills to real-world public health issues in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. This qualification is grounded in equity, community engagement, and culturally responsive practice. It integrates Te Tiriti o Waitangi across its curriculum and prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the public health workforce.

Entry Requirements

To apply to the Master of Public Health, students need to have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in an area relevant to public health, such as health sciences, psychology, data science, geography, politics, sociology, etc. They will also need to have at least a B Grade Average in their 300-level courses. If English is not their first language, students are also required to meet the university's postgraduate language requirements.

Degree Structure

The MPH is a 180-point, coursework-based master's degree that can be completed in 18 months full-time, or part-time over up to 4 years. Beginning in February, the programme will include five compulsory courses on foundational knowledge across key areas of public health, three elective courses across health topics, and a final capstone course choosing between an industry-based project or workplace internship.

Subjects and Courses

These courses were designed to meet public health competencies from the NZ Public Health Association and international benchmarks such as the US College of Education for Public Health competencies.

• Semester 1:
  • PUBH420 Public Health Essentials: Building Blocks for Impact
  • PUBH422 Health Systems in Action: Policy, Innovation and Equity
  • Two courses chosen from the available options
• Semester 2:
  • PUBH421 Hauora Māori
  • HLTH470 Qualitative Research Methods for Health
  • PUBH424 Social and Political Epidemiology OR HLTH460 Epidemiology and Critical Appraisal
  • One course chosen from the available options
• Semester 3:
  • PUBH623 Healthy Societies: Empowering Change through Health Promotion
  • For the final capstone course, students can choose between completing an internship or an industry-based project:
    • PUBH630 Public Health Practice: Experiential Learning Practicum
    • PUBH631 Public Health Research: Community-Based Project

Fees

• Domestic students: 2026 tuition fee estimate: $15,901 (180 points)
• International students:
  • 2026 tuition fee estimate: $67,950 (180 points)
  • 2027 tuition fee estimate: $71,400 (180 points)
• Student Services Levy (SSL):
  • 2025 SSL: $9.72 per point ($1,166.40 per 120 points)
  • 2026 SSL: $10.30 per point ($1,236.00 per 120 points)

Further Study

Students may choose to go on to doctoral study, including:

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences
• Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc)

Careers

Graduates of the Master of Public Health will be equipped for a wide range of roles in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally, including in health promotion, environmental health, policy analysis, epidemiology, advocacy. They may work in government, universities and research institutes, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations.