Program Overview

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Master of Health Leadership and Management

The Master of Health Leadership and Management at UNSW equips students with the skills and knowledge to lead and manage health services effectively. Accredited by ACHSM and RACMA, the program offers flexible study options, including online and face-to-face delivery. Graduates are prepared for senior roles in health service management, policy development, and healthcare consultancy.

Program Overview

Prepare yourself for the future of health leadership and management in Australia and overseas with Australias longest running and largest health management program. For more than 60 years, the UNSW Master of Health Leadership and Management has been producing leaders who drive positive change, inspire collaborative teams, and execute well-considered management decisions. This program gives you the knowledge, skills, and attributes you need to make a real impact on health services and systems.

Why Study Health Leadership and Management at UNSW?

With access to cutting-edge teaching and learning, and an emphasis on both theory and practice in leadership, youll graduate ready to lead and manage change in health systems, both now and in the future. Youll gain skills, experience, and knowledge in:

• Strategic planning
• Quality and safety improvement
• Economic, financial, and human resource management
• Evidence-informed decision making
• Policy making

Program Structure

The program is designed with flexible delivery at its core, meaning you can tailor your program around your goals and lifestyle. Your options include:

• Full-time study
• Part-time study
• Online study
• On-campus delivery for students based in Sydney who prefer face-to-face learning

Full Program Structure

The Master of Health Leadership and Management will give you the knowledge, practical skills, and experience for a successful career in Australia or overseas. You must successfully complete a total of 48 units of credits (UOC) through a combination of core courses and electives. In addition, international students are required to complete an Academic Practice unit.

• Core courses:
  • Health Organisations, Strategy and Change
  • Healthcare Economics and Financial Management
  • Health Leadership and Workforce Management
  • Healthcare Governance, Safety and Quality
  • Evidence-informed Decision-making
• Elective courses: Please visit the program handbook to view the elective courses on offer.
• 1 academic practice course (international students only):
  • Academic Practice

Career Outcomes

Gain a qualification that ensures you're in strong demand as a health management professional, both within Australia and around the world. This program will help you develop transferable leadership skills that can be applied throughout your career in senior management positions at health service and health system levels. Many of our graduates occupy senior executive, general management, health ministry, and other health leadership roles globally.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).

Entry Requirements

To apply, youll need an undergraduate degree relevant to health management and at least two years related work or volunteer experience OR an undergraduate degree, plus an honours or postgraduate degree in a field relevant to health management. There are two pathways for entry and a third exceptional pathway. These include:

Pathway 1

Applicants must have both:

• A three-year undergraduate degree in any field of study.
• Two years of full-time professional or volunteer experience in a relevant field.

Pathway 2

Applicants must have at least one of the following:

• An undergraduate degree plus an honours in a relevant field of study.
• A postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study.

Pathway 3

In exceptional circumstances, applications will be considered for entry when they have extensive professional health or public health experience but do not hold a relevant degree qualification. A minimum of five years full-time relevant professional experience is required, and an interview with the School of Population Health may be conducted.

English Language Requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments, and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

Fees and Scholarships

Commonwealth Supported Places

2026 Indicative CSP First Year Fee: $9,500* 2026 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree: $9,500*

Full Fee

2026 Indicative First Year Full Fee: $60,500* 2026 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree: $61,500* *Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select, and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year)

Dual Degree and Extension Options

You can choose to extend your Master of Health Leadership and Management degree or combine it with another degree.

Extension Degree

An extension to this degree includes a research component.

• Master of Health Leadership and Management (Extension)

Dual Degrees

Complete two degrees in 1.7 years of full-time study.

• Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Public Health
• Master of Global Health/Master of Health Leadership and Management
• Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence

Dual Degrees + Research Extension

Complete two degrees with a research focus in two years of full-time study. This option includes an extension component where youll complete additional electives including a research project or a research methodology course.

• Master of Public Health (Extension)/Master of Health Leadership and Management
• Master of Public Health/Master of Health Leadership and Management (Extension)
• Master of Global Health (Extension)/Master of Health Leadership and Management
• Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Infectious Diseases Intelligence (Extension)