Program Overview

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Public Health

Overview

Public Health examines patterns of health and disease in society, the applications of medical research and evidence-based medicine to populations and considers what we can do to improve the health of the community. This major will give you a strong foundation in health science with skills in scientific investigation, critical thinking and problem solving.

Career Pathways

The field of public health changes constantly, presenting new challenges and allowing you to work at the cutting edge of the nation's public health issues to make a real difference.

The Public Health major will give you a strong foundation in health science with skills in scientific investigation, critical thinking and problem solving. Knowledge and skills in population health, leadership, research, health promotion, epidemiology and disease prevention are coupled with personal and professional development.

As a Public Health graduate, you'll find career opportunities in:

• health promotion
• health program and evaluation
• epidemiology and disease control
• health consulting
• health planning and policy
• health informatics
• health economics
• clinical trials research
• health advocacy
• health administration
• cancer research and many more

Employers include private companies, not-for-profit organisations such as the Cancer Council, hospitals, government organisations, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology companies, universities and other research agencies.

This major also provides you with a strong foundation for future clinical studies in the postgraduate courses of medicine, dentistry and podiatry. In addition, you can obtain higher degree qualifications by research or coursework and professional degree qualifications in social work.

Further Study

Students who complete the Public Health major are well-placed to engage in postgraduate study in health- and non-health cognate areas of study. These include:

• Master of Public Health
• Master of Economics
• Doctor of Medicine
• Juris Doctor

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$52,500.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

Below you’ll find a list of admission equivalencies for this course's Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).

• All India Senior School Certificate (CBSE)
  • 11.5
• Canadian High School (except Quebec)
  • 70
• French Baccalaureate
  • 12
• Gao Kao (PR China NCEE)/750
  • 525
• GCE A-Levels
  • 9
• German Abitur
  • 3.3
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
  • 15
• Indian Senior School Certificate (CISCE)
  • 60
• Indonesian Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) - Pass of 65
  • 79
• International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
  • 26
• Malaysian STPM
  • 11
• Monash University Foundation Year
  • 270
• NCUK Foundation Program
  • 9
• Norwegian Vitnemål
  • 3.8
• Singapore - Cambridge A Levels
  • 8
• South African National Senior Certificate
  • 4.6
• South Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT)
  • 330
• Sweden Slutbetyg
  • 15
• Trinity College Foundation
  • 300
• Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)
  • 12
• University of Western Australia College (UWAC) Foundation Program
  • 66
• US College Board Advanced Placements
  • 8
• US College Board SAT
  • 1170
• Western Australian Universities' Foundation Program (WAUFP)
  • 60
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) 2016 onwards
  • 80

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

How to Apply

The application process to this course is different for the assured and graduate entry pathways, and for international and domestic applicants.

Refer to the below regarding application processes for each of the pathways. More information regarding admission requirements and prerequisites for each pathway can be found on the 'Admission Requirements' tab.

Domestic Pathways

• Domestic Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via TISC. Refer to TISC Online for current course codes and application deadlines.
• Domestic Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via GEMSAS, which open and close in accordance with the GEMSAS timeline. All domestic applicants must submit a valid GAMSAT score by the application closing date.

International Pathways

• International Assured Pathway/School Leaver Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.
• International Graduate Entry: Applications are lodged via UWA's online application system or via an authorised international education agent.

Course Details

Public Health examines patterns of health and disease in society, the applications of medical research and evidence-based medicine to populations and considers what we can do to improve the health of the community. This major will give you a strong foundation in health science with skills in scientific investigation, critical thinking and problem solving.

About the Course

In your first year, you'll study health issues locally and globally, and the social, environmental, biological and historical factors that influence health in a population.

In second year, you'll develop skills in critical appraisal and research inquiry, measuring the size of health issues, causes and risk factors and the potential for prevention.

In third year, study is focused on health promotion, health systems and policies, health leadership skills and health research. Across the course you'll also study complementary units in Aboriginal health and communication and project planning in health.

Central to the major is community engagement, through structured visits to health organisations, voluntary work experience programs and field trips. The major enables you to achieve the knowledge and skills recognised as meeting nationally and internationally recognised standards.

Course Structure

Our undergraduate degrees offer you a broad range of options allowing you to combine subjects in a way that matches your career goals and personal interests.

Level 1

• Core:
  • PUBH1101 Health and Illness in Human Populations (6)
  • PUBH1102 Foundations of Global Health (6)
• Bridging:
  • MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals (6)

Level 2

• Core:
  • AHEA2201 Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing (6)
  • PUBH2203 Foundations of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (6)
  • PUBH2204 Disease Prevention and Control (6)
  • PUBH2216 Communication and Project Planning in Health (6)

Level 3

• Core:
  • PUBH3301 Health Leadership (6)
  • PUBH3302 Health Promotion (6)
  • PUBH3305 Health Research Design and Methods (6)
  • PUBH3307 Health Systems and Policy (6)

Quick Details

• Status: Available
• Locations: Perth (Crawley campus)
• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Delivery: On-campus
• Starting dates: Semester 1, Semester 2
• Weekly contact time: 16-25 hours teaching time, plus your own study time
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Course Code: MJD-PPHLH
• Full time/part time duration: 3 years (BBiomedSc), 4 years (BBiomedSc[Hons])
• Honours Available: Yes
• Degrees course is available in: Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours), Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Student Exchange & Study Abroad

The University of Western Australia has partnerships with universities around the world, offering you the opportunity to study abroad and gain international experience.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a forward-looking comprehensive research university with a global vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West.

Queen's University

Founded in 1841, Queen's University is a community, 175 years of tradition, academic excellence, research, and beautiful waterfront campus made of limestone buildings and modern facilities.

Visit Global Studio for more details and to apply to study abroad.

Alumni Panel Discussion

Careers in Public Health

The Population Health field trip is designed to further develop public health knowledge and practice by addressing health issues in a developing country.

Zachary Rowbottom

Population Health graduate Zachary Rowbottom travelled to Nepal with other UWA students and lecturers with the intention of assessing the impact of an Open Defecation Free Program in Pokhara-Lekhnath.

“One of the highlights of the trip was interacting with the people of the Pokhara-Lekhnath municipality area,” says Zachary. “Being able to interview them provided-in depth knowledge and allowed me to develop an understanding from their experience and point of view on the topic and how it affects their community’s health.”

“Further, having the opportunity to speak with world leaders in water, sanitation and hygiene provided us with a health professional’s view on sanitation practice in Pokhara, as well as an understanding of where our passion and knowledge in global health could take us.”

“Overall the trip provided myself and fellow students with valuable international health education from both local Nepali communities and leading professionals, real-life exposure to issues regarding sanitation and hygiene in a developing country, and lifelong friendships.”