Undergraduate

Public Health

In Public Health you examine the patterns of health and disease in society, and apply medical research and evidence-based medicine to populations to improve the health of the community.
80
ATAR

Contact us

Address

Student Central

The University of Western Australia (M355), 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, Western Australia 6009

Telephone

131 UWA (131 892)

International

(+61 8) 6488 1000

Hours

8.30am - 5pm AWST, Monday - Friday

Frequently asked questions

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Careers and further study

This course opens up a world of future study pathways and career opportunities.

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.

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

Honours and other pathways

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
Further Study

Six areas of Public Health career directions

Population health thumbnail image
Further study

Master of Public Health

Join our graduates in making a difference to the health of local, national and international communities through the Master of Public Health. This flexible degree provides you with a range of skills including epidemiology, biostatistics, health economics, and a broader social context in which public health programs are planned, delivered and evaluated. Start your journey here.
Further study

Fees and scholarships

Learn more about the fees that apply to you for this course. For fee type definitions and further assistance, see the Fee Calculator Help page. You can also search our database for scholarships that are relevant to you or this course

Domestic Student Fees

Indicative annual course fee
2025
Commonwealth Supported Place $10,248.76

Eligible Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) students can use the HECS-HELP loan program to pay their tuition fees. For Full-Fee Paying (FFP) places, students are charged an annual course fee.

Find out more information about tuition fees, or visit the fee calculator for a more accurate cost.

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.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

International Student Fees

Indicative first year fee
2024
$49,800.00
2025
$52,500.00

Find out more about tuition fees or visit the fee calculator for the estimated total course fee.

Note, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are subject to increase up to 7.5 per cent per annum.

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.

Cost of living

There are a few things to consider before applying to study at university. One could be your cost of living. This can depend on factors such as lifestyle, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, textbooks and more. For an indication of expenses and average costs, see our Cost of living page.

Admission requirements

The University of Western Australia welcomes applications from international and domestic school-leavers. If you’re interested in studying this major, find out the admission details below.

Minimum entry requirements

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

Admission requirements

For applicants with recent secondary education, information on admission criteria is available on our entry requirements page or on the UWA Handbook for course specific requirements and prerequisites.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

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.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

How to apply

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Ready for the next step?

Find out how to apply through our simple online application process. 

We'll guide you through our entry requirements, admission pathways available to you and application deadlines for your chosen course. 

We can’t wait for you to join us!  

Apply now

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. 


Public Health

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])
Public Health
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

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.

Popular combinations

Richer student experiences

Student Exchange & Study Abroad

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Alumni panel discussion

Careers in Public Health

Population Health female graduate

Your degree options

This major is offered as a degree-specific, or first, major for these degrees. It is also offered as a second major in our other bachelor's degrees.

Zachary Rowbottom

Zachary Rowbottom
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Health Students' Society

The Health Students' Society (HSS) is a student-run, not-for-profit organisation for undergraduates completing health-related majors at UWA. HSS provides social and education opportunities and encourages students to make the most of their time on campus and of university life. HSS offers a support network for members during their degrees and aims to enhance the university experience and raise the profile of graduates to prospective employees.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES