Graduate Certificate in Public Health (Online) : Entry requirements

Graduate Coursework

Course code: GC-PHMO

This course is only available online. View the on campus course

Duration

6 months full time / 1 year part time

Mode (Location)

Online
View on campus mode

Intake

January, March, April, June, August, October
Key dates

Fees

AUD $18,000 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
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How to apply

Enquire

Download a course guide

Entry requirements

Domestic student

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: Public Health.

Have completed a bachelor degree (AQF7) in any discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent.

And
Have two years of documented relevant experience in a public health setting including work activities focused on health policy, health economics, health planning, epidemiology research or in a professional healthcare setting including medical, nursing, AHPRA-registered allied health professional degrees (e.g., physiotherapist, pharmacist, chiropractor).

Have completed a masters degree (AQF9) in a cognate (relevant) discipline with a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65%, or equivalent.

Cognate (relevant) disciplines include: health or public health, including medical degree, nursing degree, and AHPRA-registered allied health professional degrees.

The University of Melbourne is committed to maintaining a transparent admissions policy by clearly communicating all entry scores to prospective students. Entry requirements to the University of Melbourne are regularly reviewed to ensure they align with the University's Selection and Admissions Policy. The entry requirements published for this course will apply from the start year 2027 intake onwards.

Relevant experience is measured in full-time years but may be completed within a part-time equivalent timeframe.

Where degree levels are referenced, levels align with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Applications are assessed against these standards.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

Don't meet the prerequisite subject requirements?

You may have the option to enrol in specific single subjects through the University's Community Access Program, even if you are not enrolled in a course. Completing these prerequisite subjects may qualify you for entry into this course. This option is not available to student visa holders or applicants. Learn more about single subject study.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:
IELTS
6.5
with writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0
TOEFL
81
with writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16
PEARSON
64
with writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60
CAMBRIDGE
169
with writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163
LANGUAGECERT ACADEMIC
67
with writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57
MET
58
with writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56
*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE); LanguageCert Academic; Michigan English Test. If a test displays N/A, it is not accepted for this course.

About selection

As part of your application, you must also:

Provide a curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant education, work experience, skills and achievements, if relevant

Missing information or documents may result in your application being deemed ineligible.

When assessing (and where relevant, ranking) applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

Prior academic performance
Relevance of previous study
Relevant prior (research and/or professional) experience

The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Selection and Admission Policy.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Additional information

Applicants who are seeking entry based on degree and work experience must provide a CV that includes:

Details outlining relevant professional experience including the period of time in each role and time fraction. The CV must include the contact details of two referees who can verify the authenticity and nature of the experience claimed, and
A brief statement (maximum 100 words) accompanying their CV, outlining the relevance of their prior professional experience and work activities to the field of public health.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum WAM requirement or don’t have relevant prior work experience are encouraged to consider applying for the mixed mode Graduate Certificate in Public Health (GC-PUBHLTH).

Pathway information

Students who successfully complete all subjects in the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (MC-PHMO) may wish to articulate to the Master of Public Health (MC-PHMO).

Students will not be able to take this Certificate concurrently with the Master of Public Health (MC-PHMO or 244CW).

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Students who have previously completed relevant masters level public health subjects within accepted time frames may be eligible for up to 25 points of advanced standing into the Graduate Certificate in Public Health (MC-PHMO).

For any additional information or assistance with your application, contact an Online Education Adviser by email or telephone (1300 127 494).

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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