Master of Public Health

What are the career outcomes for Master of Public Health graduates?

The Master of Public Health is internationally recognised and offers access to global opportunities. Graduates can pursue diverse roles in a variety of disciplines including infectious disease epidemiology, biostatistics, gender and women’s health, global health, health economics and economic evaluation, health policy, Indigenous health, sexual health and more.

What are the top career paths after completing the Master of Public Health?

• Become a health advisor. Consult with top companies and organisations on the best health strategies to support a changing world.
• Become an epidemiologist. Investigate the latest illnesses. and keep the public informed and safe.
• Policy officer. Work in a range of fields related to health policy, awareness, and analysis.

Other roles include health economist, evaluation officer, data analyst, ethics officer, public health consultant, program officer.

What can you do with a Masters in Public Health?

The Master of Public Health produces industry-ready graduates who go on to a range of career options. Local and international students can find work in Australia and overseas, depending on their area of focus. Through our alumni survey, we found that the most common types of organisations our graduates are employed with include:

• Local, state and federal government, like the Department of Health.
• Universities and research institutions like the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
• Hospitals, government-affiliated organisations, and primary health care organisations such as the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre.
• International health organisations like the World Health Organisation.
• Non-government organisations, international health agencies either based in Australia or overseas and large and small local disease-specific agencies such as the Cancer Council and Diabetes Australia.
• Private companies usually based in Australia, large consulting firms like PwC Australia or Deloitte Access Economics, small health-focused consulting firms, health communication companies and companies in the pharmaceutical industry.

How does the Master of Public Health help to make industry connections?

The Master of Public health offers a wide range of industry and career support for its students.

• Study abroad with our Global Learning exchange program partners in Sweden, Canada, or India.
• Complete a work-based placement or research project in your area of interest at the Nossal Institute or the Doherty Institute, working with leaders and experts in public health.
• Attend year-long career events that connect students with industry professionals and employers. These events offer valuable networking opportunities and insights from experts in the field.
• Join the Melbourne Population & Global Health Student Society (MPGHSS). MPGHSS is an active and engaged student society that runs networking workshops and events for students studying the Master of Public Health.

What career support services are available for the Master of Public Health students?

The Master of Public Health offers a wide range of personalised support services to its students. Access these services to build your confidence and improve your career readiness while studying.

Support includes:

• A mentoring program with more experienced students.
• Connect with professors who are world leaders in their field.
• Career and networking events with alumni and professionals.

Find career advice

What further study options are available after this course? 

Make a difference through graduate research

Build on your masters qualification to pursue a graduate research degree. Supported by a globally connected research community, you’ll collaborate with supervisors, experts and peers who share your passion for discovery and impact.

Through regular connection with peers, researchers and our global network of industry partners, you’ll develop strong connections with community and industry that open the door to an outstanding future.

Explore graduate research

University of Melbourne alumni profile 

Meet Shantanu, a Master of Public Health alum. Learn how his experience at the University of Melbourne helped him in his role today as an Evaluation Consultant at Larter Consulting, as well as the friendships and connections he made during his degree.