Our range of health courses cater to those starting their careers in the sector as well as professionals looking to specialise in a new career path.
Public health
Protect and improve the health of people and their communities by preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health throughout society. Choose from specialisations in key areas such as healthy aging, sexual health, infectious diseases and immunology, among others.
Study in public health can lead to a career in non-government organisations; local, state and federal government organisations; universities and research institutions; and hospitals and primary health care organisations.
"There are students from 34 countries in the course, which is amazing. I’ve never experienced such a diverse student cohort before – people have a wide range of backgrounds including psychology, biomedicine, nursing, and political science. It’s varied and everyone has something to contribute, which is a great learning opportunity." - Jomy Jose, Master of Public Health.
Digital health and biostatistics
The increasing use of information and communication technologies in healthcare means that new health informatics knowledge and skills are needed in the health workforce around the world.
Our graduates in this field see themselves working at medical and public health research centres, universities, hospitals, government departments, and pharmaceutical companies. You will be equipped to move into decision-making roles and contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation to do with digital health and economic data analysis and infrastructure.
If you are looking into biostatistics, health economics – or other similar fields – you’ll need a background in an area such as statistics, mathematics, biomedicine, psychology, science, pharmacy, health sciences or economics.
Explore our digital health and biostatistics courses
"I was attracted to this course because I was looking for a way to apply my love of maths. It went over and above my expectations and I enjoyed it a lot. I knew it was going to teach me how to analyse data but I wasn’t expecting the methods to go down to so fine a detail – that was a pleasant surprise. The assignments were focused on real problems, which was very rewarding because I felt like I was making a useful contribution. And I particularly enjoyed the research project, where I worked on a big clinical trial looking at breast cancer. I’m still working on that project, so it has turned into a part-time job, which is great! I’m enjoying seeing it through until the end." - Lizzie Korevaar, Master of Biostatistics.
Mental health and psychology
If working with people and exploring how they think, feel and behave appeals to you, a career in mental health is a great choice. You may want to diagnose and treat patients or prefer to create and evaluate positive and meaningful change, build resilience, and enhance development.
There are many specialisations within and ways to specialise in the field of mental health and psychology, through roles such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, and mental health nurse.
Explore our mental health and psychology courses
“A few years after graduating from medical science, I found myself working as a pharmaceutical sales rep. Speaking with clinicians made me re-evaluate where I wanted my life to go. I wanted to make a positive impact and I knew that was possible with psychology.” - Michael Diamond, Graduate Diploma in Psychology
Social work and gender-based violence
Study social work and related fields such as gender-based violence to make a genuine impact on the lives of others. From entry-to-practice training to post-qualifying specialisations, you can complete specialist training in health, psychiatric disability, group work, aged care, child and family, social policy or mental health.
Explore our social work and gender-based violence courses
"My favourite part of the course is that it has helped me develop empathy. After taking classes, I feel like I have become a better communicator both professionally and in my own life. I am able to stand in others’ shoes and avoid words that would possibly hurt others." - Yuanru Li, Master of Social Work
Cancer sciences and treatment
Become part of the oncology workforce and help reduce premature deaths from cancer. We have courses developed in collaboration with experts from the VCCC Alliance, which is an alliance of 10 leading research, clinical and academic institutions with a shared commitment to saving lives through the integration of cancer research, education and patient care.
Graduates effectively integrate with other health professionals and advance their distinct role within the wider context of a today’s cancer workforce, including leadership, treatment, clinical trials, and cancer nursing.
Critical and emergency care
Designed for doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital administrators, and social workers alike, our courses provide professionals with the skills to work in critical and emergency care, using the skills to respond quickly and decisively.
Our courses are developed by the Department of Critical Care – the hub for world-leading critical care research, learning, and teaching and engagement across the 20+ University-affiliated hospitals and beyond.
In particular, we offer a course that equips you to respond to the disaster events that occur as a result of climate change.
"It’s beautiful when you can first see someone in a critical condition, and just a few weeks later see them doing much better and know your efforts and care have helped.” Inês, ICU nurse.
Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
Our programs have been created for qualified health professionals who want to help rehabilitate those recovering from injury and illness, or to further specialise in treatment and increase quality of life.
Graduates can expect to gain skills to establish and progress in successful careers in clinical and community positions– from hospitals to private practice. There are pathways to specialise your career in fields such as sports medicine, pelvic floor physiotherapy and clinical rehabilitation.
If you are looking to be qualified, you can complete the Doctor of Physiotherapy to become a practicing physiotherapist. Other courses are available if you have a background in physiotherapy, medicine, exercise science, occupational therapy or nursing.
Clinical and surgical care
Suited for those who are looking to develop leadership skills applicable in all clinical settings, or to gain specialist expertise within their clinical practice, such as surgical anatomy and clinical ultrasound.
As clinical ultrasound technology becomes more widely accessible, medical professionals with relevant knowledge are increasingly sought after. Graduates can also upskill or enhance their professional development with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points awarded for some courses, including courses accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
Entry to practice
When you complete one of our entry to practice degrees, you’ll have the accreditation to be employable in your chosen field. Our degrees offer an integrated curriculum where you learn clinical skills and theory concurrently, with the opportunity to take advantage of the University of Melbourne’s industry partners for clinical and fieldwork placements.
We offer degrees that upon completion graduates become a qualified Doctor, Dentists, Audiologist, Psychologist, Speech Pathologist, Optometrist, Physiotherapist, Social Worker, Nurse and more.
“The course has really ignited a passion in me to give back to society and make positive change. Speech pathologists are often the advocate for a patient when they are accessing other services, because communication underpins everything.” - Lottie, Master of Speech Pathology.
Research
The University’s partnerships with many of the country’s leading health research institutes means we offer extraordinary opportunities for our researchers to assist in finding solutions to the world’s great health challenges. To achieve the best research possible in order to improve the health and wellbeing of our community is our focus.
Many of our courses have an optional research component, or can be used as pathways to your PhD.
“The opportunities we have in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct are great. We’re exposed to lots of guest speakers from other institutions, opportunities to network with other researchers and I’ve even been working with world leading researchers in the (United) States. I’ve joined the Neural Networks Lab at the Florey Institute, which is one of the largest labs at the Institute. Even though its big, everyone gets along really well and we all support each another.” Liam, Master of Biomedical Science.
Maternal and child health
Support the health and future challenges of this vulnerable population at a critical time in their lives. Maternal and infant mortality can be reduced by quality preconception and prenatal care, and neonatal care can enable children to reach their full potential.
We have courses that allow you to specialise your health career in the unique needs of women and children.
“From as early as I can remember, I've always wanted to have a job that involved working with children. What I love the most about my specialty of paediatric oncology nursing is the fact that children are just so extremely resilient even when the odds are against them. Their positive attitude, their outlook on life, is just really inspiring and it makes going to work each day really rewarding.” - Chantelle, Graduate Certificate in Nursing Practice (Paediatrics).
Nursing
Nursing at the University of Melbourne will expand your knowledge and skills and develop your career across a number of specialty areas. Students come from a broad range of fields and include nurses practicing in mental health, emergency, palliative care, aged care, drug and alcohol, paediatric immunisation, renal, stroke, intensive care and rheumatology just to name a few.
We also offer courses to develop leadership in nurses who want to pursue roles such as a nurse educator, nurse unit manager or clinical nurse consultant.
“Nurses are at the front line of healthcare, and to be able to support my patients through their darkest and most distressing times, as well as celebrate joyous occasions with them, is an honour. I love being able to give back to the community and to make a difference in people’s lives.” - Minn, Master of Nursing Science.
Oral Health and Dentistry
Dentistry is a challenging and rewarding profession that is responsible for the oral health of individuals and the wider community. Good oral health is integral to good general health, and dentistry is recognised as a primary healthcare profession.
The Melbourne Dental School offers courses for graduates to specialise in seven clinical dentistry specialities and provides pathways to hospital practice or teaching and research in a dental school.
“I find great satisfaction in improving health at a community level, starting by raising awareness of the importance of oral healthcare. I also find the role of being part of prevention and early detection of oral diseases very alluring, and ultimately being a pivotal role in patients’ treatment throughout their entire life." - Karin, Doctor of Dental Surgery.