University of Queensland
Graduate Certificate in Public Health
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Examine preventable health challenges through epidemiology, environmental health and health systems, supported by fieldwork, global health connections and a credit-bearing pathway to advanced public health study.
Course overview
The University of Queensland’s Graduate Certificate in Public Health provides an evidence-based introduction to improving health across communities and populations. It is suited to graduates from relevant disciplines and applicants with suitable post-secondary study and professional experience who want to begin or extend their public health education.
You will examine patterns of health and disease and the factors influencing preventable illness, injury and death. Study draws together epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health systems and social perspectives on population health. Lectures, tutorials and potential fieldwork support your understanding of public health practice, while the course reflects UQ’s links with Australian and international health organisations.
The course can be completed at UQ’s Herston campus in half a year of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. Its Standard study plan provides flexibility to select approved public health courses. After completing the qualification, you can progress to UQ’s Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Master of Public Health.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
July, 2027
What you will study
At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Public Health, you must complete eight units or four courses, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.
Core units
- Foundations of Public Health
Elective units
Complete six units from the following:
- First Nations Health and Wellbeing
- Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments
- Health Promotion in Public Health
- Introduction to Epidemiology
- Health Systems
- Introduction to Biostatistics
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
- Have completed post-secondary studies and at least two years of full-time equivalent relevant work experience in a healthcare or public health setting.
- Applicants must have achieved a Grade Point Average of at least 4.0 on a seven-point scale in their previous qualification. Applications based on post-secondary study and professional experience are assessed individually.
Relevant disciplines include behavioural and social sciences, biomedical sciences, biostatistics, counselling, dentistry and oral health, development studies, environmental health, epidemiology, exercise and nutrition science, exercise and sport science, food science, health economics, health management, medicine and medical sciences, nursing, nutrition, occupational health and safety, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health and health sciences, science, sociology, speech therapy and veterinary sciences.
English language requirements
Applicants must provide evidence of at least one of the following:
- IELTS overall score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0.
- TOEFL internet-based score of 87, including 19 in listening, 19 in reading, 21 in writing and 19 in speaking.
- PTE Academic overall score of 64, with no communicative skill score below 60.
- Bridging English overall grade of 4, with at least a grade of C in each macro skill.
- Cambridge English Scale overall score of 176, with no individual score below 169.
- Other accepted evidence of English language proficiency.
The Occupational English Test is not accepted for this course.
Contact the university for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in Public Health can support opportunities across public health practice, health promotion, research, policy, environmental health and health service management.
Career possibilities include:
- Health Promotion Coordinator
- Public Health Nutritionist
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker
- Public Health Medical Registrar
- Environmental Health Officer
- Research Associate
- Digital Health Coordinator
- Epidemiologist
- Primary Health Manager
- Policy and Research Officer
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $4,770 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.