University of Queensland

Graduate Diploma in Public Health Online

  • Delivery: Online
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Examine the drivers of population health through online study in epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion and health systems, with a pathway to UQ’s Master of Public Health.

Course overview

The University of Queensland’s Graduate Diploma in Public Health prepares graduates from health, science and related disciplines to examine the factors affecting health across communities, populations and workplaces. The course focuses on preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting healthier lives through evidence-based public health practice.

You will explore epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, health promotion, First Nations health and the systems shaping population health. An elective allows you to extend your knowledge into an area such as qualitative research, disease management, public health advocacy, global health policy or program evaluation. Online lectures and tutorials connect these themes with contemporary public health challenges.

Delivered externally, the course can be completed in one year of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. It reflects the university’s connections with Australian and international health organisations, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF. After completing the qualification, you may continue to UQ’s 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

Delivery
Online
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Can be studied part time
12 months (Full time)
Intake
22nd February, 2027
26th July, 2027
29th November, 2027
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
8
Fees
More Information
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to cover their student contribution amount.
HECS, CSP

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 Diploma in Public Health, you must complete sixteen units or eight courses, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.

Core units

  • First Nations Health and Wellbeing
  • Preventing Disease through Healthy Environments
  • Foundations of Public Health
  • Health Promotion in Public Health
  • Introduction to Epidemiology
  • Health Systems
  • Introduction to Biostatistics

Elective units

Complete two units from the following:

  • Qualitative Research: Public Health Applications
  • One Health: Diseases at the Human–Animal Interface
  • Fundamentals of Major Diseases
  • Planning, Implementing & Evaluating Public Health Programs
  • Public Health Advocacy
  • Wastewater Surveillance
  • Communicable Disease Management and Control
  • Public Health in Pandemics
  • Cost Effectiveness in Health and Medicine
  • Global Health Policy in Practice
  • Research and Evidence-Based Practice

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.
  • Hold a graduate certificate or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

Applicants must have achieved a Grade Point Average of at least 4.0 on a seven-point scale in their previous qualification.

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, health sciences, medicine and medical sciences, nursing, nutrition, occupational health and safety, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, 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

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: $9,540 (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.