Master of Health Leadership and Management / Master of Public Health
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 1.7 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended), Online
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- CSP UAC code 910830
- Full Fee UAC Code 910831
- Program code 9047
- CRICOS code 061598D
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Commonwealth Supported Places are available for this program2026 Indicative CSP first year fee
- $9,500*
-
2026 Indicative CSP fee to complete degree
- $14,500*
-
2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $60,500*
-
2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $94,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
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Nationally certified
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Placement options
-
Industry relevant
Admissions update for international students
Some programs are at capacity for 2026 intakes and new applications are closed to New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC). Applications to all 2027 intakes are open.
Click to find our latest updates for international student admissions.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
This innovative dual degree will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to carry out leadership and management roles in population health, clinical settings and departmental health services.
Gain experience in managing and improving health services and systems across diverse settings. Learn the specialist knowledge and skills to recognise the relationships between public health and healthcare delivery. You’ll graduate with the capabilities to lead in increasingly complex and rapidly changing environments.
The program includes core courses related to:
- strategic planning
- policy development
- change management
- quality enhancement
- decision-making
- epidemiology
- biostatistics
- health promotion
- health policy
- planning and management
- addressing challenges associated with the social determinants of health.
This degree is designed for professionals who want to enhance their career opportunities by specialising in both public health and health services leadership and management.
Key features
- Accredited program
This degree is accredited by the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM). It also provides the core competencies provisionally recognised for individuals wishing to apply for Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) Fellowship.
- Research extension options
Add an extension to one of your master’s degrees to extend your knowledge and skills in health services or public health research. You’ll complete additional research methodology courses and/or an advanced research project on a related topic. You can design your program to be eligible to apply to pursue a PhD to further advance your career.
- Industry relevant programs
Our programs were designed to be relevant to the workplace, with many opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to practice. One such opportunity is our internship program, where you’ll gain practical experience in relevant health organisations. We offer a range of domestic and international internship placements in Australia, Asia and the Pacific.
- Flexible delivery
Complete your study from anywhere in the world. This degree provides flexible learning options so you can complete the degree according to your needs and commitments. Courses can be taken online or face-to-face, full-time or part-time. Our online learning spaces facilitate collaborative learning so you can connect with fellow students and course convenors in real-time.
Why study at UNSW?
Study Australasia’s first Master of Health Leadership and Management
For more than 60 years, this program has equipped students with the knowledge and skills required to respond to the challenges faced by health managers and leaders.
Tailor your public health degree to your interests
Tailor your degree to suit your goals through a broad program of study or a focused public health specialisation. We offer four specialisations in areas where we have extensive expertise, including:
We're a global leader in research and impact
Recognised for our excellence, we rank #20 globally for public health research (Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), 2024). Our research addresses both existing and emerging complex health challenges in Australia and across the world. By leveraging cross-disciplinary partnerships, innovation and a health system-level approach, we strive to improve health outcomes for all.
Join a sector-leading population health community
UNSW's Medicine & Health faculty is ranked #54 globally for life sciences and medicine (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025) and is creating the leaders of tomorrow. Join a community that’s playing a key role in enhancing population health and healthcare systems. This program is delivered by the School of Population Health – a dynamic, international community of staff, alumni, practitioners and students. Our multi-disciplinary teaching and research staff have research and practitioner experience in local, national and international settings. Research and collaboration opportunities are available for students in our internationally recognised research centres and institutes. You will be part of a community involved in translating ground-breaking research into disease prevention and response strategies and informing health policy.
Build your professional network
Join an engaged cohort of like-minded students and a successful alumni community. Our graduates currently hold leadership roles in public and private services spanning ministries/departments of health, local health districts, public service roles relevant to social determinants of health, non-government organisations across Australia and around the world, in addition to graduates who bring population health expertise to their clinical work.
Want to see more from UNSW Medicine and Health?
Entry requirements
There are two pathways for entry and a third exceptional pathway. These include:
Pathway 1
Applicants must have both:
a) A three year undergraduate degree in any field of study, and
b) Two years of full-time professional or volunteer experience in a relevant field*.
The professional experience may include experience in health or public health services acquired as part of a degree of four or more years duration, e.g. MBBS, MD.
Pathway 2
Applicants must have at least one of the following:
a) An undergraduate degree plus an honours in a relevant field of study**, or
b) Postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study**.
Pathway 3
In exceptional cases, you may be considered for entry if you have extensive professional experience in health or public health but don’t hold a relevant degree. You must have at least five years of full‑time, relevant experience. The School of Population Health may also invite you to attend an interview.
*Fields of professional experience that are relevant include:
- Roles in health: Such as allied health, medicine, nursing, oral health, public health, environmental health or psychology.
- Roles in health service provision or health management in human services: Such as social work, community development, service navigation or case management.
- Roles that involve working specifically on health-related activities or portfolios: Such as health-focused positions in emergency services, management, research, engineering, law, science, mathematics and statistics, economics, journalism or policy.
**Relevant fields of study include: medicine, nursing, allied health, health sciences, biomedical sciences, dentistry, social sciences, social work, psychology, paramedicine, environmental health, health administration, policy studies or development studies.
Indigenous Alternative Entry Scheme
Aimed at redressing the imbalance of access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to population health programs, this scheme provides entry to our postgraduate coursework degrees based on your interest in public health and relevant educational and/or professional experience.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
There are two pathways for entry and a third exceptional pathway. These include:
Pathway 1
Applicants must have both:
a) A three year undergraduate degree in any field of study, and
b) Two years of full-time professional or volunteer experience in a relevant field*.
The professional experience may include experience in health or public health services acquired as part of a degree of four or more years duration, e.g. MBBS, MD.
Pathway 2
Applicants must have at least one of the following:
a) An undergraduate degree plus an honours in a relevant field of study**, or
b) Postgraduate degree in a relevant field of study**.
Pathway 3
In exceptional cases, you may be considered for entry if you have extensive professional experience in health or public health but don’t hold a relevant degree. You must have at least five years of full‑time, relevant experience. The School of Population Health may also invite you to attend an interview.
*Fields of professional experience that are relevant include:
- Roles in health: Such as allied health, medicine, nursing, oral health, public health, environmental health or psychology.
- Roles in health service provision or health management in human services: Such as social work, community development, service navigation or case management.
- Roles that involve working specifically on health-related activities or portfolios: Such as health-focused positions in emergency services, management, research, engineering, law, science, mathematics and statistics, economics, journalism or policy.
**Relevant fields of study include: medicine, nursing, allied health, health sciences, biomedical sciences, dentistry, social sciences, social work, psychology, paramedicine, environmental health, health administration, policy studies or development studies.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
What will I study?
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
Program structure
The Master of Health Leadership and Management/Master of Public Health can be completed in 1.7 years of full-time study or three years part-time. The program is made up of 12 courses total, including:
- eight core courses
- four elective courses
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- Health Promotion and Social Perspectives of Health
- Foundations in Public Health and Health Care Systems
- Foundations of Epidemiology
- Foundations of Biostatistics
- Strategy, Policy and Change
- Healthcare Economics and Financial Management
- Health Leadership and Workforce Management
- Clinical Governance and Risk Management
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Please visit the program handbook to view the elective courses on offer.
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For the public health component of this dual degree, you can choose to complete a specialised program of study.
- Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
Enhance the capacity of the primary health care, public health, allied health and community development sectors to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This specialisation equips people for careers developing interventions into the physical, psychosocial, cultural and environmental determinants of Indigenous Australians’ health and wellbeing. - Epidemiology
Learn how implement the principles of epidemiology that underpin public health programs and policies. You’ll gain sector-needed advanced epidemiological and biostatistical skills. This specialisation is suitable for students who want to transition to a career in quantitative research methods in public health. - Health Economic Evaluation
Gain an understanding of the use and purpose of economic analyses in population health. You’ll learn how to apply economic evaluation to assess the costs and benefits of healthcare programs. This specialisation is suitable for students who want to transition to a career in health economics. - Public Security
Gain a strong grounding in public health combined with the health aspects of disasters, emergency management and crises. This specialisation is particularly aimed at first-responders, analysts or policy makers from health, emergency management, law enforcement, military or related backgrounds.
- Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing
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Future careers
There’s strong demand in Australia and globally for professionals with specialised interdisciplinary skills in public health and health management. This dual degree enhances your career prospects as you’ll graduate with leadership skills underpinned by public health principles.
This dual degree can lead to a career in:
- government departments and ministries of health
- public health networks
- local area health services
- universities and research institutes
- international health policy and funding institutions
- non-governmental agencies
- mental health services
- indigenous health organisations
- health services general management
- health services c-suite roles
- government and non-government policy
- medical communications
- medical insurance management
- non-government health service management
- health economics
- health program management
- health care consultancy.
Our alumni
"The lessons I’ve learnt from UNSW have already added immense value to work I’ve done at all levels of the health sector, including working with federal and state governments. This has not only fostered my professional development but has helped fuel my passion for improving the health of all Australians by making change at a systematic level.”
Dr Lesh Satchithananda
Senior Consultant, KPMG
“When I finished my undergraduate studies in medicine, I decided that I wanted to transition from a more patient-focused role into a more challenging role involving population health, leadership, and management. That was my reason for applying to the Dual Master's Program in Public Health and Health Management. I enjoy participating in the many extracurricular activities and programs that are offered at UNSW, which has allowed me to expand my network and community and provided me with opportunities to contribute to UNSW as a student leader.”
Madhav Raman
Student Ambassador, UNSW Health Promotion Unit
How to apply
Applications for domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Postgraduate.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For details, visit the international admissions information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for this degree/program. To be considered for a CSP for this degree/program, please ensure you preference the CSP code in UAC. Please note that eligibility for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) is competitive, with places awarded based on academic merit. Start your postgraduate application today with our guide on how to apply.
Commonwealth Study Assistance such as Austudy, and Youth Allowance is available for some master's degrees. For the most up-to-date information and list of degrees visit UNSW Current Student Financial Support.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the degree/program. The indicative fees listed here is an estimate for tuition only and excludes non-tuition fees and charges. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (48 units of credit (UOC) per year).
You should not rely on indicative fees as fee increases are assessed when required and may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Actual fees are calculated on enrolment. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
*Fees are subject to annual review (or when required) by the University and may vary accordingly.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average using historical student enrolment patterns for each program, which may change every year. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year you enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative first year fees are for tuition only. Indicative fees to complete the degree/program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year and have been calculated based on percentage increase for every year of the degree/program, noting that actual fee increase may exceed the indicative figures listed here. Other fees and charges are not included. To find out more about other costs for international students, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Progress starts here – at a world-leading university
Top 20 Worldwide
UNSW is ranked #20 university in the world
QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
Most Employable Graduates
Winner of the AFR Most Employable University Award seven years in a row
AFR Top100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards, 2020–2026
Australia's #1 for Innovation
Highest number of startups and spinouts from university-developed tech
SCOPR report, 2024
This program fuelled my passion for improving the health of all Australians.
