Bachelor of International Public Health

There’s strong demand in Australia and globally for professionals with specialised interdisciplinary skills in public health. This 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
• not-for-profit organisations.

Roles include working as a public health research or health promotion officer, data analyst or epidemiologist, or community development officer. Within these roles, you may be focused on planning and developing innovative policies or strategies that support healthy communities at a local, national or international level. The role may involve monitoring disease trends or working with local communities to advocate for change or deliver relevant health services, training or education.

Professional recognition

The BIPH is consistent with U.S. accreditation standards and recommendations of the Council of Academic Public Health Institutions in Australia (CAPHIA).
The degree equips students for approaches to emerging global and public health issues including infectious diseases, chronic diseases, health problems caused by climate change, and global health systems.

Higher education

Applicants who have undertaken at least three-quarters of a standard full-time study load (0.75 full-time equivalent) at a Bachelor degree level or higher, will have their tertiary studies taken into account. Applicants may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning.

Secondary education

Applicants with secondary studies who have a Selection Rank (ATAR + Adjustment Factors) of 80 or higher are guaranteed a place within the BIPH program*. There are no prerequisites for enrolment in this course.

* Guaranteed Entry is only applicable if BIPH is listed as the applicant’s highest eligible preference in UAC. This information may be subject to change in future.

VET studies

Applicants who hold a completed AQF advanced diploma, diploma, associate diploma or certificate IV or equivalent, are eligible to be considered for admission.

Work and Life

• Applicants who have completed their Senior Secondary studies more than five years ago are eligible to be considered for admission on the basis of their ATAR (or equivalent).
• Applicants who will be 21 years old or older may be eligible for admission to BIPH by undertaking UAC’s Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

For a full list of entry requirements for BIPH please visit UNSW Future Students website

English Proficiency Requirements

A sound proficiency with the English language is required.

Special requirements

Reliable internet access and ability to participate in video conferencing.

Students who have completed comparable university level course to those offered as part of the BIPH may apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).  Applications for RPL must be lodged and approved prior to the commencement of the course for which credit or an exemption is being sought. Once a student has commenced a course, applications for credit for or exemption from that course are not permitted.

Assessment of RPL requires judgement about: whether the prior learning meets the admission criteria specified for the program; how accurately the prior learning demonstrated in the application matches the learning outcomes of the UNSW program or courses; the units of credit to be conceded in the form of one or more courses; and, the type of credit being applied for (for example, specified credit for a block of courses in a program).

Today’s health challenges are formidable. So modern public health activities must be effective in a world of considerable unpredictability.

Prepare to join a workforce tackling these health challenges in Australia and internationally. Move beyond treating an individual to focusing on strategies that address global health challenges, including aging populations, unhealthy lifestyles, communicable disease outbreaks, chronic diseases, and the health impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. 

The Bachelor of International Public Health (BIPH) is designed for students interested in improving the health and wellbeing of populations across the globe and in the prevention of disease and disability. Public health focuses on improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of communities, with an emphasis on prevention among large groups of people.

This three-year degree focuses on supporting you to develop the practical skills and knowledge required to investigate local and global public health problems, as well as the ability to design and implement innovative new approaches to emerging issues. It will provide you with a solid understanding of the different health needs of communities, the social and environmental determinants that influence health, and how to reduce the risks and inequities.

The UNSW BIPH degree explores diverse areas, including health promotion, epidemiology, communicable diseases, policy and research methods, Aboriginal health, health surveillance, and global chronic diseases. 

It is available in dual mode delivery. There is the option to study fully online or to come to the UNSW Sydney campus to complete some of the courses. You can undertake the degree on a full or part-time basis at a pace that suits your needs and can commence your studies at multiple entry points across the year.

The BIPH degree is taught by public health experts from the School of Population Health at UNSW Sydney, who bring their own research and knowledge across a wide range of population health issues into their teaching. With their support, you will graduate with the practical skills and knowledge required to investigate local and global public health problems, as well as the ability to design and implement strategies for emerging social issues.

The knowledge and skillset students acquire through the BIPH will equip them for professional careers in various contexts. Graduates of the course will be ready to work in both Australian public health roles and in international development, as well as be ready to transition to a higher degree, including graduate medicine or a master’s program.

Recommended Study Pattern

Full Time or Part Time

• Students must complete at least 36 units of credit (UOC) of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
• Students must complete at least 42 units of credit (UOC) before enrolling in Level 3 courses

Year 1 (36 UOC)

• PHCM1001 International Indigenous Health (6 UOC)
• PHCM1002 Introduction to Public Health (6 UOC)
• PHCM1003 Global Health (6 UOC)
• PHCM1004 Health Promotion (6 UOC)
• SOMS1912 Human Systems 1 (6 UOC)
• SOMS1913 Human Systems 2 (6 UOC)

Year 2 (42 UOC)

• PHCM2001 Epidemiology (6 UOC)
• PHCM2002 Biostatistics (6 UOC)
• PHCM2004 Communicable Disease (6 UOC)
• PHCM2005 Principles of Prevention & Public Health Surveillance (6 UOC)
• PHCM2006 Public Health Policy and Programs (6 UOC)
• PHCM2007 Health Leadership (6 UOC)
• PHCM2009 Global Chronic Disease Prevention Control (6 UOC)

Year 3 (48 UOC)

• PHCM3001 Ethics in Public Health (6 UOC)
• PHCM3003 Public Health Capstone (6 UOC)*
• PHCM3005 Comparative Health Systems (6 UOC)+
• PHCM3007 Applied Public Health Practice (6 UOC)
• YMED3007 Environmental & Occupational Health (6 UOC)+

*The Public Health Capstone course (PHCM3003) is a core subject for students from the Bachelor of International Public Health (BIPH). This course provides students with an opportunity to bring together learning developed during their undergraduate program and to apply and further develop public health knowledge and skills. Students will choose between a research project, internship placement or public health study tour based on interest, career aspirations and feasibility. When undertaking a placement in a local or international organisation, students will have the opportunity to learn practical skills and network with practitioners in the field, providing an important stepping stone for future employment.

+ These courses are delivered by our partner organisation, Arizona State University. Students complete these courses virtually. 

Award Requirements

The degree of Bachelor of International Public Health is awarded after the successful completion of a minimum of 144 units of credit (UOC).

To fulfil these requirements, students must complete:

Depth Component:

• 108 units of specified core courses, being all those prescribed in the faculty regulations for this program
• 24 units of credit in elective courses, in accordance with UNSW and BIPH requirements

Breadth Component:

12 units of General Education, in accordance with UNSW and BIPH requirements.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Prescribed Electives - 24 credit points 

Students must complete 24 UOC of elective courses from the below list of courses. Students can commence undertaking electives courses within their program after successfully completing 78 UOC.

• ARTS1753 Culture, Experience and Change (6 UOC)
• ARTS2242 The Politics of Climate Change (6 UOC)
• ARTS2248 Disasters and Society (6 UOC)
• ARTS2751 International Development (6 UOC)
• ATSI2014 Indigenous People and Policy (6 UOC)
• BEES2680 Introduction to science communication (6 UOC)
• BEIL0011 Healthy Planning (6 UOC)
• BENV1043 Multimedia in Design Presentation (6 UOC)
• BENV2000 Re-enchanting the City: Designing the Human Habitat (6 UOC)
• CLIM1001 Introduction to Climate Change (6 UOC)
• COMM1000 Creating Social Change: From Innovation to Impact (6 UOC)
• CRIM3022 Public Health and Corrections (6 UOC)
• DATA1001 Introduction to Data Science and Decisions (6 UOC)
• PHCM3004 Women's and Children's Health (6 UOC)
• SOSS2001 Qualitative Social Research (6 UOC)
• YMED3004 Behavioural and Mental Disorders (6 UOC)
• YMED3005 Economics for Health Majors (6 UOC)

General Education - 12 credit points

Students must take 12 UOC of electives in general education (GENED) before Year 2. These must exclude any Medicine courses.