Master of Health Science

The Master of Health Science at Western Sydney University is a two-year postgraduate degree for people who want to work in public health. You might be a health professional looking to move into planning, policy or population health, or a graduate from another field wanting to switch into the health sector. The course sits in the public health subject area, so expect to study how health is shaped by social, environmental and economic factors, and how organisations respond to those factors.

What you study

As a master's degree, this course sits at level 9 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That means it builds on prior study and expects you to engage with research and professional practice, not just learn the basics. Australian master's degrees are usually one to two years full-time, and this one runs for two years. You'll enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, across semesters or trimesters. The exact unit list, credit point totals and any capstone project or research thesis requirements are set by the university, so check the official course page and the CRICOS register for the current structure. A capstone or research component is common in public health master's degrees, letting you apply what you've learned to a real problem or a supervised piece of research.

Skills you gain

You'll learn to read and use health data, understand epidemiology and biostatistics, design and evaluate health programmes, and work with policy frameworks. Communication matters too: writing briefs, presenting to community groups, and explaining evidence to people who aren't health specialists. If the course includes a professional placement or work-integrated learning unit, you'll spend time in a health organisation, which is how many students build their first Australian contacts. Public health in Australia is delivered by state health departments, local health districts, community health organisations, NGOs and research institutes, so placement settings vary.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want to improve health at a population level rather than treat patients one at a time. If you're already a nurse, allied health professional or health administrator, it can move you into policy, planning or programme management. If you're changing careers, it gives you a structured way into the sector. The course is taught in English, and international applicants need to meet the university's English requirements and the separate Student visa English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. While studying, a Student visa generally allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight, and after graduating you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on your circumstances. Confirm all details, including fees, on the official Western Sydney University page and the CRICOS register.

• Health programme officer or coordinator in state health departments or local health districts
• Policy analyst in government health agencies or NGOs
• Epidemiology or surveillance assistant in public health units
• Community health worker or health promotion officer
• Project officer in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations
• Research assistant in universities or medical research institutes
• Health service planner or quality improvement officer in hospitals
• International health programme officer in aid and development organisations