Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
February

Campus
City East

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

Program Code
IBHP

SATAC Code
414501 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 70.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 70.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection
  Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more that 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The program prepares graduates with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to contribute as dynamic and forward-thinking professionals to improving population health and wellbeing. The program aims to prepare graduates for Public Health Practitioner roles within health administration and policy; health protection and promotion; health monitoring and surveillance; community and non-government organisations; and research.

Content & Structure

The program includes courses in public health and health promotion, health systems and policy, biological
sciences, Aboriginal culture and health, project management and evaluation, and health research methods and
statistics. In addition, students complete a minor from the list of University majors and minors.

The degree requires successful completion of courses comprising 108 units.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Introduction to Public Health	HLTH 1038	4.5
Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1040	4.5
Aboriginal Health: Culture, Community and Country	HLTH 1063	4.5
Physiology Essentials 100	BIOL 1051	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Health Promotion Concepts	HLTH 1041	4.5
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences	HLTH 1049	4.5
Human Anatomy 100	HLTH 1020	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Marketing for Health and Wellbeing	MARK 2031	4.5
Evaluation in Public Health	HLTH 2045	4.5
Sociological Perspectives in Public Health	HLTH 1042	4.5
Building Healthy Public Policy	HLTH 2040	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Designing and Managing Health Projects	HLTH 2023	4.5		Rule(s): 1
Science and Politics of Preventive Health	HLTH 2041	4.5
Aboriginal Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 2039	4.5
Minor Course 1 or Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 2
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Epidemiological Principles and Methods	HLTH 3046	4.5
Public Health and Wellbeing Practice	HLTH 3048	4.5
Minor Course 2 or Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1
Minor Course 3 or Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Applied Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 3072	9
Public Health Ethics	HLTH 3086	4.5
Minor Course 4 or Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1	Rule(s): 1

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

A minor (18 units) may be completed from the list of University majors and minors.

Majors, sub-majors/minors

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units

Global Change and Human Health	BIOL 3027	4.5
Community Service Learning Project 1	EDUC 4186	4.5
Match Studio Projects: Advanced	ARCH 5047	4.5
Biostatistics for Health Research	HLTH 5187	4.5
Health Data Sources and Management	HLTH 5190	4.5
Evaluation in Public and Community Health	HLTH 5189	4.5
Sociology of Health, Physical Activity and Sport	HLTH 3055	4.5
Cultural Experience in Health Science	HLTH 3069	4.5
UO Human and Animal Relationships in Health and Society	HLTH 1066	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To undertake field/clinical placements students are required to have current criminal history and screening checks as published by the Clinical Placement Unit (unisa.edu.au/CPU). These checks will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent field / clinical placement involvement and subsequently may prevent completion of the program.

2. A minor (18 units) is chosen from the list of University majors and minors.

Notes

1. The Elective course is selected by the student from a preferred list.

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program provides a qualification that is recognised as the basis for initial registration of graduates by the International Union of Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), as internationally recognised competent Health Promotion Practitioners. Accreditation recognises that education and training undertaken by graduates of this program covers all domains of the IUHPE Core Competencies Framework, and that their learning outcomes relate to the performance criteria defined in the IUHPE Professional Standards, preparing graduates to be competent Health Promotion Practitioners as defined by the IUHPE (the international program accrediting body).