Bachelor of Public Health

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
January
March
June
September

Campus
Online

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
Online

Program Code
XBPH

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): CIV
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:

Higher education study

Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider

OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR
Work and life experience (for domestic students only)

Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience, or
Completed a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
Qualify for Special Entry

OR
Recent secondary education

Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification

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.

The degree requires successful completion of courses comprising 108 units.

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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
(Study Period 1, 3, 4 or 6)
UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning	CURR 3021	4.5	Note(s): 1
OR
Elective		4.5		Rule(s): 1
UO Introduction to Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 1057	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 1	BIOL 1052	4.5
UO Health Systems and Services	HLTH 1056	4.5
UO Foundations of Human Biology 2	BIOL 1053	4.5
UO Human and Animal Relationships in Health and Society	HLTH 1066	4.5
UO First Peoples' Health	HLTH 1051	4.5
UO Research Methods for Public Health	HLTH 1058	4.5
SECOND YEAR
(Study Period 1, 3, 4 or 6)
UO Marketing for Health and Wellbeing	MARK 2037	4.5
UO Evaluation of Public Health Practices	EDUC 2080	4.5
UO Health Promotion	HLTH 2034	4.5
UO Sociological Perspectives in Public Health	HLTH 1059	4.5
UO Health Law, Ethics and Policy	HLTH 2030	4.5
UO Building Healthy Public Policy	HLTH 2043	4.5
UO Aboriginal Public Health Practice and Research	HLTH 2042	4.5
UO Fundamentals of Disease Control	HLTH 3074	4.5
THIRD YEAR
(Study Period 1, 3, 4 or 6)
UO Epidemiological Principles and Methods	HLTH 3073	4.5
Elective				Rule(s): 1
UO Project Management for Health and Wellness	HLTH 3065	4.5
UO Science and Politics of Preventive Health	HLTH 2044	4.5
UO Health Practice Project 1	HLTH 3075	4.5
UO Professional Practice in Public Health	HLTH 3077	4.5
UO Health Practice Project 2	HLTH 3076	4.5
Elective				Rule(s): 1

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
UniSA Online Advanced Electives
UO Supporting Dignity through Enablement	HLTH 3061	4.5
UO Transition to Employment	HLTH 3062	4.5
UO Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination	WELF 3025	4.5
UO Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care	WELF 3024	4.5
UO Digital Mediascapes	COMM 3071	4.5
UO Managing Digital Media	COMM 3072	4.5
UO Operations Management for Business	BUSS 2079	4.5
UO Branding	MARK 3020	4.5
UO Managing Decision Making	BUSS 3095	4.5
UO International Management Ethics and Values	BUSS 3094	4.5
UO Managing the Employment Relationship	BUSS 3090	4.5
UO Organisational Leadership	BUSS 3096	4.5
UO Big Data Analytics	INFS 2039	4.5
UO Victimology	JUST 3008	4.5
UO International Business Environments	BUSS 3107	4.5
UO Crime, Gender and Sexuality	JUST 3009	4.5
UO Globalised Crime	JUST 3010	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. One elective in the final year is required to be at an advanced level and must be chosen from the suggested electives list for this degree. Other electives may be chosen from the UniSA Online electives list. Course pre-requisites must be satisfied.

Notes

1. This course is recommended for students who are new to university studies or require development in academic and research skills.

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).