Bachelor of Public Health (Specialisation)

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Rank threshold
ATAR: 60 SR: 60
Duration
3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
Location
Online and Melbourne
Next start term
Term 1, 2027
Study mode
On Campus, Online
Course code
CC59
First-year fee
$10,600 (2026 Indicative) (CSP)
Overview
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OverviewStructure & AvailabilityRequirementsFees & ScholarshipsHow to Apply
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Student in the foreground with a clipboard standing in nature, with two other students in the distance.

Overview

Become a leader in improving the health of communities and the wider population with a Bachelor of Public Health (Specialisation) at CQUniversity.

In this course, you will not only develop a broad understanding of evidence-based strategies to address health risks and achieve higher standards of health and well-being, but also apply these strategies in real-world settings. With a strong emphasis on participation, prevention, and partnership with the community, you will build solid foundations of the socio-ecological model of public health. You'll also have the opportunity to develop and maintain community and industry partnerships in promoting public health and participate in the political process to advocate for health, social justice, and equity through contributions to public policy and decision-making.

What is public health?

Public health refers to a collection of disciplines that share a common aim - to prevent disease, promote health and improve well-being among the population as a whole rather than focusing on individuals. Some of the most important advances in health internationally over the last century have been public health interventions - including the eradication of smallpox, improvements in workplace safety, reduced morbidity from cholera and decreased trends in tobacco smoking.

Study Experience

Discover more about your industry-accredited public health degree and how you'll benefit from flexible study options and seamless pathways to advance your knowledge. Click 'Explore Study Experience' for more information.

  • Experienced Teaching Team
  • Global Experiences
  • Online or On-campus
  • Seamless Pathways
  • Student Support
  • Study Full-time or Part-time
  • Victoria Keevers
    “
    You need a degree to work in public health because there's a lot of science involved in legislation.

    Victoria Keevers

    Bachelor of Public Health

Career Opportunities

Completion of the Bachelor of Public Health (Specialisation) will prepare you to pursue employment opportunities in roles such as:

  • Environmental Health Officer
  • Health Promotion Officer
  • Public Health Nutritionist
  • Environmental Manager.

Structure & Availability

The course structure and available locations can change depending on when you want to study. 

You can choose the intake that best suits you in the drop-down menu below. Visit the Academic Calendars webpage for key dates relevant to your chosen intake.

Available Locations

Your Course

You must complete 24 units (144 credits):

  1. 1
    The core structure (8 units)
  2. 2
    One major (12 units) and one four-unit minor OR
  3. 3
    One major (16 units)

Unit Details

The units you'll study are listed below. Click on a unit to learn more.

Core Units

You will study the eight units listed below.

Environmental Health Major

The Environmental Health Major consists of the units listed below.

Showing 8 of 12

Built Environment Minor

The Built Environment Minor consists of the units listed below.

Course Planner

To help you plan your studies and see which unit comes first, if one unit should be completed before another and the term you will study each unit, check out our course planners.

Browse course planners

Additional Information

Professional Practice - Environmental Health Australia (EHA)

Core

This accreditation entitles graduates with the Environmental Health major to become members of Environmental Health Australia and qualifies them to work as an Environmental Health Officer in those States with legislatory requirements for authorised persons, including Western Australia.

Professional Practice - Environmental Health Australia (EHA)

Environmental Health Major

This accreditation entitles graduates to become members of Environmental Health Australia and qualifies them to work as an Environmental Health Officer in those States with legislatory requirements for authorised persons, including Western Australia.

As a requirement of EHA accreditation, Environmental Health students are required to attend residential school for a number of units in the course:

PBHL12001 Communicable Diseases and Public Health;
MBIO19012 Microbiology;
ENVH12001 Food Safety;
ENVH13002 Environmental Health Risk Management

Public Health in Practice A - PBHL13003

Placement in professional environment relevant to chosen major. Developing experience relevant to professional- specific activities/tasks. Planning and conducting a research project, nutrition project or health promotion program in the workplace.

Public Health in Practice B - PBHL13004

Placement in professional environment relevant to chosen major. Developing experience relevant to professional- specific activities/tasks. Planning and conducting a research project, nutrition project or health promotion program in the workplace.

If you have prior experience or have studied previously, you may be eligible for credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL), which can help reduce your study load and the time it takes to complete your degree.

Learn more about credit and RPL, including application timelines and the overall process.

This course does permit you to defer your offer and commence at a later date.

Learn more about the offer process.

Requirements

To Be Eligible

For your application to be considered, you must meet the following entry requirements. 

Student and Course Profiles

View the student and course profiles for this course and learn about CQU's Undergraduate Profile for Term 1, 2026 via our Institute Profile. 

Institute Profile

Alternative Entry Pathways

CQU offers a range of alternative entry pathways to help you get started. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, there are options available, depending on your background and previous experience.

View Alternative Entry Pathways

During Your Study

While not needed to apply, you'll need to meet the following requirements throughout your studies. 

Fees & Scholarships

Indicative First-Year Fee

The Indicative First-Year Fee is the approximate cost of enrolling in this course for one full-time academic year (eight units over two terms) for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and should be used as a guide only. Your actual fees may vary depending on the units you select to study and your study load. Check the Cost per Unit spreadsheet available on our Understanding Course Fees webpage. 

Fees are reviewed each year and are subject to change. Fee estimates for the following year are expected to be available in September each year.

Commonwealth Supported Places

This course has Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available, and as a domestic student, you'll be offered a CSP, provided you meet CSP eligibility requirements. CSPs are subsidised by the Australian Government, meaning you are only required to pay the student contribution rather than full tuition fees.

Important

If you are a new student and are offered a CSP, you must submit an eCAF (electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form) with the Australian Government to confirm your place, even if you are ineligible for or don’t intend to use a HECS-HELP Loan.

This is a Government requirement, and if you don’t submit before your commencing census date, your enrolment for the term will be cancelled.

HECS-HELP Loan

You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP government loan if you are offered a CSP. HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme that assists you in paying your student contributions. Provided you meet the HECS-HELP eligibility criteria, you may use HECS-HELP to defer part or all of your student contribution fees. 

Learn more about paying for university.

Part of your course costs will include Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF). SSAF is charged in addition to your student contribution or tuition fees and is used to help enhance your study experience. There may also be other costs as part of your studies, such as textbooks, technology expenses, travel expenses, professional certifications, uniforms, or vaccinations. 

Explore other study costs.

We believe a quality education can be for everyone – regardless of background, location, or life circumstances. That's why we offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries that can give you a helping hand with a range of expenses and enhance your employability.

Explore scholarships.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Check what you need to do to apply to study this course. 

Your Application Options

Follow These Steps

  1. 1
    Check you meet the course requirements
  2. 2
    Get a Unique Student Identifier
  3. 4
    Receiving an offer
    Find out more about how your application will be assessed, offer types and timelines for receiving and responding to an offer.

Extra Admission Information

Prior to applying, take a look at important application dates and learn about our admission considerations, such as information for domestic students with overseas qualifications, indigenous support, and elite athlete, coach and performer support. You should also check out the adjustment schemes that might be available to you and how to access them. You can also explore our offer information to learn more about what happens after you've submitted an application and how to respond to an offer to study with CQU. 

Start Your Application

When applying through a tertiary admissions centre (TAC) you can use the relevant TAC code below to search for a course or add it to your application preferences. 

Apply via QTAC

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