Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2020: February and July

Duration: 
2 years
Location: 
St Albans
Fees: 

2020: A$15,300*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Equip yourself to tackle complex global health issues with a Master of Public Health (Global Nutrition and Active Living) at Victoria University.

Globalisation, climate change and demographic transition have led to shifts in health needs all over the world. This course has been developed to prepare health professionals to be ready and able to respond to these changes.

Uniquely, this course focuses on both global nutrition and active living in diverse communities, from both an Australian and international perspective.

You’ll develop the specialist knowledge and skills that the global marketplace demands, for a challenging but rewarding career in public health, emergencies and development.

You can choose to specialise in one of the two streams offered:

  • global public health nutrition
  • public health and active living.

There is also a unit on ‘nutrition in emergencies’ offered independently, which is aligned with internationally recognised content.

We have a strong commitment to healthy and active living. Studying your Master of Public Health with VU, you’ll benefit from close links with our Institute for Health and Sport.

This Flagship Institute is part of the Victoria University Public Health Network (VUPHN), which draws together colleges, institutes, departments and staff to strengthen our work in advancing public health.

As a leading health and fitness university, we have extensive sports services and facilities available for all students. These include quality fitness centres, campus sport programs, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Everything you learn at VU has direct links to the real world. Staff bring extensive industry experience working on global health issues in government, government agencies and non-profit organisations.

VU is building partnerships with the public health industry both in Australia and in low- and middle-income countries. Industry partners are involved in curriculum design, give guest lectures and also provide professional placement opportunities.

As part of your study you will have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement in Australia or in a low- or middle-income country. Through the course you'll encounter valuable networking opportunities by the time you graduate, increasing your employment prospects.

As a postgraduate student you might want to take up one of many opportunities to further develop your academic language and study skills. VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students

Course e-Brochure

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Careers in public health

With significant global changes in public health, there is a need for professionals with the high-level knowledge and skills to respond to these changes.

Graduates of this course will be well-equipped for a diverse and rewarding career in areas such as:

  • global health, nutrition, physical activity research and teaching
  • community development work in health, nutrition and food security
  • delivering health, food and nutrition programs in response to emergencies
  • health policy development
  • program planning, development and evaluation
  • specific population focused health interventions (e.g. older adults, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, chronically diseased populations)
  • inclusive physical activity programming
  • physical activity and sedentary behaviour measurement.

You may find work opportunities both in Australia and internationally within:

  • national, state and local governments
  • the United Nations and other international health organisations (WHO, UNICEF, ACSM, International Coalition for Aging and Physical Activity)
  • non-profit organisations
  • academic institutions and research institutions.

Job titles & salaries

While many job opportunities will be overseas, some example job titles and average annual salaries in Australia are:

How Lannie went from early school leaver to university teacher

Dr Lannie O’Keefe left school at 15, but has since completed three degrees, including a PhD, and begun an academic career.

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Course structure

To attain the Master of Public Health (Global Nutrition and Active Living), students will be required to complete 192 credit points consisting of:

  • 168 credit points core units
  • 24 credit point of either Profession Project or Minor Thesis

Year 1, Semester 1

Year 1, Semester 2

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

and ONE of the following two units:

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Critically apply knowledge of public health theories and specialist concepts in nutrition and active living to address existing and emergent health problems in global contexts, but particularly in low and middle income countries.  
  2. Select, evaluate and justify the use of descriptive and analytic epidemiology to identify and investigate factors associated with various health conditions.  
  3. Design, operationalise and evaluate innovative, sustainable, evidence-based public health interventions to address health, nutrition and lifestyle problems which take into account divergent and complex ethnicities, societies and cultures in humanitarian and development contexts.  
  4. Identify and advocate for inclusive public health policies and implementation strategies which promote equity in health systems.  
  5. Present clear and coherent expositions of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences in order to advance and defend efforts to promote health and prevent disease.  
  6. Plan and execute a research project, professional project or piece of scholarship which demonstrates intellectual independence and contributes to the evidence-base in public health and particularly global nutrition and/or active living.  
  7. Critically appraise their learning skills in relation to attainment of career goals and implement effective and creative strategies to promote lifelong learning in their professional practice.  
  8. Exemplify the requisite characteristics for team leadership and membership appropriate to specific purposes, projects and contexts both within the sphere of public health and in inter-sectoral collaborations.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
OR
Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline
PLUS
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Bachelor of Health Science

You will be credited for up to 48 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Methods of applying:

International students can apply directly to Victoria University using our online application system, or apply through an education agent.

Direct online applicationFind an education agent

If you have questions about your application, you can:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above and we recommend that you confirm these costs with the relevant college.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.