Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion

Course summary for international students

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Fees and charges
• Career opportunities
• Course learning outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Admission criteria
• Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education
• Academic requirements - Higher education study
• Academic requirements - VET study
• Academic requirements - Work and life experience
• English language proficiency requirements
• Admissions information
• Pathways
• Credit for prior learning - general
• Articulated courses
• Workload
• Work experience
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Selection adjustment

Course overview

Make a difference to people's lives on a broad scale with Deakin's Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion. Graduates can register with the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), with Deakin being the only Victorian university to hold this accreditation. This course gives you the expertise needed to address the causes of poor health and to improve wellbeing, by combining approaches involving community engagement, policy development, research, education and communication.

Gain extensive practical experience throughout your course, including at least 200 work-integrated learning (WIL) hours of which 120 hours are work experience in a health-related agency in your final year. You will be able to start building professional networks while putting your knowledge and skills to use in a practical setting under the supervision of qualified practitioners. By combining a strong theoretical base with hands-on learning, you will graduate confident and career ready.

Do you want to equip yourself with the knowledge and problem-solving skills to make a real difference to the health of society?

This course trains you to examine and act on the factors that cause poor health, as well as understanding those that create and sustain good health. You will work towards creating a healthier population by increasing health education, encouraging healthy practices and influencing policy.

Build your expertise in health promotion and gain important skills in industry-recognised competencies, including:

• determinants of health
• planning and evaluation
• policy and politics
• disease prevention
• health communication strategies
• epidemiology
• health research.

• community development
• health education
• health promotion
• health research
• policy and planning
• program development
• social planning
• women’s health.

At Deakin, you will be encouraged to mould your career around your interests and passions in health. Throughout your degree, your teachers and mentors will frequently discuss different case studies to help spark ideas for your unique career pathway. You may also have the opportunity to join an overseas study tour where you will use your acquired skills to promote health on a global scale.

Deakin offers a range of health and community services courses, including our double degrees Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion/Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion allowing you to combine your passions and enhance your employability.

Professional recognition

Gain the professional recognition you need to make a real difference to the health of society. Deakin’s Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion is fully accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). This accreditation enables our health promotion graduates to register with the IUHPE as a registered Health Promotion Practitioner, securing you global recognition as well as Australian recognition. Deakin is the first and only Victorian university to hold this accreditation, setting graduates apart in the health sector.

Graduates may also be eligible to become members of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and obtain professional accreditation as a Health Promotion Practitioner with the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA).

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Job growth in the health sector continues to rise as public health challenges like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, food access, sedentary lifestyles and ageing populations place growing pressure on healthcare systems across the globe. These are just some of the many issues you might address in your future career, and with a wide range of emerging public health priorities, you can shape your study journey to align with the areas that matter most to you.

Throughout your degree, you will explore these challenges through real-world case studies, giving you insight into the impact of public health work and helping you identify a career path that matches your interests and goals. This practical approach ensures your learning is relevant and inspiring from day one.

With Deakin ranked the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, you will be well prepared to respond to public health challenges and forge a meaningful career in a growing industry.

Career opportunities in both government and private sectors, in Australia and internationally, include:

• community development coordinator
• health policy developer
• health promotion officer
• health researcher
• program development coordinator
• program evaluator
• social planning officer
• women’s health officer.

You may find employment in a range of health areas including:

• tackling chronic illness (such as asthma, arthritis and heart disease), plus developing and implementing prevention strategies
• healthy eating
• mental health
• physical activity and environmental health
• social inclusion
• women’s health.

Course learning outcomes

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion, you must pass 24 credit points. This includes:

• DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
• 17 credit points of core units
• 7 credit points of open elective units
• a maximum of 10 credit points at level 1
• a minimum of 14 credit points must be at level 2 or higher
• a minimum 6 credit points must be at level 3

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Core units

Level 1 - Trimester 1

plus one elective unit

Level 1 - Trimester 2

plus one elective unit

Level 2 - Trimester 1

plus one elective unit

Level 2 - Trimester 2

plus one elective unit

Level 3 - Trimester 1

plus one elective unit (Level 2 or 3)

Level 3 - Trimester 2

plus two elective units (one at Level 3)

Electives

Health Promotion recommended elective units

Other recommended elective units

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

Academic requirements

Academic requirements - Current or recent secondary education

If you're currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

Year 12 prerequisite subjects

• Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL

ATAR

• Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

• successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)

Academic requirements - VET study

If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

• completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
• completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
• at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline

Academic requirements - Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and haven’t undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

• Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
• other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

Pathways

You may wish to continue onto Deakin’s Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion (Honours) our one-year honours degree. This may provide you with a competitive edge in the job market or a pathway to a higher degree.

You could also go on to develop your knowledge and career by studying Deakin's Master of Public Health, Master of Health Promotion, Master of Health Economics or Master of Health Management.

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of prior learning.
Your Recognition of prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Articulated courses

Course duration

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Workload

As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning is a core feature of this course and is embedded within all units. It includes assignments that replicate work in the field. Students will undertake two core WIL units, which will provide 200 WIL hours, of which 120 hours are placement and practical workplace experience. These experiences provide you with an opportunity to transfer your knowledge and skills to a practical setting, where you can further your learning through realistic field experience. These enable you to consolidate your skills under the supervision of qualified practitioners, which assists you to be work-ready after graduation.

Participation requirements

Mandatory student checks

Working with Children Check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for the relevant state prior to undertaking placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit. Learn more about the Working with Children Check.

Police record check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for placements as part of this course. Further information and guidance will be provided to students when they enrol into their placement unit.

Selection adjustment

Subject adjustment

A study score of 35 in Biology, any English, Health And Human Development or any Mathematics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in Biology, English other than EAL, Health And Human Development or any Mathematics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Access and equity

Equity schemes and scholarships, formerly known as Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS), enable Deakin to consider any disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and how these have impacted your studies. Equity schemes help us identify whether you are from an under-represented group when making selection decisions for certain courses. It's important to note that participation in an equity scheme does not exempt you from meeting the standard course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin's equity schemes and scholarships.