Handbook

The Bachelor of International Public Health (BIPH) aims to provide students with an understanding of the critical issues impacting the health of populations.  Global health involves taking a worldwide perspective, undertaking action to promote health for all and affects all sectors beyond the medical and health systems.

The degree aims to support students in developing in-demand job skills needed to design, develop, and implement public health solutions to global challenges and ensure that they have a social impact.  Students will be exposed to various case studies, spanning international contexts and population health issues and priorities.

The UNSW Bachelor of International Public Health program is a three-year degree, which can be taken on campus in Sydney or partially or fully online at a relaxed pace (full or part-time). The degree covers the scope and methods of global health. It prepares students to design and implement new public health approaches for emerging health problems, including cardiovascular diseases, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, infectious diseases outbreaks and pandemics, climate-related health issues and other issues. These health problems transcend geographical, cultural, and national boundaries.

In the final year of the degree, students will complete two courses delivered by public and global health experts located at Arizona State University (ASU). Students also can select elective courses offered by ASU throughout their degree. This unique partnership, supported by the PlusAlliance network, allows students to expand their understanding of global health issues and meet students located around the world. A highlight of the degree is the Capstone course designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply the public health knowledge and skills gained from their courses to a research project, internship, or public health study abroad tour.

In this degree, global health issues and responses are considered in the context of changing patterns of disease and injury of populations within and across countries. By taking a global approach, BIPH students gain a critical awareness of priority health issues and gain skills in developing culturally and socially appropriate health interventions. BIPH graduates will stand out amongst their peers and gain a perspective on global public health, which key employers genuinely value.

There’s strong demand in Australia and globally for professionals with specialised interdisciplinary skills in international public health. This degree can lead to a career in government departments and ministries of health, public health networks, local area health services, universities and research institutes or international health policy and funding institutions. 

The BIPH is open to domestic and international students, including those who have recently completed school or mature age entrants, and is designed for those interested in rewarding international opportunities in the health sector, particularly in public health, health promotion, policy and program design, or design community development.