Health education at Melbourne
At the University of Melbourne, our postgraduate education is more than just obtaining a diploma or degree— it's a catalyst to advance health and serve our communities, so that everyone can live longer, healthier and happier lives.
We're here to cultivate the brave of tomorrow, those individuals with the drive to redefine healthcare and make an impact to the global health challenges of a changing world.
Our approach is grounded in progressive and transformative research, with a curriculum informed by the latest understanding and knowledge, scientific advancements and insights from best practice delivered by the very best experts in their fields.
With flexible study options, empowering you to balance your education with your personal and professional commitments, you’ll be taught, mentored and guided by academics and alumni operating at the intersection of research, teaching, clinical practice, industry, and advising on the future of government health policies.
Your student experience will not be defined just by what you learn online, and in the classroom alone. Our vibrant, interdisciplinary and collaborative environment will have you nestled in the heart of Melbourne's Biomedical Precinct, one of the largest and most concentrated networks of health researchers and practitioners in the world.
The University of Melbourne, like the city itself, is a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place for you to feel connected and supported as a valued part of our community. Here, you'll be surrounded by leading hospitals and clinics, global partners, and biomedical research institutes – all providing you with unparalleled work and placement opportunities.
So, whether you're driven by a passion for a rewarding and impactful career in health and wellbeing or a desire to make a difference in society, join us and become part of a national heritage of excellence, innovation, and transformative outcomes in healthcare.
Together, we can advance health for a changing world.
Professor Liz Molloy
Deputy Dean, Education
Why study health at Melbourne?
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- Gain a future-focused education that addresses global health challenges, from climate change to chronic illness, digital innovations, and mental health.
- Be immersed in the Faculty’s Advancing Health 2030 vision and its nationally-significant initiatives that are changing health, including: Australian Institute for Infectious Disease, Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery, Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Healthcare Carbon Lab, and many more.
- Develop future-ready skills through our Collaborative Practice Centre curriculum, the only of its kind in Australia. We will teach you how to work with other health professionals in our healthcare system to get to the heart of a person’s illness and provide person-centered care and improved health outcomes.
- Study more than 100 courses on offer, from entry to practice degrees and continuing professional development study pathways across medicine, biomedical research, and allied health professions – we’ve got you covered for lifelong learning that incorporates the latest understanding.
- The Melbourne Curriculum is distinct in Australia but aligned with leading universities in Europe and North America such as Harvard and Oxford University. It allows you to create your own path, and explore many options along the way.
- Learn more about the Faculty and its history and eminence in advancing the most important health challenges of a changing world.
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- Learn at Australia's most consistently top ranked research university* and top 40 globally ranked university (Times Higher Education rankings). We have over 400 research industry partnerships and global research strengths in child and maternal health, cancer, infection and immunity, mental health and neuroscience, and cardiometabolic health, among others.
- Benefit from courses informed by the latest research and understanding in areas such as pandemic preparedness, medical technology, and sustainability. The faculty has over 400 research industry partnerships across Australia and the globe, including: DentAlliance, Asialink – Asia Australia Mental Health, Public Health Foundation of India, and many more.
- Learn to position your ideas for real-world impact. Commercial translation of research into practical health outcomes at the university.
- Gain exposure to our university start-ups, including: Kali Healthcare, NIRGenie, Torch Recruit, Carbon Cybernetics, Biocurate, Ena Respiratory, Axelia Oncology among others. Notable impact highlights of the university include:
- Identifying the first gene implicated in the development of epilepsy
- The bionic ear
- World-first mapping of the immune-response to COVID-19 to develop vaccines
- And many more.
- Benefit from hundreds of specialist health education research groups that ensure well designed, evidence-informed courses and programs.
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- Study within one of the world’s most concentrated and globally leading hubs of health knowledge, research and education at our Parkville campus. The precinct represents a growing hub of health knowledge, research and care for the Asia-Pacific region.
- Engage in placements at over 900 eminent health sites and diverse work-integrated learning opportunities to develop your professional skills. Our students complete a total of 1.5 million training hours across the faculty each year.
- Acquire the skills needed for industry. The university is ranked #1 in Australia for graduate employability.
- Access cutting-edge facilities, including teaching clinics, museums, and state-of-the-art infrastructure.
- Enjoy education beyond the precinct too. The University’s has regional industry links with Goulburn Valley Health, Echuca Regional Health, Northeast Health Wangaratta, and Grampians Health Ballarat, among others.
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- Join a diverse and inclusive community that fosters innovation through representation of over 150 nationalities on campus.
- Access mentorship opportunities, peer support programs, and dedicated student services to help you thrive academically and personally.
- Be part of a diverse alumni community of over 62,000 past students and engage in diverse discussions and panel events year-round to extend your network or hone your expertise.
- Benefit from our scholarships offered to increase access for students of all backgrounds. Access Melbourne and the Narrm Scholarships are programs designed to increase opportunities for talented students to gain their place at university.
- Joint over 26 registered health-related student social clubs to have fun and make lifelong friendships and connections.
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- Engage with influential alumni networks and industry leaders who shape health policy and practice. Our leading expertise in research and health system design in Australia and the globe shape the future of health.
- Benefit from our industry-leading academics who hold leadership positions in hospitals and clinics while also performing leadership roles with health industry bodies, health industry organisations, and crucial Government advisory boards that shape health policy. This ensures your education is real-world led and valuable. Examples include: Dr. Mihiri Silva, Senior Lecturer Paediatric Dentistry; Prof. Elif Ekinci, Head of Department, Medicine; Dr. Dianne Crellin, Senior Lecturer Nursing.
- Learn from academics and leaders who are key advisers to Government on national policy and education, shaping the future of health. Recent examples include The Royal Commission into Mental Health and Wellbeing, The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Impact stories
Lynette Phuong – Policy and Program Manager | Master of Public Health
Public health issues such as vaping and pandemic response are some of the most complex health challenges.
Healthcare systems around the world are burdened by preventable disease, impacting the economy and quality of life of millions.
Watch how Lynette Phuong, Global Health Consultant, is using her postgraduate education in public health to advance access to healthcare and reduce health inequality worldwide.
Dom Dwyer – Senior Research Fellow | Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) PhD
Addressing today’s youth mental health crisis is one of the most complex health challenges.
Nearly 40% of 16-24-year-old people experience a mental health condition.
Watch how Dominic Dwyer, Research Fellow, is using his postgraduate education and digital technology to advance predictive models to improve the health outcomes of young people at risk of psychosis and other mental health conditions.
Van Nguyen – Associate Lecturer | Master of Social Work
Preventing domestic and gender-based violence is one of the most complex health challenges.
1 in 3 Australian women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
Watch how Van Nguyen is using her postgraduate education in social work to advance policy frameworks to support and protect those most vulnerable.
Georgia Shering – Surveillance Officer | Master of Biomedical Science
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most complex health challenges.
According to recent estimates, antimicrobial resistant bacteria were directly responsible for 1.27 million yearly global deaths.
Watch how Georgia Shering, Anti-Microbial Surveillance Officer, is using her postgraduate education in biomedical science to advance the protection of antibiotics by monitoring the emergence of superbugs that pose a threat to the community.
Di Crellin – Nurse Practitioner | Master of Advanced Nursing Practice PhD
Pain and its accurate diagnosis and treatment in infants and children is complex.
Research suggests that prolonged, untreated pain, can have lifelong developmental consequences. Young children and infants are most at risk.
Watch how Di Crellin, Nurse Practitioner, is using her postgraduate education in nursing to advance practice and improve patient care.
Vijayaragavan Muralidharan – Professor of Surgery | Master of Surgical Education
Surgery wait times and training new surgeons for an ageing population is complex.
The number of patients undergoing elective surgery in Australia’s public hospitals increased by 18% in a single year and continues to rise.
Watch how Vijayaragavan (Murali) Muralidharan, Director of HPB & Liver Transplant Surgery Unit, is using his postgraduate education to advance clinical and surgical training for the next generation of surgeons and patients.
Shehara Mendis – Medical Oncologist | Master of Cancer Sciences
The increase of cancer diagnoses is one of the most complex health challenges.
Cancer cases have doubled globally since 2011. Cancer is projected to remain the most common cause of premature death in Australia by 2044.
Watch how Shehara Mendis, Medical Oncologist, is using her postgraduate education in cancer sciences and treatment to advance the survival rates of patients with gastro-intestinal cancer.
Michelle Thornhill – Emergency Physician | Graduate Certificate in Disaster and Terror Medicine
Responding to climate change and terror events present complex challenges for emergency departments and hospitals.
The frequency and severity of these events are increasing around the globe.
Watch how Michelle Thornhill, Emergency Physician, is using her postgraduate education to advance critical care and disaster management response practice in hospitals to help safeguard the public.
Mihiri Silva – Consultant Paediatric Dentist | Doctor of Clinical Dentistry
Preventing tooth decay in children and addressing the growing inaccessibility of dental care in Australia are some of the most complex health challenges.
One third of children worldwide experience tooth decay before they start school.
Watch how Mihiri Silva, Consultant Paediatric Dentist, is using her postgraduate education in dentistry and oral health to advance health outcomes.
Elif Ekinci – Head of Department of Medicine | Doctor of Medicine PhD
Preventing, diagnosing and treating diabetes is one of the most complex health challenges.
Diabetes complications make up one third of all hospital admissions in Australia.
Watch how Elif Ekinci, Director of Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations, is using her postgraduate education in medicine to advance the accessibility of diabetes treatment and care.
Talia Clohessy – Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physiotherapy
Caring for an ageing population is complex.
In recent years, 68% of people aged 75 and over had a musculoskeletal condition, compared with 13% of people under 45.
Watch how Talia Clohessy is using her postgraduate education to advance physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment for those living with lifelong chronic diseases.
Megha Rajasekhar – Research Fellow in Biostatistics | Master of Biostatistics
The global healthcare burden and treatment of vivax malaria is one of the most complex health challenges.
The optimal dose for treatment is yet to be found, increasing pressure on hospitals around the world.
Watch how Megha Rajasekhar, Biostatistician and Research Fellow, is using her postgraduate education in biostatistics to advance the treatment and the eradication of the disease.
Impact story references.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2020-2022) National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Australia.
UN Environment Programme. (2023) Antimicrobial resistance: a global threat
PAIN | LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS | Published : 2024 Seeing the light in the shade of it”: primary caregiver and youth perspectives on using an inpatient portal for pain care during hospitalisation
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Elective surgery , Australia.
The Lancet (2024). Trends and projections of cause-specific premature mortality in Australia to 2044: a statistical modelling study
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Chronic musculoskeletal conditions, Australia
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021-2022) Personal Safety, Australia.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022) Australia’s Children Dental Health, Australia.
The Medical Journal of Australia (2014) The high burden of inpatient diabetes mellitus: the Melbourne Public Hospitals Diabetes Inpatient Audit.
Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines (2022) Plasmodium vivax: the potential obstacles it presents to malaria elimination and eradication