Career opportunities
Graduates majoring in Public Health will have the knowledge and skills to work in a range of areas in the wider health sector, including government and non-government organisations in areas such as hauora Māori, health policy, and health promotion.
Graduates will have the power to change lives by advocating for healthy environments and populations.
Student profile – Rachel Ngan Kee
Rachel Ngan Kee chose to major in Public Health after enjoying a paper in the subject during Health Sciences First Year (HSFY).
“In hindsight, I had no idea what Public Health entailed but I'm grateful I accidentally found it. Public Health puts a community and context-focused lens on health, which is a refreshing change from other sciences (especially HSFY).
“I think questioning the context of disease is a huge part of prevention and cure. This degree teaches you to consider all the elements affecting health and disease; from policy to personal choices.
Rachel says the classes are inspiring and have changed the way she views society.
“I now have an inherent interest in politics, current events and international news because I know they all affect health in some way. I think having peers and lecturers share their experiences in the health system has opened my eyes to areas that need change in Aotearoa.
“I assumed that all of university would be like HSFY, where you show up to a class with hundreds of other students not really knowing your lecturer or each other and then leaving. But it's more like a school classroom, where you know everyone in the class and your lecturers make a real effort to know you.
“I think it's necessary to have a broad understanding of health because it means that when you approach patients or community members you are open to hearing their stories and tailoring their care appropriately. I think patient and community voice is ignored too much in the current health system, and this degree is a springboard for change.”
Public health, real-world impact
Discover how Public Health at Otago opens your eyes to the factors shaping health, empowers you to drive change, and offers diverse career paths – from epidemiology to health promotion and policy.
Read transcript
Brooke Craik:
Kia ora, my name is Brooke, and I am a Public Health student at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine. I have loved studying Public Health at Otago.
I love the Dunedin campus and how everything in Dunedin is sort of structured and focused on students. I think, for me, Public Health has changed the way I view the world. It has really opened my eyes to the fact that factors in our society and our environments really impact our health.
It has made me realise that we need to take action to address these bigger issues—like employment, poverty, and housing—to have an impact on people’s and the population’s health.
I also think that studying Public Health is awesome because it opens up so many different career opportunities. You can go into epidemiology, health promotion, community development—the opportunities are endless. I think that studying Public Health is like studying for the future.
Fran Kewene:
Kia ora kotou katoa, ko Frances Kewene toku ignoa. Hi everyone, my name is Fran Kewene, and I work in Preventive and Social Medicine.
Yeah, I’m using a script today, just in case I forget my lines! So, I’m an academic in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, where you can come and study Public Health.
Public Health is all about people. It’s about communities, iwi, hapu, whanau. Te ao, he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. Public Health is about changing the world collectively, one population at a time. We try to change the world for the better.
In our department, we offer a variety of ways for you to understand what Public Health is and how you might change the world. You can study subjects like epidemiology—yes, epidemiology! Well, guess what? Our epidemiologists from Otago helped the government make decisions on preventing and stopping the spread of COVID-19.
There are a host of other subjects you can study as well, such as public policy, Māori health (that’s me!), environmental health, health economics, international health, and health promotion.
Whatever paper you choose, you can major in Public Health in the Bachelor of Health Sciences degree, minor in Public Health as part of another degree, or take one or two Public Health papers of interest—your choice!
The people in our department work in health areas such as HIV, the recent COVID pandemic, climate change, and community development. Our people collaborate with various communities both within and across Aotearoa, as well as internationally.
We are strong Public Health advocates and fight for equity, social justice, and human rights. We value working together, and we have structures and systems that will support you if you come and study with us. Ultimately, we want you to be the best human being you can be.
By the way, I love Ōtepoti! The surf is good, and we have easy access to the maunga and the awa, the moana.
Anyway, I found my place here in the world—in the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine.
Healthier environments, people, and communities
“This degree teaches you to consider all the elements affecting health and disease; from policy to personal choices … this degree is a springboard for change.”
— Rachel Ngan Kee
BHealSc Student
With a focus on the health of populations and communities, public health looks at how we can prevent and control diseases, prolong life, and promote health.
Public Health involves collective action across sectors and disciplines with a strong focus on reducing ethnic and socioeconomic inequities in health.
You can study Public Health as a major in the three year Bachelor of Health Sciences degree (BHealSc) or as a minor subject in a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), Arts (BA), Arts and Science (BASc), Commerce (BCom), Performing Arts (BPA), Science (BSc), or Theology (BTheol) degree.
Make a difference in a rewarding career
New approaches are required as we face diverse and important health challenges.
These include:
- An increase in the number of older adults and people living with long-term conditions and disability
- Multiple inequities in health determinants and outcomes
- Limited health resources
- Environmental change and its many effects on health
Postgraduate programme
The University of Otago also a great postgraduate public health programme at our Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington campuses. So if you are interested in furthering your study, this is a great option.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH) is designed to develop public health skills at the postgraduate level. Candidates are required to hold a degree or to have appropriate professional qualifications and experience.
This programme is taught as an internal (on campus) programme at Otago Medical School's three campuses: Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington. It consists of eight 15-point papers, four of which are compulsory and four others selected from sixteen options.
Candidates for the degree of MPH will have completed the DPH, or an equivalent qualification, at an acceptable level of attainment. The course of study will consist of either a thesis, or four DPH papers (not already completed) plus a dissertation.
View further information on postgraduate studies in Public Health.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
A three-year degree with four areas of specialisation: Community Health Care, Māori Health, Pacific and Global Health, or Public Health
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
Related subject areas
Explore all subject areasEnvironment, climate change and sustainability
Find creative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental issues
Healthcare and medicine
Change lives with healthcare – become a medical professional or excel in lab tech, public health, and more
Health and biomedical sciences
Transform the world by learning from top researchers and shaping the future of healthcare, medicine, and the environment
History, philosophy, people and society
Understand the world by thinking deeply about people, cultures, and society – past, present, and future
Sport and wellbeing
Study exercise science and nutrition to enhance physical and mental well-being and improve community health outcomes
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 | 18 |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health | 18 | |
| 200-level | PUBH 202 Health Promotion | 18 |
| PUBH 204 Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities | 18 | |
| PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions | 18 | |
|
At least three of ANTH 210 Translating Culture or ANTH 211 Contemporary Ethnographic Research CMHC 201 Human Health Across the Lifespan GEOG 210 Social Geography PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics SOCI 205 Social Inequality SOWK 236 The Treaty and Social Services | 54 | |
| 300-level | PUBH 303 Public and Global Health: Current Issues | 18 |
| PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research or PUBH 311 Public Health Research | 18 | |
|
At least two of ANTH 322 Conceiving Reproduction or ANTH 323 Anthropology of Health CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health GEOG 381 Social Geography PACH 301 Pacific Health: Advanced Applied Knowledge PUBH 304 Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research PUBH 311 Public Health Research SOCI 306 Public Sociology SOWK 304 Kaupapa Māori, and Indigenous Approaches to Social Work | 36 | |
| Plus | 126 further points | 126 |
| The following papers are suggested: BSNS 113, EDUC 105, ECON 112, GLBL 110, HIST 107, MAOR 102, MAOR 110, PACI 103 , PHIL 105, SOWK 111, STAT 115; ECON 201, HIST 223, MAOH 201, MAOR 202 , MAOR 204, MFCO 222, POLS 202, PSME 201, STAT 210, SPEX 205, SPEX 206 , ECON 306, ENVI 312, HIST 306, INDS 301, POLS 303, STAT 310 | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | POPH 192 Population Health or PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology | 18 |
| 200-level | PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions | 18 |
| 300-level | PUBH 303 Public and Global Health: Current Issues* | 18 |
| Plus | Two further 200- or 300-level PUBH papers Note: Students who first enrolled for this minor in or before 2017 may complete the requirements for this minor by passing the following papers: PUBH 192, 202, 203, 211, 311. | 36 |
| Total | 90 |
Note: This minor subject is not available to students majoring in Pacific and Global Health.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PUBH papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POPH192 | 2025 | Population Health | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PUBH192 | 2025 | Foundations of Epidemiology | 18 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PUBH202 | 2025 | Health Promotion | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PUBH203 | 2025 | Health Policy and Politics: Global and Local | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PUBH204 | 2025 | Hauora Māori: Challenges and Opportunities | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PUBH211 | 2025 | Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PUBH303 | 2025 | Public and Global Health: Current Issues | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| PUBH304 | 2025 | Rangahau Hauora Māori - Māori Health Research | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PUBH311 | 2025 | Public Health Research | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| PUBH711 | 2025 | Principles of Epidemiology | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (28 April 2025 - 19 June 2025) |
| PUBH712 | 2025 | Foundations of Hauora Māori | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 17 April 2025) |
| PUBH713 | 2025 | Society, Health and Health Promotion | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| PUBH714 | 2025 | Public Policy and Health Systems | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025) |
| PUBH721 | 2025 | Methods for Epidemiological Research | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| PUBH723 | 2025 | Survey Methods | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025) |
| PUBH724 | 2025 | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| PUBH725 | 2025 | Applied Biostatistics 1 - Fundamentals | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (28 April 2025 - 19 June 2025) |
| PUBH726 | 2025 | Applied Biostatistics 2 - Regression methods | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025) |
| PUBH732 | 2025 | Using Epidemiology in Public Health Practice | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025) |
| PUBH733 | 2025 | Environment and Health | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (28 April 2025 - 19 June 2025) |
| PUBH734 | 2025 | Health Protection | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 17 April 2025) |
| PUBH735 | 2025 | The Economics of Health Policy Decision Making | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 17 April 2025) |
| PUBH736 | 2025 | Economic Evaluation | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| PUBH737 | 2025 | Public Health Law and Public Health Ethics - Fundamentals | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PUBH738 | 2025 | Global Health Law and Global Health Ethics | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PUBH739 | 2025 | Special Topic | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PUBH740 | 2025 | Special Topic: One Health | 15 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| PUBH741 | 2025 | Hauora Māori- Policy Practice and Research | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (28 April 2025 - 19 June 2025) |
| PUBH742 | 2025 | Global Health and International Health Systems | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 7 November 2025) |
| PUBH743 | 2025 | Health Promotion Programme Planning and Evaluation | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 17 April 2025) |
| PUBH744 | 2025 | Healthy Public Policy | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 5 September 2025) |
| PUBH745 | 2025 | Introduction to Pacific Public Health | 15 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 17 April 2025) |
| PUBH890 | 2025 | MPH Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (24 February 2025 - 20 February 2026), 2nd Non standard period (14 July 2025 - 20 June 2026), 2nd Non |
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
Not sure what to study?
Take our short quiz to uncover study options matched to your background and interests.
Take the quiz