To apply for the online Graduate Certificate in Global Health Leadership, you are required to have:

• Completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline OR;
• 5 years of approved work experience.

VU Online provides you with the support you need, when you need it, throughout the course. With four layers of student support, our goal is to ensure you succeed in your studies.

Our highly experienced academics understand how to deliver a quality online learning experience and are highly responsive and accessible.

You will also have access to a dedicated Student Success Advisor, who provides motivation and one-on-one personalised assistance with non-academic matters for the duration of the course. You will experience the support of a community through chat, virtual seminars and discussion board activity. Your support network is only a phone call or email away.

A Graduate Certificate in Global Health Leadership from VU Online costs $3,200 per unit*, taking the total for 4 units to $12,800 *.

This depends on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.

Note that you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s loan scheme, FEE-HELP. The loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying students with the cost of a university program. It can be used for all or part of the tuition. To determine your eligibility, visit the FEE-HELP website.

*2025 student fees are shown and are subject to change.

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place where the government pays for part of your unit fees. This is a subsidy, not a loan, so you do not need to pay it back. Your remaining fees may also be eligible for FEE-HELP.

This subsidy is available to eligible students completing the Graduate Certificate in Global Health Leadership. It is only applicable to new students commencing their Graduate Certificate in 2025. To find out if you’re eligible for this subsidy, visit the government’s Study Assist. Limited places available.

For more information on fees and student support, download a brochure.

Studying with VU Online means that you can undertake postgraduate study without having to attend on-campus classes. This makes it easy to fit study around existing commitments including work and family. You will be able to access your coursework, resources, assignment details and individual feedback from facilitators, all from your online learning environment, VU Collaborate.

Chat with fellow students, compare research notes and collaborate on group tasks – it’s all possible with our seamless, community-focused platform.

With VU Online, you will study just one unit at a time under the award-winning VU Block Model®. Learn about our postgraduate online Block Model with this YouTube video.

With VU Online, you will receive support from our responsive academics and facilitators, as well as your dedicated Student Success Advisor throughout your study.

VU Online has simplified the application process, involving just three key steps.

1. Speak to one of our Student Enrolment Advisors, who will help you determine your eligibility for the program and whether it suits your career goals. Our advisor will keep you informed of all the application requirements and what to expect during the process. They can also suggest flexible study plans for your circumstances.
2. Begin your online application and submit the required documentation. This may include a copy of your CV and academic transcript.
3. Upon completing your application, you will receive a confirmation email or an email letting you know if you need to provide any additional information.

In a world where various sources and types of information and data are readily accessible, and burdens on global health systems and organisations are complex, informed decision making is critical. This unit builds on students’ skills in using systems thinking frameworks and tools of evidence-based decision making needed for a dynamic global health landscape. Students will develop a deep personal understanding of leadership as a complex process. This includes scanning the environment, setting the direction and achieving organisational goals through influencing people both inside and outside the organisation. Students will also learn how to communicate evidence to influence decision-makers and impact policy and prioritise public health programs and resources globally.

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This unit explores the concepts of health economics and finance in global health contexts and systems. Students will first define and distinguish between economics and finance and explore key concepts and tools in each. This will enable students to understand the role of economics and economic evaluation in decision-making within the context of global health. Students will also examine funding mechanisms in local, national, and global settings as well as the importance of financial and budget planning and management in applying for and utilising funding. This unit will also develop students’ skills to critically evaluate funding metrics as well as economic cost analysis and national and global health perspectives and priorities in public health funding. Students will examine and analyse economic implications and financial operations of global health initiatives.

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This unit provides students with the skills to lead global health projects and programs. Students will examine the contextual challenges facing leaders in global health by utilising a leadership process of scanning the environment, establishing a direction and influencing people to overcome challenges and achieve goals. Students will exhibit leadership skills needed to engage with local, national, and global stakeholders and organisations to design and implement effective global health programs. The unit critically examines the basic functions and principles of leadership, governance and management to co-create a vision, empower others, foster collaboration and share decision making. Students will demonstrate and apply negotiation and mediation skills to address global public health challenges and apply strategic principles of ethical reasoning and professional practice to advance health equity and social justice globally.

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The disciplines of Epidemiology and Biostatistics provide the foundation for designing studies to better understand the distribution of exposures and outcomes among specific population groups. In this unit, students are introduced to the basic principles, concepts of descriptive epidemiology and related biostatistics and how to use software to perform analytical research. Students will learn and practice how observational data is collected and analysed using statistical methods and communicated to a variety of audiences. These skills will enable students to evaluate existing epidemiological studies, and undertake basic epidemiological analysis using biostatistical approaches.

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Health planning and evaluation are part of the ongoing cycle of development, improvement and adaptation in public health program management. A public health project represents a single, focused action in public health. A program is a collection of projects that complement each other to assist the program in achieving its overall objectives. This unit examines the principles, frameworks and methods in planning, implementing and evaluating public health programs and projects. It also explores how public health program management is used to improve population health through addressing the social determinants of health. Students will apply concepts and approaches of systems thinking, human rights, and capacity building and participation in the program management cycle. Using case studies students will use program management methods and tools to effectively design, manage and evaluate public health programs. The unit is underpinned by the use of evidence-based program management and the importance of aligning program management with global and national policies and commitments.

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