Key facts
Duration
Up to 1 year of part-time study. The course is only available to students on a part-time basis.
Locations
This course is only offered online
Course overview
In Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health, you will develop the skills to understand and address the powerful forces shaping health. Examine how commercial, economic, political, social and environmental drivers influence health outcomes, inequalities and the wellbeing of communities and societies. Build a critical understanding of the structural drivers of health in Australia and globally, and learn to investigate them using policy analysis, business databases and government and United Nations data sources. You will also explore transformative approaches to policy, governance and systems change, equipping you with practical problem-solving and analytical skills to respond to complex health challenges.
Grounded in contemporary health issues, the course also draws on disciplines including law, economics, political science and sociology. You will learn from Deakin’s world-leading research expertise in the commercial and economic determinants of health and global health governance. This specialised course is relevant to professionals working across public health, government, policy, advocacy, ethical investment, sustainability and related sectors in Australia and internationally. Study online and part time over one year, building contemporary skills while continuing your career.
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H519
- Level
- Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Course structure
To complete the Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health, you must pass 4 credit points.
This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 4 credit points of core units
Most units are equal to one credit point. All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Workload
As an online student in the Faculty of Health you will be expected to spend 11-13 hours every week studying, interacting online and completing assessment tasks for each unit in your course. Refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information.
Inclusive learning support
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
Entry requirements
Your academic history, work and life experience, and individual circumstances will be considered. Meeting the minimum academic and English language requirements does not guarantee admission, but alternative pathways may be available.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree
- two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
Examples of relevant work experience include, but not limited to, community and human services (e.g. community development officer); health & wellbeing (e.g. health promotion officer); policy, planning & governance (e.g. urban or regional planning roles); partnership & collaboration (e.g. partnership manager); business & organisational development (e.g. change management roles); and environment & sustainability (e.g. climate adaptation, circular economy or sustainability coordination roles).
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) in each component of test
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
The estimated fee for this course is not currently available, please contact Student Central for further information.
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical enrolment of 4 credit points undertaken within the same academic year and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarship options
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you’ll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Career outcomes
Build specialist capability to examine and respond to the structural forces that shape health. The Graduate Certificate of Determinants of Health can strengthen your contribution across public health, government, policy, health promotion, research, advocacy, ethical investment and finance, sustainability and not-for-profit settings.
Depending on your existing qualifications and experience, the skills gained may support career development in roles such as:
- policy analyst or adviser
- public health or health promotion practitioner
- research, advocacy or knowledge translation officer
- sustainability or ESG adviser
- environmental compliance specialist
- government or NGO project officer
You will graduate with skills in policy evaluation, data analysis and critical systems thinking that can help you contribute to evidence-informed policy, advocacy and interventions for healthier and more equitable communities.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply theories and concepts associated with the determinants of health and deploy key frameworks and methods relating to the social, political, commercial, economic and environmental drivers of health outcomes. |
| Develop high-level oral and written communication and report writing skills, and interpret health and socio-economic data for diverse audiences using appropriate frameworks, methods and visual tools. |
| Use digital technologies and data environments to construct, visualise and communicate data and analysis on the determinants of health. |
| Critically evaluate, synthesise and present a range of disciplinary approaches to the determinants of health and apply relevant theories and frameworks to interrogate the structural drivers of health outcomes at domestic and global levels. |
| Identify evidence-based solutions to complex health and social problems by applying critical analysis and evaluation skills, and communicate recommendations and policy pathways to diverse audiences. |
| Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, and critical reflection, with a commitment to ethical practice, continuous learning and solution-focused approaches to complex health and social issues. |
| Work collaboratively and inclusively with individuals and groups from diverse disciplines, backgrounds and contexts, using theories, evidence and methods to develop shared approaches to understanding and addressing the various determinants of health. |
| Engage ethically with key health issues facing diverse communities in Australia and internationally, applying interdisciplinary approaches to explore Indigenous, multicultural and decolonised perspectives on understanding and addressing complex global health and social challenges; and propose and communicate evidence-based solutions that improve human and planetary health. |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
