Key facts
Duration
Up to 1 year of part-time study.
The course is only available to students on a part-time basis.
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Our Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence equips you with a strong understanding of epidemiology to inform public health decision-making, policy and practice. You will be immersed in the study of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of public health events, and will learn about outbreak detection and response including contact tracing, as well as public health preparedness.
Are you ready to make a difference to the health of populations around the world?
The COVID-19 global health crisis has seen the demand for experienced health specialists grow significantly. The Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence explores public health from a holistic point of view, giving you the well-rounded skills, knowledge and practical experience to meet this demand and to apply real-world solutions at a local and international scale.
Suitable for clinical and non-clinical health professionals, as well as graduates from other disciplines, the course equips you with crucial problem-solving and data analysis skills to provide epidemiology intelligence to health departments and decision makers. You’ll explore two key study areas that work together to give you the best possible grounding in the field.
Epidemiology
At the heart of epidemiology is quantitative research. The epidemiology units will train you to find, evaluate and interpret the right data, allowing you to shape policy and practice with evidence-based insights.
Biostatistics
Explore fundamental statistical concepts in a health context and build experience applying biostatistical techniques to health-related data. This expertise is essential when modelling data, testing hypotheses and analysing case-control studies.
You’ll be taught by highly experienced, internationally renowned experts, giving you unrivalled access to some of the world’s most innovative research, including the world-class COVID-19 research produced by Deakin’s Institute for Health Transformation. By drawing on the latest research, we can ensure the course is relevant, informed and reflective of the true nature of the industry.
As a qualified health professional working in the largest and fastest-growing industry in Australia, career opportunities will be diverse. From public health research roles to opportunities within international organisations such as the WHO and UNICEF – your job prospects will be varied and vast. Upon graduation, you will also have the option of continuing your studies. You can develop advanced skills and build even more industry experience by articulating into one of the following masters courses:
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Health Economics
- Master of Health Promotion
- Master of Health Management
Course information
- Award granted
- Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- H546
- 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 Epidemiology Intelligence students must attain 4 credit points. This comprises of four core units (these are compulsory).
All commencing Faculty of Health Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work students are required to complete DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first trimester of study.
Recognition of prior learning can be granted depending on previous studies and professional experience.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Should you wish to progress to a Master of Public Health, Master of Health Promotion, Master of Health Economics or Master of Health and Human Services Management as a graduate of this course, you will be eligible for Recognition of prior learning.
Trimester 1 intake
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Trimester 3 intake
Trimester 3
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.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- 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 a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, workshops and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
The trimesters of the course require a part-time commitment, with a substantive load of required learning activities and study time. Although the course is designed for working health professionals, students will on average spend 150 hours per unit credit point over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities.
Participation requirements
See individual unit descriptions for full details.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
Academic requirements
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 or higher
- at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
English language proficiency requirements
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)
Admissions information
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together four credit points of study. Four credit points is used as it represents a typical enrolment load for a Graduate Certificate.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.
Learn more about tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
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.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Pathways
Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence will be eligible to receive 4 units of credit and articulate to:
Master of Public Health (H757)
Master of Health Economics (H704)
Master of Health Promotion (H759)
or receive 2 units of credit and articulate to Master of Health Management (H756)
Careers
Career outcomes
The worldwide demand for qualified health professionals is at an all-time high. Deakin’s Graduate Certificate of Epidemiology Intelligence enables you to join organisations focused on solving a broad range of health issues, including cancer, reproductive health, obesity, food security, violence and HIV.
Some areas you will be prepared to work in include:
- health departments in all levels of government
- public health research roles in government, industry, universities and hospitals
- medical research in research institutes, universities, private business and hospitals
- international organisations such as the WHO, UNDP and UNICEF.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Collect, critically analyse and communicate epidemiological research and data to inform public health decision making. |
| Communication | Analyse, synthesize, interpret and communicate epidemiological concepts and scientific evidence to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital Literacy | Use appropriate technologies to locate and analyse epidemiological data, and interpret and disseminate findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate critical thinking to independently analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex epidemiological research data and evidence, to make high level and independent judgements to inform health service programs, policy and practice. |
| Problem Solving | Utilise epidemiological methods to interpret data, identify the determinants of disease and disease risk, and plan and evaluate public health interventions. |
| Self-management | Operate independently to understand epidemiological concepts, maintain self-awareness, and critically analyse bias and confounds to support expert judgement. |
| Teamwork | Identify and reflect on effective teamwork skills and principles required to collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Global Citizenship | N/A |