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Centre for Adolescent Health

Postgraduate

  • Prospective postgraduate students

    The Centre for Adolescent Health, through theÌý, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, offers online postgraduate courses that integrate knowledge from a range of disciplines (including medicine, psychology, sociology, social work, youth work, public health and health promotion), and examine the different theoretical frameworks and professional approaches these disciplines bring toÌýworking with young people.

    The courses are:

    • (1-year part time)
    • (1-year full time / 2-years part time)
    • (4-years part time) with options for 1 of 2 specialisations


    Upcoming Information Sessions

    3rd of June 2026 - Postgraduate Information Session, Hosted by University of Melbourne. Register here:Ìý

    1st of July 2026 - Postgraduate Information Session, Hosted by Centre for Adolescent Health. Register here:ÌýÌý


    Our students comeÌýfrom a wide range ofÌýprofessions including:

    • Health: doctors, nurses, psychologists, allied health professionals
    • Education: teachers, student wellbeing/pastoral care workers, principals, year level coordinators
    • Social Services: program managers, social workers, youth workers, counsellors, outreach workers, chaplains
    • Justice: police, court workers, youth detention officers
    • Community: Not for profit, local government

    Hear more from our students in our graduate interview series - the impact of studying adolescent health and wellbeing.Ìý

    • .

    Online learning

    The postgraduate courses are offered fully online, making your study accessible anywhere in the world. This supports you to study at times of the day that suit you, around your personal and professional commitments. Each subject has a dedicated webpage on the University of Melbourne's Learning Management System, or LMS, providing ready access to subject outlines, content notes, recorded lectures, readings and resources, and online discussions. You can even access the LMS on your mobile phone. Each subject coordinator keeps regular contact with you via the LMS, and is also available for individual support via phone, email and face-to-face meetings. Ìý

    During each semester, tutorials are conducted online at least four times, providing students with the opportunity for face-to-face discussions with their lecturers and peers. These webinars are also recorded for those who are unable to attend at the time.

    A two-day orientation is run online in late February and late July.ÌýThe orientation is an important opportunity to engage with your learning, meet subject coordinators and get to know the other students. ÌýThe program includes lectures on adolescence and adolescent health, subject introductions, and workshops on the LMS, research skills and academic writing, as well as tips from students and recent graduates about how they managed the workload alongside their day-job.

    Course StructureÌý

    The course is modular and you can build on earlier years

    • The Graduate Certificate involves four foundation subjects and is offered part-time over one year.
    • The Graduate Diploma adds four electives to the foundation subject, and s offered full-time over one year and part-time over two years.
    • The Masters is offered part-time over four years. Course work and independent learning will take approximately 10 hours per week, per subject.

    A downloadable file about the postgraduate courses is available here -ÌýAHW course outline 24.Ìý

    Selection Criteria

    • An undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline such as Education, Health Science, Social Work or related discipline; or
    • An undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of documented relevant work experience; or
    • At least 5 years of documented relevant work experience, including clear evidence of career development, of professional writing, and generally of professional achievement or practice comparable to that expected of undergraduate degree holders in cognate disciplines.

    All applicants are required to attach a 100 word statement about how this course will support their work, a curriculum vitae describing their work experience, and tertiary and other qualifications, along with academic transcripts to their online application.

    International Enrolments

    International enrolments are welcome. is the courses are 100% online and can be undertaken from anywhere in the world. Ìý

    A tuition fee deposit of $5000 has been approved for this course due to the usual semester fees being less than the standard deposit. Students must check their statement of liability and make arrangements to pay the required balance once enrolled.

    Please visit theÌýÌýon the University of Melbourne Future StudentsÌýwebsite. Ìý

    Fees & Scholarships

    Fees

    In 2026, the course fees (Australian fee place)Ìýfor domestic and international graduate students are:

    • $12,992 AUD, for the Graduate Certificate
    • $25,984 AUD, for the Graduate Diploma Ìý
    • $52,000 AUD, (approximately depending on years taken to complete) for the Masters Fees are reviewed annually by the University and vary depending on subjects.

    More information about fees for:

    Scholarships

    If you are an international student or a domestic student, you may be eligible for a range of scholarships or grants. Please visit theÌýÌýfor further information.ÌýSpecificallyÌýfor our postgraduate courses in adolescent health wellbeing, these are a number of targeted scholarships that might help.Ìý

    Scholarships for community sector and educationÌý

    The Robbie Mitchell Scholarships are funded by contributing Rotary Clubs of Victoria, and are available to applicants working with young people in remote, Indigenous or disadvantaged populations / communities. The scholarship amount varies from time to time depending on the financial status of the successful applicant. Available for Graduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing.

    To apply, emailÌýPhil WheatleyÌý. For further information email DrÌýAni Wierenga

    Scholarships for Nurses

    There is an ongoing relationship between the course and the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, through the Kelpie Ward (Adolescent Ward).ÌýTwo nurses at the Royal Children’s Hospital were sponsored into the Graduate Certificate in 2019. If you would like support to talk to your employing organisation about a scholarship, contact the course coordinator, DrÌýAni Wierenga:

    Scholarships for PoliceÌý

    The Melbourne Central Rotary Club offers a 50% scholarship to one member of the Victoria Police to study theÌýGraduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, in honour of the memory of Senior Constable Rod Miller and Sergeant Gary Silk.ÌýFor further information or to apply, contactÌýHelen D’Cruz,Ìý.Ìý

    Scholarships for School Nurses

    The Department of Education & Early Childhood DevelopmentÌý(DEET) offersÌýa 50%ÌýMary-Ann HopeÌýscholarship to a Victorian Secondary School Nurse to study theÌýGraduate Diploma in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. Additionally available are five Single Subject Grants for school nurses to undertake a single subject.Ìý

    For further information or to apply, contactÌýHelen D’Cruz, .If you would like support to talk to your employing organisation about a scholarship, contact the course coordinator, DrÌýAni Wierenga:Ìý.

    Scholarships for Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Professionals

    For the Oncology stream, scholarships are offered in Victoria and Queensland. Selection criteria include a commitment to working in the field of adolescent & young adult cancer care or a demonstrated interest in working in this field and commitment to disseminating the knowledge learnt in the course.

    For further information or to apply, contactÌýHelen D’Cruz,Ìý Additional information available here:ÌýÌý.

    Scholarships for not-for-profit staff (Starlight Children’s Foundation)Ìý

    Starlight Foundation offers a 50%Ìýscholarship to Starlight Foundation staff members to undertake the Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Health and Wellbeing.ÌýIf you would like support to talk to your employing organisation about a scholarship, contact the course coordinator, DrÌýAni Wierenga:Ìý.

    Commonwealth supported places: Master of Adolescent Health and Wellbeing

    The Commonwealth Government has supported up to five places for students who apply for the course during first round offers (typically by end November). These have been awarded on a merit basis.Ìý

    For further information, contactÌýHelen D’Cruz,Ìý

    Apply now

    Contact

    For further enquiries, please contact:Ìý

    Dr Ani Wierenga

    Academic Coordinator, Adolescent Health and Wellbeing

    Centre for Adolescent HealthÌý
    EÌý wierenga@unimelb.edu.au