Public Health

Undergraduate in Public Health in Malaysia

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health in Malaysia is a comprehensive programme that prepares students to become public health professionals capable of analysing, preventing, and managing health challenges that affect communities and entire populations. Unlike clinical degrees that focus on individual patient care, this programme emphasises population-level health, disease prevention, epidemiology, and policy-making. It is ideal for students who want a meaningful career that improves national health systems, influences public health policies, or works directly with communities.

The bachelor’s curriculum covers major public health disciplines such as Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Environmental Health, Health Promotion, Global Health, Communicable Disease Control, Non-Communicable Disease Prevention, Public Health Nutrition, Occupational Health, Health Policy & Management, Health Economics, Mental Health, and Research Methodology. Students also learn about outbreak preparedness, pandemic management, health surveillance systems, and the role of public health in emergency response.

A strong practical component is embedded into the degree. Students participate in community engagement projects, public health campaigns, environmental inspections, health surveys, research projects, and internships with district health offices, hospitals, NGOs, and government agencies. Many universities collaborate with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to give students exposure to real public health operations such as immunisation programmes, outbreak investigations, vector control, and community health screenings.

The programme is highly relevant in today’s world where emerging diseases, lifestyle illnesses, and environmental threats require trained public health experts. A Bachelor’s in Public Health opens doors to a wide range of impactful careers in healthcare, government sectors, NGOs, research, and international organisations.

Duration of Undergraduate in Public Health in Malaysia

• 3 – 4 years full-time
• Includes:
  • Community fieldwork
  • Industrial training (8–20 weeks)
  • Final year research project

Entry Requirements of Undergraduate in Public Health in Malaysia

Public Universities (General Requirements):

• STPM: 2 principal passes including Biology or related health science subject
• Matriculation/Foundation in Science: CGPA 2.50 and above
• Diploma in Public Health/Environmental Health: Direct entry into Year 2
• UEC: 5Bs including Mathematics & Science

Private Universities:

• A-Level: 2 passes (preferably Biology / Science subjects)
• Foundation in Science: CGPA 2.00–2.50
• IB Diploma: 24 points and above

English Requirement:

• MUET Band 3–4
• IELTS 5.0–6.0

Tuition Fee of Undergraduate in Public Health in Malaysia

Additional costs:

• Field training, community visits & research: RM 500 – RM 2,000
• Medical check-up: RM 80 – RM 150
• Living expenses: RM 1,200 – RM 1,800/month

Top Universities for Undergraduate in Public Health in Malaysia

Public Universities

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
• Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
• Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
• Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
• Universiti Malaya (UM – related health science programmes)

Private Universities

• MAHSA University
• Management & Science University (MSU)
• SEGi University
• INTI International University
• UCSI University
• IMU (International Medical University – public health pathways)
• Quest International University (QiU)

Career Opportunities of Undergraduate in Public Health from Malaysia

Professional Job Roles:

• Public Health Officer
• Health Promotion Officer
• Epidemiology/Surveillance Officer
• Community Health Coordinator
• NGO Health Project Manager
• Environmental Health Assistant Officer
• Occupational Health & Safety Executive
• Health Research Assistant
• Health Policy Analyst
• Disease Prevention Specialist

Industries Hiring Public Health Graduates:

• Ministry of Health (MOH)
• District Health Offices
• Government hospitals & clinics
• Private healthcare organisations
• NGOs & humanitarian agencies
• International bodies (UNICEF, WHO, Red Cross)
• Occupational health departments
• Research institutes & universities

Further Studies:

• Master’s in Public Health (MPH)
• Master’s in Epidemiology
• Master’s in Health Management
• Master’s in Environmental Health
• Medical degree (for selected university pathways)