Public Health MSc

Key Facts

  • Level

    Postgraduate

  • Duration

    1 year Full-time
    2-5 years Part-time

  • Starting

    September, February

  • Fees UK 24/25

    Full Time: £8,250
    Part Time: £920 per 20 credit module

  • Fees International 24/25

    Full Time: £16,995

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


This course has been designed to provide you with an integrated, coherent and multidisciplinary approach to public health activity.

Our MSc Public Health places particular emphasis on advancing your critical awareness and problem solving skills in order to develop innovative, reflective and pro-active approaches to meeting challenging and complex health needs. Examples of our pro-active approach to teaching and learning include; the analysis of contemporary non-communicable health issues such as obesity, diabetes and mental health, as well as those linked with public protection such as infectious disease surveillance and control.

For more information about the public health course, please contact our MSc Public Health teaching team by email: publichealth@northampton.ac.uk

Updated 27/03/2024

Highlights


  • Voluntary Placement module available on the masters in Public Health.
  • Flexible modules for part-time study.
  • Pro-active approach to teaching and learning.

Course Content


  • Our MSc Public Health will be delivered by a range of teaching methods such as core lectures, group work, online activities, use of case studies and directed learning approaches. Shared learning with other professionals will be a focus of this course and you will be encouraged to develop a critical, evaluative approach to the knowledge which underpins present-day public health practice.

    This Master’s award prepares you for a career in Public Health at both strategic and operational levels. The full MSc consists of six compulsory modules, which include:

    • Research Methods: Philosophy and Design
    • Leading Public Health Practice
    • Health Protection and Prevention* (subject to approval)
    • Principles and Practice of Health Promotion
    • Epidemiology
    • Professional Project.

    You will need to study all of the compulsory modules on this masters in Public Health as well as choose from one designated module from the following subject areas:

    • Voluntary Sector Placement
    • Therapeutic Communication Interventions
    • Comparative Health Care Systems
    • Advancing Public Health Leadership* (subject to approval).

    These designated modules have been identified as offering a range of public health topics which you can choose depending on your experience. All modules (except the Professional Project) incorporate 200 hours of learning, which includes taught sessions as well as self-directed independent study and assignment preparation. Furthermore, (included in the 200 hours) are six study days, in which you are expected to either attend lectures or work online on electronic activities via the online learning environment, NILE.

    The teaching team have created a flexible and challenging Public Health masters programme, which incorporates face-to-face teaching, workshops and tutorials, as well as three of the core modules having an extensive self-directed online component. Opportunities exist to undertake a volunteering post within a Public Health environment and to gain experience of working within a non-Governmental organisation whilst ‘giving back’ to the vulnerable in society. This reflects the University’s Changemaker ethos which strives to identify and respond to societal issues in a proactive, sustainable and ethical manner.

    Embedded within the Public Health course are sessions from the Changemaker Hub, which offer support and advice in cohort groups and on a one-to-one basis for CV writing, interview techniques and help with locating a volunteer placement. These skills are invaluable when it comes to applying for employment or PhD study.

  • Applicants will normally hold a recognised First- or Second-class Honours degree in a subject area that demonstrates applicability to public health practice including:

    • Dentistry, pharmacy, biology, medicine, public health, nursing, environmental health, biomedical health/science, podiatry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, microbiology, biochemistry.
    • Homeopathic Medicine (including degrees in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) are acceptable.
    • Degrees in Zoology and most medical/health background undergraduate degrees are acceptable. This includes degrees such as BSc Profusion Technology and BSc Radiology.

    Applications listing degrees not shown above may be referred to the course tutor to assess suitability for the programme. We will need to see:

    • Degree transcripts with exact modules studied.
    • Evidence of experience in public health (if applicable).
    • References for suitability.
    English Language Requirements

    All applicants for whom English is not their first language will need to demonstrate that they meet the minimum English language requirement of IELTS 6.5 overall with a score no lower than 6.0 for writing and no remaining band/component below 5.5 (or equivalent).

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 2024/25 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted for the masters degree in public health relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,250
    • UK – Part Time: £920 per 20 Credit Module
    • International – Full Time: £16,995
    2023/24 Tuition Fees

    Fees quoted for the masters degree in public health relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,010
    • UK – Part Time: £890 per 20 Credit Module
    • International – Full Time: £16,500
    Postgraduate Master’s Loans

    If you are starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 24/25  you may be able to apply for a Master’s loan Student Finance England.

    Additional costs

    There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

    Scholarships and Bursaries

    For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • What is a masters in public health?

    A masters in Public Health is a postgraduate level degree that equip students with the knowledge and skills required to protect and improve the health of the population through research, policy and practice.

    Why study MSc in Public Health?

    Public health plays a crucial role in the prevention of diseases and promotion of health, as well as empowering individuals and communities to manage chronic illnesses and disabilities. Public health engages people from across disciplines and backgrounds to uncover the root causes of health problems and develop long-lasting, innovative, cost-effective solutions that improve everyone’s quality of life.

    While medicine helps to treat people one-on-one when they are sick, in contrast, public health proactively prevents illnesses/injuries across large numbers of people through interventions. A career in public health will enable you to collaborate with others to develop and implement innovative solutions/interventions that will improve health and prolong lives of people both locally and around the world.

    How long does a masters in public health take?

    Our MSc in Public Health has a duration of 1 year full-time and 2-5 years part-time study.

    What can you do with a masters degree in public health

    Public Health is a broad field with a range of career opportunities in the following sectors: public policy, epidemiology, global health, public health education, lifestyle programmes, immunisation and screening programmes. Other career opportunities include public health analyst and public health programme manager.

    The course can also act as a platform for graduates to progress on to a postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) study in public health and to pursue a career in academia and research.

    Who do I contact for further information on the public health masters?

    For more information please contact the MSc Public Health teaching team by email: publichealth@northampton.ac.uk

Staff


Lisa Arai, Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Lisa Arai

Senior Lecturer in Public Health


Faculty of Health, Education and Society

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Careers and Employability


Public Health is a growing field of study, therefore there is an abundance of job opportunities to suit a variety of interests and skills. A Master’s degree will help your career advancement within a variety of organisations and professions such as health and social care, local authority, and voluntary organisations.

Our Public Health students develop excellent communication and analytical skills and have entered a diverse range of jobs, such as working as Vaccine Logistic Experts for UNICEF, Medical Consultants with the WHO, Governmental Public Health Researchers and Infection Control Practitioners.

Public Health is a broad field with a range of career opportunities in the following sectors: public policy, epidemiology, global health, public health education, lifestyle programmes, immunisation and screening programmes. Other career opportunities include public health analyst and public health programme manager.

Graduates can also enter further study and progress on to a postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) study in public health and to pursue a career in academia and research.

Facilities


Learning Hub


The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

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