Public Health MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  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 postgraduate 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.

  Teaching Team

  Module Leader: Mr Lewis Waterfield

  Lewis’ teaching background originates working within Further and Higher Education where he gained a PGCE and experience teaching Applied Medical Science, and more recently microbiology and molecular science techniques within The University of Northampton.

  Lewis holds a BSc in Biology and has researched in the area of applied microbiology and investigated the uses of novel antimicrobials to tackle superbugs like MRSA in the clinical environment. Lewis has carried out research in the field of mindfulness within education, and how this could be used to help learning and behaviour as part of his PGCE.  Lewis’ current PhD research investigates the regulation and role metals and oxidative stresses have within the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae which is responsible for causing thousands of penumonia-related deaths globally. Lewis module leads both Epidemiology and Health Protection and Prevention on the Public Health MSc.

  Subject Specialist and Marker: Mrs Helen Kimble

  Helen Kimble joined the University of Northampton in 2012 as a member of the Primary Health Senior Lecturer team and is Programme Leader for Specialist Community Public Health Practice in the Faculty of Health and Society. Prior to working in academia, Helen worked as a Specialist Community Public Health Practitioner within Primary Care for over ten years and gained extensive experience of working with individual children and young people, families and communities during that time. Helen has interests in teaching Public Health and supervising Public Health Masters Dissertations. As well as her Postgraduate Diploma in SCPHN, Helen holds a Master’s in Education and values promoting learning as a lifelong skill within public health practice.

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• Entry Requirements

  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

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

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• Fees and Funding

  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 Loans

  If you are starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 21/22 you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan Student Finance England.

  Additional costs

  There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2021. 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.

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• FAQs

  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

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