This course covers core public health skills such as epidemiology, statistics and research methods, as well as giving you the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of a range of topics including: lifestyle and health issues, health inequalities, health policy and health economics, international health care, environmental health and communicable diseases.
We will provide you with the core skills to effectively interpret and understand key areas of health research and how this can be used to inform and drive policy. To enhance your studies, we draw on expertise and skills from the wide range of partnerships we are involved with, including external public health practitioners and research staff from across the University.
The MSc Public Health adopts a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based approach, focusing on the social determinants of health.
The taught modules will give you core public health and epidemiology knowledge and skills, research methods and quantitative analysis skills, and give a focus on health inequality and the social determinants of health. You will also be exposed to a range of important issues that are recurrent in public health practice both nationally and globally.
This course runs full-time over one year or three years part-time, giving you the chance to exit with the following awards:
Full-time
- Postgraduate Diploma: four or six modules over eight months
- Masters: four or six modules plus a dissertation over one year
- There is no option to complete the PgCert on a full-time basis
Part-time
- Postgraduate Certificate: two or four modules over nine months
- Postgraduate Diploma: four or six modules over two years
- Masters: four or six modules plus a dissertation over three years
The taught component of this course consists of predominantly 30 credit modules.
Full-time
Year 1, Semester 1 and 2 Core Modules
Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (30 credits)
You will gain advanced knowledge of the principals of epidemiology and statistics in public health along with how to design a simple epidemiological study and understand the key concepts of study protocol. You will develop the capability to thoroughly and critically assess health status, health needs and analyse the biopsychosocial factors that determine a person's health.
close
Research Methods Applied to Public Health (30 credits)
In this module you will learn about contemporary issues and debates in research, the nature, role and context of research in health and social care and the theoretical issues and approaches to research. You will master developing research questions and hypotheses, search for evidence and information and form a critical review of existing research.
close
Evidence-Based Public Health (30 credits)
You will develop an understanding of the key determinants of health and an awareness of the social context of public health and the importance of using the current best evidence in making decisions in the areas of health protection, disease prevention, health maintenance and promotion.
close
Optional module
Semester 1 and 2
Global Public Health (30 credits)
This module explores key issues and challenges for global public health in the 21st Century. You will investigate the development of public health systems, policy and practice globally, including the use of health economics as a tool for policy development.
close
If you do not choose Global Public Health you can choose to do both 15 credit modules:
Semester 1
Environmental Health Issues (15 credits)
This module will focus on pollution, housing, food safety, the workplace, the hydrogen economy and ionising radiation.
close
Semester 2
Communicable Diseases (15 credits)
This module provides an introduction to infectious diseases, transmission and epidemiology, air-borne microbial diseases, diseases transmitted by direct contact non-sexual, sexually transmitted diseases, parasitic diseases and zoonotic diseases. You will learn diagnosis, detection and treatment approaches and explore sanitation, water quality, environment and disease.
close
Semester 3
Dissertation (60 credit module)
You will showcase critical knowledge and application of research/inquiry methods, critical knowledge of salient professional and clinical organisational issues and other issues relating to your practice. You will need to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of research/inquiry techniques applicable to your area of practice to enhance research and advance scholarship.
close
Part-time
Structure
Year 1, Semester 1
Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health (30 credits)
Semester 2
Evidence-Based Public Health (30 credits)
Year 2, Semester 1
Research Methods Applied to Public Health (30 credits)
Optional Modules:
Global Public Health (30 credits)
If you do not choose Global Public Health you can choose to do both 15 credit modules:
Semester 1
Environmental Health Issues (15 credits)
Semester 2
Communicable Diseases (15 credits)
Year 3
Dissertation module (60 credits)
