Programme summary for MSc Public Health
The MSc is designed for professionals, administrators and anyone else with an interest in public health issues. The programme aims to provide a critical understanding of the concepts and principles of public health together with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct research and to be actively engaged in a variety of health issues. Evidence-based practice and research are seen as high priorities in health and social care and the programme will help students to develop the ability to analyse and synthesis health data and research findings in critical and inquisitive ways.
Inter-professional collaboration is seen as a valuable tool of the multidisciplinary learning and by sharing different aspects of the programmes students will gain an understanding and insight in to each other’s field of practice. This will enable them to engage in dialogue with a critical community of peers and develop skills for participatory health policy making. In addition, our students come from different parts of the world which broadens and enriches health experience and knowledge.
See what one of our Public Health postgraduate students thought of her study in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
About the programme
This programme is for professionals, administrators and anyone else with an interest in public health issues. It offers a critical understanding of the concepts and principles of public health, together with the skills and knowledge to conduct research into, and be actively engaged in, health issues. Evidence-based practice and research are high priorities in health and social care, and the programme enables you to develop the ability to synthesise health data and research findings, and critically analyse them.
Programme structure
The MSc programme is structured on a semester basis and can be taken over a period of eighteen months to six years. The first semester runs from September to January; the second semester from February to June. Completion of the programme requires a minimum study period of 3 semesters.
All modules are at M Level and are awarded 30 M Level Credits. The taught component of each module lasts for 12 weeks. Each of the modules will entail the same amount of study (300 hours). This is divided between contact time at the University, directed study (pursuing learning objectives specifically associated with the module) and private study which includes reading and preparation of assignments. The allocation of the hours will vary between modules.
The completion of this programme involves the successful completion of the five core modules [four taught and one semi-taught; the dissertation] plus one optional module.
The Dissertation, also awarded 30 credits, is a self-directed, semi-taught, core module and is undertaken with the guidance of a supervisor and supported by group sessions with the module leader. There are additional resources available within the University to assist you with your study skills.
In exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion of the Programme Leader, the dissertation can be taken as a double module [60 credits]. To compensate the final number of credits taken, students accepted in this path are exempted from taking the optional module.
Most students elect to start the programme in September but it is equally possible to start this programme in February.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities exist in the public health/health promotion field; for example, working as public health or health promotion specialists and practitioners in the NHS.
Support
Students are allocated to a Personal Tutor who will help them through their study by offering pastoral advice and support. The Programme Leader and module leaders will also advise you about academic and additional learning and support services available in the University. The University has a comprehensive range of student support services. Modules are normally organised to run on a single day and any extra curricular sessions timetabled to coincide so that part-time students would normally only be expected to attend University on one or two days per week, depending on the number of modules chosen. The attendance day will vary from semester to semester according to which modules are selected for study. Web-based resources and communication tools are available to students via the internet enabling support to continue off campus. Libraries can be accessed 24 hours a day during teaching and assessment periods.
Admission
Admission to programmes is the responsibility of the admissions team. Requirements for entering the programmes are listed below:
- A minimum of a second class honours undergraduate degree in a relevant health based subject area from a recognised UK University, or international equivalent. Students may, at the programme leader’s discretion, be admitted with lower classifications if they have suitable professional qualifications or professional experience related to the programme of study.
- One year full-time professional experience in a health related field.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 650 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Students that apply for exemption from parts of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.
Applications forms are available on-line.
Candidates might be requested to provide further information and might be invited to an interview with the programme leader.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online Public Health (MSc)
View full specification Public Health (MSc)
Tuition Fees - 2013/14
Home/EU Fees
- Module fee: £1,100
- Full time fee: £6,600 per yr
International Fees
- Module fee: £1,770
- Full time fee: £10,620 per yr
Fees based on 30 credit modules (unless otherwise indicated) For further information regarding postgraduate fees please refer to www.uel.ac.uk/fees/
