Public Health

Course overview

The MSc in Public Health course has been designed within a multi-professional, modular framework that draws on a wide range of disciplines.

The course combines a set of four compulsory core modules (Principles and Practice of Public Health, Epidemiology, Essential Statistics in Health and Medical Research, and Research Methods and Critical Appraisal) with a range of optional modules (eg Health Protection, Nutrition in Public Health, International Health etc) which allows students to focus on areas relevant to their work and professional interests. The research dissertation module provides an excellent opportunity to integrate study-based learning with a work-based research project improving students' competencies and skills to enhance their long-term career in public health.

The course delivers a solid grounding in public health theory and practice to provide a mechanism for analysing and instituting change in practice and to support public health leadership and registration. This is particularly pertinent in a challenging time of change and the course addresses recent moves in responsibility for the delivery of public health programmes. Teaching sessions are delivered by academicians and practitioners who are active in the field. The inter-professional background of the course participants fosters an environment in which occupational experiences are shared and a wider understanding of multidisciplinary public health issues is gained. 

Course structure

Most modules are assessed by means of a 3,000 word in-depth evaluation of a topic agreed by the student and module leader.

The course has two streams: Public Health and Public Health and Management

PGCert in Public Health

MDM50 Principles and Practice of Public Health (20 credits)

MDM12 Epidemiology (20 credits)

PLUS

One other module from the core or optional list (20 credits)

PGDip in Public Health

MDM50 Principles and Practice of Public Health (20 credits)

MDM10 Research Methods and Critical Appraisal (20 credits)

MDM12 Epidemiology (20 credits)

MDM66 Essential Statistics for Health and Medical Research (20 credits)

PLUS

Two modules from the optional module list (20 + 20 Credits)

MSc in Public Health

PGDip essential modules

PLUS

Two modules from the optional module list (20 + 20 Credits)

PLUS

MDM96 Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Module List

MDM33 Health Protection (20 credits)*

MDM83 Nutrition in Public Health (20 credits)*

MDM161 Global Public Health (20 credits)

MDM110 Leadership and Change Management in Clinical Services  (20 credits) 

OR

MDM111 Commissioning for Quality Care Improvement in Clinical Services (20 credits)

*Modules run in alternate years. Health protection runs every odd year (eg 2017, 2019) and Nutrition in Public Health runs every even year (eg 2016, 2018).

Entry requirements

The course is open to all students who are intending to practice in public health or related fields, and professionals who are in a position to deliver improvements in population health. Typical professions include primary care and public health practitioners, specialist community public health nurses, health promotion specialists, community development workers, environmental health officers and managers in the NHS and local authorities.

Applicants should have achieved a first or second class undergraduate honours degree in any subject or equivalent 

OR Evidence of at least three years’ work experience in an environment related to public health. Applicants must demonstrate a capacity to study at Masters level.

OR Successful completion of at least three years' basic medical science at a UK medical school (having gained at least 360 credits) with a guaranteed place to continue medical studies on completion of the MSc. For more information on intercalating at BSMS click here.

Apply here

Applications are made through the University of Brighton online portal.

APPLY NOW >