Public Health MPH / PGDip / PGCert

Shape your future in the practice of public health at Birmingham. Our research-led course will deliver the essential knowledge you’ll need in epidemiology, applied health research methods and statistics, health economics, health information and informatics, healthcare public health and health service management, health improvement and health protection, and global health.

Course Structure

Covering all main domains of public health, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of current practice, this course will cover the subject in both breadth and depth. With the option to tailor the course to your specific learning outcomes, you’ll shape the course to gain the qualification and analytical and research skills you need to progress your career. The one-week blocks of intensive teaching will give you the benefit of both the expertise of our teaching staff as well as that of your peers who come from a wide range of backgrounds and workplaces.

Gain an internationally recognised qualification that will equip you with a broad range of skills that are invaluable for anyone working in or aspiring to work in the public health field.

• Learn about the planning, management, and evaluation of health services for disease prevention, health protection, and health promotion.
• Develop or further your career in a wide range of professional settings, both within and outside of public health and epidemiology.

The course also covers many of the areas necessary for sitting the Part A examination of the Faculty of Public Health.

The University of Birmingham is also ranked as the first choice for leading graduate employers in the UK.

We are creating a new generation of innovative professionals ready to play their role in advancing modern cutting-edge healthcare.

• Teaching - Teaching takes place in one-week blocks, and you'll participate in a range of teaching styles such as lectures, small group tutorials, presentations, peer group learning, self-study etc.
• Assessment methods - Assessment is via a mixture of exams and assignments.

You’ll have access to a comprehensive support system that will assist and encourage you, including personal tutors and welfare tutors who can help with both academic and welfare issues.

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

Students must pass one of the core module options (see below) to be awarded the Masters.

* If research proposal option chosen, then an addition 20 credits must be taken from the following optional modules that provide knowledge and skills training in specific areas of research methodology appropriate to applied health research. These are: Qualitative Research Methods, Clinical Trials, and Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthes

Optional Modules

Choose 30 (or 50 for students choosing the Research proposal Dissertation) credits from the following modules:

Choose 40 credits from the following. Acceptance for some of the modules in this menu is dependent on modules selected from Option list 1. Any module from list 1 not already taken can also be selected.

In addition students may also take 20 credits of modules offered by the Department of Applied Health Sciences, subject to availability, timetable constraints and approval of the module and programme leader.

If you're unsure about your suitability for the course, please get in touch with us at mph@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

For the Postgraduate Diploma, applications are also considered from those without a relevant Bachelors degree but who hold a relevant professional qualification or have sufficient public health experience.

For international students there is an English language requirement to have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band.

If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not already meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course. If you successfully complete this, you’ll be able to fulfil the language requirement without needing to take a further qualification.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

Please note: there is a £50 non-refundable application fee for the full time course.

Applicants will need to pay a £500 non-refundable deposit at the point of accepting an offer to study on a public health programme. The deposit is put towards payment of fees when students join the course.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

Applications are also welcome from medical students in the UK who wish to intercalate. To apply for the Intercalated Public Health please fill in this registration form and we will be in touch with details about how to apply.

For more information, please contact us at: mdsintercalationenquiries@contacts.bham.ac.uk.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.