Develop your expertise by joining our well-established multidisciplinary course, designed to equip you with the theoretical and practical knowledge to excel in a public health role. You’ll learn the fundamentals of population health and the practice of public health.
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.
I thoroughly enjoyed the MPH at Birmingham and found the course really fascinating. I would recommend it to anyone considering a highly rewarding career in public health.
This course can be studied full-time, part-time, or for up to five years in a flexible learning pattern. International students can only study this course full-time. Teaching takes place in one-week blocks. You’ll study compulsory modules, then choose from a wide range of optional modules. You’ll also attend a non-assessed introductory week at the beginning of the course which introduces key concepts in public health.
Term one begins with a non-assessed Introductory Week ensuring you have a firm grasp of key concepts in public and population health. Further modules will provide you with a detailed understanding of applied health research methods (including health economics), develop your quantitative skills, and apply these to health service planning and evaluation. There is also the opportunity to learn about the principles of global health and decide on your dissertation project with support from supervisors and the programme team.
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.
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.
Well-established programme that has been training public health specialists, practitioners and researchers for over 25 years.
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (QS World Rankings).
Learn from world-leading academics and researchers.
We are creating a new generation of innovative professionals ready to play their role in advancing modern cutting-edge healthcare.
You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers, as well as from your peers on the course. From the outset, you’ll be encouraged to become an independent and self-motivated learner. Our Public Health course includes a wide variety of learning and teaching:
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.
Masters students will complete 120 credits of taught modules (including at least 50 credits from core modules) and will undertake a 60 or 40 credit dissertation. Postgraduate Diploma students will take 120 credits of taught modules as per the Masters programme, but will not complete the dissertation. Those seeking a Postgraduate Certificate will take 60 credits from the taught modules. You can transfer from the Certificate to Diploma and from Diploma to the Masters based on appropriate performance.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information and Health Informatics | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Practical Epidemiology and Statistics | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methods | 20 | Semester 1 |
Students must pass the core module options and one of the two dissertation options (see below) in order to be awarded 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
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation (Master of Public Health/Health Research Methods) | 60 | Full Term |
| Research Proposal Dissertation Module | 40 | Full Term |
Choose at least 30 credits from the following optional modules:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Introduction to Leadership and Management for Health | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Global Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Health Improvement | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Health Protection (MPH) | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Healthcare Public Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
| Principles of Health Technology Assessment | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Sociology and Social Policy | 10 | Semester 2 |
Choose 40 credits (60 credits for those choosing the Research Proposal Dissertation option) from the following. Note that acceptance for some of these modules is dependent on the modules chosen from Option list 1. In addition, any module from list 1 not already taken can also be selected.
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Statistical Methods | 10 | Semester 2 |
| Clinical Trials | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Further Global Health | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Health System Policy, Planning and Programming in Global Health | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Qualitative Research Methods | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis | 20 | Semester 1 |
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.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 undergraduate Honours degree in a subject relevant to public health, including most biological sciences.
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.
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:
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.
Full-time
Part-time
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
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.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
We are creating a new generation of innovative professionals ready to be part of advancing modern cutting-edge healthcare. The course is suited to both practising and future public health professionals, leading to and furthering careers in planning and commissioning in health services and life sciences industries, where knowledge of population health and research methods is highly valued.
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.
Find out why we are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2024) by meeting some of our successful alumni.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
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.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.
