Public Health (Global Health) MPH / PGDip / PGCert

An exit qualification for those studying our Master of Public Health course, the Global Health pathway is aimed at professionals working in or aspiring to work in a healthcare setting. As well as learning the essentials of the subject, you’ll take two additional core modules that will contextualise the practice of public health in low- and middle-income countries.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

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.
• Gain insight into how the topics and theory of public health can be applied to low- and middle-income countries.
• 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.

The course is taught in one-week blocks to fit around your other commitments.

• As a full-time student, you’ll typically take three modules in each term, followed by a dissertation.
• Depending on the modules you take, you can typically expect six to nine hours of classroom time per week, two or three per module.
• If you are a part-time student, you’ll typically take three modules across each year, followed by a dissertation for Masters students.
• Each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.

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.

The following must be taken: 

Core modules

In addition, students must take one of the following two modules: 

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 Synthesis. 

Optional Modules

Option List 1. Students choose at least 20 credits worth of modules. In addition to the modules listed below, students may choose to take the additional choice from the compulsory list above. 

Option List 2. Students choose 20 credits worth of modules. Any module from list 1 not already taken can also be chosen. 

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 and Postgraduate certificate, 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.

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

Home 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 deducted from the fee balance when students join the course.

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.

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.