Masters in Public Health
An MSc in Public Health is designed to educate students on the many aspects of public health including methods of promoting healthy lifestyles, how it can be applied to professional practice, and the broad insights it offers to health service organisations. Public health degrees are aimed at those students with a passion for public health, who have prior knowledge to the subject area, or wish to work in a leadership role within the industry.
Studying Public Health
Types of Public Health Degrees
A postgraduate degree in public health is most commonly awarded as a master of science (MSc). The degree is usually available to study part time as well as full time and can take one to two years to complete. Specialist areas that are frequently studied alongside public health include wellbeing, nutrition and professional healthcare.
Topics Covered during a Public Health Degree
During the course of a Masters in Public Health, students will be required to take a range of core modules, and in some cases will also be able to choose optional modules depending on the university chosen.
Core modules are likely to include:
- Epidemiology
- Statistics for public health
- Health economics
- Social research
Students are also normally required to write a dissertation as part of the course and this is counted as a core module.
Optional modules are designed to give students the chance to specialise in their preferred field of public health. Some examples of optional module topics are:
- Health promotion
- Sociology of health & illness
- Emergency management
- Health psychology
- Disease control
- Public health informatics
- Managing health services
Students will be assessed in a range of ways including written essays, portfolio work, practical examinations, presentations, and completion of a dissertation.
Entry Requirements
Depending on the university you are applying to, you will encounter different entry requirements. Most universities will expect students to have gained at least a 2:1 honours bachelor’s degree in Public Health or a related science subject. Some postgraduate degrees in Public Health may require students to attend an entrance interview. To help you understand postgraduate interviews we have put together an article for the top 10 questions that are likely to pop up and the best ways that you can answer them: Top 10 Postgraduate Interview Questions.
A few universities will allow applicants to apply without holding a bachelor’s degree in this subject area, but you are advised to contact the university you are applying to for a full breakdown of their specific entry requirements.
Career Prospects
Upon completion of a Masters in Public Health, students will be able to undertake roles in a various range of industries including the health care services, local authorities, government agencies and the voluntary sector. The majority of public health graduates gain roles within public health with some popular job roles including:
- Public health specialist
- Lecturer in public health
- Public health adviser
- Health data analyst
- Health promotion campaign manager
- Epidemiologist
