Campus
Birmingham (Edgbaston)
Course overview
This course will provide you with the expertise to develop a global perspective on public health systems, outcomes and problems, encompassing both economic and social dimensions.
The course enables students to develop a global perspective on public health and recognise the very different public health issues that may be paramount in developing countries in relation to: maternal and child health; nutrition; infection; and health systems.
It looks at influences upon health outcomes and health services and particular public health problems as they relate to natural disasters, conflict; refugees, considering the economic and social dimensions of the problem, the influence of gender, religion and culture on health and the roles of various agencies and players in health.
Course delivery
The sessions will take the form of lectures, workshops, and informal discussion, as well as independent learning through the study of reference literature.
Students will learn from internal and external expert lecturers who have research and field experience, as well as the other international students in the course, whose wealth of experience will be explored during the course.
On completion, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a global perspective on public health.
- Critically analyse and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of public health issues that affect developing countries.
- Critically analyse major determinants of health and cultural, political and socioeconomic issues affecting public health in developing countries.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the public health consequences of war and/or natural disasters.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how public health problems in developing countries may be tackled.
Course dates
10th - 14th November 2025
Assessment
One written assignment of 2500 words applying Global Health to a topic
Credits
10 credits
Teaching staff
Academics involved in the delivery of this module
Dr Suzanne Bartington
Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health
Staff profile for Dr Suzanne Bartington, Clinical Associate Professor in Environmental Health in the Department of Applied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham.
Professor Justine Davies
Professor of Global Health Research
Staff profile for Justine Davies, Professor of Global Health, Department of Applied Health Sciences
Professor G. Neil Thomas
Professor of Epidemiology and Research Methods
Staff profile for Professor Neil Thomas, Professor of Epidemiology and Research Methods in the Department of Applied Health Sciences and Director of NIHR Research Support Service National Collaborative & Birmingham Hub.
Entry requirements
Degree level entry requirement.
For further information on fees or entry requirements, please contact the Programme Administrator at mph@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Fees and scholarships
Fees for 2025 entry
Microcredential (Home): £605
Microcredential (International): £1,630
Non-credit: £505.60
Application process
You can choose to study this course as either a microcredential or a non-credit CPD short course.
Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?
- Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
- Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
- Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
- Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
- Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
- Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.
Please note the deadline for submitting an application:
- Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
- Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.
Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.
Non-credit short course
The microcredential and the non-credit short course follow the same course structure, the difference between them both is with the non-credit short course you do not take the assessment at the end therefore you will not receive credits but will receive a certificate of completion, this certificate cannot be converted to credits.
Please note if you apply for the non-credit short course, you cannot swap to the microcredential version once registered.
Places on the non-credit short course are limited so please enquire before if spaces are available.