Public HealthMPH / PGDip / PGCert
- Ranking1stchoice for graduate employers
- Delivery formatIn person
- Duration1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, up to 5 years flexible
- AwardMaster of Public Health / Postgraduate Diploma / Postgraduate Certificate
- Entry requirements2:1 Honours degree in a subject relevant to public health, including most biological sciences.
- Fees£10,900 (full-time) / £5,450 (part-time)
Page contents
Course overview
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.
Course Structure
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.
Course highlights
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.
Well-established programme that has been training public health specialists, practitioners and researchers for over 25 years.
- 68th
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.
Course delivery
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:
- 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.
Module information
Masters students will complete seven core modules, totalling 120 credits and will undertake a 60 credit dissertation. Postgraduate Diploma students will take the 120 credits from the taught core 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 for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The 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:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LM 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 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
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Dissertation (Master of Public Health/Health Research Methods) | 60 | Full Term |
LM Research Proposal Dissertation Module | 40 | Full Term |
OPTIONAL MODULES
Choose 30 (or 50 for students choosing the Research proposal Dissertation) credits from the following modules:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Health Economics | 10 | Semester 1 |
Introduction to Leadership and Management for Health | 10 | Semester 2 |
LM Global Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
LM Health Improvement | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Health Protection (MPH) | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Healthcare Public Health | 10 | Semester 1 |
Principles of Health Technology Assessment | 10 | Semester 2 |
Sociology and Social Policy | 10 | Semester 2 |
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.
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Advanced Statistical Methods | 10 | Semester 2 |
Clinical Trials | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM Further Global Health | 20 | Semester 2 |
LM 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 institute of Applied Health Research, subject to availability, timetable constraints and approval of the module and programme leader.
Entry requirements
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.
- 2:1 Honours degree
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.
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
Fees and scholarships
- £10,900
Full-time
- £5,450
Part-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying courses over two or more years, 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.
Application process
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.
- 31 August 2025
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.
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.
Career opportunities
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.
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.
Student experience
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.
Accommodation
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.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham has developed into 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.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our diverse 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.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Take a virtual tour
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.