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level: PG top_up: false international: true clearing: false full_time: true part_time: true start_month: September, February location: Waterside

Public Health MSc

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Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG MSc

  • Duration

    1 year Full-time
    2-5 years Part-time

  • Starting

    September, February

Updated 17/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 17/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

This course has been designed to provide you with an integrated, coherent and multidisciplinary approach to public health activity.

Our MSc Public Health places particular emphasis on advancing your critical awareness and problem solving skills in order to develop innovative, reflective and pro-active approaches to meeting challenging and complex health needs. Examples of our pro-active approach to teaching and learning include; the analysis of contemporary non-communicable health issues such as obesity, diabetes and mental health, as well as those linked with public protection such as infectious disease surveillance and control.

For more information about the public health course, please contact our MSc Public Health teaching team by email: publichealth@northampton.ac.uk

Highlights

  • Voluntary Placement module available on the masters in Public Health.
  • Flexible modules for part-time study.
  • Pro-active approach to teaching and learning.
Aerial view of University of Northampton, Waterside campus featuring multiple modern buildings, a river, and surrounding greenery and open fields. Car parks and residential areas are visible in the background.

Waterside campus has everything students needs from: Learning Hub featuring 24/7 library, Creative Hub, on-site shop, restaurant, cafes and food outlets, multi-faith chaplaincy, student village hall, Students' Union and more. With only a short walk over the bridge into the town centre.

Internal view of the Learning Hub, showing barriers towards elevators and in the background the student information desk. There is a large clock on the wall. A person is walking through the spacious lobby.

The Learning Hub and Student Information Desk would be a student's first point of call when needing support.

Two floors of the Learning Hub library, showing a spacious, modern interior with rows of bookshelves, a mezzanine level, and several students studying on couches and tables below.

Our library covers three floors of the Learning Hub, with IT rich learning environments, including silent and group study spaces, physical books. Don't forget there are plenty more resources available online!

University of Northampton Student Information Desk area with digital screens, staff computers, and a sign reading

The Student Information Desk is the first place a student should go if they need any help. Here the team can direct you to academic support, mental health support, financial support, IT support, and more.

Spacious modern building lobby, the Learning Hub, with high ceilings, circular ceiling panels, staircase, and staff and students working at yellow seating areas.

The Learning Hub is where every student will go for library support and classes, as well as food outlets and social events.

External view of the Learning Hub, with large windows and vertical pillars housing, adjacent to a green lawn with benches and an outdoor seating area with an umbrella.

The Learning Hub also has lots of outdoor space for meeting with friends or finding some silent time between classes.

External view of the Learning Hub at the University of Northampton. The building features large glass windows, metal panelling, and pavements.

The Learning Hub is the biggest building on campus, home to our Student Information Desk, 24/7 library, teaching spaces, cafes, and more.

External view of Senate building at the University of Northampton, which is a modern building with cream features and grey roads surrounding it.

The big and spacious modern Senate building has various types of learning spaces, teaching rooms, our Bloomberg suite, Morley Room lecture hall, and cafes.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will normally hold a recognised First- or Second-class Honours degree in a subject area that demonstrates applicability to public health practice including:

  • Dentistry, pharmacy, biology, medicine, public health, nursing, environmental health, biomedical health/science, podiatry, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, microbiology, biochemistry.
  • Homeopathic Medicine (including degrees in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) are acceptable.
  • Degrees in Zoology and most medical/health background undergraduate degrees are acceptable. This includes degrees such as BSc Profusion Technology and BSc Radiology.

Applications listing degrees not shown above may be referred to the course tutor to assess suitability for the programme. We will need to see:

  • Degree transcripts with exact modules studied.
  • Evidence of experience in public health (if applicable).
  • References for suitability.

  • All applicants for whom English is not their first language will need to demonstrate that they meet the minimum English language requirement of

    • IELTS 6.5 overall with a score no lower than 6.0 for writing and no remaining band/component below 5.5 (or equivalent).

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

  • Our MSc Public Health will be delivered by a range of teaching methods such as core lectures, group work, online activities, use of case studies and directed learning approaches, preparing you for a career in Public Health at both strategic and operational levels.

    Shared learning with other professionals will be a focus of this course and you will be encouraged to develop a critical, evaluative approach to the knowledge which underpins present-day public health practice.

    All modules of the course (except the Professional Project) incorporate 200 hours of learning, including taught sessions, self-directed independent study, and assignment preparation. Furthermore, (included in the 200 hours) are six study days, in which you are expected to attend lectures or work online on electronic activities via the online learning environment, NILE.

    The teaching team have created a flexible and challenging Public Health masters programme, which incorporates face-to-face teaching, workshops and tutorials, as well as three of the core modules having an extensive self-directed online component. Opportunities exist to undertake a volunteering post within a Public Health environment and to gain experience of working within a non-Governmental organisation whilst ‘giving back’ to the vulnerable in society. This reflects the University’s Changemaker ethos which strives to identify and respond to societal issues in a proactive, sustainable and ethical manner.

    Embedded within the Public Health course are sessions from the Changemaker Hub, which offer support and advice in cohort groups and on a one-to-one basis for CV writing, interview techniques and help with locating a volunteer placement. These skills are invaluable when it comes to applying for employment or PhD study.

  • What is a masters in public health?

    A masters in Public Health is a postgraduate level degree that equip students with the knowledge and skills required to protect and improve the health of the population through research, policy and practice.

    Why study MSc in Public Health?

    Public health plays a crucial role in the prevention of diseases and promotion of health, as well as empowering individuals and communities to manage chronic illnesses and disabilities. Public health engages people from across disciplines and backgrounds to uncover the root causes of health problems and develop long-lasting, innovative, cost-effective solutions that improve everyone’s quality of life.

    While medicine helps to treat people one-on-one when they are sick, in contrast, public health proactively prevents illnesses/injuries across large numbers of people through interventions. A career in public health will enable you to collaborate with others to develop and implement innovative solutions/interventions that will improve health and prolong lives of people both locally and around the world.

    How long does a masters in public health take?

    Our MSc in Public Health has a duration of 1 year full-time and 2-5 years part-time study.

    What can you do with a masters degree in public health

    Public Health is a broad field with a range of career opportunities in the following sectors: public policy, epidemiology, global health, public health education, lifestyle programmes, immunisation and screening programmes. Other career opportunities include public health analyst and public health programme manager.

    The course can also act as a platform for graduates to progress on to a postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) study in public health and to pursue a career in academia and research.

    Who do I contact for further information on the public health masters?

    For more information please contact the MSc Public Health teaching team by email: publichealth@northampton.ac.uk

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted for the masters degree in public health relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £8,500
  • UK – Part Time: £945 per 20 Credit Module
  • International – Full Time: £17,495

  • If you are starting a postgraduate Master’s course in 25/26, you may be able to apply for a Master’s loan from Student Finance England.

  • There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  • For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

    For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

  • Fees quoted for the masters degree in public health relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £8,250
    • UK – Part Time: £920 per 20 Credit Module
    • International – Full Time: £16,995

Staff

Puremeluan Major, Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Puremeluan Major
Lewis Waterfield, Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Lewis Waterfield
Placeholder image for Fiona Pendleton, Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Public Health MSc

Fiona Pendleton
Placeholder image for David Agom, Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Public Health MSc

David Agom
Victory Olorunnipa, Lecturer in Public Health

Lecturer in Public Health
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Victory Olorunnipa
Placeholder image for Ruvimbo Machaka, Lecturer in Public Health

Lecturer in Public Health
Public Health MSc

Ruvimbo Machaka
Tracy La Penna, Lecturer in Midwifery

Lecturer in Midwifery
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Tracy La Penna
Lisa Arai, Senior Lecturer in Public Health

Senior Lecturer in Public Health
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Lisa Arai
Yuba Raj Baral, Lecturer in Public Health

Lecturer in Public Health
Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Yuba Raj Baral

Careers and Employability

Public Health is a growing field of study, therefore there is an abundance of job opportunities to suit a variety of interests and skills. A Master’s degree will help your career advancement within a variety of organisations and professions such as health and social care, local authority, and voluntary organisations.

Our Public Health students develop excellent communication and analytical skills and have entered a diverse range of jobs, such as working as Vaccine Logistic Experts for UNICEF, Medical Consultants with the WHO, Governmental Public Health Researchers and Infection Control Practitioners.

Public Health is a broad field with a range of career opportunities in the following sectors: public policy, epidemiology, global health, public health education, lifestyle programmes, immunisation and screening programmes. Other career opportunities include public health analyst and public health programme manager.

Graduates can also enter further study and progress on to a postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) study in public health and to pursue a career in academia and research.

Facilities

The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

Learning Hub

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