Public Health (MSc)
Duration: 12 months (full-time); 27 months (part-time)*|Hope Park|Start month: September 2026 and January 2027
International students can apply
About the Course
Applications are now open for the September 2026 intake
Public health is a critical concern across the globe, requiring skilled professionals equipped to address complex challenges. This master’s programme is designed to provide students with in-depth subject knowledge and advanced research tools to analyse key public health issues and contribute effectively to improving health and wellbeing at local, national, and international levels.
Jointly delivered by the Faculty of Human and Digital Sciences and the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, this programme benefits from the expertise of two leading academic disciplines. It complements an established portfolio of undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programmes, fostering a vibrant academic community dedicated to public health and social care. Through this multidisciplinary approach, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of public health dynamics and develop the skills to drive meaningful change in diverse contexts.
Graduates of this course will gain a profound understanding of the essential pillars of modern public health—prevention, promotion, and protection—while exploring key issues at local, national, and international levels. They will acquire advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills to investigate public health challenges and will engage critically with contemporary models of leadership, delivery, and management in public health. Moreover, students will develop the capacity to design, execute, and assess high-quality public health interventions, ensuring their readiness to lead transformative initiatives that promote health equity and improve community well-being worldwide.
Curriculum Overview
This postgraduate course is designed to equip students with the expertise needed to tackle the multifaceted challenges of contemporary public health. Through an integrated approach, students will focus on reducing health inequalities by identifying and addressing barriers to good public health and social care.
They will develop the skills to design and implement innovative interventions that overcome these barriers, supported by a strong foundation in analysing data on emerging public health threats and proposing effective solutions. Throughout the program, students will critically evaluate the implications of these actions for research, policy development, and professional practice in the field.
Modules
Tackling Inequalities in Health (15 Credits)
This module will critically explore how preventative measures can tackle inequalities in health outcomes, experiences and access to services both for targeted groups and the wider population. It will consider how individuals and organisations can work effectively with various stakeholders to address the social determinants of health at a policy and practical level.
Global Public Health (15 Credits)
This module explores the principles, challenges, and practices of global public health in an interconnected world. Students will examine the social, political, economic, and environmental determinants of health across diverse populations, considering how issues such as globalisation, migration and climate change impact on health at the global level. Students will explore the structures and roles of international organisations, national governments, and non- governmental actors in shaping health policy and delivering interventions.
Researching Public Health (30 Credits)
This module provides students with an understanding of research methodologies essential for investigating and understanding public health. Students will develop expert skills in literature searching to identify evidence within public health and comprehensive critical evaluation skills in qualitative and quantitative research.
Public Health Approaches to Physical Activity and Nutrition (15 Credits)
This module addresses global health and the applied aspects of public health nutrition and physical activity explored through the lenses of protection, prevention and promotion. Food and nutritional science will be studied from a Public Health viewpoint and will focus on global, national and regional perspectives.
Promoting Public Health (15 Credits)
In this module, students will critically engage with a broad range of Health Promotion interventions and approaches aimed at tackling both communicable and non-communicable disease. The module explores the evolution of health promotion, from early behavioural approaches to contemporary models that emphasise empowerment, participation, and the wider social determinants of health.
Public Health Practice (15 Credits))
Public Health Practitioners are key members of the public health workforce who work to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups, communities, and populations. They work across various settings, such as the public, private, and voluntary sectors, and contribute to areas such as health improvement, health protection, and healthcare.
Protecting Public Health (15 Credits))
This module provides a comprehensive and critical overview of health protection and surveillance within the field of public health, exploring the systems, strategies, and science used to safeguard populations from health threats. This module will equip students with the knowledge and analytical frameworks needed to understand, assess, and respond to a range of public health hazards, from infectious diseases to environmental exposures and chronic conditions.
Dissertation in Public Health (60 Credits))
This final module leads to the completion of a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words. In this module students use the knowledge and understanding gained through their study to undertake research into a relevant area. Using appropriately selected research methodologies or theoretical approaches (which students will have introduced to in the Research Methods module) they will conduct research to further extend their understanding of Public Health and the process of researching Public Health and related disciplines.
Entry Requirements
Normally a minimum of a Second-Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline awarded by a UK university, or an equivalent higher education qualification is required.
International Entry Requirements
Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to a second class honours degree from a UK University.
For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.
For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages.
*Part time study is not available for Non-EU International applicants
Teaching and Research
All our programmes are taught by tutors who actively research in the field. Across the university, there is a multidisciplinary team that focuses on health- based research. The areas of expertise include public health, health inequalities and health promotion and many of the team have a professional background in working in health and social care settings. The teaching and research are focused on making a positive difference in shaping the health of local and global communities.
UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees
2026/27
Tuition fees for Home students are £10,000
Funding
We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.
EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees
2026/27
Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students are £17,500
Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees.
Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.
Careers
The programme provides a strong background in all aspects of Public Health, equipping graduates for work in a range of Public Health related roles in Local Authorities, The NHS and the voluntary and private sectors.
The programme will give you the knowledge and tools required for the effective design, implementation and leadership of Public Health interventions. The opportunity to work with key stakeholders allows the students to apply their knowledge of public health into applied and academic settings.
Graduates will also be well placed to go on to a doctorate (either PhD or a Professional Doctorate such as the Health and Social Care Doctorate) at Liverpool Hope or another academic institution.