Public Health (MPH)

To apply for MPH Public Health, you'll typically need a 2:1 degree in a health-related subject. We may consider a 2:2 degree if you can also demonstrate relevant professional experience or a strong commitment to public health. Please contact the Course Lead, Professor Emma Plugge if you would like to discuss further.

You'll also need to be able to demonstrate your competence in either statistics, epidemiology or research methods. You can demonstrate this through your previous studies at undergraduate level or subsequent work.

Your personal statement should explain how studying a related subject has led you to pursue further study in public health.

Our master's in public health is also available as an intercalated degree for undergraduate medical students, who have completed at least 3 years of their programme.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Your studies will run for one year, from September through to the following September.

This information refers to the full-time MPH Public Health course. Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

Semester 1 overview

In semester 1, you'll study 5 compulsory modules:

• Basic Epidemiology
• Foundations in Public Health
• Foundations of Qualitative Research for Health
• Foundational Statistical methods
• Professional Development

You'll also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules.

At the end of semester 1, you'll decide whether to follow the practice or research pathway. You'll have plenty of support to ensure you make the right decision for your future career.

As well as the taught modules, you'll have the opportunity to engage in a focused package of activities aimed at developing your learning and preparing you for your future career, at whatever level. This includes:

• professional one-to-one mentoring
• seminar series
• internships and work experience

Semester 2 overview

In semester 2, you'll study 2 compulsory modules:

• Improving Population Health: Theory to Action
• Professional Development

You'll also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules.

From May, you will work on your dissertation. You can find out more about the dissertation in the learning and assessment section of this page.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

On our master's in public health, we take a variety of approaches to accommodate all learning styles. We'll teach you through a combination of:

• small group-facilitated learning
• interactive and practical sessions
• seminars and tutorials
• lectures

We have an emphasis on integrated learning, with theory and practical application of concepts embedded in our approach to teaching. Modules take a bespoke approach to their teaching methods, and are designed to maximise interaction and learning. These approaches are supported by our assessment strategy, as well as your integration with the wider research work in Population Health Sciences.

Teaching takes place in 10-week blocks for semesters 1 and 2, followed by a 6-week period for you to work on your assessments.

Assessment

Your assessments differ by module, but are all carefully designed to test the concepts you'll learn in the module in an authentic way. This means that these assessments require you to apply your knowledge, skills and understanding to real-world situations or problems.

We use a variety of assessment methods across the programme, including:

• written assignments, such as a research proposal or a health needs assessment
• group work
• oral presentations
• online tests

We have built formative assessments with individual feedback into each module. These assessments will develop your learning and act as a stepping stone to help you achieve your best in your final assessments.

Assessments take place after teaching in semesters 1 and 2, and you'll have 6 weeks to prepare your assessments. We have put robust quality assurance processes in place for the marking and moderation of assessments, including external oversight.

Dissertation

The dissertation module towards the end of your programme is a great opportunity to put everything you have learned into practice, by doing your own research. 

You'll work with one-to-one support from an expert supervisor. Your supervisor might be based at the University, or in the NHS, local authority public health or another organisation, such as the voluntary sector or the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Your research project will be one of the following types:

• systematic, scoping, policy or other review
• professional project, such as a needs assessment, service evaluation or audit
• qualitative or quantitative data analysis

Our dissertation projects cover a wide range of local, national and global public health topics. We are very flexible, and happy to work with you to make sure you are working on an area of public health research you are passionate about.

Academic Support

We are proud to offer a high level of bespoke academic support, and enable every student to maximise their potential. 

You'll have a personal academic tutor who will work with you one-to-one, as well as regular advice and support from the core programme team. 

You can also access central University support, such as the Academic Skills Hub, in a variety of formats, including:

• in-person appointments
• online appointments
• webchats
• drop-in sessions
• study cafés

A career in public health will give you the opportunity to improve people's health and wellbeing on an individual, local, national and international level.

Our master's in public health will provide you with essential knowledge and skills, whatever stage of your career you're at. By studying a curriculum that reflects both the theory and the real-world application of public health, you'll develop competencies in:

• data and surveillance
• policy and strategy
• evidence-based practice
• leadership and collaborative working

You’ll also develop highly sought-after transferable skills including:

• research skills
• data and evidence skills
• critical thinking
• communication
• problem solving
• team working
• self-management

What can you do with a master's in public health?

With a focus on public health both in the UK and internationally, MPH Public Health will prepare you for a career in any part of the world, and for roles in:

• epidemiology
• health protection  
• international public health
• local authority public health teams
• public health intelligence
• the NHS
• research and academia
• the voluntary and community sector

You'll be able to find out about public health careers through bespoke sessions with professionals from local, national and international organisations. 

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete projects with local public health teams, giving you skills and experience directly relevant to finding a job in the sector.

Our MPH team includes a public health consultant who works in a local team, and will provide information and guidance on careers throughout the programme, while helping you identify job opportunities.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £10,900.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Medicine.

Find out more about the Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

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Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript
• a degree certificate
• evidence of professional qualifications

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000