Public Health (PGCert)

You'll typically need a 2:1 degree to apply for PGCert Public Health. We may consider a 2:2 degree if you can also evidence relevant professional experience or a strong commitment to public health.

We accept applicants with a variety of degrees. You must be able to show how your degree and interests relate to public health, and demonstrate your numerical competence.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

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

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

On our postgraduate certificate in public health programme, you'll study 2 core modules:

• Foundations in Public Health
• Professional Development

You'll also be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules to meet your learning and development needs.

You'll study modules in 2 blocks, which will run for 10 weeks each – from October to December and January to May.

Timetables vary across modules, and teaching takes place on a designated day of the week or in one-week blocks. This will enable you to easily fit your studies around other work and commitments.

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

Learning

You'll study for your postgraduate certificate in public health through a range of effective learning methods and approaches. We've designed these to ensure you achieve the knowledge and skills you need for your public health practice.

These methods and approaches include:

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

During this one-year course, you'll be studying alongside students working towards their master's degree or postgraduate diploma in public health.

We emphasise integrated learning on this course, and have embedded theory and practical application of concepts in our approach to teaching. 

We've also designed our modules to maximise interaction and learning, and take a bespoke approach to our teaching methods. Our assessment strategy and your inclusion in wider Population Health Sciences research support these approaches.

Assessment

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

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

In these assessments, you'll need to apply your knowledge, skills and understanding of public health to real-world situations. We have carefully designed each assessment to authentically test the concepts you'll learn in each module. 

We have also included formative assessments with individual feedback in each module, which will help you achieve your best in your final assessments.

You'll be assessed after teaching takes place in semesters 1 and 2, and you'll have 6 weeks of assessment preparation time. We have implemented comprehensive quality assurance processes for assessment marking and moderation, including external oversight.

Academic Support

We proudly offer bespoke academic support to every student, enabling you to maximise your potential. 

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor who will work with you one-to-one, and our core programme team will give you regular advice and support. 

You can also access central support at the University, such as the Academic Skills Hub, in formats such as:

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

A career in public health allows you to improve people's health and wellbeing at an individual, local or international level. Whatever stage you're at in your career, our postgraduate certificate in public health gives you the foundational knowledge and skills relevant to public health research and practice. 

Our curriculum reflects both theory and practical application of public health, meaning that your learning will be relevant to your current or future public health roles.

What can you do with a postgraduate certificate in public health?

With our emphasis on learning about public health both in the UK and internationally, PGCert Public Health will help you prepare for a career anywhere in the world. 

You could progress into roles in:

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

Our bespoke sessions with professionals from local, national and international organisations will teach you more about public health careers during your studies. Our in-house local public health consultant will also give you guidance and information on careers throughout the programme, and help you find work 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 £6,100.
• EU and international students pay £11,500.

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.

Funding your postgraduate studies

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.

Funding for EU and international students

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

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, 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