Public Health (PGDip)

Typically, you'll need a 2:1 degree to apply for our postgraduate diploma in public health. We may consider a 2:2 degree if you can evidence relevant professional experience or a strong commitment to public health.

Our successful applicants have a wide range of degrees – when applying for PGDip Public Health, you need to show how your degree and interests connect to public health. You must also demonstrate your numerical competence.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

Our public health diploma programme is open as an intercalated degree to undergraduate medical students who have completed at least 3 years of their 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 diploma in public health, you'll take 6 core modules:

• Foundations in Public Health
• Professional Development
• Basic Epidemiology
• Foundations of Qualitative Research for Health
• Foundational Statistical Methods
• Improving Population Health: Theory to Action

We also have a variety of optional modules you can choose from, so you can meet your personal learning and development needs.

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

Timetables will vary depending on the modules, and teaching takes place on a designated day of the week or in one-week blocks. This means you'll be able to fit your studies easily around your work and any other commitments.

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

Learning

On our diploma in public health, you'll learn through a variety of effective learning methods and approaches. We've designed these to ensure you gain the required knowledge and skills for successful public health practice.

These methods and approaches include:

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

You’ll be working towards your public health diploma alongside peers studying for their master's degree or postgraduate certificate.

We've designed this course with a focus on integrated learning, and our approach to teaching considers both theory and practical application of concepts.

We also take a bespoke approach to our teaching methods, and have built our modules to maximise learning and interaction. Our assessment strategy supports these approaches, along with your involvement in wider Population Health Sciences research.

Assessment

We use a wide range of assessment methods throughout the programme, such as:

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

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

Each module also include formative assessments with individual feedback – this will help you achieve your best when you take your final assessments.

We'll assess you after teaching takes place in semesters 1 and 2, and you'll have 6 weeks to prepare for assessments. We have comprehensive quality assurance processes in place for assessment marking and moderation, including external oversight.

Academic Support

We are proud of the bespoke academic support we offer, so every student can maximise their potential. 

A personal academic tutor will work with you one-to-one during your time on the course. You'll also receive regular advice and support from our core programme team. 

You'll also be able to get support through central University services such as the Academic Skills Hub. You can access this support in a range of formats, including:

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

A public health career enables you to improve people's health and wellbeing on an individual, local or international level. Whatever stage your career is at, our postgraduate diploma gives you the essential knowledge and skills to excel in public health research and practice. 

Our diploma in public health syllabus reflects both theory and practical application of concepts, so your learning will be relevant to current or future public health roles.

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

Because we emphasise learning about public health not just in the UK but internationally, PGDip Public Health will help you prepare for a career anywhere in the world. 

You could progress into roles in:

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

The course includes bespoke sessions with professionals from organisations ranging in size from local to international, including teaching about careers in public health. We also have an in-house local public health consultant who will offer careers guidance and information, and help you find work opportunities during your studies.

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 £8,500.
• EU and international students pay £23,000.

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