Master of Public Health

If you’re a public health worker, such as a community nurse, environmental health practitioner, health promotion officer, community health worker, or if you have a medical or health background, this course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a public health practitioner who can lead, develop, and evaluate public health projects in a multi-disciplinary environment.

This course is ideal if you’re working in public health and wish to improve your skills, and broaden your knowledge in ways that provide you with more autonomy and expertise in public health practice.

Global perspectives

The course is structured to allow knowledge transfer between home and overseas students, enabling you to benefit from best practice from all over the world. You’ll study the underlying causes, mechanisms and potential public health intervention strategies aimed at reducing health inequalities.

Elements of the course have a global perspective, so you’ll get to study global, environmental and public health issues to gain an international perspective. If you’re an international student you’ll be able to study topics that are directly relevant to your native country, as well as looking at UK specific issues.

Experienced teaching team

Our teaching team are friendly, approachable, and include public health specialists, environmental health practitioners, biomedical scientists, and psychologists. They will provide you with a broad perspective on public health issues that is firmly based in practice through case studies.

Public health specialists may mentor and support you throughout the course and research opportunities with the public health team may be available.

Find out more about the course

Our academic for the online Master of Public Health course, Dono Widiatmoko talks about the course.

This is a practical course with a focus on case studies, scenarios and practice in the community run in partnership with the public health team at Derby City Council.

You will have the opportunity to learn using our state of the art facilities including our Interactive Immersive Simulation Suite that creates a real life environment for students allowing the application of theory to practice in a safe space forging critical discussion as a way to move forward.

Note that it does not provide readiness for the Faculty of Public Health examination (Part A).

We will advise you of your study plan - the running order and availability of the modules - when you are invited to enrol.

All online students will complete a compulsory induction programme that includes study skills, a history of public health and the functionality of the National Health Service. The induction will also cover the Programme Handbook contents and their meaning; an introduction to the systems used on the course and within the University; information about the compulsory elements of the course and turnaround times for assignments; and a session for the introduction of and between students and staff and for peer experience and discussion.

To complete this degree you will need to study a total of 60 credits at each award stage, totalling 180 credits to achieve the full MSc.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Pace of study

The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms, known as trimesters. We recommend about 20 hours of study per week to complete one 20-credit module over a 10-week trimester.

If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend 40 hours of study per week.

Should you decide to study on the accelerated rate you should ensure that you have the capacity to fully engage with your studies and achieve the best grades and final award. If you choose to study on the accelerated rate, you will need to balance approximately 40 hours of study per week alongside your professional and personal life and commitments.

It may be useful to consider studying one module at the standard rate of study before deciding whether to then increase to the accelerated rate of study.

Assessment method

This course is assessed through 100% coursework with a range of methods, such as essays, research reports, presentations, group work and practical reports.

Student support and guidance

Whilst we encourage our students to become independent, life-long learners, we also recognise that offering the right support and guidance will help you to achieve your goals. There is a wealth of support available to you at the University, from your dedicated Personal Tutor and Online Learner Advisor, through to our:

• Library
• Health and Wellbeing Centre
• Careers and Employability Service
• IT Support
• Union of Students

All these services, and more, are available to you as an online student at the University of Derby.

Applicants should normally have:

Either a minimum of a lower second class Honours degree (2:2) or above in a public health-related science from a UK university, the CNAA or an overseas equivalent with National Agency for the Recognition and Comparison of International Qualifications and Skills (NARIC) approval.

Or qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent to the above. All students applying via this route will be assessed and where necessary interviewed by the Programme Leader. Additionally, International students will be expected to demonstrate their proficiency in English and would normally be expected to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above in all areas, subject to academic discretion

Find out more about our English language requirements

^‡2023/24 for new entrants

Starting between September 2023 and August 2024.

About your fees

This figure would be the total cost of this course in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.

However, please also note that you can receive a 5% discount if you either:

• Pay your full course fees upfront, or
• When enrolling in September, pay for all of your modules to be studied in that academic year upfront

Flexible payment plans available

Choose from three payment plan options:

• Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying

• Pay your full course fees upfront, receive 5% discount and avoid annual increases

• Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)

Masters funding options

Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for a postgraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to help with living costs and tuition fees whilst studying your masters programme.

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out more about the Alumni discount

Students should apply directly to the University.

Apply now

For support with completing your application, view our guide to the application process.

Documents to support your application

In order for your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:

• Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
• Current CV
• Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*

*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:

• Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
• The date of the translation
• The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
• The translator’s contact details

A list of approved translators can be found on the UK Government website.

Please note: failure to submit any documentation when requested, may result in your application being withdrawn.

Application deadlines

All of our online courses have set start dates throughout the year. We require time to review your application and get back to you with a response before your course starts. Take a look at information regarding applying for an online course to see full details of deadlines and term dates.

The online Masters of Public Health programme allows progression in terms of further qualifications and employment. The Masters is a good basis for further study in the form of a PhD or Professional Doctorate. It will also improve the employment prospects of students by providing an informed insight into current multi–disciplinary practises employed in the evolving public health arena. From a wider perspective the programme provides a suitable qualification for those working in allied areas.

Contact us

Contact the University of Derby Online Learning:

Other courses you might like

• Environmental Health MSc
• Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care Postgraduate Certificate
• Master of Public Health