This is a Level 7 postgraduate degree designed to develop confident, skilled, and future-focused public health professionals. This programme blends academic excellence with hands-on learning, preparing you to tackle today’s most complex global and local health challenges.
- Mapped to UKPHR and PHE competency frameworks, supporting professional recognition
- Interdisciplinary curriculum covering epidemiology, health economics, AI in health, global health, and more
- Optional specialist modules to tailor your learning to your interests or career goals
- Research-led teaching delivered by experienced public health academics and practitioners from a diverse range of backgrounds
- Mapped to UKPHR and PHE competency frameworks, supporting professional recognition
- Interdisciplinary curriculum covering epidemiology, health economics, AI in health, global health, and more
- Optional specialist modules to tailor your learning to your interests or career goals
- Research-led teaching delivered by experienced public health academics and practitioners from a diverse range of backgrounds
- Real-world application, developing the skills to design, implement and evaluate effective public health interventions
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.
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 health promotion and physical well-being experts, and epidemiologists. Their diverse expertise ensures you gain a broad, practice-informed understanding of public health issues and current challenges.
Learning is anchored in real-world case studies, enabling you to apply theory directly to professional contexts. Public health specialists may also offer mentorship and support throughout the programme, and there may be opportunities to engage in research projects with the public health team.
Note that it does not provide readiness for the Faculty of Public Health examination (Part A).
The Master of Public Health programme has been mapped to the Public Health England Skills and Knowledge Framework, the Practitioner Competencies of the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) and the overarching nine key competency areas of the Functions of the Local Public Health System. On successful completion of the course, graduates are able to apply for registration with UKPHR training schemes.
Who you'll meet
You will meet a multi-professional team of lecturers that are experts in their field from Public Health, Health, Environmental Health and the medical field. The programme team have good employer links especially Derby City Council Public Health Department. An academic personal tutor will be allocated to each MPH student, from within the programme team, at the beginning of the programme.
Student feedback highlights our strengths:
The course is made up of three stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master of Public Health.
Stage 2 Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) (Interim Award) (120 Credits)
You will study modules such as:
On completion of the PG Cert, take the compulsory modules below:
Health Economics (20 credits)
Plus two from the Optional Modules:
• Global Health Issues (20 credits)
• Artificial Intelligence in Public Health (20 credits)
• Behavioural approaches in Public Health (20 credits)
• Communicable Diseases (20 credits)
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.
Our flexible, engaging approach includes:
- On-campus lectures supported by online activities
- Virtual and physical classrooms for seminars and discussions
- Interactive tools such as wikis, blogs, and discussion forums
- Podcasts, pre-recorded lectures, and scenario-based simulations
You’ll be encouraged to arrange public health experience or insight visits to deepen your practical understanding.
How you're assessed
Assessment mirrors the real outputs of public health practice, helping you build strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills. You may complete:
- Academic posters
- Case study analyses
- Funding bid presentations
- Global health intervention reports
- Health economic appraisals
- Policy briefs
- Epidemiological data analyses
Your independent scholarship project demonstrates your readiness for advanced professional practice or further study.
Industry Connections
Our partnerships with organisations across the sector give you access to:
- Work-relevant experience
- Insight into current public health challenges
- Exposure to innovation and best practice
We prepare you to thrive in competitive, fast-changing global health environments.
Career Prospects
An MPH opens doors across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Graduates progress into roles such as:
- Public health practitioner or specialist
- Policy or strategy officer
- Epidemiology or health intelligence analyst
- Health improvement lead
- Global health or NGO project officer
- Environmental or community health specialist
- Academic or research associate
- Consultant in public or population health
The degree also provides a strong foundation for doctoral-level study.
Admissions to this programme are consistent with those of a Regulatory Framework for Postgraduate Taught Programmes.
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.
• GCSE grade C/4 or above in English language or certificated equivalences, regardless of previous educational qualifications
• 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, with no less than 6, in all areas, subject to academic discretion
• If applicants are using a WAEC qualification as certified evidence this must be at a minimum of C6 for English language
• International students with a visa are required to study on campus
The final decision regarding admission will be with the MPH Programme Leader.
(August 2026 - July 2027)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,720 for the full course* | £1,080 per 20 credits |
| International | £17,500 for the full course | N/A |
Please note 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 after one year of study.
* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable
About postgraduate awards
Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
| Award | Credits |
|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate | 60 Credits |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 120 Credits |
| MA or MSc | 180 Credits |
This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.
Funding your studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies
Alumni discount for Derby graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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