Entry year
2027/28
Master of Public Health
- Typical Annual Fee Scholarship & Discount eligibility may apply
- Modules
- Entry Requirements
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Mode of Study
28 months Part Time2 other options available
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Start Date
September 2027
Master of Public Health at Northumbria
Are you keen to improve public health and develop the knowledge required to reflect on current concerns and practice issues within this field?
This programme will offer you the opportunity to demonstrate a systematic understanding of fundamental public health concepts and to critically approach a broad range of public health theories, concepts and frameworks that are fundamental to public health policy and practice in national and international contexts.
Popular with both UK-based and international students, the Master of Public Health course has been specifically designed for those who wish to develop their career within public health, in addition to those looking to promote the health of the public as part of their current professional role.
Upon successful graduation you will possess in-depth research and enquiry skills, and a critical understanding of their application in a public health employment context.
The practical application of these academic skills will equip you with the knowledge and approaches necessary to implement a broad range of interventions to improve public health outcomes in different employment contexts. For example, dealing with pandemic flu epidemics, increasing accessibility to health care services, reducing obesity or malaria rates and community development to enable disadvantaged communities.
Over the last few years we have worked on many collaborative projects with local, national and international partners, who see the tangible benefits that our vibrant and cutting edge programme can offer them. MPH students have gone on to a range of careers, including senior Public Health roles, Early Years Health Integration and academic / policy research careers.
This course is delivered on a part-time basis, across a period of 28 months and begins in September.
Social Policy is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power (REF, 2021)
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Learning & Assessment
Learn independently and collaboratively through lectures, seminars, case studies, and enquiry-based exercises. Assessment includes written assignments, group presentations, and an in-depth dissertation under dedicated supervisor support.
Real world learning
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
Real world learning
During your time at Northumbria, there are lots of opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world settings. We call this experiential learning. Our Real-World Learning hub provides more information about how at Northumbria, learning goes beyond lectures.
- School of Communities and Education
- Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University, Newcastle
Module Information
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year One Core Modules
This module will offer you the opportunity to demonstrate a systematic understanding of fundamental public health concepts and to begin the process of critically evaluating them at a deeper level. You will learn how to critically analyse a broad range of public health theories, concepts and frameworks that are fundamental to public health policy and practice. You will also evaluate the complex interconnecting links between political, social, economic, biological, technological and environmental determinants of public health and explore underpinning discourses. The module will focus on the three key areas of public health – health protection, health improvement and health care services and in particular the following:
• Social dimensions of public health
• Health inequalities
• Assessing and analysing population health needs
• Social capital
• Health promotion
• Health beliefs
• Self efficacy
• Social marketing
• Community development
You will also be encouraged to reflect on your communication skills when working with peers from a variety of ethnic and cultural contexts as well as your developing self-awareness of new knowledge gained from both national and global public health contexts.
Through studying this module you will learn about the theories and models of leadership and management relevant to public health and / or healthcare management.
You will explore models of partnership working and the importance of working collaboratively to improve the health of the public. You will explore the application of leadership and management within contexts responsible for the provision of public health and / or healthcare management. You will gain an increased understanding of the importance of working in collaboration with partners to maximise resources and lead on health activities that aim to improve the health of the public and develop health services. You will critically evaluate a range of core concepts, theories and frameworks which are fundamental to understanding leadership and management theories and models of partnership working. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own skill base and identify developmental needs in becoming an effective leader who is responsive and adaptive to change. Your learning on this module will include some of the key tasks involved in leadership and management within public health and / or healthcare management.
Specific areas that you will study will include:-
• Leadership and management theories
• Performance management and resource allocation in public health and healthcare management services
• Collaborative leadership skills development.
• Effective partnership working
• Approaches to negotiation and influencing
• Using tools for service improvement
• Leading in different public health and / or healthcare management contexts.
In this module, you will learn what health improvement is and how to critically understand the role that health behaviours, practices, interventions and forms of health communication play in health improvement. You will explore the origins, content and organisation of health improvement practices in the UK and beyond (including cross-national comparisons and international policies and practices). The module will enable you to identify and critically reflect on the main theoretical principles underlying health improvement and critically apply these to improving health and in response to health inequalities and inequities. You will examine how various forms of intervention in health improvement (including community development, social marketing and critical health communication) can be (and have been) used to influence health and social change. You will learn how to effectively solve real-world problems and develop skills to enable you to plan, implement and evaluate appropriate health improvement interventions. You will also engage in peer-learning, drawing on the wide variety of practice experience possessed by our cohorts. Key topics you will study include:-
• Introduction to Health Improvement: Origins, Content and Organisation
• Theories of Behaviour Change and Health
• Health Communication: Theories, Approaches and Practice
• Cross-national Case-studies in Health Promotion: Developing Critical Understandings of Wellbeing
• Social Marketing and Health Improvement
• Health Improvement and Community Development (including Community Wealth Building, Asset based, Foundational Economy etc)
Health Informatics and ‘Learning Health Systems’
• Evaluation, Ethics and Public Participation in Health Improvement
• Health Improvement: Comparisons and Lessons
Year Two Core Modules
On this module you will appreciate the knowledge and skills needed to undertake research. You will learn about research philosophy, methodology and the different methods associated with a range of research traditions. You will explore the value of research evidence in informing public health and healthcare management practices and be able to apply the principles of research to critically appraise research quality. Specifically on this module you will learn about:
• Locating and organising literature
• Philosophical assumptions and foundations of enquiry
• Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methodological approaches
• Data collection, data analysis and interpretation
• Research governance and ethical issues
• Analysis and interpretation
By the end of the module you will be able to prepare a research proposal on a topic of interest to yourself and of value to public health / healthcare management.
This research rich module will enable you to bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills that you have accrued from other modules on your programme. Prior to the undertaking this module, you will have completed the appropriate level of study that prepares you for engagement with a Masters dissertation process. The module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project.
You will identify a topic with which you are familiar, and which you believe has scope for development or change that will be the focus of your independent study. You can chose one of two methods to structure your dissertation.
- Systematic Review :A structured analysis of evidence
- Empirical research: Based on primary data analysis or secondary sources
In the module, you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to the research process within your chosen method. This may include discussion of worldviews and research paradigms, research design, working with literature and theory, developing ethical codes, collecting robust research evidence, ensuring quality assurance within your research work, and writing and disseminating the research dissertation work.
There will be a series of research seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one to one supervision work. Both the seminars and supervision will enable you to critically examine how the research process will work best for your dissertation goals and design.
This is an essential module in public health that will aid your understanding of the ever changing health patterns of the population and threats to health through outbreaks and epidemics. The module will allow you the opportunity to explore the most up to date information and gathering techniques used in public health to inform policy response to contemporary local and global public health issues. Epidemiological theory is used to explore examples of public health at population levels. The module further aims to develop your abilities to conceptualise and critically appraise the relationships between public health issues and the political, economic, social, technical, legal and environmental dimensions that inform policy response. Specialist experts in epidemiology and public health contribute to this module and enhance both the research rich aspect and the grounded application which is essential to your learning experience.
The content of the module will cover topics such as:
Public health challenges for the 21st century.
Epidemiological investigations of public health.
Disease outbreaks, management and control
Information data identification and analysis.
Data sets at population levels to identify population health needs assessment for planning purposes and or commissioning of services. Identifying aspects of health inequalities at a local level
Exploring data such as deprivation indices.
You will develop your learning of public health along with a deepening appreciation of global health challenges and issues. There will be opportunities to explore with other group members awareness of various global health systems, health priorities and cultural issues.
Year Three Core Modules
This research rich module will enable you to bring together the knowledge, understanding and skills that you have accrued from other modules on your programme. Prior to the undertaking this module, you will have completed the appropriate level of study that prepares you for engagement with a Masters dissertation process. The module provides you with a vehicle for developing, refining and applying your research skills in an independent project.
You will identify a topic with which you are familiar, and which you believe has scope for development or change that will be the focus of your independent study. You can chose one of two methods to structure your dissertation.
- Systematic Review :A structured analysis of evidence
- Empirical research: Based on primary data analysis or secondary sources
In the module, you will revisit and deepen your understandings of a range of key topic areas linked to the research process within your chosen method. This may include discussion of worldviews and research paradigms, research design, working with literature and theory, developing ethical codes, collecting robust research evidence, ensuring quality assurance within your research work, and writing and disseminating the research dissertation work.
There will be a series of research seminars during the module and you will have access to a named supervisor for one to one supervision work. Both the seminars and supervision will enable you to critically examine how the research process will work best for your dissertation goals and design.
Entry Requirements 2027/28
Applicants should normally have:
A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree in a subject related to health or health sciences, or work experience at a senior level in public health/healthcare and evidence of a clear commitment to a career in public health. Other subject qualifications, equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
International qualifications:
If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English language requirements:
International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with 6 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2027/28 Entry
Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
There are no Additional Costs
Scholarships and Discounts
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Start your application
To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
WHY NORTHUMBRIA?
Research Excellence
Benefit from teaching by active public health practitioners - Northumbria is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Power in Healthcare and Related Fields (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
Global Career Pathways
Graduate with an internationally recognised qualification, opening pathways into public health policy, NGOs, government services, and academic research careers around the world.
Your Research, Your Focus
Tailor your dissertation to your own professional interests and public health priorities, producing research that is meaningful to you and valuable to the field.
Expert Practitioners
Learn alongside visiting public health directors, commissioners, and practitioners, gaining direct insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today.
Flexible Study Options
Choose from full-time or part-time study, with options designed to fit around your professional commitments, personal circumstances, and career ambitions.
This carousel contains 5 slides. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate.
-
Research Excellence
Benefit from teaching by active public health practitioners - Northumbria is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Power in Healthcare and Related Fields (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
-
Global Career Pathways
Graduate with an internationally recognised qualification, opening pathways into public health policy, NGOs, government services, and academic research careers around the world.
-
Your Research, Your Focus
Tailor your dissertation to your own professional interests and public health priorities, producing research that is meaningful to you and valuable to the field.
-
Expert Practitioners
Learn alongside visiting public health directors, commissioners, and practitioners, gaining direct insight into the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector today.
-
Flexible Study Options
Choose from full-time or part-time study, with options designed to fit around your professional commitments, personal circumstances, and career ambitions.
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Accreditations & Partnerships
This course is aligned to the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework and the Faculty of Public Health's six domains of public health practice, giving you a strong professional foundation. Close partnerships with local directors, commissioners, and public health practitioners ensure learning reflects the realities of working in the sector.
Career Prospects
The Master of Public Health is a nationally and internationally recognised qualification, providing an excellent foundation for varied careers or further study.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into careers such as public health commissioning, health policy, community health development, epidemiology, and academic research across public, voluntary, and private sector organisations.
With a qualification recognised by employers across the UK and internationally, you'll be well-placed to pursue a rewarding career in public health.
Graduates of this course can aspire to advance into careers such as public health commissioning, health policy, community health development, epidemiology, and academic research across public, voluntary, and private sector organisations.
With a qualification recognised by employers across the UK and internationally, you'll be well-placed to pursue a rewarding career in public health.
Student Projects
The dissertation is the centrepiece of the course - a self-directed research project where you investigate a public health issue that matters to you. Potential student projects could explore topics such as health inequalities, pandemic response, community development, and mental health policy.
You can choose to structure your dissertation as a systematic review of existing evidence or an empirical study using primary or secondary data. Meanwhile, you are supported by a dedicated supervisor, with access to group research seminars to help you refine your ideas and produce work of real value to the field.
You can choose to structure your dissertation as a systematic review of existing evidence or an empirical study using primary or secondary data. Meanwhile, you are supported by a dedicated supervisor, with access to group research seminars to help you refine your ideas and produce work of real value to the field.
Facilities
Access a comprehensive e-learning platform where module resources, lecture materials, digital reading lists, and assessment guidance are available at any time, supporting flexible, self-directed study.
For international students, Academic Language Skills programmes are available to strengthen academic writing and communication skills.
Specialist library resources support your research throughout, with dedicated support available for dissertation students. IT facilities and study spaces across campus provide everything you need for independent and collaborative work.
Virtual tours
Experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
For international students, Academic Language Skills programmes are available to strengthen academic writing and communication skills.
Specialist library resources support your research throughout, with dedicated support available for dissertation students. IT facilities and study spaces across campus provide everything you need for independent and collaborative work.
Virtual tours
Experience Northumbria University from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive virtual tours and interactive 360 images allow you to explore our vibrant campus and dynamic learning spaces, all from anywhere in the world.
Teaching Staff
Learn from academics with active practice backgrounds in public health, bringing topical research directly into teaching. Staff expertise spans epidemiology, health improvement, leadership, and global public health, with visiting practitioners from local and national organisations contributing to your learning.
Any Questions?
Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help. They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901.
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Page last reviewed: 28 October 2026
