Public Health MPH



This course is experiential, and the learning is contextual and authentic: principles taught can be applied to your public health practice.

Overview

This programme aims to develop your interest in, and knowledge and understanding of, Public Health Theory and Practice in a Global context. By global health we mean health issues impacting across the world including locally, regionally and nationally in Scotland and the UK. 

The programme is relevant to UK and international students aiming to develop careers within public health as well as for those wishing to promote the health of the public as part of their current professional role. The programme takes a practical and applied approach and will equip you with the relevant transferable academic skills, professional/practical skills and knowledge to practice in a manner that achieves the purpose of public health i.e., dealing with pandemics, epidemics, reducing health inequalities and prolonging life through the implementation of a broad range of interventions to improve public health outcomes. 

Many words related to public health on a colourful background.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

 

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

Jan

Course details

The programme has been designed to be relevant to UK and international students aiming to develop careers within public health as well as for those wishing to promote the health of the public as part of their current professional role.

Subjects include:

JANUARY START

Tri 2: Epidemiology for Public Health (20 credits)

Research Methods (20 credits)

Epidemiology for Public Health (20 Credits)

 

Tri3: Leadership & Collaborative Working in Public Health (20 Credits)

Globalisation & Public Health (20 Credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

 

Tri1: Statistics for Public Health (20 credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

 

SEPTEMBER START

Tri1: Statistics for Public Health (20 credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

 

Tri2: Epidemiology for Public Health (20 credits)

Research Methods (20 credits)

Epidemiology for Public Health (20 Credits)

 

Tri3: Leadership & Collaborative Working in Public Health (20 Credits)

Globalisation & Public Health (20 Credits)

Dissertation (60 Credits)

 

The programme is also offered as a fully online/distance learning programme as part of our Global Online suite of programmes.

Lead academics:

Dr Isabel Nyangu is Programme Lead for the MPH. Isabel is a senior fellow of the higher education academy. She has years of expertise as a public health researcher, leading and providing technical assistance on programme monitoring and evaluation, baseline assessments, and disease surveillance and screening for infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, COVID-19, and Sexually transmitted infections) and health interventions (on digital solutions, sexual and reproductive health and rights, sexual and gender-based violence, health nutrition, and substance abuse) among various population groups including adolescents, young people, vulnerable adults, key populations, and the elderly. 

Dr Martin Sharp is Deputy Programme Lead for the MPH and Research Degrees Lead for the School of Health and Social Care. Martin is an experienced academic, lecturing in endocrinology, public health and epidemiology. His research interests centre around the endocrine reactivity to social defeat, female reproductive health (precocious puberty/contraception//menopause), and most aspects of social epidemiology. Martin has published extensively in peer reviewed journals, is reviewer for high impact endocrine journals, external examiner, and grant reviewer.

Dr Yvonne Greig has been a midwife for over 30 years. She is passionate about maternal, fetal and public health issues and has a particular interest in developing professional practice and optimising maternal health for those who live with obesity. Yvonne has delivered education to communities in Kenya, East Africa as part of the World Millennium Goal project to improve maternal health and in turn population health where both maternal and infant mortality are high. Yvonne has also been advisor to the British University of Egypt and has supported colleagues in Athens to develop a midwifery BSc programme. She joined Edinburgh Napier in January 2021 having previously combined academic and clinical work. She looks forward to supporting you during your MPH programme.

Dr Andrew Maine is a lecturer and researcher. He is also responsible for mentoring and supporting early career researchers within School of Health and Social Care. Dr Maine lecturers on the Bachelor of Learning Disability Nursing programme at Edinburgh Napier University. His areas of research/teaching expertise include critical perspectives of learning disability nursing, systematic reviews, and quantitative methodological approaches.   

Dr Mary Abboah-Offei is a lecturer, researcher, and a nurse by profession. Mary’s teaching and research interests are in global health, quality improvement in health and social care, health and wellbeing across the lifespan, palliative care and developing and evaluating complex interventions using the Medical Research Councils’ framework, with a particular interest in person-centred interventions. Mary also has expertise in systematic, intervention and policy reviews, with special interest in policy issues relating to early childhood development in the context of the Nurturing Care Framework. Mary has published in peer reviewed Journals in the areas of expertise mentioned and has been a reviewer for a number of journals including reviewing a grant application for NIHR. 

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    How you’ll be taught

     The programme adopts an authentic approach with emphasis on meeting real-world challenges such as, health improvement initiatives and complex interventions, multi/interdisciplinary working with a strong focus on implementation and evaluation for health improvement. This aims to support future practice that is underpinned by a sound understanding of relevant theory and evidence-based knowledge
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    Assessments

    Formative and summative assessments are used to evaluate your learning against the module learning outcomes. Formative feedback is provided to guide you on how you are progressing and to give constructive guidance to inform development for your final summative assignment.

    Summative assignments take the form of authentic assessments and include editorials, literature review protocols, posters and presentations and briefing documents

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Dissertation Module MPH Taught/Blended ( HSC11165 )

The master’s dissertation is a cumulation of your learning and knowledge gained from undertaking the modules during your master’s journey to independently carry out a piece of research, either through conducting a literature review, analysis of secondary datasets, or writing of a substantial research proposal (that can be taken forward for doctoral study) on a topic aligned to public health and your research interests.The module content will be accessed via the Skills resources tab online via the virtual learning environment. It covers topics on how to; choose your research topic and develop an original research question, select an appropriate and feasible research design to answer your research question, develop a literature search strategy, conduct a critical appraisal of literature using standardised tools, navigate ethical and research governance issues, conduct methods of data collection/extraction, analyse and synthesise data, and write up your project.

Further information

Epidemiology for Public Health (Taught) ( HSC11180 )

This module introduces the fundamental principles and applications of epidemiology as the core science of public health. You will develop a critical understanding of measures of health and disease, study designs, and approaches to describing and analysing patterns of health in populations. The module emphasises how epidemiological evidence is generated, interpreted, and applied to public health challenges. Through exploring case examples, you will consider how epidemiology contributes to understanding risk factors, health inequalities, and the evaluation of interventions, providing a foundation for more advanced study and practice in public health.

Further information

Globalization and Public Health (Taught) ( HSC11181 )

This module introduces you to key contemporary challenges in global public health, drawing on priorities identified by the World Health Organisation and other international bodies. It aims to foster a critical understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental determinants that shape health outcomes worldwide. You will develop in-depth knowledge of pressing global health issues, while also examining how these challenges manifest at regional, national and local levels, including within Scotland and the wider UK. Through this lens, the module highlights the interconnectedness of health across borders and equips you with the analytical skills to evaluate global health problems and responses in diverse contexts.

Further information

Leadership and Collaborative Working in Public Health MPH Taught/Blended ( HSC11167 )

This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding in relation to the theories and models of leadership and management relevant to public health. You will explore theories of leadership, collaboration and partnership and their implications for health improvement in public health settings. Different public health contexts including community development, health promotion projects, health services and emergency planning will be explored. You will reflect on learning needs in relation to skills for collaborative leadership for service improvement. You will also critically consider other models for planning, implementing, leading and evaluating public health projects in a range of contexts.

Further information

Principles and Theory of Public Health for Health Improvement MPH Taught/Blended ( HSC11169 )

This module aims to enhance your knowledge and understanding in relation to the key principles and theories underpinning public health and how these apply to public health practice for health improvement. This will include an overview of the history of public health and the current theoretical frameworks. The principles of health needs assessment will be examined. The importance of public health policies as well as factors influencing the formulation of public health policies will be explored. Additionally, you will critically explore the impact of social determinants of health and wellbeing and reflect upon the extent to which public health practice is evidence based.

Further information

Research Methods MPH Taught/Blended Programme ( HSC11171 )

The module aims to enable you to critically appreciate the value of empirical literature, research design and data interpretation, relating to public health. The module will provide further knowledge on the critical appraisal of evidence from published literature, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, structured literature reviewing, ethics, data collection and analysis. The intention is for you to be able to discriminate between different research methodologies suitable to answer specific pertinent public health questions.

Further information

Statistics for Public Health Taught MPH ( HSC11182 )

This module brings together the foundational concepts and methods in statistics crucial for evidence-based public health practice. This module will equip you with the quantitative skills necessary to navigate and contribute to this data-rich field. You will explore various types of public health data, learn how to effectively summarise them, and understand the fundamental principles of their presentation in public health. The module will delve into the core of descriptive and inferential statistics and will enable you to gain experience in interpreting results and communicating findings clearly and accurately. Upon completion, you will be able to critically appraise statistical information in public health literature, identify and quantify disparities in health outcomes across different populations, and provide evidence needed to develop targeted interventions and contribute to data-driven decision-making processes to improve population health.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Public Health?

To apply you will need a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in a Health or Health Sciences related subject. 

Other qualifications/experience which demonstrate through our recognition of prior learning process that you have appropriate knowledge and skills may be considered on an individual basis.

Can I get admission into Public Health based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 with no individual component score of less than 6.5.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2025/26 2026/27
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,650 £8,030
Overseas and EU £21,430 £22,285
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online degrees. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

close-up of a patient's arm as a nurse takes their blood pressure

What can you do with a public health degree?

By studying public health at Edinburgh Napier University, you will gain the skills and practical knowledge to work in public health at local, national and global level. The course will prepare you for a range of public health roles as well as doctoral level study. A Master of public health offers you the opportunity to progress in your current health related field of practice as part of the wider public health workforce or allow you to progress in a core public health role i.e., public health intelligence analyst, public health practitioner, public health research assistant or epidemiologist. You will become an excellent communicator, and also hone your teamworking and interpersonal skills. If you have an interest in improving public health and enjoy working with other people, then this might be the right course for you.

What does an epidemiologist do?

As an epidemiologist you will have strong report writing, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to collect and analyse complex data. You will be responsible for understanding how disease is spread and the risk it poses to the public. You will create strategy to reduce spread and control the spread of disease and current viral outbreaks.

Daily tasks and responsibilities in this role may include:

  • Collecting data
  • Data analysis
  • Fieldwork
  • Report writing
  • Outbreak surveillance
  • Advising on public health policy with government and local health authorities
graduating female is throwing her graduation hat in the air outside Usher Hall