What is a master of public health degree

Develop key quantitative analytical skills for a career in public health, epidemiology and health services research

Overview

This full-time course merges the study of epidemiology, biostatistics and health research methods with public health skills.

It will suit those with both medical and non-medical backgrounds who are interested in developing their research skills and public health career.

Course lecturers are leaders in academic fields of statistics, epidemiology (chronic diseases and infectious diseases) and health services research. Guest speakers include public health professionals with experience in developing, managing and implementing interventions in public health.

You will have a unique opportunity to study two modules from the MSc in International Health Management at Imperial College Business School: Health Economics and Health Policy, Systems and Financing.

The WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training offers some opportunities to students on the MPH Course to visit different multilateral agencies and international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland.

Further onsite work visits are organised to support quality improvement initiatives in the local NHS Trusts, through the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) Northwest London.

You have opportunities to undertake a summer research project with a wide range of NHS and public health organisations, global health institutions, and think-tank groups.

Streams

You have the choice of two streams:

• Health Services and Systems Stream
• Global Health Stream

The Health Services and Systems stream focuses on the theory and practice of health promotion and health service management. The key themes that define this stream are: quality improvement in health care, health intelligence, and population health improvement.

The Global Health stream is orientated towards training students for a Global Health career. The stream seeks to expand your understanding of the manifestations of health challenges within the context of low-and middle-income country settings, as well as the supranational governance structures and processes involved in tackling these challenges. The stream also discusses global health innovations aimed at enhancing health outcomes.

MPH students will also share a number of core modules and lectures with the MSc in Epidemiology and Health Data Analytics and Machine Learning degree courses.

Careers

In public health, the focus is on populations and communities rather than individual patients. There are a number of career options in research, public or government services or voluntary organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Starting from a common core, students may develop into roles ranging from public health analysts, health services researchers, communicable disease control consultants, environmental epidemiologists, health policy advisors or directors of public health.

Is this degree accredited?

The core aims and outcomes of this degree adhere to the European standards laid out by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation.

Whilst this degree is not formally accredited by an agency or professional body, you'll benefit from an innovative and comprehensive public health curriculum, which responds to the most recent developments in public health, including our own research discoveries.

This sets us apart from courses in other countries such as the US and Canada, where accreditation requirements are not suitable for a UK-based programme.

Structure

This page reflects the latest version of the curriculum for this year of entry. However, this information is subject to change.

The curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for this year of entry.

We recommend you check this page before finalising your application and again before accepting your offer. We will update this page as soon as any changes are confirmed by the College.

Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about any changes made.

Page last reviewed on 25 October 2021.

Our MPH is made up of three terms. You complete your core and optional modules across terms one and two, and the third and final term is dedicated to your project.

In the first term, all students take the same set of core modules. In term two, you enter your chosen stream.

You also have the opportunity to choose from a suit of optional modules addressing different facets of public health.

Structure

You take all of the core modules below.

Introduction to Statistical Thinking and Data Analysis

This module aims to introduce students to the importance of statistical thinking in epidemiology, randomised trials and public health. At the end of the module, students should be able to critically evaluate the results of standard statistical analyses published in journal articles and to carry out a range of statistical analyses using STATA. Module leaders: Dr Victoria Cornelius and Hilary Watt.

Principles and Methods of Epidemiology

This module introduces students to the core concepts of epidemiology. By the end of the module, students would have acquired the skills necessary to describe, analyse, interpret, and appraise epidemiological studies. This basic understanding is essential for subsequent coursework and the dissertation project. Module leaders: Dr Amanda Cross and Dr Filippos Filippidis.

Disease Masterclass

This module showcases some key public health challenges along with cutting-edge epidemiological research. Through navigating a range of infectious and non-communicable diseases, the module aims to impart an understanding of how core public health principles and epidemiological concepts are applied to real-life challenges. Module leader: Professor Tim Hallett.

Foundations of Public Health Practice

The module introduces and contextualises a range of core public health principles and skills. It covers health improvement, health protection, health intelligence and an integrative strand that seeks to develop problem solving and consulting skills. The module is based around a series of classes that weave in core public health knowledge with more practically-oriented skills set amidst a series of simulated public health settings with associated challenges. Module leader: Dr Richard Pinder.

Health Economics

This module is delivered at the Imperial Business School. The aim of the module is to introduce the basic principles of microeconomics and their application to healthcare. The module covers a range of economics concepts as they apply to healthcare: efficiency and equity, demand and supply, and economic evaluation of healthcare treatments. Module leader: Dr Marisa Miraldo.

You choose one stream from the two options below, and complete both modules within your stream.

Health Services stream

The Health Services and Systems stream focuses on the theory and practice of population health improvement and health care service delivery.

Quality Improvement in Health care

This ten-week long module is developed by the CHLARC-NWL team (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care- North West London), whose work involves facilitating the translation of new knowledge and research into day to day care practices within the NHS and social care. The module draws on academic literature and research in quality improvement which will be comprehensively illustrated with real life practical examples to aid students learning, including an external visit to meet quality improvement teams working in healthcare. Module leader: Dr Tom Woodcock and Dr Mable Nakubulwa.

Population Health Improvement

This module introduces students to the theoretical basis and practical applications of health promotion. The module explores key theoretical constructs in health promotion, the interplay of evidence and research with policy formation, the primary structures involved in health promotion at various levels, and methods for evaluating health promotion interventions. Module leaders: Dr Eszter Vamos and Dr Anthony Laverty.

Global Health stream

The Global Health stream examines health challenges facing populations and nations globally, the role of governance in addressing these challenges, and the development and dissemination of innovative solutions.

Global Health Challenges and Governance

This ten-week module addresses the complexity of tackling health determinants, inequity, and health outcomes within a globalizing world where the capacity to influence health cannot be assured through national actions alone. The intensification of cross-border and trans-border flows of vectors, people, goods, services and ideas necessitates the involvement of important stakeholders and the need for good governance in global health. Module leader: Dr Ekaterina Maslova and Dr Matthew Harris.

Global Health Innovations

This module enables students to understand the roles and processes of innovation in global health. This includes the adoption and diffusion of simple, low-cost technologies and more complex combinations of organizational, business, and technological models in resource-constrained settings. Module leader: Dr Matthew Harris and Professor James Barlow.  

You choose two optional modules from below.

Anthropology in Public Health

This module will provide a broad introduction to concepts and methods of anthropology, and their use in public health and epidemiology. It focuses on understanding of peoples, actors, and stakeholders through their relationships around health concerns, interventions, and frameworks for improvement of healthcare. Module leader: Professor Helen Ward and Professor Sophie Day.

Contemporary Topics in International Health Policy

Module Leader: Professor Franco Sassi.

Digital Health

This module discusses the portfolio of digital health technologies; the opportunities to apply these technologies to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare; the challenges of implementation; and emerging areas, such as artificial intelligence. Module leader: Dr Felix Greaves.

Exposure Assessment

This module provides an overview of the importance of exposure assessment in epidemiology, risk assessment, and public health protection. It enables students to critically evaluate different approaches to exposure assessment. Module leader: Dr Daniela Fecht.

Health Systems Development

This module aims to introduce students to contrasting concepts that explain health systems by drawing upon multiple disciplinary lenses, including organizational behaviour, health policy, information systems, and human resources. Module leader: Dr Sondus Hassounah.

Emerging and Infectious Neglected Tropical Diseases

This module will develop students’ knowledge across the breadth of emerging and neglected tropical diseases. Students will learn practical field tools and techniques for effective monitoring and evaluation of public health control programmes, applicable in both high and low-income settings. By the end of the module, students will be better equipped to conduct critical appraisals of public health infrastructure and surveillance. Students will also have exposure to a simulated, real-time outbreak that will require application of the skills learnt during the course. Module leader: Dr Leigh Bowman and Dr Lisa Danquah

Infectious Disease Modelling

Module Leaders: Professor Nim Arinaminpathy and Dr Ilaria Dorigatti.

Health Systems, Policy, and Financing

This module is delivered at the Imperial Business School. This module explains how health systems are organized and financed; and how priorities are identified, resources allocated, and providers paid. It enables students to explore the advantages and disadvantages of different health financing models and delivery systems. Module leader: Dr Pedro Rosa Dias.

Research Methods

This module aims to explore core concepts related to research cycle, and impart key skills involved in designing, planning, and conducting research, especially mixed methods research. Module leader: Dr Henock Taddese.

Individual research projects are carried out from May to September under close supervision from experienced academics.

Projects could be drawn from ongoing research within Imperial or in collaboration with NHS organisations, international agencies, non-governmental organizations or government agencies.

Projects are expected to take four months with periodic supervision by academic staff and support sessions run by the Course Organizers. We encourage students to pursue publication of their projects with their supervision team. We have many examples of successful publications in high impact factor journals and programmatic briefs that have influenced public health practice.

Teaching and assessment

Events, tasters and talks

Find out more about studying at Imperial by meeting us at a virtual event. From webinars and study fairs to drop-ins and open days. Join us throughout the year for a range of events.

Explore all of our upcoming events.

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Entry requirements

We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Please note: applications will be considered on a monthly rolling basis and you will hear back from the School once a decision has been made.

Admissions

Our minimum requirement is a 2.1 degree in science subject or an MBBS medical degree.

Suitable applicants are likely to be those with a background in medicine, health sciences, biological sciences or environmental sciences.

We also accept a wide variety of international qualifications.

The academic requirement above is for applicants who hold or who are working towards a UK qualification.

For guidance see our Country Index though please note that the standards listed are the minimum for entry to the College, and not specifically this Department.

If you have any questions about admissions and the standard required for the qualification you hold or are currently studying then please contact the relevant admissions team.

All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.

For admission to this course, you must achieve the higher College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for postgraduate applicants.

How to apply

How to apply

Apply online

All applicants must apply online.

Visit our Admissions website for details on the application process.

You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can usually choose up to two courses.

Application fee

If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.

The fee applies per application and not per course:

• £80 for all taught Master's applications excluding those to the Imperial College Business School
• £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School
• £150 for MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School

There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.

If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver. 

Find out more about the application fee and waiver

An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.

Find answers to your questions about admissions. Answers cover COVID-19, English language requirements, visas and more.

Visit the FAQs

Tuition fees

2023 entry

£14,050

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.

Fee status

Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.

Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.

Find out more about how we assess your fee status.

EU/EEA/Swiss students

The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.

EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).

2023 entry

£40,800

Fees are charged by year of entry to the College and not year of study.

Except where otherwise indicated, the fees for students on courses lasting more than one year will increase annually by an amount linked to inflation, including for part-time students on modular programmes. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPI) value in the April of the calendar year in which the academic session starts e.g. the RPI value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.

Fee status

Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.

Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.

Find out more about how we assess your fee status.

EU/EEA/Swiss students

The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.

EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note, we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens' Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).

If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.

For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.

Living costs, including accommodation, are not included in your tuition fees.

You can compare costs across our different accommodation options on our Accommodation website.

A rough guide to what you might expect to spend to live in reasonable comfort in London is available on our Fees and Funding website.

Further information

What is the meaning of master of public health?

What is the highest degree in public health?