Public Health MSc
2025-26 Year of entry
Aligned with the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF), this course will prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers in public health
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Overview
If you are passionate about improving the quality of people's lives, then a career in public health is an opportunity for you to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of others.
Why choose Public Health MSc at Middlesex?
Our course qualifies you to work as a public health practitioner and is designed to give you a strong body of both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, which will help you make a seamless transition into the workplace.
Our staff have a wide range of specialisms, including mental health, ageing, water and sanitation and public health regulation. The university has a strong research profile and is the ideal place for you to embark on your own ground-breaking research.
What you will gain
After graduating from this course, you'll be able to:
- Critically analyse and appraise good practice in the management of public health and health improvement
- Select appropriate approaches to investigate public health needs and interventions in complex situations
- Reflect on your own practice and select the best option to influence others to achieve best practice
- Critically appraise national, community and individual public health concerns and influences
- Identify, reflect on and critically analyse ethical challenges in public health and public health practice
- Consider and evaluate the role of internal and external partnerships for an organisation to improve public health
- Critically evaluate the results of an academic investigation and be able to extract and analyse data using a range of techniques appropriate to the field
- Appropriately plan, conduct and synthesise research in public health and disseminate the findings to benefit the population.
Additional benefits of this course include:
- Teaching that is aligned with the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (PHSKF)
- The chance to work from students from across the world and share your existing work experiences with them.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
The course provides excellent training in public health as both an academic and professional discipline. Our curriculum is based on the most orthodox understanding of what modern public health. It also provides a strong foundation if you're a student looking to enter the public health field, as well as those who want to use their training in their current professions. You'll learn how people's health can be affected by their cultural, social and economic circumstances, lifestyle, and environment. You'll also learn methods for controlling disease and promoting health and explore the economic, legal and ethical aspects of public health. The course also explores health inequalities and global public health, including the role of governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their response to emergencies.
The Public Health Policy and Economics module aims to take a strategic view of public health and to apply relevant intervention, policy and economic perspectives to a range of health settings. It links academic work with a practice situation in order to conceptualise the meaning of theory in the wider world context. The module will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to develop, implement and evaluate policies and interventions to improve population health. It will further introduce you to the main economic concepts and theories applied to health care, and the analytical methods used to inform policy decisions about health care provision.
The aim of this module is to provide you with the theoretical knowledge supported by empirical evidence about health Promotion and Health Protection. This will increase your awareness and critical understanding of the role and methods utilised in health protection and health promotion across a range of local and national settings. The module will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices of health promotion and health protection.
This module will give you a grasp of the fundamental epidemiological ideas, procedures and applications in public health. You will develop skills to critically appraise epidemiological studies, analyse population health data, and identify appropriate study designs to investigate and report disease patterns and risk factors. You will be able to interpret epidemiological data to guide public health actions and policy, tackling current health issues both locally and globally.
This module will give you the theoretical knowledge and critical skills you need to identify, assess, and suggest viable solutions for mitigating the primary causes of the global burden of disease and the inequity issues surrounding them.
Therefore, all aspects of global health are reducing inequities, improving health (including mental health), and safeguarding against global hazards that transcend national boundaries.
The module will provide you with the organisational and management skills to administer an MSc research project. Management skills are supported by knowledge of experimental design, quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, presentation skills and interactive computing skills. These skills will be applied in the completion of a practitioner-based research including developing original and independent investigations aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge and technical expertise to solve a practical problem at a relevant postgraduate level.
To find out more about this course, please download the MSc Public Health course specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
You will gain knowledge and understanding through attendance at seminars, computer and wet labs, and through a variety of directed and self-directed learning activities (e.g. group projects). The use of case studies that reflect real world environments will enable you to relate knowledge to the practical situations. The use of e-learning strategies is also integrated into the teaching and learning strategies using on-line resources and activities to support and encourage independent study and formative assessment (e.g. quizzes, exercises sheets, etc).
You'll be based at our Hendon campus, north London.
Whether you are studying full or part-time – your course timetable will balance your study commitments on campus with time for work, life commitments and independent study.
We aim to make timetables available to students at least 2 weeks before the start of term. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
In a typical year, you’ll spend about 1200 hours on your course.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework and presentations.
Typical weekly breakdown
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.
You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
A typical week looks like this:
| Learning | Contact hours per week |
|---|---|
| On-campus/Online | 10 (FT), 5 (PT) |
| Independent study | 30 (FT), 15 (PT) |
Learning terms
FT: Full-time
PT: Part-time
On-campus: This includes tutor-led sessions such as seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations as well as student-led sessions for work in small groups.
Online learning: This is teaching that is delivered online using tools like Zoom or MS Teams, as well as work that you do yourself using online teaching resources.
Independent study: This is the work you do in your own time including reading and research.
Part-time study
You can also study this course part-time.
Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking.
Your knowledge and understanding will be assessed by a combination of coursework, case studies, technical reports and more designed to reflect current practice in situations you're likely to experience in your future practice.
You'll evaluate your work, skills and knowledge and identify areas for improvement. Sometimes you'll work in groups and assess each other's progress. Each term, you'll get regular feedback on your learning.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn about campus lifeFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas and 600 computer spaces
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Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Careers
How can the Public Health MSc support your career?
Public health is a crucial issue in every society and there is a worldwide need for trained public health professionals. If you're passionate about improving the quality of people's lives, then a career in public health is an opportunity for you to make a real difference to human health and wellbeing.
Our typical MSc Public Health cohort is made up of 50% health professionals (medical doctors, nurses, midwives and dentists) and 50% from other professions (bio-scientists and biomedical scientists, psychologists, sociologists, graduates in public health etc).
Our university's postgraduate courses have been recognised for their ability to support your career.
We are a top 10 UK University for employability (UniCompare Rankings 2025), and a top 10 UK university for industry connections and funding in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024.
Career paths
Our graduates go on to work for public health positions in local health authorities, national and International NGOs and their home country departments of health (and related structures) in different roles of public health intelligence. This programme also provides the foundations for those wishing to advance further and progressing to senior roles such as public health managers, public health consultans and specialists, public health academic and directors of public health.
Furhter study pathways include PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, or Global Health (for those interested in research and academia) or Specialist Training in Public Health (STPHR) in the UK (to become a consultant in public health).
MDXworks
Our employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognized with the following awards:
- The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
- A top 10 university for producing CEOs – Novuana, 2023
Global alumni network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career.
Entry requirements
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we’ll support you all the way. We welcome your application regardless of your background or experience.
Qualifications
For this course, ideally, we are looking for these qualifications:
- A 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject such as Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Statistics, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences or Biosciences. Other degrees with sciences and/or a statistics component will also be considered
- We also welcome applications from candidates with a minimum of three years' work experience in public health-related senior positions.
- Evidence of significant study during the last five years is required
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
Apply as early as possible to make sure you get a place. You can submit your application before you receive your final qualification.
Personal statements
Make sure that you highlight your best qualities in your personal statement that are relevant to this course, such as your ability to be forward-thinking, creative and collaborative.
Interviews
You won’t be required to attend an interview.
Find out how to apply for postgraduate taught courses and watch our step-by-step video.
Fees and funding
The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK students
Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £71 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
International students
Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free access to everything on your reading list
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic paperwork
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.