Master of Public Health
Award
MPH
Duration & study mode
1 year full-time / 3 years part-time
School
Health & Life Sciences
Location
Lanarkshire
Course starting dates
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Lanarkshire: January, September
Last updated: 12/05/2025
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Overview
The Master of Public Health (MPH) has been designed to offer comprehensive understanding of modern public health practice. Provided via a combination of face-to-face and online delivery, it addresses the foundational elements of epidemiology, health economics and health policy, infection control, and health improvement.
You will be introduced to the key approaches and theoretical frameworks that underpin contemporary public health practice. Through a combination of taught sessions and applied learning, you will develop the analytical skills needed to evaluate complex health challenges at local, national, and global levels.
Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, evidence appraisal, and the ability to synthesise diverse forms of data and knowledge. Under expert academic supervision, students will refine their capacity for independent inquiry and demonstrate originality in problem-solving. The MPH fosters intellectual autonomy, preparing graduates to navigate the evolving public health landscape with rigour, confidence, and strategic insight.
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COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
- The programme aligns to the UK Faculty of Public Health (UKFPH) Good Public Health Practice Framework 2024. The MPH is therefore built upon the three domains of public health practice; health improvement, health protection and healthcare public health.
- You will study at our ultra-modern, £110 million Lanarkshire Campus where our state-of-the-art facilities will enrich your learning and enjoyment of this course
- Aimed at both established and aspiring Public Health professionals, this degree will provide a diverse portfolio of knowledge and experience, leading to many varied career opportunities
PUBLIC HEALTH
Public health is the systematic foundation for improving the health of populations through evidence-based interventions, data-driven policy, and rigorous research. It draws on disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and behavioural science to understand and address complex health challenges.
Public health professionals work collaboratively across sectors, from healthcare and government to education and technology, using scientific inquiry to prevent disease, promote wellbeing, and respond to emerging threats. In a world shaped by climate change, pandemics, and demographic and chronic disease shifts, public health offers a vital, forward-looking approach. It’s a field where scientific curiosity meets real-world application—making it not only relevant, but intellectually stimulating and impactful.
DEVELOP YOUR CAREER
The MPH really improved my confidence and group working skills, by allowing me to work with individuals whose cultural background was much different from my own. This allowed me to explore ideas from different perspectives I had not thought of before. The course itself developed my understanding of critical thinking, focusing on aspects like health inequality and inequity across the globe, and how government policies can play a role in these factors. Thanks to the MPH, I have been able to move into a career in Clinical Trial Management, recently becoming a Clinical Trial Co-ordinator. In the future I would like to use the MPH for a career within local Health Boards.
Cameron Lees, MPH Graduate
Jobs
Our MPH will prepare you for a successful career in Public Health and allied professions both in the UK and globally. This list of potential career prospects is not exhaustive and the options will vary depending on your first degree, and may include the possible opportunities arising through your local authorities and community projects:
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Health improvement and health promotion
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Health protection
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Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
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Medical doctors pursuing specialist registration
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Community support and education
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Integrated health and social Care
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Academia and research
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Progression to PhD
Graduates from our MPH have progressed on to doctoral studies; started new or continued careers in law enforcement and nursing; started their own businesses in health care; and commenced training in theology and ministry.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do you need?
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience
If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.
A second class Honours degree. Other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent may also be considered.
Academic Requirements
- A second-class Honours degree.
Other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent may also be considered.
Recognised Prior Learning equivalent to PG Dip level (maximum of 120 credits at SCQF Level 11) will allow direct entry to the MPH in order to undertake both the research project. This might include other relevant health-based postgraduate-level courses or combinations of courses and will be subject to the discretion of admissions and the course leader.
English Language Requirements
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from English language requirements include:
- native speakers of English
- Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise)
- non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification)
- students whose previous degree-level study has been taught and assessed in English in what UK Visas and Imigration (UKVI) define as a majority English speaking country
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
UWS & INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST SYSTEM (IELTS)
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
Undergraduate (bachelor's - BA, BAcc, BEng, BSc etc.) degrees and postgraduate (master's - MA, MBA, MSc etc.) taught degrees
- the CEFR equivalent requirement is normally an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
Postgraduate research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.)
- the CEFR equivalent requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent), with a score of no lower than 6.0 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing)
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
IELTS SCORE EXCEPTIONS (RESEARCH DEGREES, BIOMEDICAL & PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREES, NURSING & MIDWIFERY DEGREES WITH NMC REGISTRATION, SOCIAL WORK DEGREES, CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, ETC.)
RESEARCH DEGREES
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 6.5
- no sub-test score of less than 6.0
HEALTH & MIDWIFERY AWARDS
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and
- score of at least 6.5 in writing
PARAMEDIC SCIENCE DEGREE
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test score of less than 6.5
BIOMEDICAL DEGREES
For our BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test score of less than 6.5
SOCIAL WORK DEGREES
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 7.0
- no sub-test score of less than 7.0
CERTIFICATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- overall score of 5.0
- no sub-test less than 4.5
OTHER IELTS EQUIVALENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTS
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
ENGLISH LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFACTIONS ACCEPTED FOR NON-EU APPLICANTS
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSES AT UWS
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
- 10-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
- 5-week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
- English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with an overall score of 4.0, plus a score of 4.0 in all sub-tests (10-month course), or an overall score of 4.5, plus no score below 4.0 in all sub-tests (7-month course).
Course Details
Students in the MPH programme will engage with current and emergent concepts and approaches to health protection, disease prevention and population health improvement. All module content is research-informed, and all of the academics involved in the programme delivery are research active in the field.
Elements of the course material are delivered by guest lecturers input from public health specialist working in front-line practice. This ensures content is current, employment-focused, and contextually relevant to the field.
Throughout the MPH, students are driven and nurtured toward developing the fundamental skills and competencies in critical analysis and credible synthesis of ideas within the scope of local, national and global public health.
Culminating in the Master’s Research Project, students are aligned to an academic supervisor who will who will provide expert guidance as they design, conduct, and present their research, equipping them with the critical skills to influence public health practice and policy.
Students study a range of core and option modules. Core modules include:
- Principles of Public Health (20-credit points)
- Research for Health & Social Care (20-credit points)
- MSc Research Project (60-credit points)
Option modules include:
- Principles of Infection and Disease Control (20-credit points)
- Global Health Economics & Health Systems (20-credit points)
- Concepts in One Health (20-credit points)
- Statistical Methods for Public Health (20-credit points)
- Epidemiology (20-credit points)
- Women's Mental Health (20-credit points)
Successfully completing all core elements plus the required optional modules which results in 180-credit points, will result in the award of Master of Public Health.
Staff Expertise
You will be taught by research-active Professors, Senior Lecturers and Lecturers, many of whom are undergoing ground-breaking and innovative research, as well as guest lectures undertaken by specialists in their field external to UWS.
UWS has an excellent portfolio in health-related research across several different areas from:
- biomedical science (parasitology, microbiology, cardiovascular Disease, autoimmunity, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease), haematology, maternal-foetal health)
- Care in the community (Home-Life care, Alzheimer’s care, infection control),
- Physiology
- Health and wellbeing (benefits of physical activity on particular populations)
This breadth of expertise allows you to engage with a variety of Public Health issues from the experts, first hand. You will benefit from a comprehensive breadth of expertise and state-of-the-art learning environments at UWS Lanarkshire Campus.
Teaching & Assessment
We use flexible teaching and learning approaches to facilitate and enhance your learning.
Depending on whether teaching is face-to-face online or hybrid, examples include:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Seminars
- Individual research
- Online discussion boards
You will be taught by a mixture of lectures, seminars and tutorials and will be working in collaborative groups on smaller projects and individually for presentations. Role play and other simulated learning experiences will allow rich discussions and develop transferable skills within a safe community of practice.
If available, the optional Professional Practice (HLS) module will develop real-time learning in a typical working environment placement.
Your learning will be supported through access to our interactive virtual learning environment Aula which contains supporting material, on-line tutorials and lectures, reading resources and also encourages collaborative learning through discussion fora and peer review, allowing for a truly blended learning experience.
Assessment
Our MPH degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
Case studies
Coursework assignments
Unseen examinations
Oral presentations
Final MSc dissertation
Essays/Reports
Teaching & Learning Breakdown
Master of Public Health
- Teaching activities (Lectures, Workshops, Tutorials, Seminars, etc.)
254 hours – 14.1% - Independent learning
1546 hours – 85.9% - Placement(s)
0 hours
Course Structure
UWS Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
View our Programme Specifications & Module Descriptors
Update - May 2025
We are currently updating our MPH Programme Specification for session 2025/26.
Currently on our Programme Specification and Module Descriptor database, you will find details of the previous sessions’ Programme Specification.
The new Programme Specification will be published in the coming months; core and optional module choices for the new Programme Specification are correctly listed above.
Postgraduate Tuition Fees
Tuition fees for this course 2024/25
Scottish
£7,500 Total cost of tuition
All other UK & Republic of Ireland
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
Channel Island & Isle of Man
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
International (all other EU plus Non-EU)
£18,000 Total cost of tuition
Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2024-25
Scottish
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
All other UK & Republic of Ireland
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
Channel Islands & Isle of Man
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
International (all other EU plus Non-EU)
£2,570 per module (20 credits)
Tuition fees for this course 2025/26
Scottish
£7,500 Total cost of tuition
All other UK & Republic of Ireland
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
Channel Island & Isle of Man
£11,750 Total cost of tuition
International (all other EU plus Non-EU)
£18,000 Total cost of tuition
Modular Tuition Fees (20-credit points) 2025-26
Scottish
£1,070 per module (20 credits)
All other UK & Republic of Ireland
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
Channel Islands & Isle of Man
£1,680 per module (20 credits)
International (all other EU plus Non-EU)
£2,570 per module (20 credits)
How to apply
Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, DBA, PG Cert, PG Dip, etc.) & some Post-experience courses (CertHE, BA, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, etc.)
All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.
The first stage of the process is to complete the initial application form. You will then receive a follow-up email with further instructions relating to your application including documents that you will need to forward to support your application, e.g. degree transcripts and certificates etc.
Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.
The Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applies to all international students and researchers (apart from exempt nationalities) who are subject to UK immigration control and are intending to study or research at postgraduate level in certain sensitive subjects.
Students and researchers who are nationals of EU countries, the European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America do not need an ATAS certificate.
An ATAS certificate may be required for certain taught postgraduate master's degrees for international students at UWS.
For the latest information on ATAS and details of eligibility and how to apply for a certificate check the UK Government's dedicated ATAS web pages.
Get in touch
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
- ask@uws.ac.uk
- 0800 027 1000 (UK)
- +44 (0) 141 849 4101 (out-with UK)
Research at UWS
With cutting edge facilities, specialist knowledge and world-leading and internationally excellent expertise, we aim to develop research outputs that have a tangible, early and positive impact on society across the globe.
DiscoverWe will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.