Public Health (International) MPH

Course overview

Make a real difference to the world by studying a programme that will improve healthcare provision and address modern global health challenges.

This Masters programme is designed to provide health professionals with an advanced understanding of global health needs, alongside the skills to strengthen health systems and services to achieve universal health coverage. Delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development at the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, the course is taught by leading experts in international health.

This course addresses pressing global health challenges and prepares professionals to contribute to improving healthcare systems worldwide, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. It equips you with the knowledge and practical understanding needed to develop effective, real-world solutions to complex public health issues. The course is particularly valuable for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in global health and to respond to evolving international health priorities.

Graduates will be ready to advance their careers in both international and national health systems, NGOs, and global health organisations. You will develop key skills in research, critical thinking, and applied public health practice, enabling you to work effectively in policy development, programme management, and health system strengthening.

Additionally, flexibility in study options means you can pursue this subject at Postgraduate Certificate (4 months) or Postgraduate Diploma (9 months) level, depending on your lifestyle and what’s right for you.

Please contact the programme lead if you need further advice on which course would be best for you.

“The Geneva study tour is easily one of the best things to have ever happened during my time in the UK. In just a week, I felt my horizons expanding. It was an excellent opportunity to get to know my classmates and teachers better before graduating. The best is yet to come!”

John Timbol, Public Health (International) MPH

Why study at Leeds:

• Broaden your horizons abroad: Experience a study abroad trip to Geneva where you’ll attend workshops and meetings with the World Health Organisation various and other health-related UN and other international organisations.
• Learn in an international environment: Work with leading figures in international health from around the globe, with a focus on low and middle-income countries and contexts.
• Tailor your course to fit your own skills and interests: with a choice of optional modules. Take on a dissertation project, where you will apply public health and research skills to a topical issue from an international and national context.

Course details and modules

This course has two streams, meaning you can choose the one that best suits your professional goals:

• Stream A - a focus on public health interventions and services.
• Stream B - a focus on health policy and health systems.

You’ll also be able to select from a wide range of modules to further customise your course. The taught compulsory modules lay firm foundations for your learning throughout the course:

• Introduction to Global and Public Health – introduces global health issues, public health strategies and health systems for Universal Health Coverage.
• Health Systems Research Methods – looks at how to plan research, choose research methods, evaluate findings and present results.
• Master of Public Health International: Dissertation – apply public health and research competence to a topical public health issue from an international and national context. Your dissertation is the culmination of the MPH[I] course.
• Principles of Public Health (Stream A) – analyses public health problems from a multidisciplinary perspective, dissects and explores how to strengthen existing and to build new health services, programmes and related management systems in order to improve the health of populations and communities.
• Principles of Health Management (Stream B) – planning and policy – analyses types of policies and management systems in the health sector with particular focus on the changing roles of the government.

The MPH(I) also includes a wide range of optional modules which allows you to focus your study to match your interests and experience. Optional modules are currently being reviewed for the programme and there is potential for optional module choices to change.

At Leeds you’ll have the opportunity to take part in a study visit to Geneva, attending workshops and meetings with the United Nations (UN) and other international health organisations. In the past organisations have included:

• World Health Organisation.
• UNAIDS.
• UN High Commission for Refugees.
• United Nations High Commission for Human Rights.
• International Labour Organisation.
• International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies.
• Médecins Sans Frontières.
• GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

The dissertation you write in your final semester gives you space for in-depth examination of an area of public health that’s relevant to your work and career aspirations.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Public Health (International) MPH in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

Under the guidance of our academic staff, who've all worked in low-and middle-income countries, you'll develop core skills and knowledge from day one. You’ll build on your learning with your chosen modules in specialist fields of public health, policy, planning and management. In addition, your dissertation gives you the opportunity to plan, initiate, execute and complete a substantial piece of independent research, with support and guidance from academics with substantial expertise on the subject of studies.

The course introduces essential learning skills for postgraduate level study, with particular emphasis on the challenges facing those returning to study. A reflective learning approach will form the basis of career-long independent learning and continued professional development.

You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, group work, workshops, tutorials and case studies.
You will learn in an international and diverse classroom environment, with students from different countries and academic staff with lived and work experiences outside the UK. You will contribute to an active learning environment, which invites you to reflect on and share your own experiences while learning from others.

Some study sessions use the University's computer resources, with support to enhance your competence in the use of information technology. You'll have access to our Virtual Learning Environment, which inlcudes teaching materials and resources to help you prepare for you assignments and research.

You’ll be able to use University facilities for independent study, such as computing facilities and the Health Sciences library, with its extensive collection of online journals. You will also have access to the newly refurbished Worsley Building with new teaching spaces and a social space specifically for post-graduate students.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

You are assessed by using a range of assessments. Examples include essays, group and individual presentations, reflective logs, posters, development of programme plans, policy briefs, analysis of research papers, research project reports, oral and written examinations and a dissertation.

This range of coursework develops your academic skills and supports your future career. They are designed to assess your understanding and application of international health and also help you develop essential workplace skills, including analysing and synthesising contemporary research-based knowledge and presenting evidenced-based thinking in a coherent manner in a variety of formats.

Collaborative work is also an important part of the course. You will be encouraged to work and interact with academic staff and classmates and develop teamwork skills.

Your research can also have potential real-world impact. A number of our students have gone to publish work that has been carried out as part of their course.

Applying

Entry requirements

This course provides health and related professionals with the ability to improve public health, essential health care and preventive interventions, and strengthen health services and systems in local and global contexts. You will interact with staff and fellow professionals from a range of countries and areas of expertise.

In order to be accepted onto the MPH program, an applicant must:

a) hold a Second Class Honours degree or above in medicine, health, social sciences, or other relevant disciplines together with a minimum of one-year (full-time) relevant experience in health or related sectors either in private, public or non government organisations, such as NGOs and charitable organisations.

OR

b) hold a professional diploma in health or other relevant disciplines, together with five years of relevant experience in health or related sectors either in private public or non-government organisations, such as charitable organisations. In addition:

Work experience is preferred to be in a low or middle-income country. These include working as doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, district health officers, community nurses or midwives, environmental health officers, health education and health promotion, and working in health management, administration, or health promotion. Our alumni include people with different backgrounds, e.g. health economics, anthropology, social sciences, journalism and media whose work focused on health. If you are not sure about the relevance of your experience, please contact us.

Please note that this is a very popular programme. If we receive a significant number of applications, and we are unable to process applications within our 6-week turnaround time, we may have to temporarily suspend the receipt of new applications until we are able to meet our turnaround target.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2026.

All applicants for taught postgraduate courses should apply online. Applicants can track the application at each stage of the process through the applicant portal and it is recommended that they check the portal regularly for updates.

Please see the guidance for applicants which highlights what we are looking for in your application here.

Certificate and transcripts

As part of your application, please upload a copy of your degree certificate (if you have graduated) and your official degree transcript. Your degree transcript must be signed and stamped. If you have not yet graduated, please provide your official interim transcript, showing the modules you are currently studying and the marks you have achieved to date.

Work Experience – CV/Resume

CVs are mandatory. Applicants must upload their CV upon submission of their application, which must contain details of their work experience. Further information about work experience and what to include on your CV can be found in our Master of Public Health guidance for applicants (PDF).

Reference Letter

One employment reference must be supplied at the point of application that can indicate your relevant work experience such as: health service or developing health system in a low-middle income country. The reference must not be an academic reference. The reference should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature. The reference must be dated within the last twelve months.

Supporting Statement

Further information about work experience and what to include on your CV can be found in our Master of Public Health guidance for applicants (PDF).

Strong supporting statements include:

• Personal reflections integrated with information about previous work and academic experiences.
• How the course will contribute to future career goals
• Evidence that you have engaged with and understood the course's learning objectives, or some of the modules in the course. This information is available on Coursefinder and The Nuffield Centre’s website.

The statement may indicate a desire to return to your home country to work in the public health system or to seek employment at national, regional, and international organizations.

The following are some common reasons for rejecting supporting statements:

• Addressing some but not all four essential questions will be rejected.
• A lack of connection between your statement and your work experience. Please note that your statement should reflect how your work experience qualifies you to study this course, as well as what else you need to learn in the course.
• Not expressing interest in the MPH course specifically. Generally, it is not helpful to state general goals such as "I would like to live in Leeds, or I am interested in studying in the UK, etc."
• Low-quality supporting statements that contain several distracting proofreading errors (such as mentioning the wrong university or course) will be rejected.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

International students

Our courses welcome students from around the world from a diverse range of backgrounds. International postgraduate students in the UK are now able to apply for a further two-year VISA to stay in the UK after completing their studies. Find out more.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2027

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,750 (Total)

International: £29,750 (Total)

Finding funds to study at the Nuffield Centre

If you would like to find out more information about scholarships at the Nuffield Centre, you can discover the relevant postgraduate funding options here.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Fees for the optional one-week study tour

The cost of the optional one-week tour to Geneva (see Course overview) is not included in the course fees.

Students who choose the study tour as an optional module pay approximately £575. Students who attend the study tour for their professional development pay approximately £750. These fees include travel and accommodation.

As these costs are only approximations, The Nuffield Centre shares information about these fees in offer letters and during the first semester of the course.

Other costs associated with visas (such as visa handling and transport to the visa centre in Manchester), meals in Geneva and any other personal costs are not included in the fees above.

Fees for dissertation fieldwork overseas

While doing the dissertation, you have the option of doing primary data collection fieldwork overseas in a low- and middle-income country. The costs associated with this fieldwork depends on your dissertation and interests, and is not included in the course fees.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below: 

• Scholarships for International students 
• Scholarships and funding for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

If you are interested in studying at the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, you can also access relevant information about postgraduate funding and funders here.

If you are offered an unconditional offer on our MPH course you may also be eligible for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship. You must fulfil the following criteria:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) earned at least 3 years prior to the MPH application deadline date
• Hold 3 years or more of paid professional work experience in public health
• Be a national of an eligible developing country
• Not hold dual citizenship of a developed country

If you are eligible for the JJ/WBGSP scholarship, you will be nominated by the programme team and relevant information will be sent to you. You will then need to submit a separate application to JJ/WBGSP.

The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship 2026

Funded jointly by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the University of Leeds, these scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.

Please note the internal deadline for nominations to the World Bank and Commonwealth scholarship has passed.

Find out more.

Other funding options

Studying in the School of Medicine at Leeds is an amazing opportunity, but we know that the cost can be difficult for many people to meet. If you are keen to join us, a range of funding opportunities are available.

Career opportunities

Where this degree could take you

The Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development has taught international health and development programmes at Leeds for over 30 years and has a large alumni network of:

• public health specialists
• health systems experts
• health managers
• immunisation experts
• experts in water, sanitation and hygiene
• senior planners across the globe

Here’s an insight into the organisations some of our MPH Public Health graduates have gone on to work in:

• World Health Organisation
• Ministries of Health
• international organisations
• civil society organisations
• universities
• consulting firms
• private health providers

My (Geneva study) visit inspired me to want to work for the WHO, the United Nations or another of the other organisations we visited.”

Wisdom Ayinbono Apusiga, Public Health (International) MPH

“From my class, two of us now are working at the WHO and many others have continued to have fantastic careers in public health or health services all around the world. I look back at [the course] with a huge appreciation because everything in the academic study was immediately tested in the practice environment.”

Jim Campbell, Leeds graduate and Director of the Health Workforce Department at the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Read more about Jim’s job at the WHO and his link to Leeds

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Guaranteed industry experience  

The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects.  You’ll connect with leading companies worldwide to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to real business challenges.  

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.