Public Health (International) MPH

Course overview

This course is designed to provide public health professionals with an advanced understanding of global health needs and how to effectively intervene to strengthen international health systems.

Join a global community of professionals working to improve the provision of healthcare around the world and address modern global health challenges.

Make an Impact

Through our course, you’ll learn about effective solutions to combat modern global health challenges. You’ll benefit from the real-world knowledge and experience of our expert staff, as you prepare to join the global professional community to improve healthcare provision around the globe.

• Analyse health policy and health service issues using evidence-based information.
• Develop advanced epidemiological and statistical skills and knowledge essential for public health practice.
• Acquire proficiency to critically review evidence for planning and management decision making.
• Develop the essential skills to improve existing (and build new) health service programmes and management systems.
• Evaluate different strategies for disease control to select the most effective and feasible programmes.
• Discuss ethical issues to adopt and justify appropriate ethical stances.
• Benefit from an international learning environment alongside fellow professionals from a range of countries and areas of expertise.

At Leeds you’ll also have the opportunity to take part in a study visit to Geneva, attending workshops and meetings with various health-related UN and other international organisations.

Our course is delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, based in the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences. You can also study this subject at Postgraduate Diploma (9 months) or Postgraduate Certificate (4 months) level.

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

Watch our recent student webinar recording below to find out more.

Course details

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 10 optional module choices 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.
• Health Systems Research Methods – looks at how to plan research, choose research methods, evaluate findings and present results.
• Principles of Public Health (Stream A) – analyses public health problems from a multidisciplinary perspective, dissects 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 wide range of optional modules allows you to focus your study to match your interests and experience.

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 Alliance.

The 10,000-word 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, tutorials and case studies. Some study sessions use the University's computer resources, with support for students to enhance their competence in the use of information technology. You have access to electronic copies of all teaching materials through our Virtual Learning Environment.

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 space and post-graduate social space.

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

Each module is assessed through a combination of written assignments, group and individual presentations, reflective logs, written examination on epidemiology and statistics and a 10,000-word dissertation on your original research project.

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.

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 2024.

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.

One 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 should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.

On application, you must demonstrate the following in your personal statement:

• Work experience in relation to public health in low or middle-income countries.
• Your reasons for selecting the programme and how these relate to your learning expectations and career plan.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page takes 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

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2024

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £12,250 (Total)

International: £27,500 (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

The cost of the optional one-week trip to Geneva (see Course overview) is not included in the course fees. Students pay a contribution towards their travel, accommodation, visa and insurance costs, and the Nuffield Centre pays the rest of these costs. Students who choose the study trip as an optional module pay a smaller contribution than students who attend the study trip for their professional development only.

Other costs, including meals and any personal costs, are paid by the student. We send more information with offer letters.

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 are interested in studying at the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, you can 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 fulfill 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.

You can also search our Scholarship Directory and Masters funding overview.

Career opportunities

97% of our recent Public Health graduates feel they've taken meaningful next steps since university.

These include careers in:

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

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
• senior planners across the globe

Careers support

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.

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