Public Health (International) PGCert

Course overview

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

Our PGcert is designed to develop your skills to improve and build health services programmes and management systems.

• Learn in an international learning environment, with fellow professionals from a range of countries and areas of expertise.
• Develop the skills and knowledge to further your career in international and national health systems and organisations

This 4-month course provides more flexibility to those who need it due to finances, work or other commitments while still providing the professional development opportunities necessary for global public health practitioners. This timeline of work may suit those who want to concentrate their academic study in a shorter period. The course consists of only two core modules, which is usually completed with an examination in January of the second semester. You can however arrange for the examination to be taken in December at the end of the course.

Previous students of the postgraduate certificate can return and use the credits obtained to complete our Diploma or MPH(I) courses within three years, which allows you more flexibility to study in the way that best suits you.

Make an Impact

Through our PGCert, 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.

The PGCert 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 Master of Public Health International (12 months with dissertation) or Postgraduate Diploma level (9 months).

Learn from the experts

Academic staff on the programme have a wide range of expertise reflecting the multi- disciplinary nature of Public Health. In addition, academics are engaged in both public health systems, service delivery and intervention research which positively impacts on policy and practice at global and national levels.

Academic staff have all worked in the health systems of low- and middle-income countries and have contextual knowledge of the opportunities and challenges faced by the public health services and programmes.

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.

The taught compulsory modules listed below 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.

• Principles of Public Health (Stream A) – analyses public health problems from a multidisciplinary perspective, dissects and explores how to strengthen existing and 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.

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) PGCert in the course catalogue

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

At Leeds, you'll build core skills and knowledge in specialist fields of public health, planning and management. You’ll benefit from the international learning environment, where you learn and discuss with fellow-health professionals from a range of countries and professional backgrounds.

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.

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

Facilities

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 postgraduate 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

Modules are assessed by using a range of assessments, including an examination on epidemiology and statistics. Please note that although the course ends in December, the written examination usually takes place in January of the second semester. You can however arrange for the examination to be taken in December at the end of the course.

The range of coursework used develops your academic skills and supports your future career. They are designed to assess your understanding and application of international health and also to 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.

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 programme, 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

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.

You must show on application (personal statement) the following:

• Your work experience in relation to public health in Low or middle income countries.
• Why you have selected the program in term of your learning expectations and career plan.

Before applying, all applicants must read this document about further guidance on the supporting statement, CV and reference requirements.

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.

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.

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 2025

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

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

Fees

UK: £4,250 (Total)

International: £9,750 (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

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.

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

The Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development has taught international health and development programmes at Leeds for over 45 years and so has a large alumni network of public health specialists, health systems experts, health managers and planners holding senior positions around the world.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to work in ministries of health, international organisations, civil society organisations, universities, consulting firms and private health providers.

A number of alumni have also pulished their work in world-leading global public health journals. Read more about our alumni.

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.