UNDERGRADUATE COURSE

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Master of Public Health MPH 1
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DURATION

2 Years

Mode of Study

Online

Start Date

Overview

Our online Master of Public Health students aren’t just studying a degree – they are changing the world around them. Designed with busy health professionals in mind, this programme will provide you with an ideal foundation to develop as an effective public health professional.

Through our programme you’ll gain a critical understanding of the key concepts underlying global public health. You’ll explore a variety of public health areas such as how public health is dealt with across the globe.  You’ll be able to discuss the trends in diseases that affect global health and what it means for where you work.

Throughout this course, you’ll explore a broad range of topics including:

Completing this course will help you:

Finally, you’ll get a chance to put what you have learnt into practise when you undertake an independent research project in your dissertation.
Royal Society For Public Health (RSPH) Membership

As a leading voice in public health, RSPH provides opportunities for students to maintain up-to-date knowledge, access exclusive resources, explore potential careers and occupations, network with like-minded people, and be recognised as a committed public health professional.

All Master of Public Health students will be provided with a 1 year student membership with the RSPH following the completion of their first module. Upon completion of their postgraduate programme with UoEO, students will be eligible to apply for Fellowship of RSPH. If applying before their Student Member status expires, they can upgrade without being charged the upgrade fee.

Why we’re great

  • Our specialist tutors and dedicated student support adviser will be on hand to guide you through your Master of Public Health degree.
  • You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods including discussion forums, assignments and a poster presentation.
  • You’ll gain a 1-year RSPH membership which will give you access to extra webinars, journals and conference plus the chance to have your work looked at by other students and health professionals.

Learning Path

Programme Structure

The Master of Public Health (MPH) programme is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 180 credits at Level 7.

Level 7 Modules:

  • Health Promotion (20 credits)
  • Topics in Public Health (20 credits)
  • Health Needs Assessment and Priority Setting (20 credits)
  • Epidemiology (20 credits)*
  • Advanced Practice in Healthcare (20 credits)*
  • Research Methods (20 credits)*
  • Dissertation (60 credits)*

* These modules are core and must be completed in order to achieve the award.

Teaching Methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
  • support from academic staff and your personal Student Adviser

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

  • Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
  • You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
  • You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
  • There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
  • You will have regular contact with your Student Adviser, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.

Our Master of Public Health (MPH) course has an indicative study duration of 2 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

As an MPH graduate, together with your previous experience, knowledge, skills and training, you will be well prepared to enter an array of roles in professions revolving around public health. Roles you could look at applying for include: Public Health Assistant, Officer or Manager, Health Communication Officer, Health Visitor, Public Health Consultant plus many more.

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

Additionally, you will need to pass your first assignment set within your two-week induction period of the course in order to continue with your studies.

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our Master of Public Health (MPH), you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

  • an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our Master of Public Health (MPH), you must meet the following criteria:

  • at least three years’ experience in a relevant health field, supported by appropriate references.

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Are You Ready To Start?

Fees and Funding

Full tuition fee: £11,222

Designated for postgraduate student loans in England.
Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies.
Full payment discount if you pay upfront.
Partial scholarship available for international students residing in specific regions outside of the UK.
Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you are a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.

Please note that a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here.

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits. We also charge the same fee for domestic and international students.

If you are based in the UK, you may also be able to access funding from external sources to contribute towards your tuition fees. This Health Careers website contains some resources you can look into.

If you are not based in the UK, Public Health Organisations in your home country may be able to offer support or direct you to sources of funding opportunities. To learn more, visit the  Public Health and World Bank  sites.

We want to give everyone the opportunity to experience a University of Essex Online course. We think you’ll love it! But if, within the first 21 days, you decide it’s not for you, you’ll receive a full refund.

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process.

Our Expert Staff

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our Master of Public Health (MPH) are experts in the field of health.

Our Expert Staff

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our Master of Public Health (MPH) are experts in the field of health.

Related Programmes

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