Course summary

The MSc in Public Health course has been designed within a multi-professional, modular framework that draws on a wide range of disciplines. The course combines a set of four compulsory core modules (Principles and Practice of Public Health, Epidemiology, Essential Statistics in Health and Medical Research, and Research Methods and Critical Appraisal) with a range of optional modules (eg Health Protection, Nutrition in Public Health, International Health etc) which allows students to focus on areas relevant to their work and professional interests. The research dissertation module provides an excellent opportunity to integrate study-based learning with a work-based research project improving students' competencies and skills to enhance their long-term career in public health. The course delivers a solid grounding in public health theory and practice to provide a mechanism for analysing and instituting change in practice and to support public health leadership and registration. This is particularly pertinent in a challenging time of change and the course addresses recent moves in responsibility for the delivery of public health programmes. Teaching sessions are delivered by academicians and practitioners who are active in the field. The inter-professional background of the course participants fosters an environment in which occupational experiences are shared and a wider understanding of multidisciplinary public health issues is gained. The course is open to all students who are intending to practice in public health or related fields, and professionals who are in a position to deliver improvements in population health. Typical professions include primary care and public health practitioners, specialist community public health nurses, health promotion specialists, community development workers, environmental health officers and managers in the NHS and local authorities.