Course summary
The MSc Applied Public Health degree places a strong focus on health equity and social justice at local and global levels. Our aim is to develop reflective public health practitioners who apply a systematic and practical understanding of public health to improve and protect the health & well-being of the individuals, groups and communities that they work with. We will support you to develop and use a combination of leadership, innovation and technical skills to advocate for, influence and implement changes in policy and practice to reduce or eliminate unjust, preventable differences in health, and promote sustainable development. The programme in Applied Public Health is aimed at anyone with an interest in improving the full range of social, economic and environmental determinants of health: for example, people working in public health, education, health promotion, housing, transport, leisure, environmental health, community development, health & wellbeing partnerships, planning, social services, school nursing, and health visiting (not an exhaustive list!). We welcome applicants from all sectors: public, private and the voluntary & independent sector. During your studies you will investigate public health issues and case studies from around the world, as well as Wales and in the UK. Possible exit points - MSc/PgD/PgC
Modules
The programme consists of the following modules (year of study for part-time students is indicated in brackets: Determinants of Health and Health Promotion (part-time year 1) The aim of the module is to enable students to evaluate the influence of the determinants of health and understand and apply theories, knowledge and practical skills needed for health promotion in a global context. Politics, Power, and Health (part-time year 1) The aim of the module is to enable students to assess the impact of policy proposals on health, and to work within political, democratic and organisational systems to advocate for action to improve health and reduce health inequities. Programme Planning and Leadership (part-time year 1) The aim of the module is to enable students to evaluate the efficacy of approaches to designing, planning and implementing interventions for promoting health and reducing inequities in a theoretical and applied context. Epidemiology in Applied Public Health (part-time year 2) The aim of this module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of epidemiological principles and methods, fostering their ability to apply this knowledge in addressing real-world public health challenges. Health Protection (part-time year 2) The aim of the module is to enable students to protect the public from environmental hazards and communicable diseases, addressing inequities in risk exposure and outcomes, and promoting sustainable development. Applied Research Methods and Design (part-time year 2) The aim of the module is to enable students to develop their research skills in order to apply principles of evidence-based practice, and design and carry out robust research projects. Project and Career Planning (part-time year 3) The aim of this module is to enable students to design and develop an advanced specialist project in their discipline to enhance their own and/or others' learning, work, or practice, and to evaluate their own knowledge, skills, interests and ambitions to create their own personal career development plan. Project (part-time year 3) The aim of this module is to enable students to work independently to investigate an area in their discipline relevant to their own learning, work, or practice, and to present and discuss their findings, demonstrating a systematic understanding and critical awareness of their discipline and area of professional practice. We offer a broad range of project types including empirical research projects, enterprise/innovation projects (e.g., business planning or consultancy), or product/intervention design. Students can also complete the project as a placement/professional practice development project, focused on developing and demonstrating a specific set of professional knowledge, skills and competencies and their application in practice.
Assessment method
Our programme and modules are designed to offer opportunities for formative tasks and feedback to help build confidence and develop your ability to evaluate your own progress. We use authentic assessment tasks which enable you to apply your knowledge and skills to scenarios, activities and settings commonly encountered in professional practice. The programme includes a range of assessment methods, including: Professional report Live presentation and pre-recorded video Practical applied scenario Policy briefing Viva-voce interview Academic poster Intervention design portfolio To reflect that applied nature of your studies, the programme contains no unseen written examinations. We carefully plan our assessment schedule to avoid excessive bunching of similar types of assessment, and realistic deadlines. Every assessment includes a detailed briefing and clearly defined marking criteria, which have been developed and tested in partnership with students.
Entry requirements
You'll normally be expected to hold an initial degree in a discipline relating to health or the determinants of health. This covers a wide range of subjects such as health professions (e.g., medicine, nursing, allied health professions, environmental health), social sciences (e.g. sociology, psychology, geography) and other professional backgrounds such as education, sport development, social work, housing, planning, etc. (not an exclusive list). However, you can also be eligible if you have other qualifications of an appropriate level, particularly if they are able to demonstrate significant experience in a relevant setting. If you think this might apply to your situation, please contact the programme leader for an informal discussion. If you're applying directly following completion of a Bachelor degree, we'll generally expect you to hold at least a 2:1 classification - to ensure that you are equipped for the step up to study at master's level. However, we consider each application on its own merits depending on the undergraduate subject of study and other factors such as relevant experience (paid or voluntary). Selection Procedure: You will need to meet the admissions criteria as explained above. Selection is initially by way of an application form, personal statement and appropriate references, although you may be interviewed. We encourage potential applicants to contact the programme leader for an informal discussion about the programme, to help inform your application.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | No element lower than 5.5. Academic IELTS test required. |
PTE Academic | 52 | No element lower than 51 |
TOEFL (iBT) | 72 | TOEFL Internet required. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Level B2 | Minimum 169 (no element lower than 162) |
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £1225 | Module |
England | £1225 | Module |
Northern Ireland | £1225 | Module |
Scotland | £1225 | Module |
Wales | £1225 | Module |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Western Avenue
Cardiff
CF5 2YB