Course summary
Epidemiology is the study of disease and health outcomes in populations. It is about finding causes - the reasons why some people become ill, and the reasons why some populations are healthier than others - and what we can do to remove or control these causes. It is the science underpinning public health, clinical research and healthcare evaluation. The MSc in Epidemiology will enable you to engage with the complex population health challenges facing the global community in future decades, providing high-quality training in epidemiological methods that are applicable to low, middle and high income settings. The programme is suitable for students from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds. The MSc will introduce the principles of modern epidemiology and its role in public health and other health-related disciplines. You will learn how to design and analyse experimental and observational studies covering aetiology, interventions, diagnosis and prognosis. There will be opportunities to learn about cutting-edge methods in causal inference and molecular epidemiology. Your dissertation, on a research topic of your choice, will take the form of a journal article and a poster presentation, opening the possibility of submission for publication. The Department of Population Health Sciences is a large and thriving department, with numerous opportunities for PhD study and employment on research projects. We are internationally recognised for our excellence in developing epidemiological methods and applying these to a broad spectrum of population health topics. Our research ranges from discovery science in molecular and genetic epidemiology to innovative clinical trials, policy-influencing activities and robust evidence assessments. Our MSc in Epidemiology is founded on this expertise. This programme is available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities. Find out more about our intercalated degrees and eligibility criteria: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/health-life-sciences/intercalate/
Assessment method
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/media/postgraduate/admissions-statements/2025/msc-epidemiology.pdf
How to apply
International applicants
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students and accepts a wide range of qualifications for postgraduate study. If you study or have studied at a university outside the UK, please select the relevant page for further information on qualifications, scholarships and education representatives in your country/region: bristol.ac.uk/international/countries
Entry requirements
You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject, such as medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, pharmacy, biology/biological/human sciences, statistics, mathematics, public health, nursing, or psychology. You will also need to demonstrate evidence of your numeracy skills, either with one unit of Mathematics, Statistics or Biostatistics at 60% or above (or international equivalent), or A-level Mathematics or Statistics at grade C or equivalent. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: - evidence of significant, relevant work experience in a health-related field such as public health, epidemiology, health education etc. - a relevant postgraduate qualification such as medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, pharmacy, biology/biological/human sciences, statistics, mathematics, public health, nursing, or psychology. Specific module requirements would still apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Channel Islands | £6700 | Year 1 |
| England | £6700 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £6700 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £6700 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £6700 | Year 1 |
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
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
For more information, please view the programme page on our website.
Sponsorship information
International scholars from Chevening, Commonwealth, Fulbright and Marshall are welcome to apply for this MSc. Home applicants may also like to consider an NIHR pre-doctoral fellowship. Please contact the Programme Director if you would like to apply for this scheme. Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/students/support/finances/
Provider information
University of Bristol
Beacon House
Queen’s Road
Bristol
BS8 1QU