Overview
This Master’s in Public Health (MPH) evaluates and critically appraises approaches to health and disease. It’ll prepare you for a career in public health in the UK and internationally with roles in:
- the UK National Health Service (or its equal abroad)
- local government
- the voluntary sector
- academia
Public health specialists address health issues at various levels, including:Â
- societal – tackling health inequalities through advanced research methodologiesÂ
- demographic – understanding the impact of ageing and long-term conditions across the life course
- cultural – addressing shifts in public attitudes towards health and wellness
- social – engaging with issues such as substance misuse and their public health implications
You’ll address these issues with a range of advanced research skills. You’ll learn how to apply research findings to improve population health and health services.Â
You’ll study in the Population and Health Sciences Institute in the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
You can study stand-alone modules from this degree as Continued Professional Development (CPD Public Health 6017P).
You’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience. You’ll use cutting-edge methods that are driving modern public health strategies. This immersive learning environment will equip you with practical skills.
View Learn more about the degree from the programme co-directors and current students.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
You’ll explore challenges in public health such as:
- tackling the social and commercial determinants of health and reducing health inequalities
- the role of behavioural interventions in public health
- public and patient engagement and involvement, and shared decision making
- using advanced epidemiological methods to study health and disease in populations
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Compulsory modules
Principles of Public Health (20 credits)
Research Methods for Public Health (20 credits)
Introduction to Health Statistics and Epidemiological Analysis (20 credits)
Social Determinants of Health (20 credits)
Dissertation (60 credits)
Optional modules
Introduction to Global Health (20 credits)
Applied Epidemiology and Data Science (20 credits)
Ageing across the Life Course(10 credits)
Health Economics (10 credits)
Health Improvement: Theory, Policy and Practice (10 credits)
Public Health Protection (10 credits)
How you’ll learn
You can study this programme full time for one year or part time over two or three years.Â
The course consists of taught modules (120 credits) and a supervised project and dissertation (60 credits). You’ll produce a dissertation that is a reflection of your learned skills.
You’ll receive various methods of teaching including:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical sessions
We encourage active learning through discussion, problem-solving and group work. Some teaching sessions may involve student presentations, and preparation or further reading.
Some of the topics you’ll cover include:
- why behaviour matters in public health and which behaviour change techniques contribute to effective interventions
- how advanced epidemiology and data science addresses emerging trends in the use of health data in public health
- the principles of public health protection and surveillance
- effective strategies in reducing health
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Our staff tackle public health issues from a large range of disciplines, including:
- medical and applied health specialities
- applied epidemiology
- data science
- biostatistics
- health economics
- psychology and behavioural science
- political science
- anthropology
- law
- ageing
We are at the forefront of high-impact research within the Population Health Sciences Institute. The institute is renowned globally for its expertise in key areas such as:
- ageing
- nutrition
- epidemiology
- health inequalities
- behavioural science
Key focuses of our work are life course approaches to public health and understanding how factors from early life to old age influence health outcomes.
Our research drives innovation in tackling complex issues including:
- chronic disease prevention
- improving healthcare delivery
- addressing the social determinants of health
This expertise not only enriches our teaching, but also helps shape national and international health policy and practice. This helps make sure that interventions are effective across all stages of life.
We also have representation from many other key themes within the Faculty of Medical Sciences, such as :
- Ageing and Geroscience
- Behavioural Science and Psychology
- Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism
- Reproduction, Development and Child Health
- FUSE (the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health)
These diverse areas bring a wide range of expertise to enrich your learning experience.
Your development
This research project serves as the culmination of the skills you’ve gained throughout the course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting. You’ll work with our research teams. Expert staff will help you to develop your project. You can choose from a wide range of topics proposed by our academics and practice partners or propose your own. Regardless, this experience will give you the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge public health research.
Projects vary and can involve:
- primary data collection (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods)
- secondary analysis of a wide range of available datasets
- systematic review
You’ll learn introductory and advanced research methods. You’ll also have regular research supervision throughout the course. You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with external partners. These partners are engaged in public health practice and policy.
Your future
Our graduates have gone on to work in:
- government
- international organisations
- the voluntary sector
- healthcare and service delivery
- consultancies
- the private sector where there is involvement with providing healthcare and public services
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 100 for Medical and Health – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You’ll have access to:
- open plan workspaces
- meeting rooms of all sizes
- ‘breakout’ areas for informal discussions
- Walton Library
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a medical, health or social sciences discipline. You can also apply if you have successfully completed the fourth year of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course, or equivalent.
If you have a 2.2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, your application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Â
