Overview

Public health is evolving rapidly, with complex challenges affecting communities worldwide.

GCU’s Master of Public Health (MPH) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to lead change and improve outcomes in areas such as:

health inequalities
ageing populations
chronic disease
migration and population shifts
infectious diseases
climate change.

You’ll learn from academics, researchers and public health practitioners with experience across policy, research and frontline practice. Their insight keeps your learning focused on current priorities and how public health works across different settings.

A strong focus is placed on health inequalities and the social determinants of health. You’ll develop skills in analysing and interpreting data to assess population health, identify trends, and evaluate interventions and services. You’ll also examine how public health policy and strategy are developed, implemented and evaluated.

The course builds your understanding of health protection, health improvement and healthcare public health, and how they work together in practice. You’ll also gain insight into the wider public health workforce and related areas such as health economics. Throughout your studies, you’ll use data and statistical methods to support evidence-based recommendations and design interventions that address health inequalities.

You’ll graduate with a broad and informed perspective and the confidence to contribute to and improve communities across the UK and around the world.

Choose how you study – Glasgow, London or online

You can study on campus at either our Glasgow campus or London campus.

You can also choose online through distance learning, and study from anywhere in the world.

The course content is the same across all modes of study, so you can choose what works best for you.

You can complete the degree in one year full time or study part time alongside your existing commitments.

This flexible course offers the following exit awards, depending on the number of credits you achieve:

Master of Public Health (MPH)
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health.

Course content for all these is in line with industry needs and professional core competencies.

Why study Master of Public Health at GCU?

Develop knowledge and skills that align with national and global public health priorities, including those of the UK Faculty of Public Health and the World Health Organization. The course incorporates core WHO competencies and prepares you for public health roles in the UK and internationally.
We take an evidence-based and social action approach to public health. Learn to tackle health inequalities through community-driven strategies.
Study part time or full time in London or Glasgow, or through distance learning. Choose a healthy work-life balance and enhance your career without relocating.
Contribute to a growing field in a changing world, where public health challenges are more complex than ever before.
GCU is home to the UK’s only WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing and Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation. We play a central role in sharing good practice and contributing to WHO’s strategic directions for education and workforce development. Our students benefit from teaching and research informed by real global health challenges.

What you will study

Modules

Core modules

Advanced Research Methods

The Principles and Theory of Public Health Practice

Epidemiology: Principles, Application and Evaluation in Practice

Social Action Approaches in Public Health

Evidence Based Public Health

Applied Statistics and Data Analysis for Public Health

Master Dissertation

Optional modules

Navigating the Policy Context

Infection Prevention and Control in a Global Context

Health Economics

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

There’s growing international demand for highly trained public health professionals, in roles such as:

Health Promotion Specialist
Epidemiologist
Data Analyst
Environmental Health Officer
Global Health Consultant
Policy Adviser
Community Health Worker
Public Health Researcher
NGO or Charity Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

These roles span sectors, including:

government agencies
National Health Service (NHS)
international organisations
charities and non-profit organisations
academic institutions
private organisations and consultancies.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Part time	3 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Distance learning	2 - 5 years	Sep 26	Distance learning	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Part time	3 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MPH	Distance learning	3 - 5 years	Jan 27	Distance learning	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as but not limited to medicine, nursing, dentistry, allied health professions, microbiology or chemistry.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.0.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Teaching methods

Modules are delivered through a range of teaching methods, depending on the topics covered.

These may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
practical computer lab workshops
interactive discussions
self-directed study.

Assessment methods

The course features a blend of exams and other assessment methods. This ensures your learning goes beyond theoretical understanding. Assessments reflect real-world public health challenges, using past and current research data.

Assessments enable you to demonstrate your grasp of the public health environment. They showcase your analytical skills, critical thinking and data interpretation, and include:

essays
statistical report
presentations.
exams

Improving lives

This course reflects our commitment to the Common Good, with a clear focus on social justice, sustainability and improving lives through education and research. You’ll explore how public health can address inequalities and create positive change for individuals and communities.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop key attributes such as responsible leadership, systems thinking, compassion and global awareness. These are embedded in your learning and help you build the confidence to make a meaningful impact in public health practice.

Guest lectures and networking events

This course features guest lecturers from our partners in public health practice and policy.

Online distance learning

Our distance learning Master of Public Health is delivered entirely online. This enables you to get everything you need to complete the course remotely, without being on campus.

Through an interactive online learning environment, you’ll have access to a variety of resources and activities, including:

recorded lectures
online readings
quizzes
reflective activities
discussion boards.

Asynchronous learning gives you the flexibility to study when it suits you. You'll access online lectures, resources and activities in your own time, rather than attending scheduled live classes. Teaching and learning materials can be accessed at any time, so you can study and complete tasks whenever is most convenient for you.

We encourage collaboration across locations and time zones, through:

structured online discussion forums
group activities using shared digital tools
peer feedback exercises.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.