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Improve population health with evidence and policy
Online or on campus

Public health protects communities — not just individuals. This MSc trains practitioners to design surveillance systems, evaluate interventions, and influence policy. You will study epidemiological methods, environmental health, health economics, and programme evaluation using cases from the NHS, WHO frameworks, and community health networks in Africa and Asia. The dissertation addresses a real population-health question for a partner organisation. MSc Public Health is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 24 months, and the credit total is 36. Students move from Principles of Public Health through Principles of Public Health; Epidemiology & Biostatistics; Health Promotion & Behaviour Change; Environmental & Occupational Health; Health Systems & Policy; Global Health & Inequity, and finish on MSc Public Health Dissertation. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm. Reading is a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. The artefact a marker expects is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Design and interpret cohort and case-control studies Conduct health needs assessments for defined populations Evaluate public-health programmes using economic and outcome metrics Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
Faculty spotlight
Dr. Aisha Okonkwo leads epidemiology modules; Professor Daniel Mensah specialises in health systems strengthening in low-income settings.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study.

On-campus study
Prefer to learn at our Edinburgh campus? Campus tuition and campus examinations are charged. The published campus price is on each programme page.
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH501 | Principles of Public Health Principles of Public Health (PH501) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Principles of Public Health as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH502 | Epidemiology & Biostatistics Epidemiology & Biostatistics (PH502) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can define a measurable question, fit a method that can be checked, and report where it fails, using Epidemiology & Biostatistics as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a dataset description, a methods note, and one published evaluation. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a project note with the question, the method, the result, and the limitation. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH503 | Health Promotion & Behaviour Change Health Promotion & Behaviour Change (PH503) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Health Promotion & Behaviour Change as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH504 | Environmental & Occupational Health Environmental & Occupational Health (PH504) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Environmental & Occupational Health as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH505 | Health Systems & Policy Health Systems & Policy (PH505) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Health Systems & Policy as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH506 | Global Health & Inequity Global Health & Inequity (PH506) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Global Health & Inequity as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH507 | Health Economics Health Economics (PH507) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Health Economics as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH508 | Research Methods in Public Health Research Methods in Public Health (PH508) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Research Methods in Public Health as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| Code | Course | Credits · hours |
|---|---|---|
| PH601 | Programme Evaluation Programme Evaluation (PH601) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can read a set of figures, build a small case, and state which assumption moves the result, using Programme Evaluation as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses financial statements, a recognition note, and a risk report. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a recommendation that separates the decision, the numbers, and the risk. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer an accounting, audit, or financial-services licence.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH602 | Public Health Leadership Public Health Leadership (PH602) is a 3-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 30 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using Public Health Leadership as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 3 · 30 h |
| PH603 | MSc Public Health Dissertation MSc Public Health Dissertation (PH603) is a 6-credit course on MSc Public Health, with 60 notional learning hours. By the end, students can describe how people, records, and decisions move through one service, and separate cause from harm, using MSc Public Health Dissertation as the working context rather than a generic management example. The course is taught in three movements. First, students establish the terms and the decision the course is about. Second, they apply the method to a case, dataset, text, or design and compare it with a weaker alternative. Third, they revise the work after feedback and state what the conclusion cannot support. Preparation uses a pathway description, an incident summary, and an information standard. Seminar time is for the decision, not for reading the materials aloud. Assessment is a brief a service manager could use, with the evidence attached. A pass requires a clear method, evidence a marker can check, and an explicit limit. Credit is not awarded for summary alone. This course does not confer a licence to practise nursing, medicine, or any other clinical profession.
| 6 · 60 h |
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 24 months. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
You may study this award fully online from your country, or — where published — on campus at Brigant. Online study does not require a student visa. Campus study may.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. University of Brigant publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@brigant.uk.
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