Master of Public Health with Extended Placement

Why choose Herts?

MPH Public Health with Extended Placement enables you to develop your knowledge and skills during your placement. Throughout the course you'll combine the work of public health theory, practice and research.
The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England for Social Policy (2023 Complete University Guide).
You'll be taught by Public Health experts within Life and Medical Science, Nursing and Social Work and The Business School at the University of Hertfordshire.
MPH Public Health without Extended Placement, Advanced Research and Online pathway options available for this course.

Good Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.2 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, or relevant experience in the area of public health may be considered in place of a degree
GCSE (or equivalent) in English with minimum grade C or IELTS score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.5 in any band)
GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics with minimum grade C

For candidates who have no formal qualifications, candidates will be required to complete a number of selection activities which may include:

Completion of a self-assessment questionnaire based on the competency requirement of the Faculty of Public Health
Submission of a short written discussion about a public health peer-reviewed article (which will be supplied to the candidate)
Participation in an interview

Supporting documents required

Copies of the front and back of your undergraduate degree transcript and certificate
Your CV
English language GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent - you should have a score of 7.0 overall if presenting an IELTS test)
Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent)
Substantial personal statement about why you want to study this programme, what you hope to gain from the course and where you see your future development taking your career
Copy of the photo page of your passport
One academic or professional reference.

Find out more about international entry requirements


Institution code	H36
Course length	Sandwich, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

If you want to build practical experience alongside advanced public health expertise, this two year Master's is designed to help you stand out.

You will develop the knowledge and professional skills needed for roles in public health practice, management and research. You will gain expertise in analysing population data, addressing health inequalities, evaluating interventions and informing policy decisions. The course is tailored for graduates and professionals aiming to work across healthcare, social care, environmental health and the wider public health sector.

The programme incorporates the core competencies defined by the Faculty of Public Health in the UK. Its learning outcomes are mapped to the expectations of the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region and the UK Public Health Register, ensuring your learning reflects recognised professional standards.

Graduates are prepared for careers in public health practice, health improvement, commissioning, leadership and research in the UK and internationally.

Work placement

In your second year, you will complete a minimum 30 week public health placement.

This extended professional experience allows you to apply your learning in real world settings, strengthen your leadership and teamwork skills, and build valuable sector experience before you graduate.

You will secure your own placement with support from the University and must successfully complete the Extended Placement module to achieve the award.

About the course

The range of optional modules offered and the breadth of cases used across the programme will provide opportunities for specialism in the global and local context.

Why choose this course?

MPH Public Health with Extended Placement enables you to develop your knowledge and skills during your placement. Throughout the course you'll combine the work of public health theory, practice and research.
The University of Hertfordshire was ranked 2nd in the East of England for Social Policy (2023 Complete University Guide).
You'll be taught by Public Health experts within Life and Medical Science, Nursing and Social Work and The Business School at the University of Hertfordshire.
92% overall satisfaction for medicine and dentistry in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024).
9th in the UK for health science (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025).

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Evidence Based Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module will use a number of different approaches to help students to gain a deep understanding of evidence-based practice from theoretical and practical perspectives. Students will be taught a systematic approach to searching for evidence to answer a question that is related to the student's programme of study. By developing evidence searching and appraisal skills, students will be able to critically explore how research evidence may be applied to practice.
Work Based Learning in Health and Medical Practice	30 Credits	Optional
This module will enable health professionals to focus on how the workplace environment provides a learning opportunity. The provision of healthcare in contemporary practice demands that health care professionals engage in inter-professional and work-based learning. The module will also require to focus on an area within the workplace that needs to improve and then undertake an initiative (in the form of a situational analysis, or audit) to make evidence based improvements to the work place.
Project Report	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module builds on the skills acquired from studying the core modules; Public Health Research and Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice. Enhancing skills in conducting literature searches, and knowledge in research methodologies and how to extrapolate and use collated data, are achieved through the use of lectures and workshops on campus, the interactive facilities on the Canvas site and tutor feedback. independent research, feedback from the project supervisor, directed reading and case studies, and resources provided through the Canvas site for the module.
Environmental Health and Wellbeing	30 Credits	Optional
This module examines the environment as a determinant of health and wellbeing and assesses the impact of environmental planning and design on public health. A critical appraisal of the interaction of the environment with health systems, will be explored and identify the potential of how environmental interventions can improve public health. The students will have the opportunity to interpret and analyse various biological, chemical, physical, social and psychosocial stresses, and understand the concept of health impact assessment. The module will focus on several significant areas, including water & public health, air pollution, sustainability, and the impact of environmental policy on public health.
Promoting Health	30 Credits	Optional
The module captures the broader strategies which governments, health systems, practitioners and individuals can adopt to prevent ill health, promote health and wellbeing and manage ill health. Students will start with a review of the major communicable and non-communicable challenges and how these vary by geography and the importance of promoting health for sustainability of health systems as well as quality of life. Health promotion models and how these have been informed by different theoretical perspectives and disciplines will be covered including: theories of behaviour change (theory of planned behaviours, the health belief model, etc); methods of behaviour change at the at individual, community, societal level; role of law; underpinning ideologies/libertarian/utilitarian) of health systems; cultural aspects which influence national policies on promoting health; risk behaviours; evidence base for different interventions.
Leadership for Public Health Practice	30 Credits	Optional
This module will enable the student to understand the multi-faceted nature of leadership for public health. It will encourage the practitioner to recognise their approach to leadership, how leadership is undertaken within their work setting and the multiple factors that shape prevailing leadership styles and the impact of this on colleagues, team working and for clients. Within the course, particular attention will be given to the public health practitioner as a leader within contemporary organisations. This course will equip the practitioner to recognise and develop their leadership potential so that they can develop new sights, new ways of working and promote change and sustained public health development within their work setting.
Public Health Foundations	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module builds upon the 9 core competencies of Public Health Practice set out by the Faculty of Public Health UK. The English NHS will form the central empirical case across the nine key areas for public health training; notably the changing structure, leadership, evaluation and accountability, for Public Health in England. Global comparisons with regards management and delivery of Public Health will be used along with inequalities across and within nations. Global, communicable and non-communicable challenges (the 'triple burden') will be used to provide integration across the module through case studies including: obesity; maternal health; mental health; healthcare associated infections; tuberculosis. Students will examine Public Health in the broadest definition and across sectors: education, health, third sector (non- governmental), private and public, including the roles of multi-disciplinary professionals and occupational groups to improve public health outcomes.
Public Health Research and Epidemiology	30 Credits	Compulsory
The module will provide a foundation in the principles of epidemiology and biostatistics across the domains of health improvement, health protection and health care systems. Amongst other topics, the module will also appraise the role of public health intelligence and applied epidemiology. The content is divided into 3 parts. The first is Research Skills in Public Health, Foundations in Epidemiological Methods and the third part builds on the epidemiological methods introducing the student to translating epidemiological principles into applied public health settings. Core public skills including the communication of risk and managing uncertainty will be developed alongside infectious disease epidemiology and an overview of non-communicable conditions. Acquisition of knowledge and understanding will be through a combination of virtual lectures, group work and discussion with lecturers and expert practitioners in the field of public health teaching, research and practice.
Communicable and Non-Communicable Conditions	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on the aetiology and determinants of a range of communicable and non-communicable conditions. The module will also highlight historical epidemiological trends in disease and evaluate likely future developments in relation to changing prevalence and emerging infections. The evidence base for vertical, horizontal and integrated system approaches to address the double burden of disease will be examined.
Physical Activity and Nutrition for Public Health	30 Credits	Optional
The module will explore the effects of regular physical activity on health, including cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and musculoskeletal adaptations that result from regular physical activity; as well as mental health and wellbeing. Further to physical activity, the module will discuss the importance of nutrition in relation to public health. The module will also explore different interventions aiming to increase levels of physical activity, as recommended in current guidelines for different populations. The module will also cover theoretical models of behaviour change and its application in relation to exercise and physical. activity. The module will explore tools to evaluate the effect of physical activity on health, from epidemiological studies at population level, to fitness tests at individual level. Finally, the module will discuss socioeconomic issues hampering physical activity levels in some populations, and strategies to maximise behaviour change towards a physically active lifestyle. Learning outcomes will be achieved through online lectures and webinars, tutorials, directed and independent study, and the assessment.
Addressing Internet Addictive Behaviour - A Public Health Concern	30 Credits	Optional
This module is designed to provide opportunity to develop skills and competence when working in the area of addictive behaviour, promoting awareness for the reasons associated with internet addictive behaviour.
Extended Placement	60 Credits	Compulsory
Undertaking a placement provides you with the opportunity to set your academic studies in a broader context. It also provides an opportunity to gain practical experience of the professional workplace and strengthen your employability skills. The Work Placement Assessment enables you to reflect on the skills and insights gained throughout your placement, both in relation to your personal development and specific aspects of the sector.

Key staff

Dr Marvelle Brown
Admissions Tutor
Find out more about Dr Marvelle Brown

Further course information

Programme specifications
Master of Public Health with Extended Placement - Full Time, Sem A	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Mandatory
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2026
UK Students
Full time
- £12855 for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £22450 for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £22450 for the 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification.
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
21/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
2027
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
20/09/2027 31/05/2028 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Book your Open Day

Apply now

What type of applicant are you?

Sign up for Clearing VIP Access

Get info and updates

Sign up for updates

Master of Public Health with Extended Placement

Why choose Herts?

Supporting documents required

Careers

Work placement

About the course

Why choose this course?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2026

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2026

2027