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Master of Public Health (Online)

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Why choose Herts?

Flexible: This course is delivered online to fit in with your work, family, and lifestyle commitments.
Industry Accreditation: Accredited by the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region, [APHEA] and is delivered in line with public health practice guidance from the Faculty of Public Health.
Employment Prospects: Graduates are currently working as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and health professionals within the National Health Service improving their practitioner and management careers upon completion of this course.

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, examinations may be replaced by an alternative form of assessment during the academic year 2020/2021. Please refer to the Programme Specification on these pages for further details.

The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

A 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.
Access to computer equipment with the following minimum specification.

Find out more about International entry requirements.

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 (via Skype)

Supporting documents required

Copies of the front and back of your undergraduate degree transcript and certificate
Curriculum Vitae
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)
A 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.
A copy of the photo page of your passport
1 academic or professional reference


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Life and Medical Sciences
Course length	Online - Full Time, 1 Years Online - Part Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

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Employability

Careers

This programme is designed for students who wish to develop their careers in the field of public health practice, management or research, as well as practitioners and managers already in the field, who wish to enhance their career development.

The online MPH course is tailored implicitly towards the needs of diverse health professionals including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health, social care and environmental health professionals, as well as the wider public health workforce in the non-governmental sector.

The programme supports managerial, policy and practitioner career pathways.

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.

Find out more about funding and how to apply.

Free sample materials

See how online study works and what kind of learning environment and materials you will access as an online student. Access free sample materials

Why choose this course?

This MPH Public Health course combines the work of public health theory, practice and research, with expertise from: Life and Medical Science, Nursing and Social Work and The Business School at the University of Hertfordshire.

What will I study?

For information about distance learning teaching methods and how online study works, please visit UH Online.

Course length

Full-time, 1 year
Part-time, 2 - 5 years

Key staff

Admissions tutor: Dr Marvelle Brown

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Evidence Based Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
Students will construct a research question and search strategy, conduct systematic searches of on-line databases, internet and other sources of information; appraise the evidence base of health and social care practice and interventions through the use of a range of tools; apply and critically explore, through discussion and debate, the contextual factors which influence application of evidence to practice.
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 search, and knowledge in research methodologies and how to extrapolate and use collated data, are achieved and through the use of 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.
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	Optional
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. Health Protection in the United Kingdom will be used as an empirical example to compare with international responses to communicable diseases.
Work Based Learning in Health and Medical Practice	30 Credits	Optional
The provision of healthcare in contemporary practice demands that health care professionals engage in continuing professional development and lifelong learning. These needs have been identified within the political agenda for health care, not only to meet professional body requirements but also to meet the agenda for continuous quality improvement within the NHS. This module will enable students to engage in continuing professional development that is of particular interest to them. It will also facilitate an understanding of current best practice and strategies for continued enhancement of this aspect of practice within their organisation.
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.
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.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
Master of Public Health (Online)	Download

Programme specifications
Master of Public Health (Online)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
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

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

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

Fees 2021
UK Students

Full time
- £9360 for the 2021/2022 academic year
Part time
- £780 per 15 credits for the 2021/2022 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £9360 for the 2021/2022 academic year
Part time
- £780 per 15 credits for the 2021/2022 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £9360 for the 2021/2022 academic year
Part time
- £780 per 15 credits for the 2021/2022 academic year
For more details about fees and funding please visit UH Online's fees page

*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

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

2020

Start Date	End Date	Link
24/05/2021	31/05/2022	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

2021

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2021	30/09/2022	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
23/09/2021	30/09/2022	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))
24/05/2022	31/05/2023	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

2022

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2022	30/09/2023	Apply online (Distance (Full Time))
23/09/2022	30/09/2023	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))
24/05/2023	31/05/2024	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

Please note that some of the images and videos on our course pages may have been taken before social distancing rules in the UK came into force.

Master of Public Health (Online)

Why choose Herts?

Supporting documents required

Careers

About the course

Free sample materials

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Course length

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2021

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

2020

2021

2022