Postgraduate Course
Public Health MSc
The pandemic highlighted how important strong public health leadership is to our world. Learn the crucial concepts and principles on a global scale.
/prod01/yorksjacuk/media/content-assets/safe-images/1600-x-1000/London-Campus-53.jpg)
Evaluate established public health concepts and consider the new, emerging themes within the context of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). You will have the opportunity to challenge yourself to apply your theoretical knowledge to specific requirements in real world scenarios.
London campus
- Duration – 1 year full time, 2 years full time with Professional Experience.
- Start date – September 2025
- School – London
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
Tuition fees
UK 2025-26 £10,000 full time
International 2025-26 £11,800 full time
Course overview
Study the constantly changing place of public health in our society. Transformations in the organisation and practice of health demand the re-evaluation of established methods and the consideration of emerging ideas. Study topics including:
- Public health in an ageing population
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Research methods
- Risk factors in public health
- Data analytics in healthcare
- The science behind preventing disease
On this course, you will study public health on a global scale. Industry speakers from international public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), play a crucial role in delivery of this course.
Gain valuable experience with quantitative and qualitative research. For example, you will learn about the science behind preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through qualitative research.
You have the option to undertake 12 months of study or 24 months with professional experience to enhance your career prospects. Our London Student Opportunities team will support you in applying for opportunities with a range of tailored services available. You can also gain valuable experience with our Venture Creation Lab (VCL), which provides you with the opportunity to choose between 4 pathways:
- Entrepreneurial
- Technical
- Research
- Leadership
Course structure
How you will study
You can study this postgraduate course full time or part time. This allows you to fit your studies around other commitments.
If you choose to study full time the course will take 1 year to complete or 24 months with Professional Experience. You will study:
- 6 compulsory modules
- 1 course long research project (dissertation) module
If you choose to study part time the course will take 2 years to complete and the modules will be split across both years.
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory
Health promotion is essential to maintaining a healthy society. It draws on other disciplines, including:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Anthropology
- Education
- Epidemiology
Learn how people and communities can be empowered to improve their health and how public policy can create healthier societies.
Credits: 20
Compulsory
The digitalisation of the public health field has made a knowledge of data collection and analytics essential. Learn about the predicted future trends and the ethical implications of data analytics in public health. You will develop the skills needed to collect, interpret and manipulate data using quantitative methods for operational efficiency.
Credits: 20
Compulsory
Economics can be defined as the academic discipline concerned with the production, consumption and transfer of goods and services. One of the main challenges faced in public health is the effective allocation and application of limited resources. Through this module you will learn how to solve problems associated with a lack of resources and public health management.
Credits: 20
Compulsory
Epidemiology uses quantitative research methods to study diseases in the human population and investigate how they can be prevented. Explore the wide variety of factors influencing health and training in the methodology, design, analysis, and interpretation of epidemiological studies. You will learn how to observes changes in disease from a non-clinical perspective within public health.
Credits: 20
Compulsory
An increase in adult survival has resulted in more of the population surviving past middle age and beyond average public projections. The population of older people has grown and forms a larger proportion of populations worldwide. Examine the factors that lead to an ageing population and the health, social and economic consequences of demographic change.
Credits: 20
Compulsory
Healthy sexuality is more than a lack of disease. It includes a positive and respectful understanding of reproductive health, sexuality and sexual relationships. Gain the skills necessary to study sexual and reproductive health and consider relevant public health policies. Learn the non-clinical fundamentals of family planning, reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections.
Credits: 60
Compulsory
Investigate, select, analyse, refine, and develop creative solutions in order to reach evidence-based conclusions, pertinent to contemporary issues within the field of digital marketing. This module has been constructed to draw on diverse, academically rigorous resources, as well as authentic, vocationally driven materials. Learner-driven in nature, this module will be personalised to your interests and career aspirations. Teaching will cover research methodology, data analysis, employability informed research and professional principles. You will undertake your own research to build on this, under a tutor's supervision.
If you are studying this course with a Professional Experience year, it will be assessed during this module.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
Modules are delivered using a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. These include:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Debates and discussion forums
- Tutorials
Our teaching is rooted in project-based and inquiry-led learning. Support with study skills, conventions of academic analysis and scholarly writing will be available throughout the duration of the course.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
We will ensure an inclusive and individualised experience using a variety of assessment methods, such as:
- Portfolios
- Presentations
- Vivas
- Project-based research
You will benefit from a variety of feedback modes relevant to the assessment. Feedback received will detail how you can develop areas of research, subject knowledge, and professional practice.
Professional Experience
Professional experience is the perfect opportunity to enhance your career prospects and deepen your understanding of your subject area. You can undertake a 12 month or 24 month option professional experience placement, depending on if you are studying full or part time. We offer support in looking for placement opportunities through the London Student Opportunities team. While there is no guarantee you will secure a placement, as this decision sits entirely with employers, we can guarantee you will have access to professional experience through our Venture Creation Lab (VCL). VCL is our industry led programme, with four pathways to choose from.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
2:2 honours degree in a related subject
We require applicants to be from (national or international) health aligned backgrounds, including:
- Public health and/or health promotion
- Allied health
- Health-related studies
- Social sciences
- Biosciences
- Sport science
- Environmental health
Either traditionally via the undergraduate route, or via substantial industrial or practical experience.
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
International entry requirements
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
UK 2025 - 2026 entry
The tuition fee for September 2025 entry to this postgraduate course with Professional Experience is:
- £10,000 per year for the first year full time, and £1,500 for your professional experience year (£11,500 in total)
- £5,000 per year part time, and £1,500 for your professional placement year (£11,500 in total)
International 2025 - 2026 entry
The tuition fee for September 2025 entry to this postgraduate course without Professional Experience is:
- £11,800 for 1 year of full time study
The tuition fee for February 2025 entry to this postgraduate course with Professional Experience is:
- £15,500 for full time study
- £11,800 for your first year, and £3,600 for your Professional Experience year (£15,400 in total)
These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.
Tuition fees
UK 2025-26 £10,000 full time
International 2025-26 £11,800 full time
Alumni Scholarships
If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.
Additional costs and financial support
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Accommodation and living costs
You will need to consider the cost of accommodation in London. There are many student accommodation options throughout the city. More guidance on finding accommodation in London is available on our dedicated Study in London page.
Career outcomes
Where could Public Health MSc take you?
This degree could lead you to a career directly related to Public Health, such as health promotion, or it could take you in a completely different direction, using the many transferrable skills you will develop. These include problem solving, analysing information, undertaking research and more.
This will give you an advantage in careers including:
- The NHS and health sectors abroad
- Community organisations
- Government agencies
- Local authorities
- Health promotion agencies
- Human rights agencies
- International health institutions
- Business and voluntary sectors
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree (Department for Education Graduate Labour Market Report).
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
Course highlights
Learn from industry experts
Hear from guest speakers with extensive experience in public health. This includes the World Health Organisation and other international public health organisations.
Future-first assessments
Our assessments are designed to reflect common industry tasks. This will help you prepare for your future career.
Venture Creative Lab (VCL)
Gain valuable experience for your future career with our industry-led programme. You can choose the entrepreneurship, technical, research or leadership pathway to further develop your skills.