MSc Public Health (PG Cert, PG Dip)

This module introduces MSc students to the core principles and practices of public health, linking foundational concepts and theories with contemporary issues and practical skills, ensuring MSc students are equipped for real-world public health challenges. It covers key concepts such as social determinants of health, epidemiology, health systems, policy, and interventions, using contemporary research and case studies. A central theme is addressing health inequalities - critically analysing causes, consequences and solutions aimed at improving health and reducing inequalities. The course is designed for both home and international students, incorporating global perspectives on public health challenges and solutions.

This module encourages you to develop knowledge and competence in the area of health improvement and health protection. It aims to provide knowledge on a range of risk factors at individual, community and national level and develop theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to effectively plan, implement and evaluate projects, regulatory measures and programmes to protect and improve the health and well-being of populations.

Introduction to qualitative, quantitative and systematic review research approaches, including:

• The contribution of different methods to different aspects of public health practice
• Quantitative methods: epidemiological methods, surveys, trials, sampling, data collection and analysis
• Qualitative methods: interviews, focus groups, sampling, data collection and analysis
• Systematic reviews: systematic review approaches for qualitative and quantitative reviews, searching, screening, quality assessment and synthesis
• Developing research ideas and aims
• Writing a research proposal
• Ethics in public health research

The dissertation module offers you an opportunity to explore in-depth an area of personal or professional interest that relates to your programme of study. In doing this, you will expand your research skills and apply what you have learned in the earlier modules to your research project. It enables you to:

• develop your skills necessary to plan and execute a research project that is relevant to your area of study
• effectively communicate research outcomes to an appropriate audience

You can choose your own topic and methodology but the topic must be relevant to public health and aligned to your route specialism. Your research project will be presented as a 7000 word journal article and includes an oral assessment (30 minute viva voce).

Epidemiology and Public Health Intelligence are core public health disciplines that share some key approaches and methods. Epidemiology and public health monitoring provide essential data which are used to determine appropriate public health strategies. This module will explore these key areas, the relationships between them, and the integration of data from these with a range of other sources of information (such as qualitative research). It will explore how data and information from research studies and public health monitoring can be used to inform health protection and health improvement in a global context.

While violence is not a new health concern, it has increasingly come on the public health agenda. The impact of violence on the health of individuals, families and the wider society adds to an increasing burden of ill-health and cost to health and other welfare services. The module critically examines a range of key issues related to violence and health from international, national and local perspectives. It demonstrates the need for an interdisciplinary public health approach when addressing the causes of violence, building prevention control strategies, and promoting safety.  It enables you to understand and develop strategies to control violence. The module content is informed by the Public Health Institutes World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention.

This module examines public health risks at the global level and in the context of globalisation. It explores the key processes of globalisation, such as economic, political, cultural and technological, and how they impact the health of populations and their environments. Key public health risks are identified and their strategic response at the global level evaluated including: Tobacco, Alcohol, diet, climate change, migration, conflicts, and displacements.

This module enhances your knowledge and understanding of health improvement and health protection in relation to substance use and addictive behaviours. It introduces key concepts, such as models of addiction and models of behaviour change. It considers drugs prevention activity as a key area of health improvement and examines harm reduction as part of wider health protection. It will also examine how policy and interventions are designed to improve public health outcomes.

This module explores the complex and evolving relationship between climate change and public health. It examines the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on human health, the vulnerability of different populations, and the strategies for adaptation and mitigation. Students will develop a critical understanding of the scientific evidence, policy frameworks, and practical interventions relevant to this interdisciplinary field.

You will work with your tutor to select and agree an area of public health to investigate. The topic will need to be different and not linked to any other module you are taking, but must sit within the broad public health discipline/subject area. In the past, topics have addressed issues such as: Working in partnership to improve mental health; Smoke Free initiatives; and reviewing research governance procedures.

You will present a substantial plan of work to be agreed by the module leader, and embark on a review of the literature. The research and library support officer will be available to help guide you if needed, and it may be appropriate to liaise with tutors outside of the module who have relevant specialist knowledge pertaining to your area of interest. Where relevant, students can seek support outside of the public health team, if the topic is related to a nursing or midwifery concern in public health for example.

Students should note that the aim of this module is not to produce a mini–dissertation; the emphasis is on a literature review rather than an empirical study or systematic review. Students are also advised not to use their dissertation subject as a topic for this module, as this may lead to problems around self-plagiarism.

This module aims to enable you to work practically and develop public health knowledge and skills pertinent to practical settings.

• This module is carried out in relation either to a project that participants undertake at their place of work; or as part of an organised work related project or placement.
• The project forms the basis of an action learning process whereby participants reflect on their ability to achieve personal and organisational goals, solve problems and meet self-appointed learning outcomes.
• Participants are supported by an academic tutor, a work based 'critical friend' and an action learning set.
• Assessment is through a presentation to peers and staff and through reflective writing based on engagement with the action learning set and online discussion.