MSc Public Health Practice
The MSc masters degree in public health practice is designed to develop your knowledge and skills to lead and provide evidence-based public health practice at individual, community and population levels. The course is sometimes referred to as a health visitor masters.
This programme is for experienced public health practitioners, nurses and midwives. Related areas of study include health promotion; environmental health; health protection; health visiting; and nursing and midwifery. We welcome applications from international students.
Level: 7
Duration: One year full time or up to five years part time (dependent on pathway)
Public health is at the forefront of tackling the broad range of factors that influence health and lead to health inequalities. This programme aims to provide the knowledge, skills and understanding to analyse and improve population health. This could be through developing systems or projects to address health determinants, helping people to improve their own health and ensuring that health services improve health.
This masters degree course in public health practice content will:
- Provide you with a critical awareness of health protection, health promotion and community development
- Enable you to work in collaboration with other agencies
- Enhance your knowledge and skills with regard to the importance of health policy, leadership and management
- Develop your skills of communication
- Expose you to key concepts that underpin public health practice
- Empower you through a programme of role transition so that you can participate equally as a member of the multi-professional team
The Specialist pathway meets the NMC Standards of Proficiency for specialist community public health nurses.
The generic pathway is designed to meet the UK Public Health Skills and Career Framework.
To Apply
You can apply undertake the generic pathway postgraduate degree online or request an application pack from tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7778 or PGapply.fhs@southampton.ac.uk. In addition to registering for the degree, many courses will also require you to separately register for your chosen individual modules of study each year once dates are published. Please discuss this with the programme leader. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.
To apply for the specialist Health Visiting and School Nurse pathway you can complete the application pack on this page, which consists of a welcome letter, an application form, an ethnic survey form, guidance notes for completion, an information sheet and a reference request letter.
All packs should be returned to Brenda Draper, Recruitment and Admissions Team, Health Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ. Or PGapply.fhs@southampton.ac.uk
Places on this programme are sponsored by the NHS, the selection process will involve an interview with NHS Trust and University of Southampton staff. Please direct any application queries to Brenda Draper at PGapply.fhs@southampton.ac.uk
For programme enquiries contact:
Programme leader: Lyn Wilson Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 7852 Email: lynw@southampton.ac.uk
SCPHN pathway lead: Wendy Wigley Tel: +44 (0) 23 80 598281 email w.wigley@southampton.ac.uk
Programme Structure
Generic pathway: a portfolio of practice and the following taught options:
Postgraduate certificate – three taught modules
Postgraduate diploma – six taught modules
MSc – six taught modules plus a dissertation
Specialist pathway: 52 week programme (including annual leave) 50% of which is in practice, six core taught modules leading to a postgraduate diploma.
Career opportunities
The specialist pathway on this MSc course in public health practice leads to a career as a community health visitor or a school nurse. This is why it is sometimes called a health visitor masters.
The generic pathway can lead to a variety of roles such as; senior health promotion specialist, health improvement manager, HIV co-ordinator, emergency planning manager and others.
Key facts
There are two pathways within the MSc public health practice degree programme: the generic pathway and the specialist pathway. Both pathways are offered on a full-time or part-time basis.
Typical entry requirements
Selection process:
Intake: Specialist pathway – number determined by NHS, usually 10 – 15 per year.
For both pathways on the MSc public health practice degree course: applications for entry in September must be received by the end of June. You need to hold a second class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline from an approved university.
The specialist health visitor masters pathway can only be undertaken by registered nurses or midwives. The specialist community public health nursing pathway is funded through NHS sponsorship and is only available through pre-purchased NHS contracted places. University application can be made between January and March each year but places will be conditional on obtaining NHS sponsorship.
Visit our International Office website or the NARIC website for further information on qualifications.
Typical course content
The choice of modules depends on the pathway chosen on the MSc public health practice course.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information can be found in the programme handbook (or other appropriate guide).
This MSc public health practice degree course (health visitor masters) programme offers two pathways: generic, for all public health workers, and specialist, which is for registered nurses and midwives seeking a specialist community public health nursing (health visiting) or (school nursing) registration with the NMC.
Pathways
Generic pathway
For all public health workers, including international applicants.
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Pathway (health visitor or school nurse)
All students on this pathway must complete the specialist community public health nursing module.
This and five other taught modules must be completed to achieve a post graduate diploma and SCPHN registration. The health visitor masters degree can be achieved by undertaking a dissertation (optional to registration).
To achieve MSc public health degree students must write a dissertation.