Public Health Intelligence (MSc)

To apply for a master's in Health Intelligence you'll need at least a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects: Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Physiology, Psychology, Demography, Human/Health Geography, Pharmacy, Medicine and Dentistry.

You must be able to demonstrate your competence in Statistics, Epidemiology, Research Methods through previous study at undergraduate level.

We are unfortunately unable to accept degrees in the following subjects: Nursing, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Health and Phlebotomy.

This course is also available as an intercalation degree for undergraduate medical students.

You must submit all supporting documents, including evidence that you can satisfy our English language requirement, when you submit your application.             

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept Pre-sessional Language programmes as evidence of meeting the English Language requirement for this course.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Your studies will run for a full year, from September through to the following September.

If you’d like to take longer to complete this master’s you can study part-time over 2 to 5 years.

On this full-time course, you’ll study several taught modules over the first 8 months. In the final 4 months, you’ll complete your dissertation.

The structure of the Public Health Intelligence MSc is:

• 6 core modules addressing public health intelligence
• an optional module that will allow you to specialise further
• a dissertation, which may be a professional, work-related project or a research project

Each 5 ECTS module is up to 100 hours of learning, and each 10 ECTS module represents up to 200 hours of learning.

You should expect to spend about 16 to 20 hours on campus every week.

Between your on-site learning you’ll take part in online discussions and seminars to support your independent learning; these take place through our online learning environment. Our academic team will support you throughout these sessions.

What you'll study:

The core intelligence modules will give you a strong grounding in public health intelligence.

You’ll cover:

• geographical information systems
• developing, planning and evaluating public health programmes / projects
• initiating health behaviour change using social marketing and media, community engagement and advocacy
• conducting epidemiological studies, looking at elements such as chance, bias, risk estimation and hypothesis testing
• when and how to apply quantitative analytical techniques
• how to use SPSS statistics
• methods of data collection and analytical techniques used when conducting qualitative research

You’ll be able to specialise even further with your choice of optional modules from the following:

• advanced skills for completing, interpreting and assessing epidemiological studies
• using geographical information systems in the management of public health
• using geographical information systems in the analysis of public health

Your dissertation gives you the chance to pursue your interests in your choice of topic. Previous dissertation topics have included:

• a spatial cluster analysis of antenatal care in Bangladesh and Nepal
• locality differences in childhood obesity-related drivers in Portsmouth, to help plan community interventions

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

There's a strong focus on interactive learning in this master's, bringing together theory and practice. We’ll help you to develop a reflective and problem-solving approach to your practice.

You'll work closely with students from a wide variety of backgrounds and will learn from sharing diverse experience.

Your exact learning activities will depend on the modules you take. As well as lectures and tutorials highlights may include:

• patient case studies
• workshops
• debates
• problem-solving exercises
• interpretation of data
• computer demonstrations

You’ll be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent learning.

Assessment

Again your assessment will depend on the modules that you take, but assessment methods may include:

• needs assessments
• position papers
• reports and briefings
• team debates
• gap analysis
• written exams and essays
• research proposals

Dissertation

Your dissertation can be either a research or a professional project. You’ll need to complete a 6,600-word report and present a summary to an audience.

Academic Support

You'll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

When writing your dissertation you’ll be supported by a primary supervisor on a one-to-one basis.

“The MSc Public Health equipped me with the skills I needed to successfully gain employment and flourish in roles with a local authority public health team.” Rachel Brown, MSc Public Health

This master’s degree is very applied. Learning reflects real-world multi-disciplinary teams and we assess you through practical tasks. This will prepare you well for health intelligence jobs across the sector.

Job roles could include:

• information officer
• public health data manager
• public health intelligence analyst
• intelligence manager

Previous graduates have gone on to work for the Medical Research Council, Public Health England, local government, universities and charities such as Action Against Hunger.

Some graduates go on to take a PhD and some are working for themselves as independent consultants or educators.

You’ll also gain transferable skills that will improve your employability in whichever career you choose, including: 

• how to conduct research projects
• collaboration, negotiation and influencing skills
• effective communication using a range of methods

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £10,400.
• EU and international students pay £28,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Medicine.

Find out more about the Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to submit two references, one academic reference and one academic or professional reference.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript
• evidence of professional qualifications

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000