About this course

Learn how to identify and manage public health issues by gathering, analysing and interpreting data. This specialist MSc Public Health Intelligence degree focuses on both academic and real-world learning. You’ll work in multi-disciplinary teams to gain the experience you need to take up health intelligence jobs in information management, data management and public health research.

This master's in public health intelligence will give you the skills for a career that makes a difference. Graduates of this course have gone on to work for the government and public bodies in both the UK and abroad, including Public Health England, local government, ministries of health, and universities.

The specialist public health intelligence areas you can explore include:

using geographical information systems in health analysis and health management
health economics for public health
advanced statistics

You can personalise this course to your interests through optional modules and your dissertation. In previous years students have looked at the spatial and temporal distribution of antenatal care services in Bangladesh and altitude and stroke in Ecuador.

You’ll be taught by specialists from our Population Health and Wellbeing research group. This group developed the census output and workplace zones for the 2011 UK Census and they co-direct the Economic and Social Research Council’s Administrative Data Research Centre for England.

Public health is an interdisciplinary profession, and this is reflected in your learning. Your lecturers are academics who are actively involved in research or are working in the sector. They’re experts from across the University, in Public Health Geography and Social Science.

We also offer 4 other pathways on our MSc Public Health Master's. If you decide that you’d like to change to a different public health specialism within the first 2 weeks of the semester you’ll be able to change your degree.

Your Public Health MSc pathway options are:

Public Health - Discover our Public Health master's degree at the University of Southampton. Boost your career skills in global disease prevention & management.
Public Health Global Health - Discover our Public Health Global Health master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn the links between health, climate change, urbanisation and conflict.
Public Health Management - Discover our Public Health Management master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn to apply systems thinking to global and local health issues.
Public Health Nutrition - Discover our Public Health Nutrition master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn to develop the skills to become a public health nutritionist.

This course is also available as an intercalation degree for undergraduate medical students. Intercalation means that you'll take a year out of your undergraduate medicine degree to gain this extra award.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) - you'll usually study for around 30 weeks and will not need to write a dissertation

You can also take a single module as part of continuing professional development (CPD). Explore modules that are available as CPD

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

Course lead

Professor James Wright’s research examines how geospatial data can be used to tackle public health and environmental management problems, particularly in relation to safe water access in developing countries.

Before joining us, Jim previously worked with Prof. Stephen Gundry at the University of Bristol and at the University of Edinburgh, where he completed a PhD exploring spatial aspects of public health nutrition in Zimbabwe.

For more information view Professor Jim Wright’s staff profile

Accreditations

International Union for Health Promotion and Education

“Our personal tutors and lecturers take a personal interest in us and provide support whenever it is needed. The facilities and teaching at Southampton are excellent.”
Alex Lister, 2019 graduate

Course locations

This course is based at University Hospital Southampton and Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

To apply for this master's in health intelligence, you’ll need at least a 2:2 degree in a health sciences, biomedical or medical subject.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

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:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 7.0
reading: 6.5
writing: 6.5
speaking: 6.5
listening: 6.5

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

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

Course structure

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.

Modules

The modules listed below currently include all modules, for all Public Health pathways. Your module choices, and what you must study, will vary on the Intelligence pathway.

Download the programme specification in the about this course section for full details.

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Core Skills in GIS

This module is intended to provide foundational GIS skills for various Masters-levels programmes (such as the MSc in Applied GIS and Remote Sensing and MSc in Sustainability). It is intended to introduce Geographical Information Systems and Science to tho...

Development and Implementation of Public Health Policies and Strategies

This module develops your understanding of the wider social and political context within which the formation of public health policies and programmes operate both domestically and internationally. The module will enable you to develop and demonstrate comp...

Dissertation by Research/Professional Project

You have the option of doing a dissertation by research or a professional project in which you critically appraise the literature relevant to a particular area of practice. Dissertation by Research: This will be a hypothesis driven research project tha...

Enabling Change for Health Improvement

This module combines the theory and practice of health improvement. Students are encouraged to be active participants in their learning and resources for self-paced learning will be available at the start of the module. Students are encouraged to practice...

Epidemiology: Concepts, Analysis and Application

This module focuses on the epidemiological methods and approaches that underpin an evidenced based approach to public health research and practice. The module covers each of the main types of epidemiological study design and provides a framework for criti...

Health Economics for Public Health

The increasing demand for health, but limited resources available to meet the needs of an aging population (with higher levels of chronic disease), makes health economics an important aspect of everyday life as choices must be made as to what health progr...

Introduction to Statistics and SPSS

This module provides an introduction to the use of statistical methods for the analysis of quantitative data and their application in public health. This will include descriptive statistics and basic inferential statistics. The emphasis will be on the pra...

Professional Development

The curriculum for the MSc Public Health is informed by the public health standards of the Faculty of Public Health and the UK Public Health Register. It also meets the Association for Nutrition’s standards for course accreditation and is recognised by th...

Qualitative Methods for Public Health

Understanding qualitative research methods, and knowing how to interpret findings and conclusions from qualitative research is fundamental to being able to critique an evidence base. This module teaches you the underpinnings of qualitative research method...

You must also choose from the following modules:

GIS for Analysis of Health

This module is intended to introduce students who have already studied the principles of geographical information systems (GIS) to the concepts, methods and techniques involved in using GIS for the analysis of health. Academic study of the geography of he...

GIS for Healthcare Management

This module examines the way in which Geographical Information Systems can be used to plan for the delivery of healthcare.

Learning and assessment

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.

Careers

“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 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service 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

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £20,693.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get 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.

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you:
•   are an international student who hasn't taken a Master's with us before
•   are enrolling to start a Master's in September 2021
•   gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level

If you meet these criteria you'll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We'll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.

Unfortunately this offer isn't open to UK / EU students.

Full terms and conditions.

Funding for EU and international students

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

How to apply

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

Application deadlines

UK students

Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

International students

We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.

We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. 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, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. 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 send 2 academic references.

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: