About this course
Become a leader in public health management with this specialist master's degree. You’ll learn how to assess the need for, and management of, public health programmes. Gain key management skills such as leadership, risk analysis and cost-effectiveness as you work in multi-disciplinary teams on real-world tasks.
This MSc Public Health Management degree will give you the skills for a management career that makes a difference. Graduates of this master's have gone on to work for the government and public bodies both in the UK and abroad. These include Public Health England, local government and ministries of health.
An in-depth understanding of public health underpins this course. You’ll learn to develop and evaluate public health programmes and conduct epidemiological studies. The specialist management areas you’ll explore within a health context include:
- systems thinking to tackle complex problems
- making decisions to manage risk and uncertainty
- cost-effectiveness of programmes
Through your dissertation, you can personalise this course to your interests. In previous years students have worked on projects related to health care systems, such as reducing the burden of treatment for people with long term conditions and multiple morbidity and social care needs. 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 both Public Health, Health Economics and Management.
We also offer 4 other pathways on our 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 other 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 Intelligence - Discover our Public Health Intelligence master's degree at the University of Southampton. Learn how to collect and analyse public health intelligence research.
- 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
Dr Simon DS Fraser is a public health doctor. He qualified in medicine from Southampton in 1992. After ten years as a full time Principal in General Practice in Southampton, he joined the Wessex Public Health training programme while continuing as a part time GP.
His research aims to understand and address the determinants, burden, inequalities, and adverse outcomes associated with chronic disease. Particularly in kidney disease.
Simon is also interested in the use of routine data for research.
Accreditations

“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, then delivering the Diabetes Prevention Programme in Hampshire, and now community involvement work.”
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 programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
For this healthcare management degree 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 an overall score of 7.0 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- 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. This course does not follow the normal University semester / vacation timetable.
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 Management MSc is:
- 7 core modules addressing public health management
- 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. There are no optional module choices in this degree. All modules must be taken and passed.
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.
Your learning will cover:
- developing, planning and evaluating public health programmes / projects
- initiating health behaviour change through 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
- systems thinking to tackle complex problems
- making decisions in the face of risk and uncertainty
Your dissertation gives you the chance to pursue your interests in your choice of topic.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules listed below currently include all modules for all Public Health pathways. There are no optional modules on the Management pathway and what you must study will vary.
Download the programme specification in the about this course section for full details.
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
Learning and assessment
Learning
There's a strong focus on interactive learning on this master's in health management, 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.
As well as lectures and tutorials you'll learn through:
- 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
You'll be assessed through:
- position papers
- reports and briefings
- needs assessments
- 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
There are a wide variety of master's in public health careers you can get from this course. Your exact role will depend on the type of organisation you work for. You may be managing and supporting teams, providing public health expertise and advice, or commissioning services and managing public health budgets.
Previous graduates have gone on to work for the Medical Research Council, Public Health England, universities, local government, ministries of health and charities such as Action Against Hunger.
This degree is very applied. Learning reflects real-world multi-disciplinary teams and we assess you through practical tasks. This will prepare you well for employment across the sector.
Possible job roles include:
- public health programme manager
- commissioner
- health improvement principal
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.
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 2020
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.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
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, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Single module (CPD) applications
To apply for a single module (CPD), you'll need to fill in a physical application form that you can download from our continuing professional development pages.
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:
- a degree transcript
- a reference
- a personal statement
- evidence of professional qualifications
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
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