Public Health Management (MSc)

To apply for this healthcare management degree you'll need at least a 2:2 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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

“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 2022). 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

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £21,000.

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:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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.

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 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.

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.

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. Master of Research (MRes) degree applications and PGCE applications via UCAS are also exempt. 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

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 aim to 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