MPH Public Health

Successful MPH students are attractive to both the NHS, Local authorities and the voluntary sector as potential employees. Career opportunities range from academic roles within public health, roles within health promotion, health statistics and epidemiology, Clinical Governance, Public health research and development. Students may also wish to pursue doctoral study.

Recently qualified students have progressed into Public Health departments within the UK and international students have secured roles within international organisations such as WHO and the UN.

With over 20 years of delivering public health programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the School of Public Health Studies have a range of established partnerships with public health practitioners and organisations, both in the UK and overseas. Our team of academics actively maintain links with local stakeholders that comprise a range of NHS, private, independent, and voluntary organisations, and are able to improve practice through research and help inform curriculum developments to ensure that this course meets the needs of potential employers. We also actively maintain links with our alumni, many of whom have gone to develop successful careers in public health and will become part of your extensive network.  

This Master of Public Health award is mapped against the UKPHR specialist register standards so you can go on to use the award to fulfil part of the requirements for registration as a specialist practitioner in the future. The UKPHR provides public protection by ensuring that only competent public health professionals are registered and that high standards of practice are maintained.

The Master of Public Health is one of many courses run by the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, which has an established reputation for excellence in terms of the quality of its courses, particularly through the provision of innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and for the student centred-friendliness of its academic and administrative staff. You will have the benefit of being taught by very experienced staff with first-hand knowledge of working in the public health field in a variety of professional roles, and so can help you integrate and apply the knowledge you will gain.

 

The educational aims of this course have been informed by the core competency areas defined by the Public Health Skills and Knowledge framework:

• surveillance and assessment of health,
• assessing the evidence for health,
• policy and strategy,
• leadership and collaborative working,
• health improvement and protection,
• public health intelligence,
• academic public health, and
• health and social care quality

These relate to the three domains of public health practice:

• health protection,
• health improvement and
• service quality.

Through these core themes that run throughout the award, the course will enable you to gain an understanding of the inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary approaches to Public Health. As a Public Health student, you will develop the skills necessary for the assimilation and understanding of the complex and diverse nature of the subject, as well as more general skills which will be widely transferable, enabling you to effectively prepare for and to establish a career in a wide range of health and public health related areas. These include the knowledge and ability to:

• Conduct a surveillance and assessment of population health and well-being within an international context
• Assess best evidence in health care interventions
• Review policy and strategic developments and implementation
• Develop strategic leadership and collaborative working
• Develop public health intelligence within a national and international context
• Facilitate health improvement and health protection strategies to ensure Public health and social care quality.

This, along with close associations with the RSPH and ASPHER, and our mapping of the course to the UKPHR specialist register standards and the PHSKF, gives the University of Wolverhampton MPH course a sound foundation for employability and enables you to use the award to fulfil part of the requirements for registration as a specialist practitioner in the future. 

Public health deals with the well-being of populations, entire communities, or groups of people rather than health issues at an individual clinical level. It is a common mistake made by people who are embedded in biomedical notions of health, either because of their previous studies or because they do not understand the remit of public health, that the study of public health, or practitioners in this field, need an understanding of anatomy and physiology and/or an understanding of the science behind the onset of disease.  As public health is not about disease in the individual, but about how social and environmental factors lead to diseases and affect populations, and how a reduction in inequalities in health, as well as how health-related data can be used to identify a specific population that health services may then prioritise to improve health overall, prior knowledge of these areas is not required. However, where necessary you may briefly explore health issues at the individual level within some of the modules, but you do not need any prior knowledge of biology or other sciences, other than what you will have learnt at school or college level, to effectively participate and succeed in this programme.

Whilst the course does not include a work-based placement, we have good relationships with local public health organisations and other employers and will support you if you would like to explore work experience opportunities.

These fees relate to new entrants only for the academic year indicated for entry onto the course, any subsequent years study may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

Academic Pathway: 

• A degree classification of 2:2 or above in the area of Biochemistry, Biomedicine, Biomedical or Biological Science, Dentistry, Environmental Health, Food Science, Health Psychology, Health and Social Care, Hospital Administration, Nutrition, Microbiology, Optometry, Parasitology and Entomology, Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Physician Assistantship, Public Health or Public Health Nursing, Nursing, Social Work, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) qualifications.

Work Experience Pathways: 

• Any degree subject area with a classification 2:1 and 12 – 24 months of supervisory work experience in a related public health setting, demonstrating knowledge of the subject matter you are interested in pursuing. 

• 3 – 5 five years of relevant public health work experience, demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the sector for the subject matter you are interested in pursuing. 

All work experience-based applicants will be required to provide a reference detailing your role(s) and responsibilities from your line manager this would be requested after you have successfully applied. 

EU and International Applicants: 

We have specific entry requirement information for EU and International applicants. Please also check the UK requirements above as these will also showcase if there are any additional subject requirements needed for entry.    

Academic Requirement: 

Our country specific entry criteria are related to the curriculum you have studied. Please click here to find the correct information for the country you have studied in. 

English Requirement: 

All International Applicants are required to have a sufficient level of English to satisfy student visa requirements, here is a list of acceptable English qualifications. 

Our country specific entry criteria will also provide clear guidance on whether your high school English qualification is accepted as an equivalence to the above.   

Personal Statement Requirement: 

All international applicants are required to showcase their reasons for applying to study in the UK please use our personal statement template to support your application.  

Study Gap Information: 

International applicants also provide education information and work experience information. It’s important that when you complete your application you cover all of this information on your application to ensure we can satisfy this admissions assessment. 

Public Health graduates Grace Kaplan and Kerensa Hodge have been featured in this month's Royal Society of Public Health member spotlight. Read about what attracted them to study public health at Wolverhampton and the exciting things they are doing now

 

Emaan Syed, MPH student

Emaan Syed had never studied at university before, but when she moved to Walsall and left her full-time job to pursue the Master of Public Health, she chose the University of Wolverhampton, particularly as the course was offered as a 1-year programme.

“I had never been in a university before, and my first impressions of the University of Wolverhampton were very good. I was invited to an induction before the course commenced which was very useful. We also had an opportunity to meet the lecturers and have a look around the University. I was impressed with the facilities and the modern, but friendly feel to the University. I also noticed many mature students like myself so I felt I would not be out of place.”  

“The course was well structured and we were informed of the course plan and deadlines at the outset. I enjoyed how the modules were spaced and though the course was very intense there was a lot of support available from the lecturers. Even though I was very nervous about attending a university I never had a problem making friends or approaching staff. I was so well settled that the University became my second home during my studies.”

Emaan was particularly impressed with the ease of access and quality of the facilities offered.

“I really enjoyed the Learning Centre. The décor and the setup were well suited to all ages. There were places you could just sit and chill out as well as study in strict quiet locations. The long hour access really helped and even though I would study until midnight on most days I was never afraid to walk back to my car.” 

Like many students, Emaan encountered unexpected difficulties during her studies, and found that the support services available to her made a real difference in enabling her to continue with, and successfully complete her studies. “The most important thing for me whilst at the University was the support I was offered when I became ill during my studies. It was this support from staff that made me feel I have to persevere and complete the course.” 

“I believe there is a good support structure in place for students who want to complete their qualification and staff members are very understanding to individual needs and circumstances. Even though the course is intense and difficult, it is well designed with support in place for students.”   

 

Sani Baraya Wamakko, MPH student

Sani Baraya Wamakko, from Nigeria, is one of many international students enjoying his course and impressed with the quality of teaching, activities and opportunities offered at the University of Wolverhampton.

As a medical laboratory scientist, Sani chose to study the Master of Public Health (MPH) at Wolverhampton to progress his career. “I had been serving with the government hospital as head of the medical laboratory department on various public health issues, working with international NGOs like the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Family Health International and various HIV/TB integrated activities. This was where I first developed an interest to study MPH at the University of Wolverhampton.

Sani is very pleased with the knowledge and teaching of the staff, and felt welcomed and accepted by fellow students. “The University’s staff are friendly, caring, efficient and skill-minded to their respective disciplines of work. Students are co-operative, disciplined and courageous to penetrate knowledge from both lecturers and colleagues through learning, questions and group discussions.”

He has thoroughly enjoyed his course, including the modules, structure and management of the classes, as well as the additional facilities. “I enjoy the Harrison Learning Centre’s academic guides and workshops. The modules are very interesting compared to the current public health strategies and the lecturers are very good: able, dedicated and experts in their academic field. They enable students’ understanding and ability to assimilate information effectively. I like all the modules and as a public health practitioner will use the knowledge I gained to exhibit the quality of my University both academically and professionally.”

Sani feels he has gained many skills and the course has helped him achieve his aims. “I can make epidemiological studies: adopting different models, approaches, skills, techniques and theories in public health, epidemiology and statistics.” The course has allowed him to develop advanced research skills, as well as project management skills in leading transformation and change.

Sani graduates in 2014 and would definitely recommend the course, which has taught him about assessing the health needs of a population, health policies and social perspective. “I recommend students intending to study public health to come to the University of Wolverhampton to distinguish them from other university MPH graduates.” 

 

Dr Ogbonna Amanze, MPH graduate 2013

Choosing my course

The community experience in my medical education at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria crystallized my interest in public health. Preventive and social paediatrics fascinated me. However, it was not until 2011, while working as a Resident Doctor in paediatrics in the Middle East, that I took the decision to quit clinical practice in order to follow my passion for public health practice – I made a decision to go for a MPH programme in the United Kingdom.

It was while searching for a UK university offering MPH programmes suitable to the public health challenges confronting developing countries (like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria etc.), that a doctor colleague and friend sold the idea of realising my quality MPH dream at the University of Wolverhampton, as they had done.

I spent time each day going through the School of Health and Wellbeing webpages. As I read of the course content of the MPH programme and about life generally in Wolverhampton, my interest to come to Wolverhampton to pursue my MPH dream grew stronger!

A warm welcome

I finally came down to Wolverhampton in 2012. From the very first day I stepped into the university, I was welcomed by a pleasantly lovely and friendly team of non-academic and academic staff. I was hospitably guided through the registration formalities and induction programmes – some of which were organized by the Students’ Union, and well-tailored to meet the expectations of an international student like me.

I found the university environment very conducive to learning, with a well-equipped library (Harrison Learning Centre), staffed by highly supportive and courteous staff, who are ever ready to assist callers at the library!

Course excellence

The MPH programme modules were well designed to meet the yearnings of students like me- who wanted to get the requisite technical and leadership skills and competence to become key players and stakeholders in contemporary global public health practice. The academic staff were personally committed to rendering quality teaching and intellectual grooming to students, which went a long way in imbuing in me the confidence I now have to stand my ground in the comity of global public health practitioners.

My qualification in action

On completion of my MPH programme, I returned to Nigeria in November 2013. On December 20, 2013, my MPH certificate from University of Wolverhampton secured for me a top job in the Presidency at Abuja, Nigeria, as a Chief Programme Officer, under an agency that coordinates Nigeria’s national HIV/AIDS response, which enjoys great political will and close supervision of Nigeria’s President, His Excellency Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

Gaining the MPH from University of Wolverhampton and my current job are dreams come true. They have offered me a durable platform and wider latitude to play a proactive and critical role in mitigating the public health challenges facing my country, sub-Saharan Africa and the international community.

 

 

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £12,167 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.

Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.

Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.

Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts; please see the following websites Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Action. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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