Masters Degrees (Health)

Take advantage of one of our 100 Master’s Scholarships to study Public Health and Health Promotion at Swansea University, the Times Good University Guide’s Welsh University of the Year 2017. Postgraduate loans are also available to English and Welsh domiciled students. For more information on fees and funding please visit our website.

The Public Health and Health Promotion course aims to:

• enable students to gain theoretical knowledge in relation to public health and health promotion, research and practice insight
• completion to MSc level further enables the student to complete a primary research study of relevance to public health and health promotion

The Public Health and Health Promotion course is mapped to the National Occupational Standards, Public Health Career Framework and contributes to attainment of practitioner and/ or specialist public health status (UKPHR).

Key Features of Public Health and Health Promotion

Teaching and Employability:

- students will be able to critically evaluate theoretical and philosophical perspectives underpinning public health and health promotion
- develop students’ research knowledge and skills in research methods, utilising evidence and disseminating research findings to inform public health and health promotion practice
- a unique advantage of the programme is its application to practice and the inclusion of practice observation

The Public Health and Health Promotion course focuses on public health and health promotion and is both research-led and practice driven.

The Public Health and Health Promotion course develops students’ skills to provide students with relevant health information and the skills necessary to achieve change and to influence health policy at all levels.

The Public Health and Health Promotion programme covers historical background, current developments and future direction potentials of relevance in health and innovation in public health and health promotion practice.

A particular strength of the Public Health and Health Promotion course is the short observation placement module, enabling students to experience an area of practice interest as part of their development.

Students on the Public Health and Health Promotion course also undertake a primary research study as a requirement for completion to MSc qualification.

Modules

Modules on the Public Health and Health Promotion course typically include:

Developing Programmes and Evaluation
Health Protection
Foundations in Health Promotion
Foundations in Research
Public Health Practice
Public Health Evidence and Epidemiology
Management and Leadership for Public Health Practice
Public Health Ethics

Public Health and Health Promotion Course Structure

Full-time Public Health and Health Promotion students will study two days a week (Wednesdays and Fridays) from October to April and dissertations submitted in September of the same year. Part-time Public Health and Health Promotion students will study one day a week (Wednesdays in the first year, Fridays in the second year) over two years, and dissertations are submitted in September of the third year. All modules are core and therefore required to be successfully passed, there are no optional modules available in the Public Health and Health Promotion programme.

Staff Expertise

Public Health and Health Promotion staff members delivering these different modules and significant contributors and are considered expert in their fields. They include:

Senior Lecturer Rachel Hopkins
Professor Jane Thomas
Dr Gill Spedding
Professor Deb Fitzsimmons
Senior Lecturer Tony Duffy
Dr Pete King
Lecturer Ruth Hopkins
Dr Stephanie Best
Dr Alison Hann
Professor Joy Merrell

Postgraduate Community

The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.

In addition, students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.

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City's MSc in Health Policy helps you understand, navigate and influence the 21st century health and health care environment.

Who is it for?

City’s MSc Health Policy is the ideal route for graduates looking to start, change or develop their career within the health policy field. It combines an international focus and academic rigour with the development of practical, transferable skills that can be applied in a wide range of real-world health policy, planning and management settings.

We welcome applications from graduates (UK or international) from any academic discipline. The course is also suitable for established professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including:
-Medical, nursing and allied health professions
-Health management and administration
-Public health
-National and local government
-National NGOs
-International agencies
-Research institutions and consultancies
-Pharmaceutical, insurance and other health-related industries.

Objectives

Health and health care policy are at the top of the political agenda around the world. People are living longer, consumers are expecting more from their health services and chronic illnesses are becoming prevalent. Medical technology is advancing rapidly, creating ever-increasing demand for the latest treatments.

Health policy affects and is affected by all of these factors. It aims to meet the growing challenges facing health systems by providing answers to such questions as:
-How can we best meet people’s changing health needs?
-How can we control spiralling health costs, while maintaining high quality and comprehensive health services?
-What is the most effective way of organising and paying for health care?
-How can we tackle inequalities in health and access to care?
-How can we measure and improve the performance of health systems?

City’s MSc in Health Policy gives you the knowledge and tools you need to understand, analyse and influence the health policy process, and to operate within an increasingly complex policy environment.

You will analyse the social, political and economic factors that affect policy at a local, national and international level. You will explore how and where policy is made, and who the key players are; and learn how to present your ideas clearly and persuasively to a range of influential stakeholders to bring about change.

Placements

You have the opportunity to do a placement, but it is not a formal requirement of the course. We encourage you to create your own. One recent student worked within the refugee camp in Calais alongside the NGO Doctors of the World as part of her dissertation research on refugee access to health care.

Academic facilities

As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

You will learn through a mix of lectures, class discussions and seminars, student presentations, case study analysis, interactive computer-based exercises, a virtual learning environment (Moodle) and self-directed reading.

Lecturers are drawn from City's Schools of Health Sciences and Arts and Social Sciences. A number of distinguished external honorary and guest lecturers have also taught on the programme, including:
-Professor David Oliver (President of the British Geriatrics Society, former National Clinical Director for Older People at the Department of Health, and Visiting Fellow at the King's Fund)
-Professor Paul Burstow (Chair of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and Minister of State for Care Services in the Coalition Government, 2010-12)
-Brigadier Tim Hodgetts CBE (Medical Director, Defence Medical Services, and former Medical Director, NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps)
-Beccy Baird (Fellow in Health Policy, the King's Fund)

City has an international reputation for academic excellence in the areas of health and food policy, health services research, health management, health economics and executive leadership across a broad range of professional disciplines. You will learn from and alongside colleagues who aim to influence health policy and lead health-related initiatives.

Modules are assessed through a combination of written coursework, group work and examination. The assessments reflect the learning objectives of the modules.

Modules

You will take five core taught modules, which cover the main topics and issues within health policy, the health policy process, the principles of policy analysis, and research methods.

You will also choose two or three further elective modules covering a range of related areas, including public health, global health and health management and leadership.

Core modules
-HPM001 The health policy process, politics and power
-PHM004 Social determinants of health
-HPM004 International health systems
-HPM006 Health economics
-HRM020 Foundations in research methods and data analysis*

Elective modules
-HRM001 Introduction to research methods and applied data analysis*
-HPM003 Health policy in Britain
-PHM001 Public health**
-PHM003 Global health**
-HMM002 Strategic management in healthcare†
-HMM008 Health innovation and change†
-HMM026 Finance and enterprise performance†
-HMM022 Management and leadership in healthcare†
-HMM025 Economic evaluation and pharma†
-APM006 Contemporary issues in mental health
-APM017 Engaging technology
-FPM001 Food and public policy

*The core module HRM020 covers basic research skills and enables you to perform entry-level statistics. It forms the first part of the 30-credit module HRM001 Introduction to research methods and applied data analysis, which goes on to cover more advanced research skills. If you choose to take HRM001, this will replace the core module HRM020.

**A maximum of one public health module (PHM001 or PHM003) may be chosen as an elective.

†A maximum of two health management (HMM) modules may be chosen as electives. Depending on module capacity, it may only be possible to take one HMM module.

Dissertation - you will also write a final health policy-related dissertation, on a topic of your choice, of between 12,000 and 15,000 words.

Career prospects

Because health and health care are such high priorities for both the public and policy makers, health policy specialists will continue to be in high demand. Therefore, if you are working or want to work within any health-related organisation in the public, private or third sectors, this course will help you develop the key transferable skills you need to succeed.

Graduates of the MSc Health Policy have gone on to a variety of policy, campaigning/advocacy and research roles within the public sector such as:
-The NHS and international ministries of health.
-NGOs and third-sector organisations including the Patients Association and a number of professional associations.
-The private sector such as consultancy, corporate communications and pharmaceutical companies.

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Course Overview

​This programme focuses on the application of the key principles of multidisciplinary public health practice to the breadth of 21st Century public health challenges. Our aim is to develop reflective public health practitioners capable of designing, implementing and evaluating community-focussed public health interventions – in Wales, the UK and internationally.

In this programme we will challenge your preconceptions and practice, developing your knowledge, skills and competences, helping you develop as a reflective public health practitioner. We place a strong emphasis on your own area of practice, and encourage you to base your studies on the issues and situations you face in your own field.

The programme has been designed to meet the needs of a wide range of public health practitioners, professionals, community workers and volunteers working to achieve improvements in the wider determinants of health. Our objective is to support you in further developing your public health knowledge and skills in order to improve your current and future practice, and enhance your career options.

The programme is aimed at anyone with an interest in improving the full range of social, economic and environmental determinants of health: for example, people working in education, health promotion, housing, transport, leisure, environmental health, community development, health & wellbeing partnerships, planning, social services, school nursing, and health visiting (not an exhaustive list!). We welcome applicants from all sectors: public, private and the voluntary & independent sector. The programme retains an international focus, addressing public health issues faced around the world, as well as in Wales and the UK.

See the website https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/health/courses/Pages/Applied-Public-Health---MSc.aspx

​Course Content​​

The course is designed as a Masters programme but it has exit points at both postgraduate certificate & diploma level. Reflective practice is integrated into the programme: we’ll encourage you to reflect upon your learning as you progress, culminating in an assessed reflective statement demonstrating the integration and development of your learning and practice through the course of your studies. The dissertation also incorporates a reflective practice element. The programme is available on a part-time and full-time basis; you can also apply to study individual modules on a CPD basis.

For the Postgraduate Certificate, you’ll complete the following modules:
- Assessing Health, Wellbeing & Inequity (20 cred​its): Assess, evaluate and communicate information about the health and wellbeing of populations & communities

- Health Risk Perception & Communication (10 credits): Appraise the sociocultural, emotional and psychological factors that influence responses to threats to population health and wellbeing

- Public Health Policy Development (10 credits): Evaluate the political, social and economic framework within which policies influencing health & wellbeing are developed

- Applied Research Methods and Design (20 credits): Develop the qualitative and quantitative research skills necessary to undertake research and evaluate interventions and day-to-day practice.

For the Postgraduate Diploma, you’ll undertake the above modules, plus the following modules:
- Frameworks for Public Health Intervention (30 credits): Explore approaches to intervention for the protection and improvement of health and wellbeing, and integrate learning from across the programme in the development a coherent multidisciplinary intervention on an identified public health issue.

- Health Protection (20 credits): Assess, prevent and manage risks to health arising from the general environment, communicable disease and environmental health hazards.

- Reflective Public Health Practice (10 credits): Reflect on your learning, practice and experiences in order to evidence the development of your professional public health practice.

To obtain the MSc, you will also complete a Dissertation (60 credits): Design, plan and undertake a piece of independent applied research, and present the findings.

Learning & Teaching​

- ​Course Delivery
Attendance for taught modules is usually one evening per week (part time) or two evenings per week (full time). SHS7000 Applied Research Methods & Design is currently delivered as a blended learning module over four contact days, two days in the autumn term (October) and two further days in the spring term (February), supported by e-learning materials and activities. The APH7008 Health Protection module follows a similar approach, being taught via three 2-day short courses spread through the academic year (November, February, April), plus an assessment day in May.
During your dissertation studies, you will attend research project workshops and be allocated individual supervision time. These usually begin in March (of the 2nd year of study for part-time students).

- Learning & Teaching Activities
The teaching and learning strategy for the programme places a strong emphasis on application of theoretical frameworks to real problems and situations, and allows for substantial student input and discussion. During the programme you will engage with a variety of learning & teaching activities, including:

- Lectures
Lectures will be used to provide you with a framework of ideas and theory, into which you can fit material obtained from independent study and tutorials. Whilst lectures are seen as opportunities for imparting key information they are also intended to be interactive, and debate is encouraged.

- Seminars
These will provide you with the opportunity to discuss problems related to specific subjects. Group seminars will enable you to share experiences and discuss, analyse and evaluate possible solutions.

- Workshops
Tasks will be set requiring you to work together to develop problem solving strategies and to analyse issues.

- Student Symposia
Learning activities led by students will form part of the programme. You will be required to develop and present short papers and facilitate discussion relating to specific issues.

- Case Studies
These sessions will present a case for discussion based on previous events, and you’ll be expected to analyse the situation and suggest appropriate public health interventions in response. These studies will be aimed at improving your skills with respect to the analysis of problems and the synthesis and evaluation of solutions.
Preparation for such a case study may include the following:
- Presentation of available data and information about the case.
- Group discussions, tutorial and individual learning to enable you to identify the problem and synthesise possible solutions.
- Discussions and lectures with relevant professionals to understand the rationale behind the adoption of specific solutions.
- Debriefing by way of tutorials and seminars.

- Contact Time and Self-Directed Learning
The direct contact time between student and tutor varies from module to module. Generally, unless otherwise stated on the module guide, 10 credit modules will include up to 18 hours contact time and 20 credit modules will include up to 36 hours contact time. An exception to the above is APH7010 Frameworks for Public Health Intervention, which includes student-led group work supported by keynote lectures.

In addition to direct contact time you are generally expected to undertake a further 3-4 hours of self-directed learning for every 1 hour of contact time.

- Introduction to Academic Skills
Included within the introduction to the programme is an introduction to the academic skills needed to study at Masters level. This includes the provision of specific e-learning material, a formative assignment and access to a Personal Tutor.

- Moodle
You can access programme material both on and off campus via Moodle, the University’s virtual learning environment. This includes access to lecture presentations, recommended and required reading, group forums, e-portfolios and a range of other learning and teaching resources specific to the modules and programme.

- Personal Tutors & Professional Development
In addition to a general open door policy, we encourage you to meet with the Programme Director and tutors regularly throughout the programme to discuss feedback on assignments and the development of academic skills.
You’ll be an allocated a Personal Tutor at the beginning of the programme, who you can work with to develop your academic skills and consider how you can integrate your learning experiences with your own professional development needs and aspirations. Your aspirations for professional development will be discussed during the induction to the programme. Support and guidance will then be tailored throughout the programme to ensure that you are best able to fulfil your chosen professional development needs.

Assessment

To reflect the applied nature of study, the programme contains no unseen written examinations. Instead, teaching and assessment will focus on case studies, exercises & scenarios reflecting contemporary issues in public health practice, often located within your own professional experience and environment. Examples of assessment tasks include: reports, essays, briefings, oral presentations, group work, observed practice scenarios, online tests and posters.

Throughout the programme, the assessment tasks we set will encourage you to select specific topics of study that are relevant to your interests and practice. For example, in the Assessing Health, Wellbeing and Inequity module, you will be asked to assess and evaluate the health and wellbeing of a specified population (in general or focussed on a specific issue/range of issues). You’ll be free to select a population and issue of professional and/or personal interest to you.

Employability & Careers​

The promotion, protection and improvement of public health are key objectives for the Welsh Government, UK Government and at an international level, as exemplified by the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.

Our programme is closely mapped to Levels 6 & 7 of the Public Health Skills & Knowledge Framework - the recognised competence framework for public health at all levels in the UK. The programme provides the underpinning knowledge to enable you to pursue UK Public Health Practitioner registration (which requires completion of an assessed portfolio through a recognised development scheme, such as that operated by Public Health Wales – see http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/49062 for details). We are also working on a project with Public Health Wales to develop and pilot a scheme to enable recognition of Advanced Practice (Public Health), supported by work-based learning.

If you'd like to find out more about career development opportunities in public health, we strongly recommend the PHORCAST website - http://www.phorcast.org.uk/.

Graduates from the programme have progressed to advanced positions in their chosen specialist career areas. Examples of roles our graduates have attained include:
- Project lead for Safeguarding, Public Health Wales
- Director of Business Performance for a large UK voluntary organisation
- Senior Project Co-ordinator, mental health charity
- Public Health Fellow (American India Association) and Project Manager, Tata Steel Rural Development Society
- Senior Public Health Practitioner, Public Health Wales
- Community Health Advocate
- Environmental Health Team Leader, Welsh local authority
- Program Manager, Maternal and Child Health, Pakistan non-profit organisation
- Data and Information Officer, research funding organisation
- Project Co-ordinator, community regeneration charity
- Lecturer in Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Welsh university
- Service Improvement/Change Manager at NHS Wales

Graduates have also progressed to further study on research degrees leading to MPhil and PhD qualifications.

The programme team are currently investigating opportunities for accrediting the programme with the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (http://www.iuhpe.org) and the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (http://www.aphea.net/). We will provide further updates on this process as it progresses.

Find information on Scholarships here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships

Find out how to apply here https://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply

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Programme Description

The MSc Health Policy will develop your understanding of, and critical engagement with, key challenges in health policy. Both state and non-state actors grapple with how best to promote the health of communities and populations, including the most effective strategies for preventing disease, ensuring efficient and high quality health care, and reducing health inequalities.

These challenges extend beyond the traditional domain of the health sector, requiring engagement with economic and social policy and a range of non-state actors including third sector organisations, commercial interests and international agencies.

The MSc in Health Policy is designed for individuals interested in a wide range of health-related roles including government and international agencies, health advocacy, health administration and health care delivery, consultancies, advisory roles, the commercial sector, and health-related research. Within the programme there is scope for you to specialise in either health systems or health inequalities, or to follow a broad policy stream.

The Health Systems stream is ideal for those seeking to work in health care policy, planning or management, in either the public or private sectors. It will expose you to different models of health care financing, purchasing and delivery, equipping them to engage with key contemporary challenges and debates including how to achieve sustainable health care financing, the role of the state in health care, the appropriate mix of public and private provision, and how best to achieve the goals of equity, efficiency and quality in health care delivery.

The Health Inequalities stream is ideal for those seeking to engage with health disparities both between and within countries, particularly those relating to inequities in social structures and power. In this stream you will explore evidence and policy responses to health inequalities across a range of axes, including class/socioeconomic position, ethnicity/race and gender, and will consider how health and its determinants are shaped by a range of influences including social and economic policy, commercial power and political conflict. This stream is particularly suited to those interested in working in policy, advocacy and research settings with a focus on health equity.

You may also elect to follow a broad policy stream within the MSc Health Policy, rather than specialising in health systems or health inequalities. This stream equips you with an understanding of how health policy fits within broader approaches to social and economic policy, and is particularly suitable for individuals wanting to work in public policy, advocacy or research.

Our students come from countries at all levels of economic development and from a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, with many using the MSc as an investment to develop their careers or move into a more policy-focused role. While the programme has a strong policy focus, it also includes an academic orientation so is good preparation for further research at PhD level.

The MSc programme is situated within the Global Public Health Unit, which is located in University’s School of Social and Political Science rather than a medical school. This reflects our programme’s reach across traditional boundaries, linking policy analysis, public health, social policy, economics, sociology, medicine and epidemiology. The MSc programme offers innovative research-led teaching that draws on academic expertise from all these disciplines, while also benefitting from close links with the Centre for Population Health Sciences in the University's medical college.

Programme Structure

You will complete one compulsory course and a number of option courses.

Following the taught courses, you will work towards an independently researched dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

This programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge and critical skills you need to play a senior role in health policy, advocacy and research.

Specific aims are to:

Have a critical understanding of core concepts and frameworks relevant to health policy and population health.

Be aware of key contemporary challenges to health and the role of the state and other actors in seeking to address these.

Have a critical awareness of the links between health policy and broader social and economic policies, including the extent to which health objectives may complement or be in tension with other social goals

Understand different models of health care financing, purchasing and delivery, and be able to draw on these in critically appraising the roles of different actors in the development and implementation of health policy and in a diverse range of health systems reforms (Health Systems stream)

Understand the social determinants of health and health inequalities, and apply this understanding in critically evaluating different approaches to improving health and reducing health inequalities (Health Inequalities stream)

Career Opportunities

This programme is intended to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue employment positions in policy, advocacy and research roles relevant to health policy. Most students use the MSc as an investment to develop their careers or move into a more policy-focused area, including jobs with health agencies or consultancies, government departments, international organisations and third sector organisations. By combining an advanced degree from a world-leading university with expertise in an innovative field relevant to multiple policy agendas, students who successfully complete our programmes are well placed to secure interesting positions within an often very competitive area.

Our graduates in recent years have moved on to a range of exciting employment and research positions. These include positions with health departments and other government ministries in both high-income and developing countries; with agencies and donor organisations working in health care and health promotion; with international organisations and consultancy; research positions examining health systems for the European Union and other levels of regional governance; and employment in commercial sector organisations including pharmaceutical and other health-related companies.

All students have access to the Edinburgh University Careers Service during the programme and for two years after graduation.

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The Bradford MPH is designed for those looking to move into public health, policy or community development at a senior level, and is suitable for candidates from diverse undergraduate study backgrounds and / or professional experience. The programme retrains students into future healthcare leaders who understand health policy, community change, human behaviour change, or health service design.

The Bradford MPH addresses the central practice dilemma for public health today – how to address the challenges of an ageing society suffering from increasing and multiple chronic diseases in a context of standstill or diminishing resources.

The programme develops strategic leaders with a comprehensive, analytical and critical understanding of the wider determinants of population health and well-being. The programme places emphasis on leadership and strategic thinking, developed through comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research, analysis and evaluation.

Graduates will be equipped to address contemporary Public Health challenges such as changing health demographics, health inequalities, problems of access, quality, and continuity of care, and ageing and end of life care. It will help healthcare professionals to find creative policy solutions and implement tailored practice-interventions. Graduates will be change agents identifying ways to address health problems but also to innovate by building on community and health service assets to enhance the quality of life for millions of people in a safe, ethical and cost effective way.

The programme is be tailored to the demographic and epidemiological challenges of contemporary urban societies - the diseases of affluence and ageing, and the marginalized and vulnerable populations produced by these kinds of settings. The focus on infectious disease management and international health, though necessarily addressed in our curriculum, will not receive concentrated focus as it does in so many other MPH programmes in the UK.

MPH students will have access to the new DHEZ Academic Building. This centre, opening in 2017, provides patient services in pathology, optometry, physiotherapy, and community pharmacy. It also houses a health promotion unit specialising in ageing and end of life care issues, and an evaluation and trials unit designed to evaluate new health technologies designed by businesses.
There are also innovative partnerships with primary health/GP providers as well as new mental health promotion programmes (e.g. Recovery Colleges) that students will access either in demonstration events or within actual teaching modules that encourage students to meet with the actual academic researchers and innovators behind these programmes.

The academic team behind the programme include University of Bradford 50th Anniversary Chair Professor Allan Kellehear, and a transdisciplinary development team including the School of Pharmacy and School of Engineering at the University of Bradford.
The programme is offered on a full and part-time to accommodate the needs of professionals working in industry. The programme can be studied over 12 months full time, or two years part time (up to five years by credit accumulation).

Professional Accreditation

The programme has been mapped onto the Faculty of Public Health syllabus for the Part A examinations of the Faculty of Public Health and up to Level 7 of the Public Health Skills and Career Framework (Public Health Resource, 2008.) Specialism is possible through the choice of elective modules and dissertation topic.

Why Bradford?

The Bradford MPH builds on a long history in and an excellent reputation for taught postgraduate training in Public Health at the University of Bradford.

A practical degree with instant international recognition, an MPH is the "MBA" of the health world - one that will add both prestige and practice skills to enhance or change your current career.

The Bradford MPH provides training in public policy, health care practice development, epidemiology, and community development that focusses on skills for change, making it a must-have qualification for those wishing to address the contemporary challenges of public health or undertake research in the public health field.

The programme has been developed by leading academics in the field of public health, and the cross Faculty nature of the programme enables students to benefit from wide ranging transdisciplinary teaching and learning experiences, and have access to a variety of cutting-edge equipment and facilities. The programme will also draw on specialist knowledge from the Bradford Institute of Health Research and Bradford District Metropolitan Council Public Health department.

Modules

Year 1
-Epidemiology & Biostatistics
-Introduction to Public Health
-Communicable Disease Control
-Health Promotion
-Introduction to Health Informatics
-Leadership & Management
-Long Term Conditions
-Quality Assurance and Medicines Control
-Undertaking Systematic Review

Year 2
-Health Needs / Impact Assessment
-Research Methods
-Advanced Epidemiology
-Data Mining
-Health & Society
-Health Promoting Palliative Care
-Management of Pharmaceutical Supply
-Strategy, Policy and Organisations
-Working with Communities to Improve Health

Career support and prospects

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

The MPH adds credibility to any health professionals Curriculum Vitae who wishes to progress in their career in Senior Management/leadership roles in local, national and International public health roles.

The government’s drive towards improving public health has been well documented in The White Paper "Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our strategy for public health in England" (July 2011). In line with the push towards securing good population health, there is a requirement for healthcare practitioners to be up-to-date with the knowledge and skills required when working within an integrated public health service. This programme will provide an opportunity to gain the academic background for these leadership roles in Public Health.

MPH graduate jobs include: Public Health Specialist; Head of Public Health Intelligence; Health Partnership Programme Manager; Health Promotion Campaign Manager; Epidemiologist; Health Data Analyst; Project Coordinator; Public Health Advisor; Health Protection Specialist; Public Health Screening Coordinator; Vascular Prevention Programme Coordinator; Health Improvement Practitioner; Public Health Specialist: Healthy Living; and Public Health lecturer and/or researcher. Other MPH students may go on to study a PhD at Bradford or other universities. Graduates may also aspire to teaching posts and/or clinical posts

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Study for a Masters-level qualification at Liverpool John Moores University’s renowned Centre for Public Health. International Public Health offers a broad-based understanding of health and its social and environmental determinants.

•Masters degree available to study full time (one year) and part time (two years)
•Study at LJMU's world renowned Centre for Public Health
•Develop a broad-based understanding of health and its social and environmental determinants
•Follow a curriculum informed by key international strategies, the Sustainable Development Goals and Social Determinants of Health
•Support and guidance for placement learning opportunities
•This course will only run subject to minimum numbers

Course content focuses on public health issues in low and middle income countries although you will also, of course, gain a valuable insight into public health issues in the UK and the rest of Europe.

The course will enhance your capacity to improve the health of the populations you serve and reduce health inequality. It will also develop your critical, analytical, research, collaborative working and evaluation skills - all key requirements in the dynamic public health sector.
The Centre for Public Health offers a flexible approach to learning with full and part time study options available. Many modules are stand-alone CPD courses, helping you to plan your education around your work and family life.

With an emphasis on guided independent learning, you can expect to attend University two days a week (full time) or one day a week (part time). You can, however, spread your learning over a longer period if you prefer.

Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
Core Modules:

Intercultural Learning

Aims to introduce and enhance core learning skills within an intercultural environment. Learning to learn, study, read, write and reflect within a new environment can be challenging and particularly in a new country. Learning how to learn together, share ideas, develop key learning skills and support others are key facets of this module. The module is underpinned by thinking around the internationalisation of higher education.

International Health

Explores the idea of international health and human development. It examines both the determinants of health, and aspects of health system development. It evaluates a number of international strategies aimed at health for all and explores the role of primary health care in local level health improvement.

Global Health

Aims to examine the key processes of globalization and how they impact on the health of populations and their environments. Key public health risks are identified and their strategic response at the global level evaluated. Issues explored include: global disease, risk and surveillance; alcohol and tobacco control; globesity and non-communicable disease; HIV/AIDS; pollution and climate change.

Epidemiology

Examines the principles and tools of epidemiology and disease surveillance. These principles are then applied to an understanding of communicable and non-communicable diseases and assessment of health inequalities through tools such as health needs assessment and their role in protecting and improving population health.

Public Health: Policy and Practice

Introduces students to the concepts and underpinning theories associated with the public health approach and practices associated with the promotion and protection of population health. The module reviews historical as well as contemporary public health approaches, policies and strategies. There is a particular focus on examining health inequalities and measures to reduce them. The aim is to identify local, national and international strategic responses to both improving health and reducing health inequalities.

Research Methods

Encourages students to develop their skills as a potential producer of research, as well as their ability to systematically evaluate research outcomes from a variety of sources. In addition, students engage in a variety of data analysis techniques. The module covers quantitative, qualitative, mixed, creative and participatory methodologies.​

Option Modules:

Violence

Violence is now regarded as a critical public health concern. The impact of violence on the health of individuals, families and the wider society adds to an increasing burden of ill-health and cost to health and other welfare services. This module critically examines a range of key issues related to violence and health from international, national and local perspectives. It demonstrates the need for an interdisciplinary public health approach when addressing the causes of violence, building prevention control strategies, and promoting safety. The Public Health Institute is a World Health Organisation (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention http://www.cph.org.uk/expertise/violence .

Health Improvement

Encourages students to develop knowledge and competence in the area of health improvement. The module covers a number of core health improvement approaches: health promotion, prevention, health behaviour change and community participation. It considers the relevancy and value of these approaches to different population groups from a global perspective.

Health Protection

Examines the components and structure of health protection activity. The risks to public health from both communicable and non-infectious environmental hazards are explored in detail. The infrastructure of health emergency planning is critically analysed.

Systematic Review

This module provides a complete guide and hands on approach to developing a research question and learning the methods and key processes involved in completing a systematic review. Systematic review is a cross cutting methodology which can be used in a variety of disciplines and through interdisciplinary collaboration. The module can be taken by anybody from any discipline who wants to increase their skill set in the methodology. The focus will be on application of the systematic review methods to a chosen field of investigation.​

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change.

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Qualifications and durations

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme will enable you to conduct supervised research into your chosen topic and produce a written thesis (typically 20,000 - 60,000 words). You can complete the MPhil in 1 to 3 years (full-time) or up to 4 years (part-time).

Overview

The MPhil is an opportunity to undertake original, in-depth research under expert supervision.

Most of our students are registered in the first instance for the MPhil degree. You will be expected to carry out supervised research at the leading edge of your chosen subject, which must then be written up as a substantial thesis.

Our Department produces high-quality research with a strong focus on application and real world implication. You can study any topic in which we have research expertise (http://www.bath.ac.uk/health/research/). Details of research staff expertise and interests are available on individual staff (http://www.bath.ac.uk/health/staff/) pages, as well as on our current research students (http://www.bath.ac.uk/health/research/research-students/) page.

Visit the website http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/programmes/scho-for-heal-mphi/

Current student projects

Take an insight into what some of our current students are researching » http://www.bath.ac.uk/health/research/research-student-insights/

South West Doctoral Training Centre

This programme is recognised as being part of the following ESRC-funded South West Doctoral Training Centre (SWDTC) (http://www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school/study-with-us/south-west-doctoral-training-centre/) pathway:

Health & Wellbeing (interdisciplinary pathway)

About the department

The School for Health was established within the University of Bath in 2003, to centralise the high profile research and teaching in the health-related disciplines already taking place throughout the university, so creating a single entity through which links with the health sector at national and international level can be channelled, co-ordinated and developed.

In 2010 the School joined the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences and became the Department for Health, providing excellent opportunities for academic teaching and research collaborations with other departments, such as Psychology and Social & Policy Sciences. The Department's postgraduate teaching and research programmes now form part of the Faculty's new Graduate School, also launched in 2010, providing postgraduate students with dedicated support and a strong community in which to base their studies - whether on campus or by distance learning.

In keeping with government initiatives surrounding population health and more general public concerns, the Department divides its activities between two main pillars: Healthcare and Population Health – one focuses on the NHS, healthcare and health services research and the other focuses on population health, healthy living, sport & physical activity and tobacco control; each of these groups, in turn, contain both teaching programmes and research activities. Furthermore, there is a bridging spine between both pillars and which houses the Professional Doctorate in Health, Research in Health Practice and the administrative, finance, learning & teaching development, marketing and support activities of the Department.

The Department’s aims are:

- To develop a research portfolio that is both of the highest academic standard and has applications in the real world
- To build on external links with the public services and other bodies concerned with health and society
- To innovate design and delivery of healthcare services
- To change corporate approaches to healthy organisations
- To support government reform of health and social care provision
- To identify and facilitate opportunities for academic collaboration and new developments.

The Department's postgraduate taught programmes combine academic excellence with flexible and innovative design and delivery; our postgraduate portfolio is distinguished by the provision of a number of Professional Masters and a Professional Doctorate programme designed to be studied part-time by learners working in a wide range of healthcare roles from all around the world. All our postgraduate courses are taught online and this has proved to be one of our unique selling points, with students able to continue within their practice area or working environment whilst gaining a further qualification.

The Department is renowned for its exemplary attention to educational design, integrating knowledge with research evidence and resulting in programmes which are highly relevant to contemporary practice; in addition, the Department boasts some of the most innovative and successful approaches to online and part-time education, recognised through a number of awards.

At all levels, learning and teaching in the Department provides a strong focus on high quality education for real world situations and produces graduates with skills and knowledge relevant to professional roles and in high demand from employers.

Teaching programmes on offer within the Department include:

- Sport & Exercise Medicine, the world renowned flexible masters programme exclusively for doctors
- Sports Physiotherapy, a specialist programme designed by physiotherapists for physiotherapists
- Research in Health Practice, a programme launched in 2008 aimed at health and social care professionals interested in conducting their own research
- The innovative Professional Doctorate in Health which focuses on both Population Health and Healthcare within the Department, providing a doctoral level programme to develop expert practitioners and researchers in practice.

Facilities, equipment, other resources
Sport and exercise science and medical science laboratories. Close links with the English Institute of Sport and the Department of Sports Development and Recreation.

International and industrial links
There are current links with primary care trusts, strategic health authorities, the two hospitals in Bath and colleagues in industry. The Department works closely with esteemed international academic institutions, and individual health practitioners, in order to meet the regional, national and global challenges facing health and social care.

Careers information
Postgraduate research students gain a wealth of experience to assist them with their next step and are offered personal career advice at the University. The Department has an established research training skills programme for all research students. The taught programmes enable students to extend their health and social care career pathways and to build important networks for further professional opportunities.

Main areas of research

The Department carries out research and teaching in health, medicine, exercise and sport, making significant contributions to national and international health agendas.

The Department aims to produce high-quality research with a strongly applied focus. We aim to contribute to promoting the health of the population and to improving the quality and efficiency of the health services that people rely on and pursue this agenda with a variety of partners at local, regional, national and international levels. Our work is organised around the two main themes of population health and healthcare. We are also pleased to offer a range of Research degrees.

- Population health

Historically, health policy has focused almost exclusively on sickness services provided by agencies such as the National Health Service. Although this focus on healthcare remains hugely important, it is increasingly complemented by aspirations to improve the health of the population by tackling the social determinants of health such as poverty and pollution and by encouraging people to adopt health promoting behaviours such as healthy diets and increased physical activity and to stop health damaging ones such as smoking. There is also growing national and international concern that improvements in health should be fairly distributed by reducing health inequalities. The Department for Health organises its work related to population health improvement in three main ways. Much the largest element in the population health portfolio is related to sport, health and exercise science, but the School attaches growing importance to tobacco control and health inequalities.

- Healthcare

The Department’s expertise in Healthcare focuses on innovation in the design, delivery, organization, and evaluation of healthcare interventions. We have a particular emphasis on disabling and distressing, long term or life-limiting conditions, such as chronic pain, stroke, dementia, rheumatic disease, and severe mental health problems. Current research activity involves collaborations with NHS colleagues in Bath at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases – RNHRD, the Royal United Hospital, the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Care Trust, the Pan Bath & Swindon Primary Care Research Consortium and RehabNET.

Faculties in the Department have significant research expertise and experience in a range of topics including:

Addictions and addictive behaviour
Alcohol, drugs and the family
Assistive technology and rehabilitation
Child and adolescent cognitive behavioural therapy
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes
Dementia care
Evidence based pain management
Leadership and change
Mental health service development and evaluation
Spondolarthropathy disease and related disability
Stroke rehabilitation
Work, health and wellbeing.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.bath.ac.uk/hss/graduate-school/research-programmes/how-to-apply/

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Develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to promote and protect public health and wellbeing. You will be equipped to fulfil a variety of roles in health promotion and public health, working in local authorities, health services or the voluntary sector.

Focus on how people and communities can empower themselves to improve their health, and how public policy can create healthier societies and places. You will also investigate the psychology of behaviour change, together with how people learn about health. The research strand will enable you to critically appraise evidence and develop research skills.

We have been providing specialist postgraduate health promotion training for more than 40 years, and our courses are up-to-date with all the dynamic and current changes taking place in public health in the UK and globally. This course is recognised by the Institute of Health Promotion and Education.

- Research Excellence Framework 2014: 20% of our research in the Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care unit is world leading or internationally excellent.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/healthpromotion_msc

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

You will have the skills to commission, as well as to design, plan, implement and evaluate health promotion interventions. Our students find jobs as health promotion specialists, public health consultants, public health service managers, researchers, lecturers and generally wherever there is a health and wellbeing role at policy, planning and management levels.

- Health Promotion Specialist
- Public Health Consultant
- Public Health Service Manager
- Researcher

Careers advice: The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

Our course is recognised by the Institute of Health Promotion and Education, and our contacts with practitioners in the public health community are well established, both regionally and nationally. We have a track record for our evaluation work, research with communities, commitment to tackling inequalities in health, and in providing an evidence base for practice.

Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and countries, giving a chance to share experience, learn from each other and develop collaborative practice. A large number of our students have continued their career as public health consultants and health promotion specialists.

Core Modules

Foundations of Public Health & Health Promotion
Provides a basis for the study of public health and health promotion, with key principles and theory.

Health Communication
Investigates the psychology of behaviour change, how various media can be used and how people learn about health.

People Power & Communities
Examines how communities work and how they can be empowered to create their own health.

Policies for Health in the Twenty-First Century
Considers how public policy can create healthier societies and places health promotion within the latest ideas and current thinking.

Professional Practice
Provides the practical skills of planning health promotion and how theories can be put into practice.

Research Methods for Health & Wellbeing
Gain the theoretical foundation and practical skills required to complete small scale research. You will focus on writing a research proposal, how to conduct research and how to analyse health-related data.

Health Promotion Enquiry
Develop a range of skills underpinning research, evaluation and evidence-based practice, and deepen your awareness of ontological, epistemological and methodological frameworks and how they relate to research.

Research & Practice Development
Your opportunity to undertake a small scale piece of research and/or development that underpins your health-rated practice within nutrition, environmental health or health promotion.

Facilities

- Library
Our libraries are two of the only university libraries in the UK open 24/7 every day of the year. However you like to study, the libraries have got you covered with group study, silent study, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- Clinical Skills Suite
The £1 million suite has been designed to meet the learning needs of a range of health professionals, with specialist equipment in purpose-built rooms enabling a variety of sessions to be carried out in a suitable and safe environment.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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About the course

The overall aim of the MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion is for students to gain advanced skills, principles and knowledge in public health and health promotion whilst also developing a critical and multidisciplinary approach to the complexities of public health and health promotion challenges and possibilities.

The programme reflects the multidisciplinary nature of public health and health promotion and includes:

health promotion
global public health
health policy
politics, sociology
psychology, communication
advanced academic and research skills.

You will develop your knowledge in public health and health promotion as well as build your research skills.The programme has an active learning and research-led approach.

Aims

The MSc programme in Public Health and Health Promotion allows students to:

Investigate the scope and nature of contemporary public health and health promotion at the local, national and global levels, focusing on its development, current priorities and future challenges.

Explore the major determinants of health and explore ways to promote public health and health promotion that address social and economic inequalities, are culturally sensitive, and promote values of social justice.

Build knowledge and skills in reflective practice, research, communication, transferable skills and working in groups.

Develop knowledge and skills in the principles and complexities of using evidence, including researching, analysing and evaluating health information and policy.

Explore a multidisciplinary approach to public health and health promotion.

Examine ethical, political, societal and cultural dilemmas that arise in public health and health promotion.

Provide the opportunity to conduct an empirical research project in a contemporary issue associated with public health and health promotion.

Course Content

The MSc Public Health and Health Promotion has been specially designed to give you up-to-date knowledge and the necessary skills to be able to understand and apply your learning in analysing evidence, assessing need, planning, implementation and the evaluation of public health and health promotion in a range of contexts.

A key focus is the development of a theoretical, conceptual, historical and critical understandings of public health and health promotion.
This understanding will be applied to an analysis of ethical, political and policy debates informing health promotion and public health practice.

You will need to complete eight study blocks that lead to six assessments and a 15,000 - 18,000 word dissertation to achieve the MSc Public Health and Health Promotion.

Compulsory modules:

Global Public Health
Health Promotion
Health and Society
Evidence and Communication
Health Policy, Politics and Social Justice
Implementing Change in Public Health and Health Promotion
Research in Practice
Approaches to Research
Dissertation

Teaching

Experts at the forefront
The programme draws upon lecturers within public health and health promotion, the wider university and external specialist experts. The teaching team are research active and engage in scholarly activity that informs the curriculum. There are interactions between research and teaching and learning throughout the programme.

How you will be taught
Most study and study blocks will be delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, online resources, peer led learning, group activities and/or practical workshops, with personal study expected throughout. Typically, lecturers set out the key context, which provide underpinning theory, identify issues of debate and point to further evidence, resources and critical debate. Seminars are structured to facilitate discussion, explore further learning and promote critical thinking, including sound, evidence-based reasoning.

Self-study component
You will be expected to increasingly become self-directed in researching topics. This combination ensures that learning requires active engagement from you, in which debates are often illustrated and explored with examples from policy and practice, so that theory is clearly linked in a relevant and meaningful way to learning goals.

Active learning is recognised as essential to the development of understanding, the ability to apply theory to practice, and to the development of reflective skills. The programme incorporates online teaching and learning tools such as Blackboard Learn.

Assessment

A variety of assessment modes are employed, such as case studies, essays, presentations, written examinations and a research dissertation. Assessment techniques match the intended learning outcomes. At the start of the programme students are provided with the assessment schedule including assessment and feedback dates.

Special Features

Links between research and teaching throughout the programme.

The opportunity to undertake an empirical piece of research.

The course is one of the longest established in the UK.

The programme is highly rated for its excellence in teaching and learning.

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The MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine provides a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary foundation in global health. This exciting new course embraces the breadth and complexity of global health challenges facing resource limited contexts and equips candidates with the tools and awareness to contribute to innovative solutions. The course is embedded within the Oxford Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health [embedded link] and benefits from the Centre's reputation and expertise in Global Health research and practice.

The course aims to develop students':
• knowledge and understanding of the major global health problems in resource limited settings and their potential solutions;
• knowledge and skills in research techniques applied in the analysis of global health problems, including quantitative and qualitative research methods, health policy and systems research and public health, with opportunities for training in additional specialist fields;
• capacity to critically appraise evidence in global health;
• skills and practical experience in researching specific health problems.

Upon completion of the course, students will be equipped to continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills further in research or professional practice in the field of global health. In the future we anticipate our graduates will assume leadership and research positions within major international health organisations and ministries of health.

Course Content:
In the first term, the course provides an introduction to the breadth of topics in, and methods applicable to global health. The second term offers options ranging from international development to vaccinology. The third term provides students with the unique opportunity to apply their skills and gain first hand experience in a global health project in a resource limited setting. Students will then produce a 10,000 word dissertation related to their third term project.

The first term will consist of core topics on research methods, an overview of some major global health challenges, and topics related to the research and practice of global health. Core modules include:
1. Paradigms and Tools for Global Health: This module will cover epidemiology, statistics, health economics, social science for health and health policy and systems analysis. Methodological paradigms in the health and social sciences will be introduced and basic tools provided for each. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to critically review published literature covering a wide range of global health topics and can opt to further their application skills through the third term placement project.
2. Challenges and Change in International Health: This module will cover some of the key health challenges found in resource limited contexts. Topics will include: water and sanitation; land use, population and migration; climate change; nutrition; vector borne diseases; vaccine preventable diseases; neglected tropical diseases; maternal and child health; non-communicable diseases; accidents and injuries. Upon completion of this module, students will have a broad awareness of the kinds of factors affecting international health, their challenges, solutions that have worked and current efforts to affect change.
3. Global Health Research and Practice: This module highlights some of the important considerations in the research or practice of global health. Topics covered include global health governance, global health research ethics, challenges to research in global health, data management and governance, health impact evaluation, design of disease prevention and health promotion programmes, health programme evaluation, and outbreak investigation.

In the first term, there will be a series of problem-based learning sessions to integrate the core topics covered and allow students the opportunity to engage in more depth with real global health scenarios.

During the second term, in addition to some continued core content, students can select two of the following six options for further study:
1. Advanced Topics in Tropical Medicine: This option delves deeper into the range of infectious diseases affecting resource limited settings and provides a historical account of efforts to address them, the failures and successes, as well as current developments and advances.
2. Vaccinology: This exciting option is for those with an interest in the application of more basic science. The module will examine the science of vaccine development and the challenge of its application in real world contexts. The content will cover advances at the cutting edge of vaccine development.
3. Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health: This option addresses in more depth the persisting challenges faced by mothers, infants and young children in resource limited settings. Topics will engage with the current challenges, discuss viable solutions and address the obstacles to implementation.
4. International Development and Health: This option, offered jointly to MPhil students in Development Studies, aims to introduce students to the important linkages between processes of development (political and economic) and health. The module challenges conventional health thinking and compels a broader consideration of the inter-related factors affecting the health of populations.
5. Health, Environment and Development: This innovative option brings together students (and teachers) from Geography, Development and Global Health to engage with a series of cases illustrating the intersection between processes of development, environmental changes and human health.
6. Case Studies in Field Epidemiology: This option aims to familiarise students with the principles and practice of field epidemiology by lectures and discussions of outbreak investigation case studies.

The third term will involve a funded eight week placement with a global health project in a resource limited setting. Projects represent the range of subjects covered in the course. We have established a series of projects hosted by the Oxford Tropical Network in various geographic regions. Students, with advice from their departmental tutors, may choose from the placements available or propose their own placement (providing it meets course guidelines). The placement project will then form the basis of an independent 10,000 word dissertation to be submitted six weeks after return from placement.

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This stream provides the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the health of populations across high-, middle- and low-income settings. The emphasis is on the use, development and critical evaluation of conceptual models; evidence and methods of analysis; and on practical, effective interventions.

Graduates from this stream work in health care, health policy and public health organisations at local, national and international level in service and academic public health roles.

If your main interest is public health in low-income countries please refer to the MSc Public Health for Development.

Duration: one year full time; part-time or split-study over two years. Modes of study explained.

- Full programme specification (pdf) (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/edu/qualityassurance/ph_ph_progspec.pdf)

This course is accredited by the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region (APHEA) which is the accreditation body of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER).

Visit the website http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msphph.html

An additional requirement for the MSc Public Health (all streams) is some evidence of ability in mathematics, post-16 year education. Preference will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience.

Any student who does not meet the minimum entry requirement above but who has relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.

Objectives

By the end of this stream students should be able to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of statistics; epidemiology; health economics; and social research, to real health problems. In addition, they should be able to:

- critically assess key public health functions

- demonstrate knowledge and skills in a range of topics related to public health

- formulate, implement and evaluate appropriate policy responses to public health problems

- show competence in critically evaluating and communicating research evidence

Structure

Term 1:
Students complete the Public Health common core, consisting of four compulsory modules:

Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
Basic Epidemiology
Introduction for Health Economics
Principles of Social Research

In addition, students intending to follow this stream must take Issues in Public Health. The remaining module can be selected from:

Environment, Health & Sustainable Development
Health Promotion Theory
Health Policy, Process & Power
Health Services

Terms 2 and 3:
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). The list below shows recommended modules. There are other modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Course Directors.

- Slot 1:
Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco
Economic Evaluation
Health Care Evaluation
Health Promotion Approaches and Methods
Research Design & Analysis
Study Design: Writing a Study Proposal

- Slot 2:
Conflict and Health
Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
Health Systems
History & Health
Qualitative Methodologies
Statistical Methods in Epidemiology

- Slot 3:
Applied Communicable Disease Control
Economic Analysis for Health Policy
Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases
Medical Anthropology and Public Health
Organisational Management

- Slot 4:
Analytical Models for Decision Making
Design & Evaluation of Mental Health Programmes
Environmental Epidemiology
Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases
Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights
Evaluation of Public Health Interventions
Globalisation & Health
Nutrition Related Chronic Diseases
Reviewing the Literature

- Slot 5:
Principles and Practice of Public Health (compulsory)

By arrangement, students may be able to substitute specified Distance Learning modules for up to two modules in certain timetable slots. Any such substitutions will need to be discussed with the Course Directors. Full details are contained in the MSc Course Handbook.

Further details for the course modules - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section2_coursedescriptions/tphe_6.html

Project Report:
Students prepare a project report during the summer months (July - August), for submission by early September.

Intercalating this course

Undergraduate medical students can take a year out either to pursue related studies or work. The School welcomes applications from medical students wishing to intercalate after their third year of study from any recognised university in the world.

Why intercalate with us?:
Reputation: The School has an outstanding international reputation in public health & tropical medicine and is at the forefront of global health research. It is highly rated in a number of world rankings including:

- World’s leading research-focused graduate school (Times Higher Education World Rankings, 2013)
- Third in the world for social science and public health (US News Best Global Universities Ranking, 2014)
- Second in UK for research impact (Research Exercise Framework 2014)
- Top in Europe for impact (Leiden Ranking, 2015)

Highly recognised qualification: possessing a Master's from the School will give you a focused understanding of health and disease, broaden your career prospects and allow you to be immersed in research in a field of your choice.

Valuable skills: you will undertake an independent research project (summer project) in your chosen topic, equipping you with research skills that will distinguish you in a clinical environment. While your medical qualification will give you a breadth of knowledge; undertaking an intercalated degree will allow you to explore your main area of interest in greater depth.

Alumni network: the School has a strong international and diverse alumni community, with more than 20,000 alumni in over 180 countries.

MSc vs. BSc: undertaking an MSc is an excellent opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge in your chosen topic and enhance your skills in scientific research. Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly sought after by clinicians and possessing a Masters qualification can assist you in your future career progression.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msphph.html#sixth

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At a time when strategies and policies for improving individual and population health are firmly on the agenda of governments globally, this course has been specifically designed to meet these challenges and demand from stakeholders and prospective students.

The importance of innovative approaches to health and social care has never been more critical with the widening inequalities gap, the continuing global financial crisis and climate change. The new public health approach has different characteristics from the old public health model and now includes prevention and promotion whilst giving recognition of the social determinants of health. This course will allow you to develop the skills required to meet existing and emerging challenges locally, nationally and internationally.

You will explore the principles of health promotion and public health and address current issues in improving health and the prevention of disease including epidemiology. You will examine the impact of health inequalities and explore global health and health psychology and the principles of behaviour change.

Visit the website: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/health-professions/study-options/distance-and-flexible-learning/health-promotion-and-public-health

Modules

• Principles and Concepts: Health Promotion and New Public Health
• Inequalities
• Global Health
• Evidence-based Public Health
• Health Psychology and the Principles of Behaviour Change
• Population Health & Wellbeing
• Leadership and Partnership Working for Health
• Research Project

Format

Our goal is to help you develop into critical and reflective public health practitioners who have strong problem solving skills while being able to implement creative solutions. Consequently there is a high emphasis on student participation in all modules with a self-directed approach to learning being essential if you are to achieve the aims of the course within the one year timeframe. Our expectation is that you are active and engaged learners. Staff will expect you to attend class thoroughly prepared having reviewed the relevant directed study. In class you will engage with the module material undertaking activities and discussions to help you gain a deeper understanding of the issues and potential solutions. When in class you will be expected to contribute to discussions by asking questions, offering your point of view and sharing your experiences and knowledge. Key guest speakers are invited to join the modules to bring topical and current issues to the learning experience.

If you study this course online then you will be taught via our virtual learning environment CampusMoodle, where you will work both individually and within a group environment, with formal and informal sessions. You will take part in online tutorial sessions through the virtual classroom utilising innovative technologies to facilitate engagement and encourage discussion and debate.

In addition to the Module Leader, e-tutors from practice settings facilitate the discussion forums and online tutorials to help relate theory to practice.

Placements and accreditation

Accreditation by the IUHPE (International Union for Health Promotion Education) means you can be confident that the course meets IUHPE Core Competencies and Professional Standards. This will support your own competence and mobility in Health Promotion practice globally. As a student you would be able to join the IUHPE Student and Early Career Network (ISECN) and on successful completion of the course you can apply for registration with IUHPE giving you professional accreditation and access to a wide range of resources.

The course is also recognised by the Royal Society for Public Health, the world's longest established public health body, which has a multi-disciplinary professional membership dedicated to improvement of the public's health and wellbeing.

Careers

This course is suitable for those working in the key areas of health, public health, health improvement, health promotion, local authorities, local government, education, social care, sports & leisure, private sector, occupational health, oral and dental health and the third sector both in the UK and internationally by providing you with a professional qualification that will develop your understanding of this complex field and strengthen, enhance and improve your career prospects.

Students on the existing programme come from a wide range of disciplines including public health, physiotherapy, dietetics, third sector, nursing and midwifery, oncology and occupational health.

Opportunities have increased significantly with the global changes in health and the challenges that lifestyle related diseases are presenting. Employment opportunities include:
• clinical practice
• local authorities and commissioning boards
• occupational health
• education
• work based health programmes
• sports and leisure centres
• social care.

Other related areas and opportunities include community development, non-government agencies, charitable and voluntary organisations.

How to apply

To find out how to apply, use the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/applyonline

Funding

For information on funding, including loans, scholarships and Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) please click the following link: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/future-students/finance-and-scholarships/financial-support/uk-students/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-students/

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This stream provides a sound understanding of the theoretical and empirical basis of health promotion, equipping students with the conceptual and practical skills to design and evaluate health promotion interventions and programmes. Health promotion draws on ideas from sociology, psychology, anthropology, education, epidemiology and other disciplines to understand how the health of populations can be maintained and strengthened.

- Full programme specification (pdf) (http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/edu/qualityassurance/ph_hp_progspec.pdf)

This course is accredited by the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region (APHEA) which is the accreditation body of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER). - See more at: http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msphhp.html#first

Visit the website http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msphhp.html

An additional requirement for the MSc Public Health (all streams) is some evidence of ability in mathematics, post-16 year education. Preference will also be given to applicants with relevant work experience.

Any student who does not meet the minimum entry requirement above but who has relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.

Objectives

By the end of this stream, students should be able to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of: statistics; epidemiology; health economics; and social research, to real health problems. In addition, they should be able to:

- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principal theories, methods and interventions used in health promotion

- understand the development of the discipline of health promotion in the UK and internationally

- assess the appropriate use of population-wide versus targeted health promotion interventions

- formulate health promotion policy and practice that is relevant to varying needs in diverse contexts

- be able to appraise and communicate research evidence

- apply the knowledge and analytical skills gained to inform health promotion policy-making, programme planning, implementation and evaluation

Structure

Term 1:
Students complete the Public Health common core, consisting of four compulsory modules:

Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
Basic Epidemiology
Introduction for Health Economics
Principles of Social Research

In addition, students intending to follow this stream must take Health Promotion Theory. The remaining module can be selected from:

Environment, Health & Sustainable Development
Health Policy, Process & Power
Health Services
Issues in Public Health

Terms 2 and 3:
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (Slot 1, Slot 2 etc.). The list below shows recommended modules. There are other modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Course Directors.

*Recommended modules

- Slot 1:
Health Promotion Approaches and Methods (compulsory)

- Slot 2:
Conflict and Health*
Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies*
Family Planning Programmes*
History & Health*
Population, Poverty and Environment*
Qualitative Methodologies*
Statistical Methods in Epidemiology*
Health Systems

- Slot 3:
Applied Communicable Disease Control*
Current Issues in Safe Motherhood and Perinatal Health*
Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases*
Medical Anthropology and Public Health*

- Slot 4:
Environmental Epidemiology*
Epidemiology & Control of Communicable Diseases*
Ethics, Public Health & Human Rights*
Evaluation of Public Health Interventions*
Globalisation & Health*
Reviewing the Literature*
Sexual Health*
Analytical Models for Decision Making

- Slot 5:
Integrating Module: Health Promotion (compulsory)

By arrangement, students may be able to substitute specified Distance Learning modules for up to two modules in certain timetable slots. Any such substitutions will need to be discussed with the Course Directors. Full details are contained in the MSc Course Handbook.

Further details for the course modules - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section2_coursedescriptions/tphe_3.html

Project Report:
Students prepare a project report during the summer months (July - August), for submission by early September.

Intercalating this course

Undergraduate medical students can take a year out either to pursue related studies or work. The School welcomes applications from medical students wishing to intercalate after their third year of study from any recognised university in the world.

Why intercalate with us?:
Reputation: The School has an outstanding international reputation in public health & tropical medicine and is at the forefront of global health research. It is highly rated in a number of world rankings including:

- World’s leading research-focused graduate school (Times Higher Education World Rankings, 2013)
- Third in the world for social science and public health (US News Best Global Universities Ranking, 2014)
- Second in UK for research impact (Research Exercise Framework 2014)
- Top in Europe for impact (Leiden Ranking, 2015)

Highly recognised qualification: possessing a Master's from the School will give you a focused understanding of health and disease, broaden your career prospects and allow you to be immersed in research in a field of your choice.

Valuable skills: you will undertake an independent research project (summer project) in your chosen topic, equipping you with research skills that will distinguish you in a clinical environment. While your medical qualification will give you a breadth of knowledge; undertaking an intercalated degree will allow you to explore your main area of interest in greater depth.

Alumni network: the School has a strong international and diverse alumni community, with more than 20,000 alumni in over 180 countries.

MSc vs. BSc: undertaking an MSc is an excellent opportunity to develop in-depth specialist knowledge in your chosen topic and enhance your skills in scientific research. Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly sought after by clinicians and possessing a Masters qualification can assist you in your future career progression.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/masters/msphhp.html#sixth

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Promoting the scientific study of health, illness and healthcare to improve health outcomes for patients and the public.

Who is it for?

The course is for highly motivated students who have intellectual curiosity to learn about complex problems of health and healthcare and the ambition to conduct research that may lead to a solution to these problems. The programme is especially suited to students who want to go on to do doctoral studies – either a DPsych Health Psychology (for practitioner training) or a PhD (for research training).

The Health Psychology course is also for those who have an undergraduate degree that is accredited by the British Psychological Society. If you are an international student and would like to undertake a Masters degree in this subject but do not have the BPS accreditation, we offer the MSc Psychology and Health as an alternative programme (with identical modules) for students who have not achieved the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society.

Objectives

Health psychology explores the psychological and behavioural processes that influence the development of illness, the promotion of health, and the delivery of healthcare through rigorous research that feeds into evidence-based practice.

Teaching at City promotes the scientist-practitioner model in which research influences how we practice, while allowing our experiences in practice to shape the research questions we ask.

We recognise that great research will not make a difference to people’s lives unless the insights feed into evidence-based practice. You will therefore learn how to make research evidence accessible to help maximise its impact. Taught by a team of leading research-active academics, who are members of the Centre for Health Services Research (CHSR), the MSc Health Psychology programme is designed to give you the foundations that will propel you to an exciting career in the discipline.

Here are some examples of the kinds of questions the course poses:
-How can we help people cope with a diagnosis?
-What are the main challenges facing individuals living with long-term conditions?
-What is psychological theory and how can this be used to understand health and illness behaviours?
-How can we make complex interventions more effective by using theory and empirical evidence?

Academic facilities

City University has recently opened the TECS Lab, a dedicated ‘smart home’, to showcase some of the exciting technologies that are being implemented around the UK to support patients with long-term conditions and complex health and social care needs.

This is a one-of-a-kind resource that is already being used for teaching and research purposes. You will visit the TECS Lab in the spring term and the resource will be available to conduct your own dissertation research on a related topic. As part of the University of London you can also become a member of Senate House Library for free with your student ID card.

Teaching and learning

The course uses a range of teaching methods including classroom teaching, seminars and workshops. You will be assessed through a varied combination of formats throughout the programme including coursework, examination, a diary component, online discussion forums and a significant piece of empirical research.

The assessment for the Doctorate includes:
-A reflective report (3,000 words) detailing how supervised practice has enabled you to fulfil the generic professional competence.
-A report (1,000 words) summarising the involvement of service users and/or carers in your training.
-Log of experiences that enabled you to gain competence in each component of all core units over the equivalent of two years’ full-time supervised practice (this should include a record of your attendance at core CPD workshops)
-A case study (3,000 words excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-A contract and working agreement conditions document (3,000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-Two teaching and training case studies (1 x 1,000 & 1 x 2,000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices. One of the populations must be health care professionals and an observer’s report (500 words)
-A case study describing the process of conducting a psychological intervention that has been implemented through face-to-face work with an individual client (3000 words, excluding appendices) with supporting evidence in appendices.
-A case study (2,000 words, excluding appendices) describing the process of conducting a psychological intervention that has been delivered through a medium other than face-to-face with an individual client with a reflective report on delivering this intervention included in the appendices.
-A research thesis (approximately 15,000 words, excluding appendices) to be written to a standard acceptable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.
-A systematic review (6,000 words excluding appendices) to be written to a standard acceptable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals.

You will also be able to learn from our on-site TECS lab. This is a dedicated smart home equipped with tele-health and tele-care applications and an adjacent monitoring system.

The purpose of the TECS lab is to enable researchers to monitor long-term conditions, and use technology to track an individual’s health in real time. For example seat and bed occupancy sensors enable health psychologists to monitor physical movement and intervene when routine behaviours are disrupted.

Modules

The programme consists of eight compulsory modules and all the teaching takes place in the first two terms. In term one you will be introduced to behavioural medicine, lifestyle, gender and culture, theoretical foundations of health psychology and research design and statistics. In the second term you study understanding and managing long term conditions, developing complex interventions, professional practice and contextual issues in health psychology and advanced research design and statistics. The third term is dedicated to the dissertation.

You may have the opportunity to interact directly with patients or healthcare professionals at the dissertation stage of this Masters degree. You will be conducting your own independent research and this may, for example, involve interviewing patients or professionals about a particular subject, or delivering behaviour change interventions.

To become a qualified researcher and practitioner, you will need to be able to understand and critique published research and to understand practitioner issues, so you can conduct your own research from scratch. At City we will encourage you to conduct research on the front line working on projects that require ethical approval, where you are engaging with real people so you can have a direct impact on their lives.

Core modules
-Theoretical foundations of health psychology (15 credits)
-Behavioural medicine (15 credits)
-Understanding and managing long-term conditions (15 credits)
-Lifespan, gender & culture (15 credits)
-Developing complex interventions (15 credits)
-Professional and contextual Issues in health psychology (15 credits)
-Introduction to research design & statistics (15 credits)
-Advanced research design & statistics (15 credits)
-Dissertation (60 credits)

Career prospects

Health psychologists work in academia as researchers and within the NHS and the wider healthcare sector. The nature of the work means you will be trying to influence public health policy in terms of the way that health care is practised. You will also be evaluating how health care professionals do their work while adhering to the best clinical standards.

As a UK student, because the Health Psychology MSc is accredited, it is known as Stage 1 of the standard training in healthcare psychology. By successfully completing this course you will be able to move on to Stage 2 training (a doctoral level qualification in health psychology). This leads to becoming a fully recognised health psychologist whereby you can apply for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Full membership of the Division of Health Psychology means you will also be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Chartered Health Psychologist. You can only use the protected title ‘Health Psychologist’ by registering with the HCPC, the statutory regulator.

Graduates of the MSc in Health Psychology and MSc in Psychology & Health take a variety of career paths across the NHS and wider public sector. Here are some examples of the kinds of roles our graduates go on to do:
-A PhD student studying a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology.
-A research assistant in higher education, NHS or the private sector.
-An assistant psychologist in an applied setting.
-An NHS or third sector healthcare professional, such as a smoking cessation officer, or a public health and health promotion practitioner.

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The course is intended for all those interested in promoting health and well-being.

The course can be done in two ways. First there is the full-time course where the taught component and the Dissertation need to be completed within 1 year. The second option is to study part-time where the taught component is run over 2 years and the Dissertation is completed by the end of year 3.

Compulsory modules:

The 80 credits of taught core modules (which are compulsory) are:

Social and Behavioural Sciences (10 credits)
Principles and Practices of Public Health and Health Promotion (20 credits)
Health Economics (20 credits)
Research Methods (20 credits)
Epidemiology (10 credits)
Optional modules:

40 credits are also chosen from a selection of optional modules which include:

Public Health Nutrition (20 credits)
Accountability in Health & Social Care (20 credits)
Leadership, Quality, Innovation & Change (20 credits)
Work-Based Learning (20 credits)
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being (20 credits)
If you wish to achieve your MSc you will also need to successfully complete a Research Dissertation (60 credits).

Programme philosophy
As the course is intended for those interested in promoting health and well-being, it has been developed in collaboration with practitioners and specialists in the field of public health and health promotion in the UK. The programme is aimed at multi-agency, multi-disciplinary and multi-professional UK and international students. This programme provides opportunity for students of public health and health promotion to develop their skills to manage change, lead public health programmes, and to work with individuals, groups and communities. The programme aims to develop people who:

Have Public Health and Health Promotion knowledge and skills
Understand the inter‑relationships between the factors that influence health
Can critically analyse and reflect on public health and health promotion theory, research and practice
Can present evidence on the basis of underpinning theory and understanding
Have the necessary skills, motivation and commitment to engage in lifelong learning and continuing professional development.
Postgraduate students are recognised as individuals possessing substantial knowledge and experience; their contributions are of value, and can enhance the learning experiences of the other students.

Intended programme outcomes
The course provides opportunities for students to achieve and demonstrate the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge and understanding

Students will gain knowledge and understanding of:

Social and behavioural sciences: the social, psychological, political and cultural influences affecting health promotion and public health policy and practice.
Health economics: the key concepts of scarcity, choice and opportunity cost in health economics.
Research: quantitative and qualitative research, their approaches to scientific inquiry, their methodologies and related methods.
Epidemiology: epidemiological principles and research to inform public health and health promotion.
Principles and practice of public health promotion: the theory and practice of health promotion within the new public health agenda.
Subject Specific Skills

Students will have opportunities to:

Develop surveillance and assessment skills relating to the population’s health and well-being.
Critically understand the skills needed for promoting and protecting the population’s health and well-being.
Develop strategic qualities to improve health and well-being.
Develop skills in working with, and for, communities to improve health and well-being.
Promote people’s equality, diversity and rights.
Ethically manage self, people and resources to improve health and well-being.
Conduct and/or interpret health promotion and public health research.
Cognitive (thinking) Skills

Students will have the ability to:

Recognise, critically analyse, and apply theories, paradigms, concepts and principles of public health and health promotion.
Critically understand research and development.
Analyse, synthesise, and apply information logically and critically.
Reflect and utilise reflection to enhance self-awareness, knowledge and skills.
Key Skills

Students will be able to:

Critically analyse knowledge from relevant sources to develop and present coherent arguments.
Communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently in spoken and written formats.
Plan, perform and report on public health and health promotion data with due regard to ethical issues.
Use and interpret evidence critically.
Develop the capacity for independent learning and effective utilisation of available resources.
Use IT skills, effectively utilising computing and word processing facilities, electronic databases and Blackboard.

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