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Master of Public Health (MPH)

Advance your public health career with the University of Essex’s online Master of Public Health (MPH). Gain skills to shape health policy and practice and graduate equipped for impactful roles in global health sectors, from government agencies to NGOs.

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Location: Online

Cost: £12,858 International Price £13,427

Language: English

About this degree

Hone your public health expertise online

Ready to elevate your public health career? This online Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Essex will help you gain the skills to influence health policy and practice globally.

Delivered entirely online, the programme’s flexibility allows for part-time study, enabling you to balance your professional commitments with academic aspirations efficiently.

Help shape the future of public health

This MPH is meticulously designed to equip you with vital skills and in-depth knowledge essential for thriving in public health roles worldwide.

You’ll delve into contemporary public health challenges, gaining strategic insights into how health policies are crafted and implemented.

Throughout this programme, you’ll engage with a diverse range of modules that cover critical areas such as health promotion, epidemiology, and health needs assessment, ensuring you obtain a well-rounded understanding of public health dynamics.

Explore comprehensive modules to elevate your skills

This MPH consists of several core and optional modules, providing a robust educational framework. Each module, like ‘Topics in Public Health’ and ‘Research Methods in Healthcare,’ offers a close look at crucial aspects of the field.

Furthermore, electives such as ‘Social Marketing’ and ‘Health Economics’ invite you to tailor your educational journey according to specific interests or career aspirations. This ensures that the complexity of the public health sector is not only covered but mastered.

Gain practical skills for global career opportunities

Graduates of this programme leave with more than just a degree. You’ll gain a vast array of opportunities in sectors ranging from governmental agencies to international NGOs.

This MPH is your gateway to a plethora of roles within public health, promising a significant impact either locally or on a global scale. The programme’s focus on applied learning and real-world utility assures you of engaging with practical challenges, readying you for various high-stakes responsibilities.

Specialise with an engaging research project

Culminating in a substantive dissertation, this MPH programme allows you to carry out research in a topic relevant to your professional goals. Be it through consultancy or an intricate applied research problem, this project represents an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate your comprehensive understanding and critical thinking skills, honed through practical and theoretical exploration during the degree.

Where you’ll be studying

Studying at the University of Essex Online

The University of Essex Online offers over 80 industry-led undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, computing, criminology, education, health, law and psychology.

Teaching is delivered 100% online and students benefit from a flexible approach to learning that allows them to fit study around their other commitments. Degrees are awarded by the University of Essex – ranked 12th in the Guardian University Guide 2026.

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Learning outcomes

Understand methods for assessing population health needs.

Unpack the latest strategies that support health promotion.

Discover public health perspectives on the principles of epidemiology.

Understand the theory and practice of personal development skills relevant to healthcare.

Additional information

For the academic entry route, you’ll need an undergraduate degree from an approved institution, equivalent to a UK Honours degree, or a relevant professional qualification. To satisfy the work experience entry route requirements, you’ll need at least three years’ relevant work experience.

If English isn’t your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

The Master of Public Health is offered exclusively as a part-time programme, designed to run over two years.

Given its structure, you need to commit to an estimated study schedule that can comfortably accommodate alongside your professional duties. Each module spans typically around 13 weeks of thorough engagement, and assessment is conducted through various methods, including assignments, projects, and presentations.

You'll be assessed through assignments such as discussion forums, reflective journals, live presentations, and written submissions. We ensure frequent and transparent feedback by providing clear assessment criteria, keeping you informed of your provisional grade from the start, and allowing you to track your marks anytime in your gradebook. Marking and feedback have a 7-day turnaround, and you'll have regular access to your Student Support team for any concerns.

Upon obtaining your MPH from the University of Essex, you'll be on a path towards exciting career prospects, including:

Public Health Advisor: Guide national policies and health initiatives, influencing public health standards.
Epidemiologist: Conduct crucial investigations into disease patterns and propose impactful interventions.
Health Policy Analyst: Evaluate and formulate health policies that cater to community and global needs.
Global Health Consultant: Offer expert advice on global health strategies to international organisations.
Health Promotion Specialist: Devise and implement programmes that boost community health initiatives.