Evaluate established public health concepts and consider the new, emerging themes within the context of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). You will have the opportunity to challenge yourself to apply your theoretical knowledge to specific requirements in real world scenarios.
Course overview
Study the constantly changing place of public health in our society. Transformations in the organisation and practice of health demand the re-evaluation of established methods and the consideration of emerging ideas. Study topics including:
- Public health in an ageing population
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Research methods
- Risk factors in public health
- Data analytics in healthcare
- The science behind preventing disease
On this course, you will study public health on a global scale. Industry speakers from international public health organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), play a crucial role in delivery of this course.
Gain valuable experience with quantitative and qualitative research. For example, you will learn about the science behind preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through qualitative research.
You have the option to undertake 12 months of study or 24 months with professional experience to enhance your career prospects. Our London Student Opportunities team will support you in applying for opportunities with a range of tailored services available. You can also gain valuable experience with our Venture Creation Lab (VCL), which provides you with the opportunity to choose between 4 pathways:
- Entrepreneurial
- Technical
- Research
- Leadership
How you will study
The course will take 1 year to complete or 24 months with Professional Experience. You will study:
- 6 compulsory modules
- 1 course long research project (dissertation) module
You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
Modules are delivered using a range of teaching, learning and assessment strategies. These include:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Debates and discussion forums
- Tutorials
Our teaching is rooted in project-based and inquiry-led learning. Support with study skills, conventions of academic analysis and scholarly writing will be available throughout the duration of the course.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
We will ensure an inclusive and individualised experience using a variety of assessment methods, such as:
- Portfolios
- Presentations
- Vivas
- Project-based research
You will benefit from a variety of feedback modes relevant to the assessment. Feedback received will detail how you can develop areas of research, subject knowledge, and professional practice.
Professional Experience
Professional experience is the perfect opportunity to enhance your career prospects and deepen your understanding of your subject area. You can undertake a 12 month or 24 month option professional experience placement, depending on if you are studying full or part time. We offer support in looking for placement opportunities through the London Student Opportunities team. While there is no guarantee you will secure a placement, as this decision sits entirely with employers, we can guarantee you will have access to professional experience through our Venture Creation Lab (VCL). VCL is our industry led programme, with four pathways to choose from.
Career outcomes
Where could Public Health MSc take you?
This degree could lead you to a career directly related to Public Health, such as health promotion, or it could take you in a completely different direction, using the many transferrable skills you will develop. These include problem solving, analysing information, undertaking research and more.
This will give you an advantage in careers including:
- The NHS and health sectors abroad
- Community organisations
- Government agencies
- Local authorities
- Health promotion agencies
- Human rights agencies
- International health institutions
- Business and voluntary sectors
Alumni stories
Visit our YSJ Snapshots blog to see what our past students from across the University have done with their York St John degrees.
Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.
Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. Those with a postgraduate qualification will earn an average of £6,500 a year more than those with only an undergraduate degree (Department for Education Graduate Labour Market Report).
Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.
My name is Kavisha Prince Anthony, and I always had a dream of studying abroad. Thankfully, that dream came to life since I applied to the Study Advisor. I was able to receive my visa within four days. I also had some visa refusals in the past; I had about six UK visa refusals in the past, but thankfully, it was not an issue since the Study Advisor was able to make things work this time. I highly recommend Study Advisor for your dreams of going abroad, whether it be the UK or any other European country there is.