MSc International Public Health

The dissertation module offers you an opportunity to explore in-depth an area of personal or professional interest that relates to your programme of study. In doing this, you will expand your research skills and apply what you have learned in the earlier modules to your research project. It enables you to:

• develop your skills necessary to plan and execute a research project that is relevant to your area of study
• effectively communicate research outcomes to an appropriate audience

You can choose your own topic and methodology but the topic must be relevant to public health and aligned to your route specialism. Your research project will be presented as a 7000 word journal article and includes an oral assessment (30 minute viva voce).

This module examines public health risks at the global level and in the context of globalisation. It explores the key processes of globalisation, such as economic, political, cultural and technological, and how they impact the health of populations and their environments. Key public health risks are identified and their strategic response at the global level evaluated including: Tobacco, Alcohol, diet, climate change, migration, conflicts, and displacements.

This module explores the idea of international health and human development. Through it, you will examine both the determinants of health and aspects of health system development. It evaluates a number of international strategies aimed at health for all, including those in vulnerable and fragile settings. It explores the various means of achieving Universal Health Coverage and appraises local-level health improvement strategies.

This module introduces MSc students to the core principles and practices of public health, linking foundational concepts and theories with contemporary issues and practical skills, ensuring MSc students are equipped for real-world public health challenges. It covers key concepts such as social determinants of health, epidemiology, health systems, policy, and interventions, using contemporary research and case studies. A central theme is addressing health inequalities - critically analysing causes, consequences and solutions aimed at improving health and reducing inequalities. The course is designed for both home and international students, incorporating global perspectives on public health challenges and solutions.

This module encourages you to develop knowledge and competence in the area of health improvement and health protection. It aims to provide knowledge on a range of risk factors at individual, community and national level and develop theoretical and practical knowledge and skills to effectively plan, implement and evaluate projects, regulatory measures and programmes to protect and improve the health and well-being of populations.

Introduction to qualitative, quantitative and systematic review research approaches, including:

• The contribution of different methods to different aspects of public health practice
• Quantitative methods: epidemiological methods, surveys, trials, sampling, data collection and analysis
• Qualitative methods: interviews, focus groups, sampling, data collection and analysis
• Systematic reviews: systematic review approaches for qualitative and quantitative reviews, searching, screening, quality assessment and synthesis
• Developing research ideas and aims
• Writing a research proposal
• Ethics in public health research

Epidemiology and Public Health Intelligence are core public health disciplines that share some key approaches and methods. Epidemiology and public health monitoring provide essential data which are used to determine appropriate public health strategies. This module will explore these key areas, the relationships between them, and the integration of data from these with a range of other sources of information (such as qualitative research). It will explore how data and information from research studies and public health monitoring can be used to inform health protection and health improvement in a global context.