Find out more about studying MSc Public Health Addictions (PG Cert, PG Dip) at Liverpool John Moores University? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
City Campus
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
This Public Health Addictions MSc from LJMU's Public Health Institute examines the evidence base of harms/risks relating to addictions and ways to reduce them. Study on this ground-breaking course, unique in the north west Explore the evidence base of addiction harms and risks and the policies used to reduce them Discover course content informed by key research in alcohol and drug addiction Benefit from support and guidance for placement learning opportunities One of only a handful of courses in the UK, Public Health (Addictions) turns its back on the treatment of addiction as a behaviour and looks at its wider social and political aspects. The issues relating to addiction continue to be major public health challenges facing communities around the world, with wide ranging consequences for the individual concerned, their families and society as a whole. This MSc in Public Health (Addiction) builds on the Public Health Institute's extensive research portfolio of primary research, evaluation, evidence review and intelligence systems, covering the areas of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds including nursing, psychology and criminology, many have also worked in drug or alcohol support capacities. This education programme enables you to work with leading academics in the field, providing specialist knowledge and insights into a wide range of addiction issues. Additionally, the Public Health Institute is able to call on the experience of an established network of practitioners and policymakers to make a unique educational experience.
Established in 1823, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) is one of the UK's largest and most well-established univer...
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:
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 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:
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.
This module enhances your knowledge and understanding of health improvement and health protection in relation to substance use and addictive behaviours. It introduces key concepts, such as models of addiction and models of behaviour change. It considers drugs prevention activity as a key area of health improvement and examines harm reduction as part of wider health protection. It will also examine how policy and interventions are designed to improve public health outcomes.
This module enhances your knowledge and understanding of substance use or as a public health issue. It will also look at risk factors and morbidity or mortality, and the links to social determinants of health. The module will focus on alcohol, nicotine and illicit substances such as heroin and crack cocaine and consider these as public health issues. It will also introduce other addictive behaviours such as gambling. It will consider substance use at the individual and population level and will particularly focus on the relationship between substance use and inequalities. It will examine the evidence base for interventions.
