Public Health in the UK

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is a postgraduate degree that prepares students for careers in public health practice with specializations within fields like epidemiology, health management, and environmental health. The typical duration of an MPH in the UK is 1-2 years for full-time students.

Generally, students will complete core courses covering topics of epidemiology, health policy, global health, biostatistics, health promotion, and health economics. In their final year, students complete a dissertation, research project, or public health practice project.

Before you pursue your MPH, it helps to have a general idea of your specializations of interest and career goals and take advantage of volunteer opportunities that can help you gain experience in your field that will help you secure a job post-graduation.

Yes, the UK is a great place for studying public health due to its strong programs and world-renowned universities; 30% of the top 10 universities in the world for public health are in the UK. Public health professionals are also in high demand in the UK, as indicated by the UK Parliament, NHS Confederation, and the UK’s Health Foundation.

The top specializations for a master’s public health that are in-demand in the UK are:

• Epidemiology

• Biostatistics

• Environmental health

• Community health

• Global health

• Social and behavioural sciences

• Health policy

• Emergency management

These are based on the current, most important public health issues in the UK including:

• Antimicrobial resistance

• Public health protection and prevention

• Sustainability and climate change

• Mental wellness

• Epidemic preparation

Yes, by 2040 there will be 9.1 million people projected to have a major illness in England alone, which is nine times the rate of growth of the working population. Mental health prevention has also been indicated as a top priority by the UK Parliament, with current demand not being met by existing services. Poor mental health has ripple effects in the economy with higher turnover, burnout, and sick leave. This means that to meet the growing demand, the UK will need more public health professionals than it currently has.

With a master’s in public health in the UK, you can pursue roles that include:

• Environmental health practitioner

• Epidemiologist

• Consultant

• Health and safety adviser

• Nutritionist

Your salary will depend on your specialization and experience. Some of the highest paying public health jobs in the UK for an MPH include:

• Public health directors

• Public health consultants

• Epidemiologists

• Medical and health service management

Here are the top universities in the UK offering master’s in public health degrees, according to the 2024 ShanghaiRanking Global Rankings. These rankings are based on objective indicators and third-party data covering categories of faculty, output, research, research impact, and international collaboration.

Here are the admission requirements for domestic or international students from Canada who are interested in applying for a master’s in public health in the UK.

• Undergraduate honours degree in applicable subject like social sciences, life sciences, biomedical sciences, or clinical sciences

• Minimum grade average of 60-70%

• IELTS score of 6.5 with no component below 6.0

• Work experience (as applicable)

• Tier 4 student visa (upon acceptance to program)

Your tuition fees will vary depending on your school. For the most accurate information, always check the annual tuition and fee schedule for your program as posted by your school of interest. You can also book a free consultation with one of IDP Canada’s British Council-certified counsellors for more information on costs.

The British Council estimates that London-based students pay an average of CAD $28,800 - $31,200 every year. However, living in the rest of the UK comes with lower costs of living, with annual expenses sitting at between CAD $19,200 and $31,200.

To help you get a more accurate idea of how much living in the UK will cost, build your own budget with IDP Education’s Study Abroad Cost of Living Calculator.

As a Canadian student, there are several opportunities to find funding and support for your MPH. The British Council lists these resources for international students studying in the UK:

• Chevening Scholarships

• British Council UK Scholarships

• Scottish Government Scholarships

• UK and Wales Scholarships

• Student Action for Refugees Scholarships

• Displaced Student Opportunities UK

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

You can also make use of tools like the IDP Education’s Find a Scholarship tool. Here are some of the top UK postgraduate scholarships for public health:

Anglia Ruskin University

• ARU Peterborough Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Leeds

• Faculty of Biological Sciences International Excellence Scholarships

University of Brighton

• Forward Bound Scholarships

Bristol, UWE

• College of Health, Science and Society Dean's Scholarship

• College of Health, Science and Society MSc Scholarship

University of Kent

• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

University of Essex

• Women in STEM Scholarship

Queen Mary University of London

• British Council Women In STEM Scholarships

University of Nottingham

• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) INSIGHT Programme

Brunel University of London

• British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

University of Exeter

• Exeter Excellence Scholarships - Postgraduate Taught (Masters) Round 1

University of Southampton

• Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

University of Westminster, London

• Women in STEM British Council Scholarship

The University of Edinburgh

• The Glenmore Postgraduate Scholarship

University of Glasgow

• British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

For more information on scholarship opportunities, reach out to one of IDP Canada’s counsellors.

1. Decide your specialization and hone your career goals.

It is always advised that you have an understanding of your desired specialization and career path before you enter a program, so you are optimizing your studies and selecting the right opportunities.

2. Choose your top schools.

Based on your specialization interests and qualifications, select your top schools of choice.

3. Review your eligibility.

Entry requirements can include a minimum of one year of work experience, proof of your English skills, and more.

4. Complete and collect necessary documents.

This can include your statement of purpose, academic transcripts, and letters of recommendation. Be sure to prepare in advance so you’re not rushing at the last minute.

5. Improve your application with professional guidance.

Strengthen your application with the help of IDP Education Canada’s British Council-certified counsellors. Their expertise can give you insights on how to create a competitive application that stands out.

6. Submit your application.

As required for all UK programs, you will need to complete your online application via the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

7. Complete any required interviews.

Depending on your school, you may be required to complete an interview as part of your admissions process.

8. Apply for your tier 4 visa.

Once you’ve accepted your offer, it’s time to complete your tier 4 visa application. Learn more about UK student visa requirements here.

The UK has a lot to provide students interested in a master’s in public health and improving health equity and accessibility in communities. With top programs that are recognized on a global level, and ample opportunities post-graduation with a shifting public health landscape, there’s no better place than the UK to complete your MPH.

Ready to enroll in your dream public health program? Get expert guidance from IDP Canada’s British Council-certified counsellors on applying for your MPH. Book a free call now.

An IDP counsellor can help you create a personalized study abroad plan that covers everything including:

• Applying and getting accepted

• Securing your Visa

• Arranging accommodations, banking, and health insurance

• Lining up any other service you may need to succeed.

Best of all, because of our partnerships in the UK, these services are offered by IDP at no cost to you!

Book your appointment with IDP Canada now!