Master of Public Health (Global) Advanced Practitioner

Start date

22 September 2025

Duration

18 months full-time
3 years part-time

Places available (subject to change)

Chat with our students

About the course

Reasons to study

You will have the amazing opportunity of gaining real-world experience in a public health setting.
Develop the skills and knowledge required to tackle contemporary socio-economic, political, societal and global challenges.
Our international team are actively involved in public health research, ensuring you develop the skills to become a public health professional who can deliver at local, national and international level.

This unique specialist course combines the taught elements of the Master of Public Health (Global) with work-based learning. The course is especially suited to those students who wish to develop their experience and capabilities of global public health within a related setting.

The course provides you with the opportunity to integrate theory and engage with practice in a negotiated work-based learning experience.
The course offers you the opportunity to develop and enhance your current knowledge of global public health, strategic thinking and leadership skills, whilst examining the changing political landscape of public health environments in an international context.
You will study alongside a diverse range of students from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds from the UK and overseas, bringing a richness to the course which will enhance your learning.
A range of innovative assessment approaches will be used which have been designed to prepare you to work in leadership roles within the public health field, using evidence-based practice.
You will be taught by a team of passionate academics who have a wealth of skills, expertise and professional credibility related to contemporary public health both in the UK and overseas. The course benefits from regular speakers from local and central UK government agencies such as Public Health England and the Department of Health.
Additional support will be provided for the enhancement of academic and curriculum skills such as academic writing skills, presentation skills and personal journal development.

Not only do future Public Health professionals graduate from this course, but it also provides a clear platform for those wishing to commence doctoral studies. It will be of particular interest to those individuals and professionals who aspire to become leaders in and influence the public health agenda in the UK and overseas.

Course detail

Core modules

Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

This module provides the theoretical and conceptual foundation for Master’s level research study within Public Health. The module provides the opportunity for you to develop key skills to understand and critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative research, including data collection and analysis methods. You‘ll be assessed through coursework.

Principles of Public Health

Public Health has a pivotal role in promoting and protecting the health and wellbeing of the public. It aims to prevent poor health, eradicate disease and increase longevity through population based interventions and activities. Through an exploration of public health concepts, approaches to protect and promote health and examination of the broader influences on health and healthcare provision, you’ll be encouraged to think strategically, whilst developing a broad understanding of public health.

Health Promotion and Health Improvement

Health promotion aims to promote the health and wellbeing of individuals and groups within the community and the wider population. It includes a wide spectrum of social and environmental practices and interventions that are directed at protecting individual people’s health and improving their quality of life. Through an exploration of health promotion theories, concepts, models and approaches you will develop a critical understanding of leadership and management in health promotion within the wider public health sector. Whilst focusing on the efficacy of health promotion practice, you will be encouraged to critique contemporary health promotion interventions.

Epidemiology

This module provides the opportunity to learn about the definition, scope and history of epidemiology and the fundamental strategies of epidemiological research. You’ll cover different types of epidemiological studies, and how to measure them. This will include approaches for assessing the validity of statistical associations and making judgements about causality; as well as exploring measures of disease frequency and association. You’ll study the strengths and limitations of different study types and the methods used to analyse them. You’ll also learn about the principles of screening and diagnostic testing and the analysis of survival data in the context of an epidemiological study.

Communicable Disease

Communicable diseases are a major threat to public health. This module provides the opportunity for you to develop an understanding of the principles of epidemiology, health surveillance, outbreak and incident management, common infectious diseases (global and local), the role of public health bodies and infection prevention and control teams in the prevention and management of communicable diseases. The module also explores the prevention of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the context of public/patient safety.

Global Public Health

This module provides the opportunity to critically explore the place of public health and leadership in a global context. You’ll address the ways in which the contemporary processes of globalisation impact upon public health policy. An exploration of key global health organisations (eg Government, Non-Government, World Health Organization, and United Nations) will be used to illustrate how health inequity, social justice and social determinants of health impact different populations at a global level. You’ll also reflect on and debate key global public health issues.

Humanitarian; Disasters & Emergencies: Response and Recovery

This module presents a theoretical framework for understanding the impact of natural and man-made disasters which may cause a humanitarian disaster. It draws on the history of humanitarian aid, disaster risk and management and real life scenarios to build a comprehensive picture of the skills and knowledge required for an effective humanitarian response.

Advanced Practice in Public Health

This advanced practice work placement module enables you to develop discipline specific knowledge and skills through learning opportunities within a public health setting. The placement will provide you with an opportunity to apply your insights of public health theory, as well as allowing you to apply your public health knowledge and skills in a real-work setting under the guidance of a work-based supervisor and with the support of a university based supervisor.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is delivered through a range of teaching methods. Assessment will be though a series of course work. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 23 since 2008 (2024 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course are normally:

You are required to have completed and passed the Master of Public Health (Global) Course
Provide a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

Postgraduate Study Fair

Come along to one of our Postgraduate Study Fairs to discover all your study options from short courses to PhD.

Our award-winning academic staff will be on hand to chat about all our postgraduate study and research options, flexible teaching and how postgraduate study can help you to advance your career or prepare for a career change.

Placements

Upon successful completion of the theory modules you will have an opportunity undertake work experience within a public health arena. The advanced practice work placement module enables you to develop discipline specific knowledge and skills through learning opportunities within a public health setting.

It will provide you with an opportunity to apply your insights of public health theory, as well as allowing you to apply your public health knowledge and skills in a real-work setting under the guidance of a work-based supervisor and with the support of a university-based supervisor.

A wide range of placement organisations are available. You are required to identify and organise your own placement after negotiation with the module tutor. Placement organisations must be able to offer experience to meet the learning outcomes and provide a named workplace supervisor. You will be expected to undertake a minimum of 542 hours of work-based learning.

Career support

This course will prepare you for employment with national and international Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), multinational agencies, within public health and National Health Service (NHS) departments, taking roles such as: public health specialist, intelligence analyst, researcher, health improvement practitioners and health protection.

Other opportunities: Health Service Manager Public Health Project Manager Public Health Campaign Organiser/Leader Programme Manager Senior Community Health Worker Senior Community Health Education worker

Further study

On successful completion of this course, graduates may consider doctoral studies, with the aim of deepening their knowledge and expertise and becoming specialists in their chosen public health field.

Career support
Further study

Career support

On successful completion of this course, graduates may consider doctoral studies, with the aim of deepening their knowledge and expertise and becoming specialists in their chosen public health field.

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £9,900 (Band 3).

Tuition fees for UK students will cover the cost of your study at the University. For more information about funding, fees and finance for UK students, including what your tuition fee covers, please see our Fees and Finance. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X).

If you are an EU or international student coming to study at the University of Huddersfield, please visit the International Fees and Finance pages for full details of tuition fees and support available.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £825 (Band 3) per 15 credit module and £1,650 (Band 3) per 30 credit module.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

In 2025/26 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £9,900 (Band 3).

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Tuition Fees - part-time

In 2025/26 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £825 (Band 3) per 15 credit module and £1,650 (Band 3) per 30 credit module.

Please email the Student Finance Office or call 01484 472210 for more information about fees and finance.

Important information

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by our terms and conditions, Handbook of Regulations and associated policies. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan.

Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons

Changes to a course you have applied for but are not yet enrolled on

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment. We may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will discuss with you other suitable courses we can transfer your application to. If you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules:

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have an equivalent range of options to that advertised for the course. We will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes:

We will only make major changes to non-optional modules on a course if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that substantially changes the outcomes, or a significant part of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum. For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators or a commissioning or accrediting body. We may also make changes to improve the course in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback or to ensure you are being taught current best practice. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment, or pandemics.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but may happen sooner in an emergency. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed in accordance with the student protection plan.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.