Master of Public Health, _MPH

Programme Fees

Stage 1

Students will be advised of the two research project options prior to registration however, an information session will be held in the first term to provide further guidance on project selection and the options available.

Option A: Full time route with Standard Public Health Project

• Stage 1 Compulsory courses: PD5006, PU5017, PU5030
• Stage 1 Electives courses: PU5031, PU5032, PU5038, PU5040, PU5052, PU5056, PU5058
• Stage 2 Compulsory courses: PU5552
• Stage 2 Elective courses: BU552X, BU5594, PU5526, PU5528, PU5529, PU5532, PU5547, PU5549, PU5559, RN5506
• Stage 3 Compulsory courses PU5922

Option B: Full time route with Extended Public Health Project

• Stage 1 Compulsory courses: PD5006, PU5017, PU5030
• Stage 1 Elective courses: PU5031, PU5032, PU5038, PU5040, PU5052, PU5056
• Stage 2 Compulsory courses: PU5552
• Stage 2: Elective courses: BU552X, BU5594, PU5526, PU5528, PU5529, PU5532, PU5547, PU5549, PU5559, RN5506
• Stage 3 Compulsory courses: PU5045

Compulsory Courses

Option A: Students take three compulsory courses.

Option B: Students take three compulsory courses.

Applied Statistics (PU5017)

15 Credit Points

This course in Applied Statistics focuses on the application of statistical techniques in postgraduate research for health professionals, with a particular emphasis on the correct interpretation of statistical analyses results. The course will NOT focus on the statistical theory underlying the subject. An important component of the course is the use of a statistical package (IBM SPSS), which can be used to implement all the methods taught on this course.

Detailed course information

Epidemiology (PU5030)

15 Credit Points

This course in applied epidemiology gives an introduction to disease measurement at a population level, basic epidemiological study design and analysis, and provides an understanding of key methodological issues needed to apply when designing – or critically appraising – an epidemiological study.

Detailed course information

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Option A: Students take two elective courses.

Option B: Students take two elective courses.

*Please note that online electives are not available to student visa holders due to UKVI restrictions.

Evidence - Based Health (PU5031)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to enable the fundamental understanding and application of evidence based health at an individual- and population-level, focusing on the use of systematic reviews to synthesise evidence as well as methods to translate and implement evidence to inform health practice and policy. Students on this course will work through the stages of a systematic review unit by unit, completing interactive and practical exercises to develop the skills required to conduct a review. They will then study how the evidence produced from systematic reviews is used to shape health policy and practice, at the level of organisations and individual clinical encounters.

Detailed course information

Health Economics (PU5032)

15 Credit Points

Resources available for the provision and payment for health care are limited. However, knowledge of economics helps ensure that available resources are used in the most effective way possible. Economics allows more informed decision making about a variety of issues: choosing between alternative treatments; setting priorities between patients; choosing between alternative new technologies; organising the provision of health care.

In this course students will acquire a knowledge and understanding of:

• Key themes of economic theory applied to health care
• Some of the main techniques of health care evaluation
• Main arguments concerning alternative systems for organising and financing health care

Detailed course information

Designing Real - World Trials (PU5038)

15 Credit Points

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are used to test the effectiveness of interventions. The aim of this course is to take a student through the process of designing RCTs. The course will focus on RCTs in the evaluation of real-world healthcare and public health settings.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Specify and critically evaluate the key elements of trial design.

2. Justify trial design decisions.

3. Describe the differences between pragmatic and explanatory trials.

Detailed course information

Health, Well Being and Behaviour Change (PU5040)

15 Credit Points

What can health professionals and health care promoters do to improve their own and others health and wellbeing? What influences people’s health behaviours? Why do people find it difficult to change their health behaviour? What are the most promising strategies for improving health and well-being?

Health behaviours cover a wide range of behaviours (e.g. smoking, physical activity, vaccination, diet, taking medication, and practicing safe sex) and have a major impact on peoples’ health, quality of life, and (healthy) life expectancy. Nevertheless, many people have an unhealthy diet, exercise too little, don’t take their medication as prescribed, smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and so forth.

In this course, we will address these challenges and students will learn key theories about health behaviour and behaviour change, including behaviour change techniques, in order to understand how health behaviours can be influenced by a variety of factors within an individual (e.g., conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions, goals, and decisions), and also by factors in the environment (e.g., the behaviours and expectations of society; the quality of the communication by health care professionals; or availability and affordability of healthy options in the environment).

Health psychologists and health professionals are expected to be able to develop, evaluate and implement intervention programs to promote healthier behaviour, through changing individuals and their environment.

Within this course you will develop your understanding of health behaviours, what influences them and how to change them. You will experience the role of health behaviours from both the participant’s and researcher view, by developing, participating in and analysing your own behavioural intervention.

Detailed course information

Fundamentals of Research Design (PU5052)

15 Credit Points

Fundamentals of research design provides the student with skills in both quantitative and qualitative design enabling the student to plan ethical research in a health context. Students are taken through each step - from formulating the research question, to study design, sample selection, methods for data collection to dissemination of results.

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Summarise the key factors involved in the research process
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of study designs commonly used in applied health research studies
3. Identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
4. Develop a research proposal to answer a health-related research question which maximises research quality and rigour.

Detailed course information

Key Concepts in Global Health (PU5056)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces students to key concepts in global health and develops skills to critically appraise organisations, actors, debates and data. Teaching material will cover: key definitions and terminology; institutions, practitioners and scholars in global health; and key drivers and challenges in the global health field. Students will learn about established and emerging topics, how these intersect with broader social, economic and political factors, and how research can make credible contributions in this context.

Detailed course information

Introduction to Health Data Science (PU5058)

15 Credit Points

Nationally and internationally there is recognition of the critical shortage in data-intensive analytic capacity applied to healthcare. This course is an introduction to the field of health data science, with examples of real-life healthcare applications, using the popular data science language R.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

Option A: Students take one compulsory course.

Option B: Students take one compulsory course.

Public Health in Action (PU5552)

15 Credit Points

Public health is the art and science of improving health through the organised efforts of society. This course provides an introduction to a population-based perspective on health, illness and disease. The course illustrates the practical application of numerical ways of thinking about the health of a population. The course covers the three major public health domains of Health Improvement, Health Protection and Healthcare Public Health.

This course aims to support students in developing a critical understanding of the breadth of public health approaches to protecting, promoting, monitoring and improving health among a population as a whole.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Option A: Students take three elective courses in view to undertake Standard Project in stage 3.

Option B: Students take one elective course in view to starting the Extended Research Project, including a Protocol Presentation.

*Please note that online electives are not available to student visa holders due to UKVI restrictions.

PU5528 Values and Ethics in Public Health (15 redits)

The Leadership Challenge (BU552X)

15 Credit Points

This course provides an opportunity to explore and develop an understanding of your own leadership behaviour. Through workshops, group activities and discussions we investigate how personality, past experience, current situations and culture shape the way each of us behave in a leadership role. Using this information as a starting point we then explore how different leadership theories and approaches can be used as frameworks for developing a deeper understanding of leadership behaviour. You will also have an opportunity to try out a range of practical tools and techniques to assist you in the development of your own approach to leadership.

Detailed course information

Health Systems and Policy Research (BU5594)

15 Credit Points

The course aims to instill knowledge but, much more importantly, stimulate students’ thinking about the major challenges within different health systems and the options for the health services management. Furthermore, it aims to take a genuinely international perspective on health care, providing knowledge of different health care systems and encouraging comparison and critique. It covers a wide variety of topics including an overview of the health systems around the world, the effects of social inequalities on health inequalities and their repercussions for social policy and issues of public health policy towards tobacco, alcohol and obesity.

Detailed course information

Systematic Reviewing (PU5526)

15 Credit Points

This course will equip students with the relevant skills to interpret and conduct systematic reviews on the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Using lectures and practical sessions, students will understand the principles of systematic reviewing and the differences between narrative and systematic reviews. They will learn to formulate a clear research question and undertake each stage of systematic reviewing of randomised controlled trials. They will also learn about the importance of the levels of evidence and systematic reviews of other different study designs. This course will also introduce the students to advances in systematic reviews such as network meta-analysis and use of Individual Patient Data (IPD)

Detailed course information

Qualitative Health Research (PU5529)

15 Credit Points

This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.

This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.

Detailed course information

Health Informatics (PU5532)

15 Credit Points

We live in a time of ‘Big Data’ with the rapid growth in the digital capture of health information. Health Informatics is the science of data capture, linkage and analysis of large datasets to improve health. The demand for health researchers with training and experience in health informatics is high. For people practicing in Public Health, it is a key skill. It will equip students for any career in health research or public health practice and this course is an excellent stepping stone for those wishing to develop a specialist interest in the field.

Detailed course information

Challenges in Global Nutrition (PU5547)

15 Credit Points

This course provides up-to-date knowledge of the challenges of nutrition in the global context. It provides students with an opportunity to develop their understanding of the methods of monitoring population nutritional status, a picture of the current global nutritional status, the determinants of nutritional status in different populations, and skills that will enable them to design, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions and programmes aimed at addressing global nutritional issues. The learning is widely applicable to all populations globally although the main focus is on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Detailed course information

Women’s Health in A Global Setting (PU5549)

15 Credit Points

This course will explore the challenges faced in women’s health and health care in a global setting. Students will gain knowledge of how gender differences, equality, women’s family roles, community and society support, and approaches to health care systems all play a role in women’s health. It will also present how women’s health intersects with broader social, economic and political factors.

Detailed course information

Understanding and Applying Regression Models (PU5559)

15 Credit Points

This course intends to develop a student’s statistical skills and understanding so that they can apply common multivariate regression modelling techniques to a range of health research data. The course will focus on the application, interpretation and communication of common regression models, including general linear models, log-linear models, logistic regression, and survival analysis. It assumes that students will already have completed a first course in statistics and have an understanding of bivariate techniques and basic mathematical skills.

Detailed course information

Sustainable Diets and Global Food Systems (RN5506)

15 Credit Points

The course will explore the complex nature of sustainable diets within a global food system. It will give you an understanding of the need for healthy and more environmentally sustainable diets to tackle some of the greatest global challenges facing us today, including poor dietary health, climate change and environmental degradation, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It will cover the multidimensional attributes and the challenge of combining these attributes into a single entity of sustainable diets. The course will explore synergies and trade-offs between attributes, barriers and drivers of change and potential solutions to achieving sustainable diets within a global food system. In addition, external influences affecting the resilience and changes to the food system will be discussed.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

Option A: Students complete a Standard Research Project.

Option B: Students complete an Advanced Research Project.

• PU5045 Advanced Research Project (90 credits)

Masters Research Project (PU5922)

60 Credit Points

This course offers students the opportunity to complete a substantial piece of data-driven, empirical work within their field of study under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Topics available will be varied but within the domain of their field of study. Alongside supervisors, students will identify a suitable topic area, describe an appropriate study design and implement an empirical study to be completed within a laboratory setting. Students will be involved alongside the supervisors in the process of defining the research question, and developing the research plan and, where appropriate, obtaining regulatory approvals. This course is for non-laboratory based projects (if you are intending to undertake a project in a scientific laboratory setting you should register on MB5913)

Detailed course information

Programme Fees

Stage 1

Compulsory Courses

Students must complete the following:

Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5506)

This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

Detailed course information

Public Health in Action (PU5552)

15 Credit Points

Public health is the art and science of improving health through the organised efforts of society. This course provides an introduction to a population-based perspective on health, illness and disease. The course illustrates the practical application of numerical ways of thinking about the health of a population. The course covers the three major public health domains of Health Improvement, Health Protection and Healthcare Public Health.

This course aims to support students in developing a critical understanding of the breadth of public health approaches to protecting, promoting, monitoring and improving health among a population as a whole.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Students select three elective courses from the following.

• PU5565 Health Informatics
• PU5566 Challenges in Global Nutrition

*Please note that online electives are not available to student visa holders due to UKVI restrictions.

The Leadership Challenge (BU552X)

15 Credit Points

This course provides an opportunity to explore and develop an understanding of your own leadership behaviour. Through workshops, group activities and discussions we investigate how personality, past experience, current situations and culture shape the way each of us behave in a leadership role. Using this information as a starting point we then explore how different leadership theories and approaches can be used as frameworks for developing a deeper understanding of leadership behaviour. You will also have an opportunity to try out a range of practical tools and techniques to assist you in the development of your own approach to leadership.

Detailed course information

Health Systems and Policy Research (BU5594)

15 Credit Points

The course aims to instill knowledge but, much more importantly, stimulate students’ thinking about the major challenges within different health systems and the options for the health services management. Furthermore, it aims to take a genuinely international perspective on health care, providing knowledge of different health care systems and encouraging comparison and critique. It covers a wide variety of topics including an overview of the health systems around the world, the effects of social inequalities on health inequalities and their repercussions for social policy and issues of public health policy towards tobacco, alcohol and obesity.

Detailed course information

Systematic Reviewing (PU5526)

15 Credit Points

This course will equip students with the relevant skills to interpret and conduct systematic reviews on the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Using lectures and practical sessions, students will understand the principles of systematic reviewing and the differences between narrative and systematic reviews. They will learn to formulate a clear research question and undertake each stage of systematic reviewing of randomised controlled trials. They will also learn about the importance of the levels of evidence and systematic reviews of other different study designs. This course will also introduce the students to advances in systematic reviews such as network meta-analysis and use of Individual Patient Data (IPD)

Detailed course information

Qualitative Health Research (PU5529)

15 Credit Points

This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.

This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.

Detailed course information

Sustainable Diets and Global Food Systems (RN5506)

15 Credit Points

The course will explore the complex nature of sustainable diets within a global food system. It will give you an understanding of the need for healthy and more environmentally sustainable diets to tackle some of the greatest global challenges facing us today, including poor dietary health, climate change and environmental degradation, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. It will cover the multidimensional attributes and the challenge of combining these attributes into a single entity of sustainable diets. The course will explore synergies and trade-offs between attributes, barriers and drivers of change and potential solutions to achieving sustainable diets within a global food system. In addition, external influences affecting the resilience and changes to the food system will be discussed.

Detailed course information

Women’s Health in A Global Setting (PU5549)

15 Credit Points

This course will explore the challenges faced in women’s health and health care in a global setting. Students will gain knowledge of how gender differences, equality, women’s family roles, community and society support, and approaches to health care systems all play a role in women’s health. It will also present how women’s health intersects with broader social, economic and political factors.

Detailed course information

Health Informatics (PU5532)

15 Credit Points

We live in a time of ‘Big Data’ with the rapid growth in the digital capture of health information. Health Informatics is the science of data capture, linkage and analysis of large datasets to improve health. The demand for health researchers with training and experience in health informatics is high. For people practicing in Public Health, it is a key skill. It will equip students for any career in health research or public health practice and this course is an excellent stepping stone for those wishing to develop a specialist interest in the field.

Detailed course information

Challenges in Global Nutrition (PU5547)

15 Credit Points

This course provides up-to-date knowledge of the challenges of nutrition in the global context. It provides students with an opportunity to develop their understanding of the methods of monitoring population nutritional status, a picture of the current global nutritional status, the determinants of nutritional status in different populations, and skills that will enable them to design, implement and evaluate nutrition interventions and programmes aimed at addressing global nutritional issues. The learning is widely applicable to all populations globally although the main focus is on low and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Detailed course information

Understanding and Applying Regression Models (PU5559)

15 Credit Points

This course intends to develop a student’s statistical skills and understanding so that they can apply common multivariate regression modelling techniques to a range of health research data. The course will focus on the application, interpretation and communication of common regression models, including general linear models, log-linear models, logistic regression, and survival analysis. It assumes that students will already have completed a first course in statistics and have an understanding of bivariate techniques and basic mathematical skills.

Detailed course information

Stage 2

Compulsory Courses

Students must take the following:

Extended Work - Based Placement in Applied Health Sciences (PU5923)

30 Credit Points

This work-based placement elective offers a professional placement with a civic, government, industrial, public, research or voluntary health and/or development sector organisation. You will undertake a ten-week placement with your host organisation, either within the organisation, remotely from Aberdeen, or using a combination of both. Placements are subject to availability and are offered on a best match basis.

Detailed course information

Evaluating Policy Effects in Practice (PU5919)

30 Credit Points

The case study provides students with the opportunity to select, design, conduct and report on a detailed systematic investigation of a topic within an applied health field. The aim is to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, including the academic background, relevant policy and the roles played by various actors and agencies. The case study is conducted in an academically robust and ethically sensitive manner.

Detailed course information

Stage 3

Compulsory Courses

Applied Statistics (PU5017)

15 Credit Points

This course in Applied Statistics focuses on the application of statistical techniques in postgraduate research for health professionals, with a particular emphasis on the correct interpretation of statistical analyses results. The course will NOT focus on the statistical theory underlying the subject. An important component of the course is the use of a statistical package (IBM SPSS), which can be used to implement all the methods taught on this course.

Detailed course information

Epidemiology (PU5030)

15 Credit Points

This course in applied epidemiology gives an introduction to disease measurement at a population level, basic epidemiological study design and analysis, and provides an understanding of key methodological issues needed to apply when designing – or critically appraising – an epidemiological study.

Detailed course information

Optional Courses

Students select two courses from the following:

• PU5063 Introduction to Health Data Science

*Please note that online electives are not available to student visa holders due to UKVI restrictions.

Evidence - Based Health (PU5031)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to enable the fundamental understanding and application of evidence based health at an individual- and population-level, focusing on the use of systematic reviews to synthesise evidence as well as methods to translate and implement evidence to inform health practice and policy. Students on this course will work through the stages of a systematic review unit by unit, completing interactive and practical exercises to develop the skills required to conduct a review. They will then study how the evidence produced from systematic reviews is used to shape health policy and practice, at the level of organisations and individual clinical encounters.

Detailed course information

Health Economics (PU5032)

15 Credit Points

Resources available for the provision and payment for health care are limited. However, knowledge of economics helps ensure that available resources are used in the most effective way possible. Economics allows more informed decision making about a variety of issues: choosing between alternative treatments; setting priorities between patients; choosing between alternative new technologies; organising the provision of health care.

In this course students will acquire a knowledge and understanding of:

• Key themes of economic theory applied to health care
• Some of the main techniques of health care evaluation
• Main arguments concerning alternative systems for organising and financing health care

Detailed course information

Designing Real - World Trials (PU5038)

15 Credit Points

Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) are used to test the effectiveness of interventions. The aim of this course is to take a student through the process of designing RCTs. The course will focus on RCTs in the evaluation of real-world healthcare and public health settings.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Specify and critically evaluate the key elements of trial design.

2. Justify trial design decisions.

3. Describe the differences between pragmatic and explanatory trials.

Detailed course information

Health, Well Being and Behaviour Change (PU5040)

15 Credit Points

What can health professionals and health care promoters do to improve their own and others health and wellbeing? What influences people’s health behaviours? Why do people find it difficult to change their health behaviour? What are the most promising strategies for improving health and well-being?

Health behaviours cover a wide range of behaviours (e.g. smoking, physical activity, vaccination, diet, taking medication, and practicing safe sex) and have a major impact on peoples’ health, quality of life, and (healthy) life expectancy. Nevertheless, many people have an unhealthy diet, exercise too little, don’t take their medication as prescribed, smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and so forth.

In this course, we will address these challenges and students will learn key theories about health behaviour and behaviour change, including behaviour change techniques, in order to understand how health behaviours can be influenced by a variety of factors within an individual (e.g., conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions, goals, and decisions), and also by factors in the environment (e.g., the behaviours and expectations of society; the quality of the communication by health care professionals; or availability and affordability of healthy options in the environment).

Health psychologists and health professionals are expected to be able to develop, evaluate and implement intervention programs to promote healthier behaviour, through changing individuals and their environment.

Within this course you will develop your understanding of health behaviours, what influences them and how to change them. You will experience the role of health behaviours from both the participant’s and researcher view, by developing, participating in and analysing your own behavioural intervention.

Detailed course information

Fundamentals of Research Design (PU5052)

15 Credit Points

Fundamentals of research design provides the student with skills in both quantitative and qualitative design enabling the student to plan ethical research in a health context. Students are taken through each step - from formulating the research question, to study design, sample selection, methods for data collection to dissemination of results.

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Summarise the key factors involved in the research process
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of study designs commonly used in applied health research studies
3. Identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
4. Develop a research proposal to answer a health-related research question which maximises research quality and rigour.

Detailed course information

Key Concepts in Global Health (PU5056)

15 Credit Points

This course introduces students to key concepts in global health and develops skills to critically appraise organisations, actors, debates and data. Teaching material will cover: key definitions and terminology; institutions, practitioners and scholars in global health; and key drivers and challenges in the global health field. Students will learn about established and emerging topics, how these intersect with broader social, economic and political factors, and how research can make credible contributions in this context.

Detailed course information

Introduction to Health Data Science (PU5058)

15 Credit Points

Nationally and internationally there is recognition of the critical shortage in data-intensive analytic capacity applied to healthcare. This course is an introduction to the field of health data science, with examples of real-life healthcare applications, using the popular data science language R.

Detailed course information