Introduction
Our Master of Public Health (MPH) provides a flexible programme that students can tailor to meet their own needs across a broad range of professional accreditation standards in public health and/or to pursue an academic career.
This programme is available to start in January or September. Apply now
This programme can also be studied part-time online.
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MPH
- Duration
- 12 months, 24 months or 36 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
This MPH covers the core disciplines required for professional accreditation in public health that is relevant to both UK and international students. The programme also offers an excellent range of specialist elective options to allow you to tailor your learning to your needs and includes a flexible project component enabling you to gain experience oriented towards either the development of a professional career in public health practice or the pursuit of an academic career.
You will be taught by experienced lecturers from a broad range of disciplines including epidemiology, statistics, health data science, public health, global health, psychology, sociology, philosophy, economics and management. Lecturers include both renowned academics and expert practitioners to give you the holistic understanding of Public Health. Your learning is enriched by interaction with other students from varied clinical, non-clinical, professional and cultural backgrounds.
Undertaking this MPH does not require any particular specialist knowledge (e.g. clinical).
This programme is available to start in September or January.
*Students who would like to specialise in a research focused career, for example, through PhD or research jobs, may find that the September cohort is better aligned with their needs. The January cohort is more practice-based and has a stronger alignment with non-research intensive jobs such as working in the community or policy development, and our January start students will enrol on extended work-based placement in their second semester. They can also extend your learning by evaluating the existing policies and understanding their effects on public health practice. We recommend that students check the course details of September and January entries to make an informed decision.*
Available Programmes of Study
- MPH
-
Master of Public Health
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMPH 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreMPH 12 months or 36 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on Postgraduate Taught (PGT) programmes for January 2025 will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about these Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
From September 2025 all eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
A variety of different approaches (e.g. essays, exams, poster presentation in mini conference style, oral presentation) are used to assess student understanding, progress and performance throughout the programme.
Why Study Master of Public Health?
- The MPH will help you develop the knowledge and the skills to tackle Public Health challenges by providing a multi-disciplinary approach to health care and is set within the traditional strengths of an ancient Scottish University and a leading UK Medical School.
- You will experience a supportive collegiate learning environment that offers interaction with both leading academic researchers and experienced public health practitioners.
- The programme covers core topics in public health from a broad range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives that will set you up to respond to the needs of communities and populations around the world.
- You can create a tailor-made programme by selecting from a broad range of elective courses that include the traditional and emerging public health domains such as health informatics, challenges in global nutrition and public health ethics.
- Co-ordinators will work with you to guide the selection of elective courses and topic area/length for your public health project at an early stage to ensure your MPH is aligned to your career aspirations.
- Flexible options include projects based in academic and work-based settings; and extended research projects which provide career insights and opportunities for networking.
- Real life research projects in public health issues will provide you with opportunities to apply the skills gained from the taught elements of the course to influence policy and practice.
- Full and part-time flexible study will help you navigate your learning effectively and have a good work-life balance.
- Dedicated student support with ‘SUCCESS PLUS’ programme (with matched mentors) consistently achieves a successful completion rate of over 90% among enrolled students.
- The Foresterhill Health Campus at the University is one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe which includes a Medical School, large teaching hospital, maternity and children's hospitals, and the Rowett Institute.
- Programme has APHEA Validated Curriculum, APHEA is the leading global accreditation agency for public health schools, programmes and training courses.
What Our Students Say
Entry Requirements
Completion of our PgCert in Research Methods for Health allows you to enter the PgDip stage of the programme.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants will usually possess a health-related Honours degree (at a 2:2 level or at least 60%) or be able to demonstrate evidence of equivalent experience in health care practice or research. Students from non-health backgrounds who have Honours degrees (as above) in science, social science or humanities subjects and who are interested in a public health related career will also be considered for the programme.
Please check the In My Country pages to find out if your degree is equivalent.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated pages.
January 2025 September 2025Careers
Completing the MPH at the University of Aberdeen will equip you with a cutting-edge knowledge of Public Health and essential research skills relevant for application in both academic and workplace practitioner environments across the globe, including:
- Career in Public Health Sector: Pursue a career in world ranking academic research institutions for projects commissioned by coordinating authorities of health such as WHO, Ministries of Health and NGOs. You will be able do this by developing a critical awareness of the wide public health domains and demonstrating evidence based knowledge.
- Influence Public Health policy: Influence public health policies through independent research with publication in peer reviewed journals; and contribute to translating research evidence to practice in professional and health authority settings.
- Become an independent researcher: Identify research priorities and goals set by global and national health authorities. You will learn to address these priorities by understanding the key concepts of Public Health through taught courses and translate them to formulating research questions, developing appropriate research methodology, conducting research, analysing data and writing a report.
- A pathway to a PhD and/or Public Health role: With its emphasis on a knowledge of relevant research disciplines, skills in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, critical thinking and scientific writing - an MPH is a common entry pathway to undertaking further research including a health-related PhD.
Students starting the programme in Jan 2024 may be able to apply for the Post-MPH Internship, gaining experience of working in a service Public Health Directorate and interacting with the NHS Board and Local Authorities. This internship is open to home and international students and will take place from February 2025 to May 2025. Please contact Prof A Poobalan (a.poobalan@abdn.ac.uk) and Dr S Hanley (sharon.hanley@abdn.ac.uk) for more information.
Industry Links
The University has excellent links with NHS Grampian and the City Council which is responsible for providing health and social care to a population of just over 500,000 in the Northeast region of Scotland and employs around 17,000 staff.
What our Alumni Say
Our Experts
Our MPH is delivered by experienced academic researchers and public health specialists from across various disciplines, professions and research methodologies.
If you have any questions regarding our September start programme please contact Dr Kathryn Martin. For queries on the January start programme please direct these to Dr Sharon Hanley or Dr Andrew Maclaren.
- Other Experts
- Dr Amudha Poobalan
- Professor Corri Black
- Dr Miriam Brazzelli
- Professor Vikki Entwistle
- Dr Patricia Norwood
- Professor Ioannis Theodossiou
- Dr Zoë Skea
- Dr Daniel Powell
- Dr Leone Craig
- Dr Mairead Black
- Dr Kirsty Kiezebrink
- Dr Heather Morgan
- Professor Jennie Macdiarmid
- Professor Shantini Paranjothy
- Programme Coordinators
- Dr Kathryn Martin
- Dr Sharon Hanley
- Andrew MacLaren
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Health Sciences Building
The Health Sciences building, located on the Foresterhill Health Campus, houses the purpose built Clinical Research Facility, researchers from the Institute of Applied Health Sciences and the Imaging Department which boasts state-of-the-art equipment
Foresterhill Health Campus
The Foresterhill Health Campus is one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe which includes the Medical School, large teaching hospital, the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Rowett Institute.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX