The programme develops your understanding of health systems, inequalities and population wellbeing, combining methodological training with critical analysis of how public health priorities are shaped through policy, research and social science.

Compulsory modules

Students will engage with a range of social science theories, learning how to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world issues. They will gain an understanding of the wider determinants of health inequalities in national and global contexts, studying current and emerging threats to human health and well-being, the cultural context of disease, ethics, social justice and equity issues in relation to public health.

Students will develop an understanding of the ways public health priorities are developed and addressed through health and social policy, systems of health promotion and care and local public health leadership practices. Drawing on social science theories and international research, they will critically examine policymaking, public governance and health systems, enhancing their understanding of how interventions are developed, implemented and situated within wider social and political contexts.

Health communication is a field that bridges science communication and health promotion. Throughout this module, students will develop a critical understanding of contemporary communication issues that impact on public health. These include mis and dis-information, communication within medical encounters, the role of health social movements, the use of storytelling and visual methods in health education strategies, and how public health issues are covered in the media, social media and within social marketing campaigns. 

Compulsory modules

The aims of this module are to consolidate students' experiences of undertaking research in both the social science and humanities traditions and to equip them with the appropriate intellectual and practical methodological, writing and reflexive skills to successfully undertake an independent and original piece of critical research on an issue of relevance to their programme.

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and skills in the analysis and interpretation of health-related data for public health applications. Topics covered will include aspects of beginner coding, epidemiological methods, behavioural analysis and analysis of public health data sources.

The aim of this module is for students to develop advanced knowledge, critical understanding and applied skills relating to the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of public health interventions aimed at improving physical activity, nutrition and associated health outcomes. Students will engage with key theoretical models, frameworks and evidence that inform intervention development across different populations and settings. The module will foster critical thinking around the complexities of behaviour change through case studies related to different behaviours, outcomes and target populations.

Compulsory modules

​Through this module students undertake a project of public health research on a topic of their own choosing. Students can choose one of the following formats: empirical study collecting primary data (qualitative and/or quantitative), empirical study using secondary data publicly available in official data repositories (e.g., UK Data Service), library-based studies, policy-review or theory-led (including PhD proposals).  

​With the support of an academic supervisor and a programme of dissertation workshops, produced work will show a detailed understanding of their chosen topic through the application of relevant knowledge, theories and concepts acquired throughout the course and through their own independent study. Students will demonstrate their ability to plan and conduct public health research with rigour and to communicate their ideas with clarity and precision. 

OR

​The module provides students the opportunity to work with a project partner in the private or public sector to deliver a research project related to public health. Based on a brief by the project partner, students will conduct and write an original study that solves a real-world problem or addresses a research need by the partner organisation. 

​The module equips students with academic skills needed for conducting their research project. In addition, it fosters employability skills through careers-related training, fostering professional communication, networking and other workplace-related skills.​