Public Health (part-time) (Online Learning) MPH, PgCert, PgDip

The Master of Public Health (MPH) online programme is based on a longstanding tradition of academic teaching and research in public health at the University of Edinburgh.

Public health is about preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the efforts of society.

History

Postgraduate training in public health has been offered continuously at the University in one form or another since 1875, when a new postgraduate science degree, aimed at those wanting to be Medical Officers of Health, was introduced.

Since the first Chair of Public Health was established in 1898 and the opening of the Usher Institute of Public Health in 1902, the University has engaged in research covering:

• epidemiology
• environmental health
• infectious diseases
• medical statistics
• social sciences in health and health care

Programme at a glance

The MPH online programme is designed to build a diverse skill set to fully equip graduates for a future career in public health.

Some core areas of learning include:

• Principles, concepts, values and approaches in public health practice and research
• Health promotion planning and evaluation
• Epidemiological study design and statistical analysis
• Screening, surveillance, outbreak response, and public health communication
• Public health policy content, stakeholders, and processes
• Qualitative research methods
• Systematic review theory and practice
• Practical research planning and implementation
• Critical appraisal of scientific literature

Accreditation

The MPH online program has successfully achieved 'Full Accreditation' with the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA).

APHEA represent the five leading associations of public health in the European Region and is committed to assuring and improving the quality of educational activities throughout the European Region and the globe.

Why APHEA accreditation is important?

Accreditation is aimed at supporting the continued improvement of education and training for public health workforces throughout the world. It recognises a programme's quality beyond the borders of its home country, allowing for the transferability of qualifications and potentially providing graduates with better employment opportunities internationally.

Online learning

Online learning is a way to study for an internationally recognised qualification without needing to attend classes on campus.

It is aimed at those who wish to study for a postgraduate qualification alongside work or other commitments.

Online programmes are of equal value to on-campus programmes. The only difference is the way the course is delivered.

Our online learning platform enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.

As an online student, you have access to the University's excellent resources and you become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.

The MPH (online) programme is entirely online with a study commitment of approximately 10-15 hours per week.

You will study alongside and share your knowledge and experience with students from around the world through active discussion boards, blogs, group work and videos.

The programme is flexible and there are no specific times you need to attend class. It is designed to complement the work commitments and diverse geographical locations of our students.

Assessments and evaluation

Evaluation of the programme is through a mixture of coursework and online participation.

The programme has a variety of types of assessments, including essays, online activities, blogs, group work and tests.

The assessments are designed to fit with the learning outcomes of each course.

We are globally recognised for our research, development and innovation and we’ve provided our students with world-class teaching for more than 425 years.

An Edinburgh degree works for you

The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50 and placed 22nd in the 2024 QS World University Rankings.

Our graduates are ranked 26th in the world by employers1.

Excellence in research

The University of Edinburgh has an international reputation for innovative research across a wide range of disciplines.

According to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the University is ranked fourth in the UK based on the quality and breadth of its research - known as research power - and is Scotland’s top-ranked institution.

The REF2021 results reveal that nearly 90 per cent of the University’s research activity is in the highest categories – 4 star and 3 star – which are classified respectively as ‘ world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’, a growth of 10 percentage points since the previous REF in 2014.

Innovation in teaching

The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience. We are always working to develop innovative approaches to teaching in order to discover the methods that work best for students, including e-learning techniques and peer-assisted learning.

Experts in online learning

We offer the largest portfolio of postgraduate online degrees in the UK2, welcoming more than 8,000 online students since 2005. Our flexible and supportive programmes are well-established and an increasingly popular choice for students looking to balance further study with professional or family commitments.

Beautiful capital city

Ranked in the world’s top 10 student cities3, Edinburgh is a compact city with excellent transport links, which makes it easy to get around and to travel to other parts of Scotland.

Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a modern, sophisticated and beautiful European city with a diverse, multicultural community.​

Facilities and support to help you succeed

You will have access to one of the largest and most important academic libraries in the world, housing over 1.8 million printed volumes. You’ll also benefit from 30 open-access computer labs with 24-hour access across key locations, as well as free laptop loans.

We offer a free Student Counselling Service and a University Health Centre, and our Student Disability Service provides a range of support for students with disabilities. We also offer excellent childcare services, making it easier to juggle parenthood and study.

Impressive global community

Our ambitious internationalisation strategy ensures the teaching and research we deliver offers global benefits. We’re ranked in the world's top 20 most international universities4. Students from two-thirds of the world’s countries study here.

We collaborate with a host of world-leading institutions in fields as diverse as e-science, engineering, life and medical sciences, and arts and culture. We’re also a member of the global research network Universitas 21 and the European networks Coimbra Group and LERU.

Leading on social responsibility and sustainability

We are committed to being a world leader in addressing global challenges including poverty, climate change and the growing demand for energy, food and water.

As Scotland’s first Fairtrade University, we have been promoting better conditions for farmers and communities in developing countries since 2004.

We have championed environmental sustainability since the early 1990s and were a founder signatory to the Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment 2009 and to the 10:10 campaign.

The University is host to several Global Academies committed to tackling issues related to health, justice, environment, and agriculture and food security. The Academies cross boundaries in research and teaching, adopting a multi-disciplinary response to challenging global issues.

1QS World University Rankings 2024 2Higher Education Statistics Agency 2017/18 3QS Student Cities 2023 4Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2022