Public Health MPH

Develop the expertise and hands-on experience to tackle today’s most pressing public health challenges, shaping healthier communities locally, nationally, and globally. Delivered in-person at Aston's city-centre campus in Birmingham, our Master of Public Health (MPH) programme introduces you to a wide range of approaches used to tackle today’s most pressing public health challenges. The programme is ideal for both experienced public health professionals and those aspiring to enter the field. It is equally suited to practising clinicians and health service managers seeking to progress into senior roles.

Through the programme, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of local, national, and global public health issues, including health policy, epidemiology, and the social determinants of health.

You’ll be taught and supported by a team of public health experts with both local and global experience, ensuring your learning is relevant and impactful. Teaching is closely aligned with the cutting-edge research taking place at Aston University’s Centre for Health and Society, giving you the opportunity to learn from academics shaping the future of public health practice.

How you will learn
Our MPH Public Health at Aston University has been developed in line with the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation’s European Core Competencies for Masters in Public Health Education, ensuring your learning meets the highest international standards.

The programme is designed to give you a dynamic learning experience, equipping you with the skills for a successful career in understanding and addressing local, national and international public health challenges. Through practical teaching methods, including interactive lectures, group seminars, and workshops led by experienced academic staff, you will engage in lively discussions and explore diverse viewpoints. This is further supported by our innovative virtual learning environment, giving you access to a wide range of digital resources and supporting materials to enhance your studies.

You'll complete a significant piece of independent research in the form of a dissertation - an opportunity to investigate a public health issue that inspires you and showcase your expertise. You’ll also be able to tailor your studies through a range of optional modules, enabling you to focus on the areas of public health most relevant to your career ambitions.

From the very start of your course, you’ll be supported by a dedicated personal tutor who provides one-to-one academic guidance and study advice. In addition, you’ll have access to Aston University’s extensive library resources, including over 25,000 books and electronic journals, ensuring you have the tools you need to succeed.

What you will learn
Our comprehensive and interdisciplinary syllabus spans low, middle and high-income countries, and reflects local, national and international public health agendas. Through a carefully designed combination of core and optional modules, you’ll collaborate with academics, researchers, and practitioners to explore a wide range of in-depth public health issues.

In the taught stage, you'll develop the practical skills to critically assess and address public health challenges. Emphasis is placed on the hands-on application of specialist knowledge, exploring the connection between place, theory, emerging technologies, and policy. You will gain the ability to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, and work collaboratively as part of a team to develop public health initiatives.

The dissertation stage gives you the opportunity to complete an independent research project on a public health topic of your choice. This allows you to apply theory and methods in a meaningful way, demonstrate your ability to conduct high-quality research, and showcase your consideration of ethics, evidence, and practice in tackling real-world public health issues.