Public Health MSc - 2027/8
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 7
Final award and programme/pathway title
MSc Public Health
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| PGDip | Public Health |
| PGCert | Public Health |
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | PTA61132 | 180 credits and 90 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Other internal and / or external reference points
This programme is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University's quality assurance processes. These processes are a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions within the UK, to ensure that programmes are of the highest standard. Occasionally there may be instances where the University may delay or not approve the introduction of the programme.
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - School of Biosciences
Programme Leader
LAMBERT Helen (Biosciences)
Date of production/revision of spec
17/07/2026
Educational aims of the programme
- To be equipped with the knowledge and skills to work in roles including Public Health practice, research, education, policy.
- For students to gain understanding of key Public Health issues in the UK and internationally, and an awareness of wider determinants of health and health inequalities.
- For students to be confident in using quantitative and qualitative research methodology and statistics across a range of applications.
- For students to be learn how to design, plan, undertake and evaluate Public Health interventions with respect to process, outcomes and economic implications.
- For students to understand the principles of population health assessment, monitoring and surveillance, disease prevention and outbreak management.
- For students to understand the role of health promotion and behaviour change in Public Health.
- For students to be equipped to work in a digital world and to apply technologies (including AI) to Public Health.
- For students to gain and develop academic skills, in particular critical thinking, evidence-based academic writing and data handling.
- For students to gain experience of working as independent researchers.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| To know how to design and evaluate different types of research in Public Health using quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, including the use of dedicated software packages. | CPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To know how to search and make correct use of relevant literature, and be able to critically appraise published research. | CPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To know the principles of disease prevention and outbreak control and be able to access and use relevant data sources. | KPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| Apply public health concepts to real-world scenarios in disease prevention and develop evidence-based intervention strategies.. | CPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To understand how economics can be used to help maximise health benefits delivered by budgets and the importance of economic evaluation in decision making for health interventions. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To understand the relationship between food, water and soil security and health worldwide, and understand its implications from ¿farm-to-fork¿. | KCT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be familiar with theories of behaviour change and be able to apply them to current issues in Public Health and health promotion. | KCT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be aware of health inequalities, the wider determinants of health and be able to explain their underlying drivers. | KC | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be able to plan and evaluate population health assessment and health promotion activities, and be able to use and interpret relevant health data sources. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be aware of government policies and recommendations, and understand the process of policy development | KT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be familiar with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and their relevance for global public health. | KC | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To understand the particular health challenges faced by low- and low-middle-income countries, including the multiple burdens of malnutrition and neglected tropical diseases. | KCT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To be able to identify and appraise the importance of emerging infectious diseases, zoonoses, notifiable diseases, antimicrobial stewardship and know how to apply disease surveillance and biosecurity principles. | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To understand the role of technology, big data and AI in Public Health and be able to apply this knowledge practically . | KCPT | PGCert, PGDip, MSc | |
| To apply knowledge of research methods and academic skills to conducting an independent research project and writing a dissertation | CT | MSc |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Master's Degree programme is studied full-time over one academic year, consisting of 180 credits at FHEQ level 7. All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits)
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCRM013 | TRANSFORMING SERVICES FOR QUALITY | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| HCRM048 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| PSYM151 | CONTEMPORARY HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | N | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | N | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
The school of Biosciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This programme is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital capabilities: Digital capabilities are developed from the outset, including the use of essential software and databases. A dedicated module equips students to make use of increasingly essential digital tools, including AI.
Employability: Students are equipped to work in a variety of public health roles. The course content is based on ¿real-life¿ issues, and accreditation by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation will enhance employability by providing an internationally recognised benchmark. The programme will also support those undertaking the Faculty of Public Health training for Public Health Specialists.
Global and cultural capabilities: The programme embraces a global perspective, centred on the universal application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The programme develops an awareness and understanding of global issues and students are encouraged to share experiences and knowledge from their own cultures and backgrounds.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: As a postgraduate course, the programme requires significant self-directed study and independent learning, as well as a problem-solving approach. Students develop requisite skills and attributes to enable them to flourish through dedicated academic skills development. Teaching within modules develops key skills which comprise a ¿tool kit¿ for the future, including application of critical thinking, academic writing, use of online databases, access and use of literature sources and conducting independent research
Sustainability: An appreciation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is integral to all aspects of this programme. An understanding of the relationships amongst the different SDGs is addressed in the teaching. Many contributors to the programme, are fellows of the Surrey Institute for Sustainability and are committed to prioritising sustainability in all aspects of their teaching and research.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2027/8 academic year.