Master of Public Health (MPH) (Online)

Source: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/medicine/mphonline/ Parent: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/

Master of Public Health (MPH) (Online)

PgDip in Public Health (Online)

PgCert in Public Health (Online)

Why study Master of Public Health (MPH) (Online) at Exeter?

• Study your MPH online. Delivery takes place via taught sessions, bespoke tutorials, and practical exercises, supported by online resources. Carefully selected tutors and guest lecturers will join you throughout the programme offering up-to-the minute insight, shared reflections and practical support for the duration.
• You will look at how public health decision-makers think through the kinds of challenging problems they encounter in their work
• We work closely with healthcare collaborators in the region, and across the globe, to ensure we are meeting the complex needs of a changing healthcare sector
• This course combines the expertise of our world-renowned public health experts with specialists in leadership and management in our outstanding Business School
• You will be equipped to work in interdisciplinary healthcare teams to tackle the exciting opportunities and challenges in public health across a wide range of careers

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Select date of entry Jan 2026 Sept 2026

Select programme MSc 3 years MSc 2 years PgDip 2 years PgCert 1 year

Apply for Jan 2026 entry

Apply for Sept 2026 entry

Enquire online

Accreditation of prior learning (APL)

View the in-person study version of this programme

Contact

Programme Director:Professor G.J. Melendez-Torres

Web: Enquire online

Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72

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Discover Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Exeter.

Our Public Health research is 11th in the UK for research power

Submitted to UoA2 Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care. REF 2021

Learn from world-renowned public health experts

Co-delivered with the Triple Accredited University of Exeter Business School

ACCA, AMBA, EQUIS

Top 150 in the world for Public, Environmental and Occupational Health

U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities 2025-26

Entry requirements

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds. You will have, or be predicted, at least a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject such as Life, Health or Medical Science degrees, or intercalating medical students, with relevant public health work experience.

We will also welcome applications from people who can demonstrate evidence of significant Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) experience.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

Please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

International students are normally subject to visa regulations which prevent part-time study. It is recommended that international students apply for the level of the final award you intend to complete i.e. PGCert, PGDip or Masters, due to the associated cost and requirements for a Tier 4 student Visa.

Accreditation of prior learning for Masters courses in Healthcare and Medicine

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) is a process whereby students, who have already gained relevant skills and knowledge prior to the start of their course, may be granted a partial credit exemption from their programme instead of unnecessarily repeating work. Find out more about APL

Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.

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Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course.

The required IELTS test scores for this course fall under Profile B2.

Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.

Course content

Public health is everyone’s business, now more than ever. In these rapidly changing times, where knowledge is created at speed and new health challenges are always on the horizon, visionary public health leadership is urgently needed. This programme aims to equip you with the competencies and capabilities to become one of those future leaders.

Informed by the increasing importance of a systems approach to health and social care, the programme examines distributive leadership and the need to develop compassionate and inclusive leadership attributes, making change through the use of quality improvement methodologies and the importance of collaboration and boundary spanning

This programme is internationally unique and focuses on moving from knowledge to action. One of the compulsory modules, Structuring and Solving Public Health Problems, focuses on how to ‘think in public health’, providing the foundation for the rest of your study and is the only public health module of its kind in the UK.

Programme structure

The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a part time programme of study, as appropriate. It is delivered at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7.

The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work, a 15 credit module being equivalent to 150 hours of work and a full Masters degree being equivalent to approximately 1,800 hours of work. Therefore, for applicants who are working full time (or close to full-time), we recommend applying to complete the Masters degree over 2 or 3 years rather than 18 months.

See the MPH Online Schematic to see the programme structure.

MPH Online timetable 2024-25

Please note: This timetable is draft and subject to change.

Modules

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

The MPH comprises 180 credits in total: taught compulsory modules worth 135 credits in total, one optional module (Masterclass) of 15 credits, and a Capstone Project worth 30 credits.\ \ It is also possible to exit with a PGCert after completing 60 credits of taught modules or a PGDip after completing 120 credits of taught modules. The list of modules below shows which are compulsory.

The programme is delivered online via taught sessions, bespoke tutorials, and practical exercises, supported by online resources. Carefully selected tutors and guest lecturers will join you throughout the programme offering up-to-the minute insight, shared reflections and practical support for the duration.‌

Master of Public Health (Online)- Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

Master of Public Health, 180 Credits; over 2 years

*All students must take the following compulsory modules:

Plus ONE of HPDM122Z/HPDM174Z

Plus ONE credit ‘Masterclass’ module from the following list:

HPDM124Z

HPDM127Z

HPDM136Z

HPDM173Z

aYou will commence these modules in your first calendar year of study

bYou will commence these modules in your second calendar year of study

cThese are specialisms modules. Please see details below.*

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

PGDip in Public Health (Online) - Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

PGDip in Public Health (Online) Modules: 120 Credits, over 2 years

Compulsory modules

All students must take the following compulsory modules:

Optional modules

*Plus ONE of HPDM122Z or HPDM123Z from the following list:

**Plus ONE 15-credit ‘Masterclass’ module from HPDM124Z, HPDM127Z, HPDM136Z, HPDM173Z, HPDM174Z or HPDM183, in the following list.\

PGCert in Public Health (Online)- Modules

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

PGCert in Public Health (Online) Modules: 60 Credits - over 1 year

Compulsory modules

All students must take the following compulsory modules:

Master of Public Health specialism (MSc over 18-36 months)

Please note that the module information displayed here is from a previous year and is subject to change.

Master of Public Health:

Two specialisms are available to Masters students. These specialisms involve the content specified below. They provide opportunities for Masters students to focus their studies in a key area of contemporary public health, and to gain a qualification indicating that specialism in parentheses.

Master of Public Health (Global Health)

This specialism provides the opportunity to focus on public health topics in the domain of global health. It requires that you follow the programme’s compulsory modules. You must also select the following optional modules:

• HPDM183 Global Public Health and Environmental Change
• HPDM122Z Planetary Health (15 credits).
• Your Capstone Project (HPDM126Z) must also be focused on a relevant topic in global health, as agreed with HPDM126Z module leads.

Master of Public Health (Public Mental Health)

This specialism provides the opportunity to focus on public health topics in the domain of public mental health. This specialism requires that you follow the programme’s compulsory modules. You must also select the following optional modules:

• HPDM174Z Public Mental Health (15 credits)
• HPDM173Z Child and Adolescent Mental Health (15 credits)
• Your Capstone Project (HPDM126Z) must also be focused on a relevant topic in Public Mental Health, as agreed with HPDM126Z module leads.

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Fees

2026 entry

UK fees per year:

• MPH £6,100pa part-time 2 years; £4,100pa part-time 3 years
• PGCert£4,100 part-time 1 year
• PGDip£4,100 part-time 2 years

Standalone module fees: UK: £1,200 per 15-credit module

International fees per year:

• MPH  £14,450pa part-time 2 years; £9,650pa part-time 3 years
• PGCert£9,650 part-time 1 year
• PGDip£9,650 part-time 2 years

Standalone module fees: International: £2,650 per 15-credit module

Find out more about tuition fees and funding

Fee information

Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a tuition fee depositto secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for exemption. For further information about paying fees see ourStudent Fees pages.

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..

Find out more about tuition fees and funding »

Funding and scholarships

UK government postgraduate loan scheme

Postgraduate loans of up to £12,167 are now available for Masters degrees. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

Funding

The Funding website has information on all available options for funding open to prospective students of taught Masters programmes. You can also use the searchable database of all Scholarships and Bursaries to find funding for which you are eligible.

There are various funding opportunities available including Global excellence scholarships. For more information visit our Masters funding page.

Scholarships

Details of scholarships, including our Global Excellence scholarships for international fee paying students, can be found on our dedicated funding page.

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Teaching and research

Our purpose is to deliver transformative education that will help tackle health challenges of national and global importance.

Teaching

Modules include immersive learning at the start and end of the taught components of the programme.\ \ The programme is delivered online via taught sessions, bespoke tutorials, and practical exercises, supported by on-line resources. Carefully selected tutors and guest lecturers will join you throughout the programme offering up-to-the minute insight, shared reflections and practical support for the duration.

Content for the programme will be made available online via our dedicated Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to allow maximum flexibility in when you study to fit around your other commitments. We will provide a range of rich online materials, a variety of learning activities and encourage you to participate in learning communities. Each module will set out the key expectations and requirements at the start of teaching and you will receive timely feedback on your progress throughout the duration.

Learning

The approach to teaching includes synchronous and asynchronous online sessions, self-directed online learning, peer supported learning groups, facilitated chat rooms, and personal learning logs.\ \ Teaching methods on the Masters course include:\ \ • case-based discussion\ • simulation and problem-based learning\ • seminars\ • group discussions\ • reflection sessions\ • buzz groups\ • chat backs\ • interactive workshops

You will be allocated an academic tutor who will remain with you throughout the programme. Academic tutors are able to provide guidance and feedback on assessment performance, guidance in generic academic skills and pastoral support. They are also able to refer you to more specialist support services, both within the College and elsewhere across the University.

Support

You will be allocated an academic tutor who will remain with you throughout the programme. Academic tutors are able to provide guidance and feedback on assessment performance, guidance in generic academic skills and pastoral support. They are also able to refer you to more specialist support services, both within the College and elsewhere across the University.

Research

Underpinned by the themes of complexity, leadership and decision-making, this MPH couples reflective learning and practice with research-led teaching from world-leading academics to balance transdisciplinary learning about public health with ‘real-life’ skills and tools. 

At the University of Exeter, our research is globally recognised and our partnerships with healthcare providers, industry and above all, the public, mean that this work is constantly at the cutting-edge of innovation in improving lives. 

Explore some of the many highlights of our research on our research impact page.

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Professor G J Melendez-Torres

Programme Director

Dr Jenny Lloyd

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Gary Abel

Dr. Kristin Liabo

Professor Richard Smith

Professor Sarah Dean

Professor G J Melendez-Torres

Programme Director

G J is the Programme Lead for the MPH and teaches on a number of modules.

He arrived at the University of Exeter in March 2019 to take up a personal chair in clinical and social epidemiology.  As part of this, he leads the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), one of nine research units in the UK providing expert advice on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new drugs to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.  His interest in health technology assessment stems from an enjoyment of the kinds of knotty methodological problems, both statistical and conceptual, that this area can present.

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Professor G J Melendez-Torres

Programme Director

G J is the Programme Lead for the MPH and teaches on a number of modules.

He arrived at the University of Exeter in March 2019 to take up a personal chair in clinical and social epidemiology.  As part of this, he leads the Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), one of nine research units in the UK providing expert advice on the clinical and cost effectiveness of new drugs to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.  His interest in health technology assessment stems from an enjoyment of the kinds of knotty methodological problems, both statistical and conceptual, that this area can present.

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Dr Jenny Lloyd

Senior Lecturer

Jenny is an exercise and health psychologist, specialising in the development and evaluation of complex behavioural interventions to address obesity, wellbeing and the social and emotional development of children. She works with a range of charities and organisations (e.g. Action for Children, The Education Endowment Foundation, Obesity UK) to co-create interventions taking account of both psycho-social factors and systems theory.

She teaches across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules, convening the undergraduate Clinical Trials and postgraduate Public Health Behaviour Change Modules. Jenny is interested in further exploring and developing new ways of conceptualising and responding to so called ‘wicked’ public health problems of the 21st century, namely obesity, loss of wellbeing and health inequality, by working with multi-disciplinary teams across health and social care, education and the humanities.

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Dr. Gary Abel

Senior Lecturer

Gary is a statistician working within Primary Care at the University of Exeter Medical School and co-lead for the module called Analytics and Evidence based Public Health. He has a strong interest in routine data, both derived from primary care and other healthcare settings. This interest spans two approaches, which are: 1) using routine data to explore a variety of health research questions and 2) understanding the limitations of, and the interpretation of, routine data used to inform health service delivery.

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Dr. Kristin Liabo

Senior Research Fellow

Kristin is part of the Patient and Public Involvement Team in the Third Gap team at the Medical School, and within PenCLAHRC. The team supports researchers to involve patients and members of the public in their research.

Kristin co-leads the module called Planetary Health. She has worked collaboratively with service users, patients and members of the public since she started out in research with Barnardo's, the children's charity.

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Professor Richard Smith

Deputy Pro Vice Chancellor and Professor of Health Economics

Richard is inaugural Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor for the University of Exeter Medical School, and Professor of Health Economics. He was previously at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he served as Head of the Department of Global Health & Development from 2008-2011, and as Dean of the Faculty of Public Health & Policy from 2011-2018.\ \ Richard has experience with a wide range of economic methods, including micro-, macro-, behavioural-, and political-economic techniques, applied to various areas, from health outcome assessment to antibiotic resistance. In the last decade he has especially pioneered the macro-economic modelling of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and the economic analysis of the impact of trade and trade agreements on health and health care across a range of areas.

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Professor Sarah Dean

Professor in Psychology Applied to Rehabilitation and Health

Sarah has extensive experience of working in interdisciplinary environments for both teaching and research at the Universities of Southampton, Otago (New Zealand) and including her current role within the South West Peninsula Applied Research Collaboration (PenARC) and at the University of Exeter Medical School.

She has a dual professional background as a Chartered Physiotherapist and a Chartered Psychologist with two higher degrees in Health Psychology. She worked clinically in both the NHS and private sector, specialising in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, particularly exercise therapy for sports injuries and cardiac rehabilitation. She co-leads the module:Behaviour Change.

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Careers

Who is this course for?

The programme offers a collective learning environment in which professionals of all disciplines in healthcare study together to develop public health competencies.

The programme suits graduates who are planning or already undertaking a career within public health, health promotion, environmental health and protection, occupational health, workplace wellbeing or social enterprise.

Employer-valued skills this course develops

Through developing the skills to promote the health of populations by influencing lifestyle and socio-economic, physical and cultural environment and exploring the complex inter-relationship between health and the environment, you will develop the research-facing skills needed by contemporary leaders in public health. This programme supports your development as a Public Health leader through phased engagement with both fundamental and more advanced concepts, in the context of the delivery of healthcare at team and system levels to understand organisational complexity and making change at large scale.

Our interdisciplinary module Planetary Health will also help you to develop and understanding of key health issues facing populations around this world in multidisciplinary ways. The Leadership, Strategy and Change module will focus on taking public health knowledge and transforming it into public health action through expert and compassionate leadership.

Career paths (graduate destinations)

You will be equipped to work in interdisciplinary healthcare teams to tackle the exciting opportunities and challenges in public health across a wide range of careers. Careers include working in the health and pharmaceutical industry, supporting local commissioning, local authority public health, and work at the frontlines of health policy.

Careers support

All University of Exeter students have access to Career Zone, which gives access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.

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