Global Public Health MSc

Postgraduate

Group of people having a conversation at a table

Combine socio-cultural perspectives with key skills in epidemiology, incident management and leadership to prepare to lead teams and address emerging global health challenges.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)
Coventry University (Vauxhall, London)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

SHCT012

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

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Course overview

Explore the socio-cultural aspects of global public health and develop essential skills in epidemiology and incident management.

The course:

provides in-depth knowledge of key public health perspectives and scenarios
helps you engage with core public health principles, interpret evidence and assess complex global health situations
covers important topics such as epidemiology, incident management, medical anthropology, policy, leadership and legislation.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

Career growth: gain the knowledge and skills to lead in global public health, opening doors to careers in local authorities, NHS trusts, NGOs, the private sector and academia.
Industry-standard facilities: benefit from access to advanced simulation facilities, the library and a virtual learning environment, all supporting your learning experience.⁴
Expert-led teaching: learn from our dedicated team of experienced academic staff, bringing their research and expertise into your learning. Throughout the course, you will engage with a range of case studies and real-world examples covering global contexts.
Guest expert insights: attend talks from professionals in the field to explore current public health issues and gain real-world perspectives.²

What you'll study

Modules

Understanding Epidemiology in a Global Context – 30 credits

Gain a grounding and refresh your existing knowledge in the key principles and application of epidemiology, within a global context. Apply epidemiological thinking to a range of practical examples, prioritising the science of interpretation to allow evidence-informed decisions to be made.

Compulsory

Medical Anthropology – 30 credits

Learn about fundamental anthropological principles and their application within a global public health context. Explore and identify the role of the anthropologist within a global public health context, and the importance of anthropological studies to the holistic understanding of all global public health phenomena.

Compulsory

Emergency Responses and Preparedness in Global Public Health – 30 credits

Contemporary Issues for Leaders in Global Public Health – 30 credits

Leadership roles in global public health necessitate a timely response to emerging phenomena, and the skills to monitor a range of sources and resources to inform preparedness ahead of unforeseen developments. By examining current global issues, from policy and legislation to emerging technologies and climate change, you’ll mirror the reality of the leadership roles you hope to attain.

Compulsory

Dissertation – 60 credits

You will be expected to develop a critical review of a range of appropriate public health evidence to answer an individually chosen dissertation question. This is a self-directed module, with you taking the lead on developing your dissertation with guidance from academic staff.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
simulation
group projects
workshops
practical sessions.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module.

Assessment methods may include:

presentations
group projects
live simulations
individual application development work
portfolios
written documentation.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a health or social sciences discipline, or an equivalent appropriate qualification that includes substantial public health content.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a health or social sciences discipline, or an equivalent appropriate qualification that includes substantial public health content.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Library

Visit the library to access a range of resources, including books, journals, study spaces and physical and digital media to support your studies. This space also boasts bookable soundproof pods for private meetings and study sessions.

Physical skills lab

Kitted out with several clinical beds, this lab provides the tools and equipment you need to learn, practice, and refine essential physical and practical skills in a safe and realistic environment.

Social spaces

Relax, study, or socialise in our dedicated student social spaces between classes. You'll have access to desks for working on coursework and assessments. There are also more relaxed spaces with sofas if you need a quiet spot to unwind.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

A career in public health offers a wide range of opportunities and this course should prepare you to pursue a career in a range of settings leading multi-disciplinary teams of public health experts. You could find yourself in future roles such as a public health advisor, programme support officer or public health analyst. Alternatively, you may wish to progress to the PhD level.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

understand the key principles of public health and medical anthropology, and their application to a range of global public health issues
use anthropological analysis to interpret a range of socio-cultural phenomena in the context of global public health
comprehend public health research, policy and data to critically appraise and evaluate the findings and make evidenced judgements as a global public health leader
evaluate the principles for leading and developing people and a culture of organisational health and wellbeing
engage with complex evolving circumstances as a leader within the field of global public health, and confidently apply critical thinking, pragmatism and evidenced judgments
articulate a well-developed argument, demonstrating engagement with a range of evidence and an appreciation of audience comprehension
manage complex global public health issues, interpret data inclusive of cultural context, and look ahead to anticipate the requirements of future global public health crisis.

Further study

You could continue to PhD study within a related area.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.