This course is accredited by the Agency for Accreditation of Public Health Education in the European Region (APHEA) which is the accreditation body of the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER).
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE, POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA AND MASTERS BY DISTANCE LEARNING.
About
These courses aim to provide by distance learning the knowledge and skills necessary to address diverse global public health issues, through the promotion of health and prevention of diseases; the provision and evaluation of treatment and care; and the investigation and control of environmental threats to health. The emphasis is on the use, development and critical evaluation of conceptual models; evidence and methods of analysis; and on practical, effective interventions.
Similar to the structure and content of the London-based courses, these courses provide a multidisciplinary perspective, drawing on a wide range of disciplines from health and social sciences. The courses are interactive, using activities and exercises that build on the personal experience of participants. The diverse curriculum allows students to opt for a broad range of knowledge or to concentrate on specialised areas by selecting one of the following four streams:
- Public Health (General)
- Public Health (Environment and Health)
- Public Health (Health Promotion)
- Public Health (Health Services Management)
Applicants from these courses come from diverse backgrounds. Many are health professionals working at a service or policy level, while others wish to obtain public health skills that they can apply to their work in development, community services, government, research or teaching.
The Programme specification gives a more detailed breakdown of how elements of the courses support and achieve learning objectives.
Aims & Objectives
The course aims to develop:
- the knowledge and skills to contribute to the health of populations, communities and disadvantaged groups
- the ability to apply the core disciplines of public health (statistics, epidemiology, health economics and social research) to real world health problems
- a deeper understanding of public health issues and an academic qualification that will enhance your career development in health-related fields
Support
The support you will receive will include:
- a web-based virtual learning environment (including web conferencing, allowing you to pose questions and engage in academic discussions with tutors and fellow students)
- written, personalised feedback from teaching staff and advice on assignments
You can also communicate with other distance learning students, either individually or by setting up your own learning support groups.
Video: Inspiration session - MSc Public Health
Nick Black provides a short course overview for the MSc Public Health. Click here to watch the video
Course Summary
| You study | Study period | Cost (2013-2014) | |
| MSc | EITHER 14 modules OR 11 modules plus a project report | 2-5 years | £11,650 |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 10 modules | 2-5 years | £9,200 |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 6 modules | 1-5 years | £6,775 |
| Individual modules | Studying individual modules is an ideal option if you wish to update your professional knowledge or sample the programme. The fee per individual module (core PHM1 modules) is £1,130 but for elective modules it is £1,695. | ||
Course Structure
Postgraduate Certificate: 6 modules (4 compulsory core modules + 2 further PHM1 modules)
Postgraduate Diploma: 10 modules (4 compulsory core modules + 2 further PHM1 modules + 4 elective modules)
MSc: 14 modules OR 11 modules and a project report (4 compulsory core modules + 1 stream-specific PHM1 module + 1 further PHM1 module + 1 stream-specific PHM2 module + EITHER 7 elective modules OR 4 elective modules and a project report)
For the Diploma: At least 2 modules must be taken from the selection group PHM2. The remaining modules can be chosen from the selection groups listed below
For the MSc: At least 3 of the elective modules must be taken from the selection group PHM2, The remainder can be chosen from the selection groups listed below
The Postgraduate Certificate
The Certificate comprises the four core modules which are also common to the Diploma and MSc courses:
- PHM101 Basic Epidemiology
- PHM102 Basic Statistics for Public Health and Policy
- PHM103 Introduction to Health Economics; and
- PHM104 Principles of Social Research.
All students take two additional PHM1 modules, selected from:
The Postgraduate Diploma
To complete the Postgraduate Diploma, four elective modules (in addition to the four core modules and two further modules) must be studied. At least two of these (three are recommended) must be taken from the PHM2 list below.
The Masters Degree (MSc)
Those registered for the MSc must select seven modules from the list below OR four from the list (at least three must be PHM2 modules) and complete a final year project .
For those studying for the MSc on one of the three specialised streams, one of these modules is compulsory: Environmental Health Policy (for the Environment and Health stream); Health Promotion Practice (for the Health Promotion stream); and Organisational Management (for the Health Services Management stream).
Note that restrictions and pre-requisites may apply to some of the modules below. Not all modules will be available every year.
- PHM201 Analytical Models for Decision Making
- PHM202 Communicable Disease Control
- PHM203 Economic Analysis for Management & Policy
- PHM204 Economic Evaluation
- PHM205 Environmental Epidemiology
- PHM206 Environmental Health Policy
- PHM207 Health Care Evaluation
- PHM208 Financial Management
- PHM209 Globalisation & Health
- PHM210 Managing Health Services
- PHM211 Medical Anthropology in Public Health
- PHM212 Organisational Management
- PHM213 Principles and Practice of Health Promotion
- PHM214 Conflict and Health
- PHM215 History and Health
- PHM216 Sexual Health
- PHM305 Project Report
Project Report
All MSc students have the option to apply to undertake a project report specific to their chosen stream, which is equivalent to three module credits.
Combining DL studies with studies at the School - "blended learning" study
Method of assessment
All distance learning modules are assessed by means of a two-hour unseen written examination (with 15 minutes planning/reading time at the start of the examination).
PHM2 modules and elective modules from the other distance learning courses - EPM2, IDM2, IDM3 and IDM5 modules - are assessed partly by the two-hour unseen written examination (70%) and partly by an assessed assignment (30%), submitted electronically to LSHTM by a set deadline.
Examinations take place once a year in June (please note: it is not possible to hold examinations at other times of year). These are normally held in a student’s country of residence: please click here to view details of the examination centres available. They are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. Students taking examinations outside London will need to pay a fee to their local examination centre. Please note that if you fail an examination at the first entry you will be allowed one further attempt.
Credits awarded
Credits will be awarded for all elements successfully completed: 10 credits for each PHM1 module; 15 credits for PHM elective modules; and 45 credits for the project option. To successfully pass an award, the following credits must be gained:
Postgraduate Certificate – 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma – 120 credits
MSc – 180 credits
How you study
You study independently, at a time and pace that suits you (subject to some course-specific deadlines), using the comprehensive study materials provided, with learning support from our academic staff. The academic year runs from the beginning of October through to the June exams, during which time tutorial support is available. Students carrying out projects are assigned personal supervisors to support their project work throughout the summer. Deadlines for submission of coursework vary per course but are usually in March, May, August and September.
Study materials
You receive your study materials after you register. Study materials may include Subject guides, Readers, Textbooks, CD-ROMs/additional computer software (e.g. Stata), Past examination papers and Examiners’ reports, and Handbooks. You also have access to the school’s online library resources.
Academic Requirements
One of the following:
- A first or second-class honours degree, or the equivalent, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London, in a subject appropriate to the course.
- An appropriate professional or technical qualification, together with at least three years’ relevant experience, which satisfies the University as a qualification equivalent to a second class honours degree. All applications in this category will be considered on an individual basis.
Other
Students who do not satisfy the above requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.
Language Requirements
For awards at FHEQ level 7, students must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:
- IELTS with an overall average of at least 7 with a minimum of 7 in written sub-test, or
- TOEFL score of 600 (or 250 in the computerised test) and a minimum of 5 in the TWE, or
- a British Council (IELTS) overall score of 7 or over with a minimum of 7 in the written sub-test, or
- TOEFL iBT with a minimum overall score of 100 including a minimum score of 24 in the test of written English taken within the last 3 years.
Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.
Computer Requirements
Online access and general computer requirements:
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet. This may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.
Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+
Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater
Application for Study by Distance Learning
The School's distance learning courses are run in collaboration with the University of London International Programmes. For the distance learning courses applications must be made online to the University of London International Programmes.
Need help with completing your application online? Please check the "How to Apply" section of the University of London website.
If you have any enquiries, please submit your questions online to the University of London International Programmes. Alternatively, please contact:
The Information Centre, University of London, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London,
WC1B 5DN, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8360/8361/8362
Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8358
Summary of key dates
Application deadline | 30 June |
Registration deadline | 31 August |
Start of the course | October |
Examinations (take place the following year after registration) | June |
