External summary

Public Health is the science and art of ensuring that the efforts of society are organised to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health. The taught MPH degree currently offered by CPHS builds on our long history in, and an excellent reputation for, taught post graduate training in public health sciences. The programme is designed for those who wish to gain an appreciation of how different scientific disciplines can be used to structure enquiry and develop the knowledge base for research and professional practice in epidemiology, public health and social science, ethics and health. Students on the programme benefit from teaching by academics and NHS professionals embedded within a wide community of health research, with the University of Edinburgh at its hub. MPH graduates go on to careers in research and academic environments, professional public-health services, clinical epidemiology, health technology assessment, public-health protection and a wide range of national and international organisations concerned with preventing disease and improving the health of populations.

Educational aims of programme

Public Health is the science and art of ensuring that the efforts of society are organised to prevent disease, prolong life and promote health. The programme is designed to provide an entry point to either the public health profession or public health research for those new to the subject, but also to provide sufficient depth for the benefit of existing public health professionals. The range of teaching reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the subject

The education offered aims to be relevant to a range of professionals and researchers and to:

• fulfil the knowledge and research training needs of those wishing to address the contemporary challenges of public health
• develop research skills in qualitative and quantitative disciplines
• develop an awareness of applications and implications of public health theories and research
• develop the ability to think critically and creatively about public health issues and their inter-relatedness

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

Students should develop a broad perspective on the different disciplines within public health, as well as greater expertise within particular areas. The compulsory courses within the taught portion of the programme provide for the development of the former, with optional courses providing the latter. Teaching methods vary within different subject areas, as do assessment methods, but with an emphasis on essay, critical appraisal and written exam methods to test knowledge and understanding.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of the programme should understand the range of methodologies available to answer different questions in Public Health, be familiar with the process of the critical appraisal of research, understand key issues in undertaking health research and be familiar with principles of evidence synthesis. All these options are covered within the range of compulsory and optional courses within the MPH. They should also have experience of carrying out research first hand, via the dissertation component of the programme.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the programme will be able to work independently and critically, informed by knowledge of key public health principles and an understanding of the scientific and ethical frameworks of their areas of interest.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates will develop their experience of, and confidence in, written and oral presentation of key concepts and research findings in public health, as well as developing skills in critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. These aspects are central to activity in Public Health, and are present throughout the teaching and assessment of the programme, via written work, course presentations, core teaching and the dissertation.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Exposure to the range of disciplines and individuals that constitute the programme will assist graduates in adopting flexible approaches to learning and professional life, as well as increasing their understanding of societal differences and challenges in the public health area.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

N/A

Programme structure and features

Modes of study – Programme is available full or part time

SQCF credit points, all at level 11

Compulsory Courses

Introduction to Epidemiology                                                                            10 credits

Introduction to Qualitative Research                                                                10 credits

Introduction to Research Ethics                                                                       10 credits

Introduction to Statistics                                                                                    10 credits

Introduction to Systematic Reviews                                                                 10 credits

Elective Courses

Advanced Epidemiology                                                         10 credits
Advanced Protocol Development                                             10 credits
Communicable Disease Control and Health Protection              10 credits
Developing and Evaluating Complex Public Health Interventions 10 credits
Epidemiology for Public Health                                                10 credits
Further Statistics                                                                    10 credits
Genetic Epidemiology                                                             10 credits
Global Health Epidemiology                                                     10 credits
Health Promotion                                                                    10 credits
Investing in Global Health and Development                              10 credits

Introduction to Global Health                                                    10 credits
Public Health Ethics                                                                10 credits
Qualitative Research in Health                                                  10 credits
Sociology of Health & Illness                                                    20 credits
Statistical Modelling                                                                 10 credits

Progression requirements

Progress to the dissertation component is conditional on attaining a minimum of 80 credits with a mark of at least 50% and be awarded an overall average of at least 50% for the 120 credits of study in the taught portion of the programme.  A mark of at least 50% must be achieved on the dissertation component to be awarded the Master’s degree.

Learning Outcomes/ Assessment Practices

Assessment methods articulate the learning outcomes for the programme by using a range of (often subject-specific) tasks – the programme include essays, exams, data analysis projects, protocol preparation, systematic reviews and critical appraisals.

Exit Awards

A Diploma in Public Health is available to those who do not wish to proceed to dissertation, or who are not eligible to proceed providing they have achieved the following: attained a minimum of 80 credits with a mark of at least 40% and be awarded an overall average of at least 40% for the 120 credits of study in the taught portion of the programme. 

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

The programme uses a selection of teaching methods, including the following:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Seminars
• Data analysis practical sessions
• Dissertation
• One to one meetings with personal tutors/directors of studies/supervisors

The approaches encountered will depend on the specific optional courses chosen. Students will have opportunities to receive feedback from staff and tutors during the small group teaching.

Assessment methods and strategies

The programme contains a wide range of (often subject-specific) assessment tasks –

• Essays
• Exams
• Data analysis projects
• Protocol preparation
• Systematic reviews
• Critical appraisal of published research

The approaches encountered will depend on the specific optional courses chosen. Students receive written feedback (an assessment grid plus written commentary) on all non-exam pieces of assessment.

Career opportunities

The education offered aims to be relevant to a range of professionals and researchers, and to fulfil the knowledge and research training needs of those wishing to address the contemporary challenges of public health. The programme prepares postgraduate students for careers in:

• research and academic environments,
• professional public-health service,
• clinical epidemiology,
• health technology assessment,
• public-health protection and
• a wide range of national and international organisations concerned with preventing disease and improving the health of populations

Other items

Students provide feedback to teaching staff via individual course questionnaires and one group feedback session (student-moderated) per Semester. Teaching staff meet four times per year – two formal meetings during Semesters 1 & 2, plus two Board of Examiners meetings – to discuss feedback, course development and so on