Master of Public Health
Master of Research (MRes)
PGDip in Public Health
PGCert in Public Health
PHPD
Handbook 2024-2025
1 General Information
1.2 Programme Contacts
| Head of School: | Professor Andrew Brass |
| Director of Education: | Mr Andrew Mawdsley |
| Programme Director: | Professor Arpana Verma |
| Deputy Programme Directors: | Dr Angela Spencer
Dr Anjana Sahu Greg Williams |
| MPH Admissions Co-ordinator: | E-mail: pgtaught.cbm@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 161 306 0604 |
| PGT Programmes: | E-mail: shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk |
| Student Support Hub and MPH Administration Team: | G.304 Jean McFarlane Building
The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL We will be available for support queries Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4pm, UK local time. |
| Programme Admin team |
| EMAIL ADDRESS | PURPOSE |
| shs.assessment@manchester.ac.uk
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| shs.attendance@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.dc@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.mitcircs@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.placements@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk |
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| shs.hub@manchester.ac.uk
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2 Programme of Study
The aims of the postgraduate programmes in public health and primary care are to:
- Provide students with the core knowledge necessary to develop competence in the academic underpinning of public health, with special emphasis on the critical appraisal of the evidence base (Cert, Dip, MPH, MRes);
- Produce graduates who understand the theory underlying the practice of public health and thus to equip them to proceed, should they wish, into further professional training within one of the diverse settings to which the public health perspective contributes (e.g. many clinical and related management disciplines) or where public health per se (e.g. a specialist in public health post) is practised (Dip, MPH, MRes);
- Teach students the rudiments of research methods and critical appraisal within the discipline so that on a life-long basis, they will be able to apply this knowledge to assess evidence that comes before them (Dip, MPH, MRes);
- Equip students to gain employment in public health (Dip, MPH)
- Obtain practical experience of designing, analysing and writing up a research project to enable the transition towards undertaking a research degree or to doing research in other settings (MRes).
We offer two main awards, the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Research (MRes), as well as a PG Diploma, a PG Certificate and stand-alone CPD units known as Public Health Professional Development (PHPD). The core requirements for these courses are different and are outlined in section 2. However, students from all these courses choose their units from a common pool, use the Blackboard learning environment, and share the same online discussions.
Skills
The programmes emphasise the acquisition of skills so that you can put into practice what you learn. Many master’s level courses teach attitudes and knowledge, while our emphasis will be more focused on the development of skills to use in professional life. These skills also translate into the ability to perform and appraise research projects as well as developing the skills necessary to pass the professional examinations of the Faculty of Public Health.
Students will also be guided and encouraged to develop new and further refine their existing communication skills. Clear, precise, well presented and referenced writing is essential. Students will be required to present their assessments in styles which reflect models used in public health and research. Students should access study skills materials for academic writing and presentation skills which can be found on Blackboard – please see the Course Units available in 2023-24 under section 2.5 for more information.
Self-directed study
The programmes encourage self-directed study around clearly identified learning outcomes for each course unit, rather than the provision of lectures or just web-based lecture notes.
Implications
The implications of emphasising self-directed study and skills are that the course will largely involve active learning methods using case-scenarios, exercises, etc., in a problem-based approach. Hence, examples and exercises will use real-world examples from appropriate settings, for example from primary/secondary care, public health practice, etc.
The programmes include a visionary aspect, so course units will cover the latest developments in the field and horizon scan for new and emerging topics and policies.
2.1 Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Research (MRes), PG Diploma and PG Cert programme
There are two options for study on the Master of Public Health programme – on campus or web-based learning. The on campus MPH programme has a compulsory ten course units and critical literature review. The web-based learning MPH programme requires you to complete either 8 taught units plus an Academic Dissertation, or 10 taught units plus a Critical Literature Review. The Evidence Based Practice unit is compulsory and other units can be selected from our other taught units.
| Stream | Lead Tutor(s) | Email Address |
| Public Health | Professor Arpana Verma | mph.director@manchester.ac.uk |
The programme aims to provide an entrance to research development, mainly for those currently in the workforce who wish to become researchers, through a combination of coursework and research training in public health and primary care.
MPH course outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Assess the evidence that underlies health practice
- Develop a population focus to health issues
- Develop research skills necessary to research and answer population health questions
- Be able to work under supervision in a research capacity
- Be able to enter higher degree (PhD) research training
- Understand and develop skills in order to carry out research in the primary care and public health settings
2.1.1 Programme structures
Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health
Total: 4 course units = 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
Total: 8 course units = 120 credits
Master of Public Health (web-based)
Total: 8 course units + MPH Dissertation = 180 credits or 10 course units + Critical Review = 180 credits
2.2 Master of Research (MRes) programme
The programme aims to provide an entrance to research development, mainly for those currently in the workforce who wish to become researchers, through a combination of coursework and research training in public health and primary care.
MRes course outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Assess the evidence that underlies health practice Develop a population focus for health issues
- Develop research skills necessary to research and answer population health questions
- Be able to work under supervision in a research capacity
- Be able to enter higher degree (PhD) research training
- Understand and develop skills in order to carry out research in the primary care and public health settings
2.2.1 Programme structures and core course units
Master’s of Research Total: 6 course units + MRes Dissertation = 180 credits
| Public Health | |
| Core units | Evidence Based Practice |
| Optional units | 5 units |
| NB Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits) is a prerequisite for any students planning a qualitative dissertation | |
| Dissertation (90 credits) |
The Dissertation Unit
Full time students register for their dissertation with the rest of their units.
Part time MRes Students register for their dissertation after successfully completing 6 units at Masters Level.
| MRes Dissertation (Public Health & Primary Care) | POPH63160 |
2.3 Continuous/Public Health Professional Development (CPD/PPD)
We also welcome students who are taking single units for their own continuous professional development (CPD). They can choose from the same course units, except the dissertations, and they study in the same way as other students in the Blackboard learning environment.
You can take unlimited numbers of CPD units, but on completion of 3 units, we would recommend you use these credits towards one of our award bearing programmes. If you wish to do this you will need to complete an application for a Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, MRes or MPH before 1st August.
You can enrol on CPD units via the ‘Student Centre’ before the deadline, which will be communicated to you throughout registration. Any queries can be sent to the programmes team on: shs.programmes@manchester.ac.uk.
2.4 Course Units Available in 2024/25
Compulsory units for on Campus MPH
| Semester 1 Units | Subject | Course Number |
| Evidence Based Practice | POPH | 60041 |
| Communicable Disease Control | POPH | 62051 |
| Global Health into the 21st Century | POPH | 62311 |
| Intercultural Public Health | POPH | 64771 |
| Semester 2 Units | ||
| Practical Statistics for Population Health | POPH | 60982 |
| Climate Change & Health | POPH | 65042 |
| Business, Media and Health | POPH | 65092 |
| Health Improvement | POPH | 65012 |
| Summer Semester Units | ||
| Infection Prevention & Control | POPH | 65552 |
| Nutrition and Public Health | POPH | 6662 |
| MPH Critical Review | POPH | 63150 |
Optional units for web-based learning MPH
The Dissertation or Critical Review Unit
| MPH Dissertation | POPH63140 | or | MPH Critical Review | POPH63150 |
Students can decide to complete a 60-credit dissertation, or, to take two additional 15-credit units (therefore a total of 10 units) and a 30-credit critical literature review. Students taking the on-campus MPH programme must take the critical literature review option. See the diagram below. Students will usually register and undertake either of these options in their intended final year of study (or within the same year for full time students).
(N.B. The option above does not apply to MRes students)
2.6 Student Timetable
Accessing your timetable – On Campus Students
On campus students can access their personalised timetable via My Manchester. Guidance on accessing your timetable can be found here – Guide to My Manchester. Further guidance about the Timetabling system, including how to change the view and how to subscribe to your timetable on alternative calendar apps can be found here – Using Publish to view your personalised timetable.
It is expected that all on campus students will attend all timetabled activities. Attendance will be monitored and details of the process for this will be provided at induction.
You will have classes across the campus so please ensure you familiarise yourself with the locations using the interactive Campus Map. Please note that for any classes in the Stopford Building you will need your student ID card to gain entry to the building.
Accessing your timetable – Distance/Blended Learning Students
Distance/blended learning students will be given access to their timetable via the MPH Programme Community Space on Blackboard. For blended course units, students on this mode of study will have the opportunity to study synchronously with the on-campus students and asynchronously via recorded sessions and online resources.
All students will be given guidance on accessing their timetable as part of their welcome and induction. If students are concerned that their timetable is incomplete or they have not been allocated to a seminar or webinar group, they should contact the programmes team for advice. Whilst it is not anticipated that major changes will be made during the year, minor alterations (such as room changes) may need to be made from time to time. Every attempt will be made to notify you of such changes as soon as possible in advance, either via the personalised timetable for on campus students or by other written notice such as by email.
Submission of assessed work
All assessments must be submitted electronically via Blackboard (through the Turnitin link) on the date and time specified in your timetable. Please see instructions in your course unit assessment pages. Assessments e-mailed to tutors or administration will not be accepted. Dates for these assessments can be found on the unit timetable in the course ‘overview’.
3 Teaching and Learning
3.1 MPH Programme Community
The MPH Programme Community is the central place to access all programme related resources and information, and communicate with other students across the programme.
It contains several essential courses.
Online Induction
The online induction course contains everything you need to get started on the programme by providing an introduction to, and overview of, the essential University systems and services such as My Manchester, Student Email and Blackboard. You must complete this short course before starting your studies.
Within the Online Induction course, you have the option to complete a Learning Needs Assessment. This questionnaire is to help you identify your own learning needs and to help us support you in achieving your goals. For further information on the way that The University of Manchester handles your information, please consult our Student privacy notice.
This online unit is complemented by a live induction in September each year. The induction is designed to orient students to all aspects of the online course and is a good opportunity to meet staff and other students. There will also be demonstrations of University of Manchester systems and the chance to ask any questions.
Study Skills
The Study Skills course introduces you to a range of skills and resources required for developing practical and effective strategies for successful learning online. It includes topics on information searching, referencing and academic writing, and requires you to complete the Academic Malpractice Driving Test.
Health and Safety Presentation
The University’s duty of care covers all its students, staff and visitors, including online learning students who come onto campus for residential courses, study days, or assessments. If you are one of our online learning students, although you will not spend much time on campus, there is some information you should know before you come. This short presentation tells you what to do in case of a fire or an accident while you are with us in Manchester. It should only take around 5 minutes to complete.
Both the academic malpractice driving test and health and safety presentation must be completed by the end of October in your first year of study.
3.2 Method of Study
On-campus students only:
Academic engagement includes lectures, seminars, workshops and other face to face activities. To achieve the intended learning outcomes for this programme, we have created a range of activities. Your course unit leads and teaching team will support you including access to the Programme Director Seminar Series. We will consult with students to identify any additional needs and further academic engagement activities will be provided. Assessments, preparation for assessments, reading time and independent study are also included within you timetabled activities.
Distance/blended learning students only:
Students on this mode of study will have the opportunity choose from the full range of course units and to study full time or part-time. For any blended course units, students will have the opportunity to study synchronously with the on-campus students and asynchronously via recorded sessions and online resources.
Most of our teaching is web-based with a high degree of student-led learning through interactive exercises to test understanding built into the web-based teaching materials, and exercises and assessments involving seeking out and retrieving information from a range of web-based resources. If you are one of our on campus students, you will also have face to face teaching which will be available through your timetable.
There will be opportunities for student–student and student–tutor interaction through dedicated discussion groups. There will be web-based course material with links to external web resources such as reports, academic papers, other teaching materials and case studies.
Some units have exercises based around group work (using discussion boards or reflective work). These are developed around learning objectives for the particular unit. In addition they satisfy the skills-based learning objectives common to many public health curricula i.e. planning and managing a project and working as part of a team to deliver a project.
These courses are modular, meaning that each year you can choose to study a selection of units, which will count towards your degree. Units start 3 times a year: September in the first semester, January in the second semester and May in the summer semester.
The maximum number of units that can be taken per semester is usually
- four for full time students
- three for 2-year part-time students
- two for 3-5 year part time students
Most units run over 15 weeks: 10 devoted to teaching and five to assessment preparation and writing. Most units cover 8-10 different topics in this time. Each unit is expected to take students 10 hours of study per week. Although you work through these units independently in your own home, it is good to follow the teaching weeks, as the online discussions and assessments are linked to particular dates and topics. A unit specific calendar can be found in the introduction week of all units. You are advised to make a note of all the dates of assessments at the start of each new unit. Missing an assessed piece of work because you failed to keep up will not be accepted as grounds for mitigation.
3.3 Public Health Trainees and Professionals
The programme meets some of the Public Health Competencies identified by the UK’s Faculty of Public Health. It has also been carefully structured to ensure that learning is integrated with work. This is done mainly by assessments, discussions and the dissertation being linked to current professional activities.