Master of Public Health (Humanitarian Health)
Entry requirements
Academic requirements:
Open to health professionals and graduates in health or related disciplines. In addition, candidates with qualification such as law, psychology, education, social work/care, finance, business management, engineering, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, history, architecture and politics/international relations are welcome, particularly if they have relevant health-related experience.
Non-graduates with considerable work experience in the health sector of low- or middle-income countries and evidence of continued academic development through appropriate in-service training will also be considered.
Medical students who have completed at least three years of study and wish to intercalate are also accepted into the programme.
All programmes of study will permit entry with credit attributed to previous certified study up to a total of one third of the credits requirement to be awarded an MSc, postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate or postgraduate award.
Candidates generally require professional or voluntary experience in health or a related area in a low or middle income country. Candidates without this experience are eligible, provided they can demonstrate an understanding and engagement in international public health issues, or evidence of appropriate training
Months of entry
September
Course content
Master of Public Health: How it Works
The Master of Public Health is available as five different programmes, each with its own unique study stream. Much of the core content is the same across all programmes, but each stream has a particular focus enabling you to take control of your studies and delve deeper into the areas of international public health that you're most passionate about.
The five streams are:
- Master of Public Health (Humanitarian Health)
- Master of Public Health (International)
- Master of Public Health (Managing Health Services)
- Master of Public Health (Outbreak Control Health Protection)
- Master of Public Health (Sexual and Reproductive Health)
- Master of Public Health (Humanitarian Health) stream
While building a broad knowledge of international public health, you'll specialise with a core module to help you develop essential skills for taking on a leading role in humanitarian health.
This stream focuses on current policies and practice, exploring public health responses to the challenges of today's humanitarian issues. You'll look at the particular challenges, constraints and requirements of working in the humanitarian sector, preparing you to operate confidently and effectively in conflict or unsafe situations, with refugees and displaced people.
Why should I study Public HealthPublic health matters for everyone, and is absolutely critical for societies to thrive. The health and wellbeing of populations has far-reaching and long-lasting effects on a community's success, sustainability and stability, and often has a regional, national and even global impact.
In the world's poorest countries, a lack of consistent high-quality public health has led to stark health inequalities. The impact of this has stifled prosperity and economic growth, widening the socio-economic divide and limiting quality of life.
By taking your public health expertise to the next level, you will build the professional toolkit to lead the improvement of health systems in low-resource settings, tackle global inequalities and change lives for the better.
What will I get out of itTaught by public health experts from across the globe, and learning from the valuable experience of your peers, you'll examine a broad range of contemporary issues in international public health, and build the knowledge and skills to identify and address public health challenges at every level.
Your final project will enable you to explore an area of public health you're really passionate about. It will give you the chance to apply your new skill-set to real-life experience, and you'll have the opportunity to do it abroad.
As a Master of Public Health, you will have the tools to influence social, environmental and structural determinants of health, help protect populations against current and emerging threats, and become part of a global solution.
Is international public health for meIt takes a diverse range of people with different strengths and skills to build a robust and sustainable workforce to successfully tackle the challenges faced in international public health.
If you want to improve people's health, wellbeing and life outcomes, and are passionate about closing the gap on global health equality, you're looking in the right place.
The majority of our students are health professionals and graduates in health or related subjects, but we also welcome candidates with qualifications in other subjects and non-graduates with considerable relevant experience.
Why LSTMLearn from a diverse range of subject experts, and the experiences of your peers from across the world to build a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues in international public health.
Understand public health challenges specifically associated with humanitarian crises, and develop the skills and confidence to support vulnerable people in challenging conditions.
Apply your enhanced skills in the real-world through your self-directed project, at home or abroad.
The Master of Public Health has been developed around a series of public health competencies derived from international reference points and covers a diverse range of contemporary issues in public health. You will explore approaches to reducing health inequalities and learn how to use evidence-based principles to enhance policy and practice in various settings. Throughout your studies, you'll develop key transferable skills in epidemiology, research methods and social science.
Core modules will give you a grounding in key subjects and skills.
Semester 1
Core- Research Methods in Public Health
- Scientific and Professional Skills
- Public Health Policies, Programmes and Strategies
Semester 2
Core- Scientific and Professional Skills
- Promoting Health and Improving Systems
- The Practice of Humanitarian Relief
- Climate Change
- Applied Statistics for Health Research
- Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health
- Developing a Disease Control Programme
Semester 3
In your third semester, you'll have the opportunity to apply your new skills in a 60-credit research project focused on Humanitarian and Public Health Programmes. You can choose to do your project in the UK or abroad.
Study patternThis one-year Master's is divided into three semesters. The first two taught semesters cover five core 20-credit modules and offer the opportunity to choose one 20-credit modules from a variety of options. All the taught modules are delivered in-person at our base in Liverpool, UK.
For each 20 credit module, you are expected to spend about 200 hours learning, which includes contact time, self-directed learning and assessments.
After the taught element, the third semester is dedicated to your 60-credit personal project, which can be either desk-based or fieldwork-based, and can be completed in Liverpool or overseas.
DeliveryYou'll be taught by our international experts in public health, and benefit from the dynamic research-led environment we're so proud of at LSTM.
Up-to-date and topical content is informed by the cutting edge research and is delivered through a range of methods, including lectures, case-based learning, small group work and simulation scenarios. This is complemented by a culture of self-directed learning, that culminates in your personal research project in the third semester. You'll be mentored and supported by one of our academic staff throughout this phase, setting you up for a rewarding career of lifelong learning.
CareersIn some of the poorest countries in the world, public health emergencies such as Covid-19, Ebola, influenza and MERS have been exacerbated by humanitarian crises such as the wars in Syria and Ukraine, mass migration and conditions in refugee camps, as well as an increase in natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes.
With climate change and political instability causing havoc across the globe, experts in humanitarian health are in high demand, as we work together to create public health solutions in challenging circumstances.
This course will prepare you to work on the ground for high profile humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies, NGOs and aid organisations, as well as desk-based or research activities for health departments and universities.
You'll be trained to make a difference where it matters most, in conflict-related situations, supporting victims of displacement or persecution, and helping those affected by natural and man-made disasters.
Fees and funding
Check to see how the scholarship might help you, if you are eligible, and how to apply.
Eligibility Criteria
- For self-funding applicants from LMICs only
- For applicants to any full-time, on-campus master's programme
- Applicants should be a national of, and domiciled in a LMIC as defined by OCED(link is external)(opens in a new tab)
- Have a conditional offer from LSTM for their preferred course
Award Amount
- More than one award available
- This scholarship will reduce the tuition fee for full-time, on-campus master's courses to £13,150 for self-funding students from LMICs
Applications
Fee reduction is applied automatically for those that are eligible. No application is necessary.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MPH
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Course Enquiries
- courseenquiries@lstmed.ac.uk
- Phone
- 01517503100