Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,620 for the course
International/EU: £17,725 for the course -
How long will I study?
18 Months
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2025
January 2026
Where will I study?
Course summary
- Study a multidisciplinary course that draws on sociology and public policy.
- Learn the key concepts, models and theories of public health.
- Focus on wider determinants of population health.
- Explore policy, evidence and practice to address key questions in public health.
- Gain a global perspective on health challenges, diversity, equity and cultural context.
The MSc Public Health explores how social factors influence disease prevention and population health across diverse settings – from education to urban planning, workplaces, transport infrastructure and agriculture. Guided by World Health Organisation principles such as equity, health as a human right, and partnership, we’ll tackle the complex, political and dynamic nature of health, illness and disability.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Learning and assessment tasks are designed to be practical and applied, reflecting real-world public health challenges. You’ll engage in activities such as preparing reports, delivering presentations and developing health improvement projects.
Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to conduct independent public health research, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world issues while developing solutions that address current public health concerns.
Networking opportunities
You’ll have access to a variety of professional development events across Sheffield Hallam, including volunteering and employment agencies. These experiences will help you build valuable networks while enhancing your knowledge and skills, preparing you to confidently take the next steps in your career after the course.
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
By exploring health in social and cultural contexts, you'll gain a global perspective on effective strategies for improving population health.
The course combines whole-group lectures with smaller, interactive workshops to encourage collaboration and peer learning, as well as independent study. You'll engage in in-class activities designed to deepen your understanding of public health concepts and their real-world applications. The weekly face-to-face sessions are supported by extensive online resources to ensure a diverse and inclusive approach to teaching and learning.
The course also draws on specialist staff in TESOL to support the development of academic writing and study skills for international students.
You learn through:
- lectures and seminars
- workshops for collaborative and applied learning
- extensive online resources
- independent study
Key themes
You’ll examine key themes such as the wider determinants of global and national health, the role of evidence, policy and practice, and the significance of diversity, equity and equality. You’ll also address key public health challenges in both the global North and South, while exploring various theoretical approaches to understanding the dynamic and complex field of public health. In your final semester, you’ll complete an independent research project.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled employment through a number of key areas. These include access to:
- dedicated student support advisers
- online resources and our Skills Centre for assignment help
- support for academic writing and postgraduate study skills for international students
Future careers
Students completing the course go on to a range of senior public health posts in local authorities, housing associations, voluntary and community organisations – both in the UK and beyond. Those already in public health roles are able to achieve promotion and/or move into other areas.
Some return to their clinical practice with an enhanced focus on public health – others go on to further study, including PhDs.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
All learning and teaching takes place in a modern city centre campus, adjacent to Sheffield train, coach and bus stations.
Learning and teaching is supported by the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard Ultra. And as well as two libraries and access to an extensive range of online databases and other materials, you’ll have access to and support to learn relevant software such as SPSS.
Entry requirements
All students
Normally a degree or other qualification at an equivalent level plus experience in the field of public health or research. We are keen to encourage applicants from a variety of backgrounds.
You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more
If English is not your first language you typically need an IELTS 6.5 score with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skill areas or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Foundations Of Epidemiology A
Foundations Of Epidemiology B
Health, Culture And Public Health Development Work
Health Promotion Principles, Policy And Practice
Inequality, Health And Poverty
Infectious Disease And Long Term Conditions
Public Health Evidence: Synthesis And Analysis
Elective modules
Public Health Nutrition
Public Health Practice
Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights
Understanding Behaviour
Final year
Compulsory modules
Dissertation (Public Health)
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £7,080, Year 2: £3,540.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £11,820 Year 2: £5,910.
Postgraduate student loans
Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences (PDF, 154.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
