Program Overview

Enroll in the Master of Science in Public Health Care at King's College London to harness our renowned academic, research, and clinical expertise. Develop a critical understanding of public health to lead evidence-based policy and practice. Focus on interventions to address health inequalities and enhance outcomes for diverse populations, covering areas such as population health measurement, needs assessment, disease prevention, and health protection strategies. Tailor your studies towards global health dynamics or mental health advocacy within the comprehensive study pathway offered by the program.

Online

King's College London

January, April and September

24 months

• Evidence of proficiency in the English language (band B)

• A 2:1 honours degree (or above) in a related subject, for example social science, nursing or medicine.

• CV as part of of the application

Requirement

Tuition Fee

£18,996

Course Type

Master's degree

Modules

Core Modules

You are required to take six core modules:

1) Health and Public Health

This module outlines the development of public health and the underlying principles informing its practice. It explores the relationship with healthcare systems, and continuing concerns about health inequalities and access to health care at local, national, and global levels.

It examines the underpinning theories, disciplines, and ethical frameworks that inform the practice of public health involving multiple agencies and stakeholders. You’ll also discuss source of healthcare information and critical appraisal for ensuring an evidence-based approach to a fast-evolving public health landscape.

2) Introduction to Epidemiology and Statistics

The pandemic taught us the importance of reliable statistics in terms of numbers affected, vaccinated, and recovered from disease. Sources of data, information, and knowledge in relation to health will be discussed on this module, together with how statistics can summarise and communicate data.

You’ll be introduced to the disciplines of both epidemiology and statistics. The module examines how these disciplines inform our understanding of population health and affect epidemiological research designs and analysis.

3) Health Protection

This module provides a solid understanding of the key concepts, models and principles of health protection, a key domain of public health. With reference to a range of communicable diseases in low- and high-income countries, you’ll examine issues around the transmission of disease, surveillance and risk assessment, and outbreak management.

A range of strategies informing prevention and control including screening, immunisation and health acquired infections will be explored.

4) Health Improvement

Health improvement is a core function of public health. This module covers the range of tools, resources and methods informing health improvement strategies with a closer look at concerns around health inequalities.

It adopts a life course approach and draws on examples of non-communicable diseases and their impact on health and well-being at various life stages.

5) Evidence, Knowledge Management and Evaluation in Public Health

The concept of evidenced based practice is firmly embedded within the public health and healthcare landscape, yet not all evidence is good or equal. You’ll be introduced to key concepts in research theory, design, and process and critically examine their application to a public health problem at either a local, national, or global context.

Implementation science and evaluation theories and frameworks, including quality in health care, will be discussed to enable the development of robust and context relevant public health interventions.

6) Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Public Health

In this module, you’ll further explore qualitative and quantitative research methods, and specific study designs aligned with each methodology including methods of data collection and analysis.

The module aims to deepen your knowledge and understanding of the entire research process, how and why multiple methods are used together, and the skill around different methods of analysis.

Optional Modules

You are also required to choose four modules (60 credits) from the following optional modules:

Leadership and Management in Organisations

You’ll explore the complex landscape of public health management, now often interdisciplinary and multi-agency. The module provides an overview of the key issues in the leadership and management of organisations.

It considers key classic and contemporary theoretical frameworks concerning leadership, management, and organisational behaviour in public health.

Sociology for Public Health

Health inequalities remain a central concern for global public health. The sociological approaches used to inform our understanding of these are among the subjects covered in this module.

You’ll also discuss the notion of health and illness and, more specifically, the issues around chronic illness, aging, and disability. The changing role of biomedicine, professionals, patients, and the public will also be examined.

Health Psychology for Public Health

The decisions that people make about health, treatment decisions, and health promotion and illness prevention can affect public health in complex ways. This includes the decisions made by patients, the public, and healthcare professionals alike.

This module introduces key theories and concepts of health psychology and behaviour change. It examines how researchers and practitioners can use health psychology theory and principles to design, conduct and evaluate interventions. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how they have improved well-known public health problems, such as smoking, alcohol and substance abuse, diet and physical activity.

Health Economics for Public Health

The aim of this module is to show how an understanding of economics can help explain the successes and failures of both markets and governments in healthcare.

It considers how key principles of economics, including the laws and determinants of demand and supply, can help improve the efficiency of health care provision. Additionally, it explores their role in enhancing equity in public health within a national and global context.

Global Health

There are persisting inequalities in health outcomes between countries in the Global North and the Global South. Global Health is an interdisciplinary field that analyses the causes and consequences of these disparities, as well as ways of addressing them.

In this module, you’ll be introduced to the causes and drivers of global health inequalities. You’ll learn about the roles of global health actors, including global governance institutions and humanitarian organisations, and investigate how complex global health emergencies exacerbate existing inequalities.

Public Health and Mental Health

This module introduces students to public mental health, adopting a population approach that examines evidence-based interventions to prevent and improve mental health and wellbeing for all.

The global burden of mental illness will be examined and the interface with wider socio-cultural determinants that may mediate and mitigate risk factors across the life course. You’ll examine the impact on health inequalities and explore its status within the global burden of disease and implementation in practice.

Innovative world-class study experience

Tailor your MSc in Public Health at King's College London to specialize in public health, global health, or mental health. Acquire the skills to enact meaningful change globally. Benefit from a prestigious university ranked in the top 10 for Clinical, Pre-Clinical, and Health, and 12th for Life Sciences and Medicine. Expand your career opportunities through connections with renowned institutions and global health partnerships.

Who is the course aimed at?

This online MSc in Public Health Care from King's College London is ideal for those passionate about making a difference in healthcare. Gain insights into public health theories and their real-world applications. Leverage our expertise to lead evidence-based policy and practice, focusing on addressing health inequalities and improving population health outcomes.

Why King's College London?

• Ranked 6th in the UK for research 'power'

• Strong global reputation for academic excellence

• Ranked 35th in the world

• 14 Nobel Laureates