Public Health

Public health is concerned with protecting and improving the health of populations rather than individual patients. It draws on epidemiology, statistics, social science, policy analysis and health economics to understand the distribution of disease and wellbeing across communities, and to design and evaluate the interventions, policies and systems that can reduce health inequalities and improve population outcomes. It is a discipline of growing importance as healthcare systems worldwide grapple with ageing populations, chronic disease, mental health challenges and the social determinants of health.

At Manchester, one of the UK's leading research universities with particular strengths in epidemiology and public health science, you will study the core disciplines that underpin the field. This includes epidemiological methods, biostatistics, health behaviour change, environmental and occupational health, global health, health systems and health policy. You will develop the quantitative and qualitative skills needed to assess evidence, evaluate programmes and contribute to research and practice.

The programme runs over three years full time, and the typical entry tariff is 120 UCAS points.

Public health graduates work in NHS public health departments, local government, national agencies such as the UK Health Security Agency, the voluntary sector, international health organisations and academic research. Roles span health intelligence analysis, health promotion, epidemiological surveillance, commissioning, policy development and global health programme management. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in public health, epidemiology, global health or health policy, and the Manchester degree provides a strong platform for either professional public health practice or a research career.

The field is notably multidisciplinary, and graduates who can work across the boundary between science and policy are particularly valued.