Public Health

Module Aims

• To provide an overview of the introduction to public health and explore relevant definitions.
• To critically use relevant data and evidence to understand contemporary issues within the public health arena.
• To develop an understanding of evidence-based interventions, to prevent contemporary issues or to protect the population’s health.

Module Content

• Overview/history of public health
• Demographic data
• Global burden of disease
• Non-communicable disease
• Infectious disease
• Personal Factors contributing to non-communicable disease and infectious disease
• Wider determinants contributing to non-communicable disease and infectious disease

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply relevant understanding of data and evidence to understand the factors that impact on contemporary public health issues, whilst reflecting on the strength, weaknesses and limitations of using robust data and evidence.
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically apply appropriate statistical and evidence-based analysis techniques and methods to contemporary public health issues.

Module Aims
To critically use relevant data and evidence to understand the impact of environmental/geopolitical issues and interventions to protect the population’s health.

Module Content

• Safe and secure supplies of water and food
• Rising temperature
• Flooding/water security
• Diminishing Biodiversity
• Natural disasters

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply the evidence to assess the impact of environmental/geopolitical issues on the health and wellbeing of populations and population groups, whilst reflecting on the strength, weaknesses and limitations of using robust data and survey information.
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically apply robust evidence to support effective interventions to protect populations.

Module Aims
To critically use relevant data collected by a variety of methods and techniques to survey and assess a population’s health.

Module Content

• Sources and uses of data
• Surveys and epidemiology
• Population statistics: Techniques and methods for analysing population health data - quantitative
• Population statistics: Techniques and methods for analysing population health data - surveillance qualitative
• Data from the use of health and other services
• Legal and ethical frameworks for the use of data

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate an ability to critically apply appropriate techniques and methods to the analysis of health data for populations and population groups.
2. Critically appraise and apply appropriate data and survey methods to assess the health and wellbeing of populations and population groups within an applicable legal and ethical framework.

Module Aims
To develop knowledge of a range of effective strategic leadership, organisational and management skills in a variety of complex public health situations and contexts, dealing effectively with uncertainty and the unexpected to achieve public health goals.

Module Content

• Leadership
• Policy development
• Change/project management
• Partnership
• Working within and with communities
• Implementation of public health interventions in complex settings

Learning Outcomes

1. To assess, communicate and understand the management of different kinds of risks including health, financial, reputational and political.
2. To critically apply influencing and negotiating skills in a variety of complex settings to advocate for public health issues.

Module Aims

• To critically apply the evidence base to address issues within public health care systems.
• To develop an understanding of needs assessment and health impact assessment to support evidence-based interventions.
• To develop skills in pathway development for integrated services.

Module Content

• Understanding of health protection risk
• Understanding of environmental determinants of disease and disease control
• Identifying and managing an outbreak
• Identifying and managing an incident
• Surveillance: Immunisation and screening
• Health protection: legal

Learning Outcomes

1. Use appropriate data and evidence to critically apply the appropriate techniques and methods to identify and assess the risks and hazards of communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases, relevant to health protection.
2. Demonstrate an ability to coordinate appropriate public health responses, communicating effective interventions to protect populations by preventing communicable and non-communicable disease, ensuring that this is supported by the critical application of robust evidence.

Module Aims

• To critically apply the evidence base to address issues within public health care systems.
• To develop an understanding of needs assessment and health impact assessment to support evidence-based interventions.
• To develop skills in pathway development for integrated services.

Module Content

• Understanding organisation and management of care and healthcare systems
• Understanding needs assessment
• Understanding health impact assessment
• Working to protect equality and diversity
• Understanding quality and risk in health care
• Understanding patient pathways and the transformation of patient pathways

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically apply the evidence base to the factors that impact on public health issues within a variety of health and care systems, whilst reflecting on the strength, weaknesses and limitations of using robust data and evidence.
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically apply appropriate techniques and methods to the analysis of health care public health issues and linked health data and evidence for populations and population groups, and protect the health of populations in a healthcare environment.

Module Aims
To prepare students for an independent research-based project by developing skills in selecting, appraising, discriminating, using evidence and appropriate research/investigative methods to address relevant topics for investigation.

Module Content

• Quantitative Studies
• Statistical Analysis Interpretation
• Interpreting the Evidence
• Meta-analysis and Systematic Reviews
• Qualitative Studies
• Evidence Appraisal: Interpreting, Weighing and Synthesizing the Evidence
• Audit, Governance and Quality Improvement, Health Economics
• Preparing a Research Proposal: Research Committees, Consent, Ethics, Probity and Literature Review

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse and interpret research to assess its application to delivery/service development.
2. Select and apply different methodological approaches and tools to answer research questions in your field of practice.

Module Aims

• To formulate the research question that you seek to answer.
• To develop an ability to critically evaluate areas of professional practice.
• To critically appraise specific areas of clinical, research and organisational practice.
• To develop skills in independent research and study.
• To develop skills relevant to scientific publications.

Content Summary
The module will depend on formulating the question and the creation of a piece of work based upon a specific public health related project relevant to the person's practice. This project may comprise:

• Systematic literature review and appraisal of the evidence.
• Audit of non-patient data/organisational audit.
• Review and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Literature review and qualitative or quantitative research proposal.
• Case(s)-based and quality of service review with critical appraisal.
• Case report, review of literature and organisational assessment.
• Secondary data analysis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design and undertake research and development project related to public health in order to produce an extensive piece of literature which may be suitable for peer-reviewed publication.
2. Critically evaluate practice and suggest improvements or change.
3. Incorporate knowledge of the research process in developing services appropriately.

As each Medical Council has their own rules/regulations with regard to Postgraduate study we recommend that you contact your local Medical Council with regard to recognition.

Upon completion of the course the University would invite you to a graduation ceremony and provide your certificate which makes no reference to the fact that the course was studied online and is therefore typically recognised the same as any other UK University qualification.

Rest assured, the overall Postgraduate Diploma carries a total of 1,200 CPD points, with the MSc an additional 600 CPD points, and all official certifications are issued directly by the University.

When you study one of our programmes you may be surprised to find that there are no lectures or seminars. Your learning will be self-directed meaning that rather than being told information you find it for yourself (with tutor guidance and support). We do this via a series of clinically rich scenarios which your tutor will post on our academic forum which you and your classmates will research, respond to and discuss.

You will be assessed through the Academic Forum, Reflective Journal and Assignments. Learning will be carried out using our online learning platform: Moodle.

You can study whenever and wherever you want - our programmes are totally flexible to fit around your other work and life commitments.

The course is specifically designed so that part of your study is the application of theory to practice in your day job.

We typically suggest that students aim to log into the Moodle platform daily. We recommend a "little and often" approach for reading, reflection and/or posting. High achieving students will typically spend 1-2 hours dedicated to their studies a day; 10 hours per week is sufficient time to spend on the platform.

Those who cannot dedicate more time than once/twice per week may struggle with the demands of this postgraduate programme.

Yes, everything is done entirely online through our learning platform, Moodle. You do not need to attend the University.

All of our courses are delivered in English, so proficiency in the English language is essential for success. If English is not your first language, we require proof of competency as part of your application. We accept the following as proof of English Language skills:

We Accept a Range of English Language Qualifications
While IELTS and TOEFL are among the most commonly used English tests, we understand that students come from diverse backgrounds — and we’re happy to work with you to accept a wide range of other recognised English language qualifications.

We accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Our most commonly accepted test, IELTS is globally recognised and widely used for university admissions.

We accept TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Another widely accepted test, TOEFL assesses your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in an academic setting.

We accept English Medium of Instruction (EMI) Letters
Many of our international students provide an EMI (English Medium Instruction) letter from their previous institution. This letter should confirm that you were taught in the medium of English. It is a popular and widely accepted form of proof, especially if you have completed prior academic studies in English.

Our University partners Requirements
The University of South Wales accepts an overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 for each band) and The University of Buckingham accepts an overall score of 6.5 (minimum of 6.0 for each band).

Our Flexible Instalment Plan is designed to offer ultimate flexibility to pay for your programme. You have the choice of two payment options:

Make an Upfront Payment in Full: For those who prefer to settle their fees upfront, you can pay the full amount at the beginning of your programme.

Interest-Free Payments: Alternatively, you can choose to spread your payments out with interest-free instalments every month for the duration of your course.

These options are separate from our existing lending partners, which you can explore further on our programme pages. We believe that education should be accessible to all, and our Flexible Instalment Plan is just one of the ways we are committed to supporting you in your academic journey.

We currently offer two discounts: the Early Bird Discount and the Action Taker Discount. The Early Bird discount allows you to save up to £500 or more, available only to self-funders and is a limited-time offer that runs for the entirety of November for the March cohort or the entirety of May for the September cohort. Our Action Taker Discount allows you to save up to £150 off for PGCert and £250 off for PGDip/2-year MSc programmes. To qualify for Action Takers, you must pay the deposit within 7 days of acceptance.

For Early Bird Discounts, the discount is visible if your application and acceptance are completed within the required timeframe. For Action Taker Discounts, it will reflect once conditions are met.