Public health programs prepare students to address population-level challenges such as disease prevention, health disparities, access to care, and community health improvement.
If you decide to pursue a degree in public health, you may study areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, health promotion, and the social and environmental factors that influence health. Career paths vary by program, country, and prior experience.
The countries below are useful starting points for comparing public health and closely related programs. Program availability, teaching language, tuition, admissions requirements, and student work rules can change, so check each institution’s official website before applying.
Top Countries to Study Public Health
1. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers several established public health and population health study options. The University of Oxford offers an MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology, University College London offers an online Master of Public Health, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine offers an MSc Public Health.
These programs differ in content, delivery mode, and duration. Review each official program page carefully to find the course that best matches your academic background and career goals. You can also explore these British universities.
2. Netherlands
The Netherlands offers relevant options for students interested in public health research and epidemiology. Erasmus University Rotterdam’s Research Master in Health Sciences includes a Public Health Epidemiology major, while Utrecht University offers a Master’s program in Epidemiology with several specializations. You can also explore these universities in the Netherlands.
International students should check the applicable work and internship rules before making financial plans. In the Netherlands, the requirements depend on nationality and the type of placement. For example, employers generally need a work permit for non-EEA students who take part-time jobs, and additional documentation can apply to internships.
3. Denmark
Denmark offers public health study options, but the teaching language varies. The University of Southern Denmark offers an English-taught MSc in Public Health in Esbjerg. The University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University also offer public health science master’s programs in Danish. You can explore these Danish institutions.
Higher education in Denmark is tuition-free for students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, students who are entitled to the same status as Danish citizens under EU law, and exchange students. Other exemptions may apply. Students outside these categories generally pay tuition. For students in state-approved higher education programs, Denmark’s immigration portal states that the limited work permit allows up to 90 hours of work per month from September to May and full-time work in June, July, and August.
4. Canada
Canada offers several public health study options. The University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health offers Master of Public Health fields, the University of British Columbia offers a Master of Public Health, and McGill University offers a Master of Science in Public Health. You can learn more about these Canadian universities.
Some Canadian programs include opportunities for practical experience. For example, McGill states that its MScPH students complete a minimum 14-week practicum. Compare each program’s curriculum, tuition, admissions requirements, and career resources before applying. You can also read more about higher education in Canada.
5. Singapore
Singapore is an option for students interested in public health education in Asia. The National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health on both full-time and part-time pathways. The curriculum covers areas such as epidemiology, biostatistics, health systems and policy, and social and behavioral sciences. You can also explore these universities in Singapore.
Before applying, review the official program page for current tuition, subsidies, scholarships, and living-cost planning. NUS states that subsidized tuition of up to 70% is available for both local and international applicants. You can learn more about the cost of studying and living in Singapore.
6. United States of America
The United States offers many public health degree options with different formats and areas of emphasis. Johns Hopkins University offers an MPH that can be completed on-site, online, or through a combination of both. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health offers MPH and Master of Science programs, and the University of Washington offers MPH pathways in several areas.
Program structure varies substantially among institutions. Review the official curriculum, delivery mode, duration, tuition, and admissions requirements for each degree before applying.
7. China
For students considering mainland China and Hong Kong SAR, institutions with public health schools or programs include Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The University of Hong Kong offers a Master of Public Health, while The Chinese University of Hong Kong offers an MPH that may be completed full-time in one year or part-time over two years. Prospective applicants interested in Peking University should review its current School of Public Health offerings directly. You can also explore these universities in China.
Teaching language, admissions requirements, tuition, and program structure vary by institution. Review the official program page for the specific university and intake before applying.
We hope this article on the top countries to study public health was informative and insightful. For more information on studying abroad, check out the available programs for international students.
