When studying abroad, many international students consider the United Kingdom because it offers a wide range of postgraduate public health programs. These programs vary by degree type, study mode, duration, and entry requirements, so applicants should compare each university’s current course page before applying.
The list below is not a formal ranking. It is a selection of UK universities that offer public health or closely related postgraduate study options.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in the UK
1. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a postgraduate institution focused on public and global health. In ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, LSHTM ranked first in the UK and third in the world for public health.
The Faculty of Public Health and Policy offers an MSc Public Health. The program can be completed in one year of full-time study or over two years through part-time or split-study options. LSHTM also offers a Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH). The DrPH normally takes three to four years full-time or four to eight years part-time. LSHTM states that the DrPH has an intake quota of 20 students per year and that applicants should have relevant public-health or policy experience as well as suitable management or leadership experience.
International students at LSHTM can choose from specialized programs in public and global health. Marvi, a physician from Pakistan who completed an MSc in Tropical Medicine and International Health, described how the program helped her view health challenges through an intersectional lens. She found the program particularly relevant while working as a public-health specialist during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford provides public health-related graduate education through its Nuffield Department of Population Health in Oxford, England. Its academic environment brings together population research, health economics, ethics, epidemiology, and health services research. Large population studies and clinical trials form part of the department’s research setting.
A standalone undergraduate degree in Public Health was not verified in the official sources reviewed. The department’s published study options center on graduate education. Applicants should therefore distinguish Oxford’s public and population health qualifications from undergraduate medicine or other degrees that may include health-related teaching without constituting a complete public health program.
The one-year MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology trains students to design, analyze, and interpret studies addressing population health. Oxford also advertises a one-year MPH in Public Health Research for 2027 entry, subject to final approval. Doctoral students can pursue the DPhil in Population Health over three to four years full-time, with research themes including health promotion, demography, health economics, statistics, and health services research.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Oxford Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Fidelity Ndali
MSc in Modelling for Global Health | His intensive coursework included health economic modelling and malaria modelling for strategy design. During a placement at the National University of Singapore, he assessed the potential impact of M72/AS01E tuberculosis vaccination in Cambodia. | He found Kellogg College’s international community, pastoral care, and social events helpful for integration and cultural adjustment. He also valued opportunities to connect through African student communities. |
3. University College London
University College London was established in 1826. Its Faculty of Population Health Sciences offers a Master of Public Health (MPH), and UCL also offers an MPhil/Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Public Health.
The MPH can be completed in one calendar year of full-time study, two calendar years of part-time study, or up to five calendar years on a flexible basis. The MPhil/Ph.D. is listed as three academic years full-time or five academic years part-time.
For the MPH, applicants normally need at least an upper-second-class degree or an equivalent overseas qualification in a relevant subject, such as the social, life, biomedical, or clinical sciences. A numerical background is recommended. Applicants who do not meet the usual academic standard or subject background may still be considered if they have more than two years of relevant professional experience. Applicants must also meet UCL’s English-language requirements.
4. University of Bristol
The University of Bristol traces its roots to University College Bristol, which was established in 1876. The university was incorporated by Royal Charter in 1909.
Bristol offers an MSc Public Health that can be completed in one year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. The program is campus-based and includes lectures, practicals, group work, workshops, seminars, and a dissertation.
Hira Zaheer Ahmed, a student from Pakistan who pursued a master’s in public health, described a positive learning atmosphere, exposure to public-health issues, and research-driven teaching by experts in the field.
5. Imperial College London
Imperial College London was formed by Royal Charter in 1907. Its School of Public Health is part of the Faculty of Medicine.
Imperial’s Master of Public Health can be completed as a one-year full-time program taught on campus or as a two- or three-year part-time program.
The School of Public Health also offers research degrees. Imperial states that a Ph.D. normally takes three to four years of full-time work or five to six years of part-time study.
6. King’s College London
King’s College London derives its legal status from a Royal Charter first granted in 1829.
King’s offers a campus-based Master of Public Health (MPH). The current course page lists the MPH as a one-year full-time, in-person program. King’s also offers a separate online, part-time Public Health MSc, which can be completed in a minimum of two years and a maximum of six years.
For the MPH, the standard academic requirement is a minimum 2:1 undergraduate honors degree. Applicants with a lower classification or an unrelated degree may still be considered if they can demonstrate significant relevant work experience or a related graduate qualification.
What Current Students / Alumni of King’s College London Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Laeequa
Master of Public Health | Her dissertation systematically reviewed adults’ perceptions of vitiligo, examining stigma, public understanding, and the social experiences of people with visible health conditions through a public-health lens. | — |
7. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge was established in 1209, making it one of the world’s oldest universities. It is ranked sixth in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Cambridge’s Department of Public Health and Primary Care offers a Ph.D. with research themes that include genetic epidemiology, behavior and health, health services research, and noncommunicable disease epidemiology. Interdisciplinary research is also encouraged.
The Ph.D. can be undertaken full-time or part-time. The current course page lists a duration of three to four years for full-time study and four to seven years for part-time study. Applicants are expected to have training or experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, or another subject relevant to their proposed research topic.
8. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow offers a Public Health MPH/PgDip/PgCert and research options in public health. The MPH can be completed in 12 months of full-time study or in 24, 36, or 48 months of part-time study. Students can complete the MPH with or without a specialization in data science, epidemiology, health economics, or health promotion.
The university’s Public Health Ph.D. is listed as three to four years full-time or five years part-time.
Faith Opiyo from Kenya, a Chevening Scholar who pursued a master’s in public health at Glasgow, wrote that she wanted to better understand health-sector inequalities affecting women and girls. Her story describes more than a decade of work in gender and sexual and reproductive health and rights programs.
9. University of Southampton
The University of Southampton offers a Public Health MPH that can be completed in one year of full-time study. Flexible options include a two-year part-time master’s or a longer part-time route lasting three to five years.
Applicants typically need a 2:1 degree. The university may consider applicants with a 2:2 degree if they can demonstrate relevant professional experience or a strong commitment to public health. Applicants must also show how their degree and interests relate to public health and demonstrate numerical competence.
Southampton also offers a separate MSc in Global Health. Mohammad Haris Taheri from Afghanistan, a former dentist and public-health researcher, chose that program because of his interest in community-health advancement and prominent global public-health challenges.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Southampton Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Mohammad Haris Taheri
MSc in Global Health
Dissertation awarded November 2024 | His dissertation examined neonatal mortality and how maternal socioeconomic status affected institutional delivery outcomes in Afghanistan, using MICS 2022/23 data. He completed the degree with distinction and received a Dean’s List Award for his dissertation. | — |
10. University of Leeds
The University of Leeds offers public health education through the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development within its School of Medicine. Based in Leeds, England, the center focuses on population health, health services, and health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and communities experiencing limited resources.
A current standalone undergraduate degree in Public Health was not verified. Although older university pages mention an intercalated BSc in International Health, the current School of Medicine intercalation directory lists International Health as an MSc. This graduate qualification should therefore be distinguished from a bachelor’s degree available to students entering university directly from secondary school.
The Public Health (International) MPH takes 12 months full-time and comprises 180 credits. It develops skills relevant to strengthening health systems, designing public health responses, and conducting research, with a dissertation applying these skills to a specific issue. Doctoral opportunities are available in international health research through the Nuffield Centre, using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to investigate community needs, health services, and interventions.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Leeds Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Odion Judith Uzamere
Master’s in Public Health | During her studies, she visited organisations including WHO and ILO in Geneva and engaged with professionals working in global health. These visits helped her connect classroom concepts with the development and implementation of health policies and interventions. | — |
11. University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham provides public health education within its College of Medicine and Health in Birmingham, England. Teaching draws on expertise in applied health sciences, including population research, health improvement, and healthcare evaluation. Its graduate options combine training in public health practice with methods for assessing evidence and investigating health problems.
A dedicated undergraduate Public Health degree was not verified in the official sources reviewed. The MPH is a postgraduate qualification requiring a relevant prior degree. Applicants should therefore distinguish this route from undergraduate medicine, biological sciences, or other health degrees that may contribute useful preparation without awarding a qualification in public health itself.
The MPH takes one year full-time or two years part-time, although the university specifies full-time study for international students. Its curriculum includes epidemiology, statistics, research methods, and dissertation work, with options in health protection, health improvement, and healthcare public health. Research students can pursue an MSc by Research or PhD in Applied Health Research, normally lasting one and three years full-time respectively, with public health relevance determined by the research project.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Birmingham Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Dr Abdul Razzaque Nohri
MSc in Public and Environmental Health Sciences | His studies covered health protection, food safety, climate change, and public-health policy. He describes being expected to evaluate evidence, question assumptions, and apply theory to practical problems across environmental, behavioural, and health-system contexts. | He highlighted orientation sessions, wellbeing services, international student advice, and student societies as useful support. His advice was to seek help and participate in available services early. |
12. University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool, located in Liverpool, England, supports public health teaching and research through its Institute of Population Health. Its Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems investigates how social conditions, public policies, and health services affect populations. Research includes health inequalities, disease prevention, environmental influences, and the use of routine data.
A standalone undergraduate Public Health degree was not verified in the official program sources reviewed. The university’s named public health qualifications described here begin at the graduate level. Students should distinguish these programs from undergraduate clinical qualifications or individual public health components within other degrees when comparing routes into population health study.
The Master of Public Health takes 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. Liverpool also lists a Global Health Pathway within its MPH offerings, allowing applicants to compare different curricular emphases. Research qualifications include the Public Health MPhil and PhD. Potential research areas include social determinants of health, child health, food policy, air pollution, public health simulation modeling, and policy approaches to reducing health inequalities.
What Current Students / Alumni of University of Liverpool Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Rupali Agarwal
Master of Public Health
Distance learning | She developed knowledge of national and international public-health policy frameworks and quantitative and qualitative research, including practical SPSS skills, which she later applied in community interventions. Combining the intensive program with full-time employment sometimes caused overwhelming workloads and burnout. | Travelling to Liverpool with her son for graduation was a particularly meaningful experience. She would also have welcomed the opportunity to live abroad and experience more face-to-face interaction with international students. |
13. London School of Economics and Political Science
The London School of Economics and Political Science approaches population health through the social sciences. Located in central London, its Department of Health Policy examines how politics, financing, institutions, and economic decisions shape health systems. Its relevant qualifications specialize in health policy and economics rather than carrying the title of a general Public Health degree.
A dedicated undergraduate Public Health degree was not verified in the official sources reviewed. The health policy qualifications described here are graduate programs. Students considering LSE for this subject should distinguish these specialized routes from an undergraduate public health major or an MPH curriculum covering the broader range of public health practice.
The MSc in Global Health Policy takes 12 months full-time and examines global health institutions, policy processes, and economic analysis, including challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Other options include International Health Policy and the joint MSc in Health Policy, Planning and Financing with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The MPhil/PhD in Health Policy and Health Economics supports research on health policies, institutions, and social care.
What Current Students / Alumni of London School of Economics and Political Science Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Dr. Shailey Gokhale
MSc in Global Health Policy | Courses including Measuring Health Systems and Randomized Evaluations: From Program Planning to Implementation strengthened her ability to evaluate policies and use evidence in decision-making. Classroom discussions with clinicians, policymakers, economists, and development professionals exposed her to different perspectives on global-health challenges. | She built lasting friendships with people from different countries and described the diverse student community as inclusive. She also highlighted orientation activities, wellbeing services, and student societies. |
14. Brunel University of London
Brunel University of London, located in Uxbridge, offers public health education through its Public Health and Health Promotion subject area. Its teaching considers health in relation to social conditions, public policy, ethics, and health services. The subject’s research environment also examines the political and cultural questions that influence health and well-being.
A current general undergraduate degree in Public Health was not verified in the course listings reviewed. Brunel separately provides specialist community public health nursing education for applicants who already hold nurse or midwife registration. These professional pathways address areas such as health visiting and school nursing and have different entry requirements from a first undergraduate degree in general public health.
The MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion takes one year full-time or two years part-time. Students study population health and epidemiology while developing skills in assessing needs, interpreting evidence, planning interventions, and evaluating practice. Brunel also offers a Public Health and Health Promotion PhD, normally completed in three years full-time or six years part-time, with an MPhil option available.
What Current Students / Alumni of Brunel University of London Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Charity A. Aienobe-Asekharen
PhD in Public Health & Health Promotion Research | She describes departmental support for creative and participatory research methods that strengthened her doctoral work in public health and health promotion. She also won Brunel’s Three Minute Thesis competition twice: the people’s choice award in 2022 and first prize in 2023. | — |
15. Queen Margaret University
Queen Margaret University, located near Edinburgh, Scotland, offers public health study through its Institute for Global Health and Development. The institute connects postgraduate education with research on health systems, social inequalities, migration, and other global health challenges. Its work includes partnerships with communities, policymakers, and organizations operating in different national settings.
A dedicated undergraduate Public Health degree was not verified in the official sources reviewed. The institute describes itself as a center for postgraduate teaching and research, and its named public health programs are master’s qualifications. These graduate courses should be distinguished from undergraduate professional health degrees when identifying the appropriate entry level for prospective students.
The MSc in Public Health combines public health theory and practice with health promotion, disease prevention, biostatistics, and epidemiology. Students complete a dissertation that can involve desk-based research or fieldwork on an approved topic. QMU also offers an online Master of Public Health. Doctoral study is available through the Institute for Global Health and Development, with projects addressing health systems and population health challenges rather than a separately titled Public Health PhD.
What Current Students / Alumni of Queen Margaret University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | Public Health Academic Experience | University Experience |
|---|
Abdulmenem Abu Azoum
MSc in Health and Social Development | He worked through practical case studies applying theory to health and development challenges. Smaller classes allowed individual attention and constructive feedback, while learning alongside classmates from different countries broadened his understanding of global-health issues. | He valued the international orientation program and an international student office he could approach for practical guidance. |
We hope this article on public health programs in the United Kingdom was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
