Program Overview
The Master of Research in Public Health at The University of Manchester is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered fully online. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in health & medicine, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in health & medicine.
Key Program Features
- 100% Online Delivery: Complete all coursework remotely — no campus visits required. Designed for working professionals worldwide.
- Flexible Scheduling: Asynchronous learning options let you study around professional and personal commitments.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Health & Medicine.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Careers
Career opportunities
A career in public health offers diverse opportunities in a variety of settings. Most of our students complete the course part-time while working in a wide variety of jobs and sectors, and many (eg General Practitioners (GPs), hospital doctors, health promotion staff, managers and researchers) take the course to consolidate their existing work as a researcher, or to help them gain access to that profession. The MRes is often a stepping stone, providing skills, experience and a qualification that usually leads to a PhD. UK intercalating students choose to study for an MRes if they are applying for a research foundation post or are looking ahead at the potential of pursuing a PhD in the future. If you have any questions about how our course can benefit your career, please email us at mph.director@manchester.ac.uk . Some of our students use their experience and qualification to help them move into predominantly public health-related roles. You can see the occupations that some of our MPH students and graduates work in on the student ambassadors' page . You can also get in touch with them to ask questions about the course. There are a range of resources offered by the University and the Faculty of Public Health , a membership organisation for public health professionals in the UK and around the world, to help you think about how a Master of Public Health can aid your career path. Healthcare careers (University Careers Service) Finding international jobs (University Careers Service)
Program Curriculum
Course overview
Learn the skills to address public health concerns at a local, national and international level. Gain the skills to enter a public health research career if you currently work in healthcare. Fit study around other commitments with online learning. Learn through coursework and research training, tailoring the taught component to your own needs through a choice of optional units. Open up a career in health science research if you undertake a PhD after completing this course. We offer a number of units as standalone credited CPD. *Please note this is a distance learning course*
Open days
The University holds regular open days, where you will have the opportunity to tour the campus and find out more about our facilities and courses. On this day, you will find out more about the course and meet academic and admissions staff who will be able to answer any questions you have. For more information, see Open days .
Contact details School/Faculty Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Contact name Postgraduate Admissions Team Telephone +44 (0)161 529 4563 Email pgtaught.mph@manchester.ac.uk Website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/public-health-data/masters/ School/Faculty overview Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas. Medicine Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
Admission Requirements
Entry requirements
We require a minimum of an Upper Second honours degree or the overseas equivalent . If you have obtained a Lower Second class honours degree we may still consider your application if you have significant relevant research or professional experience (e.g. 3-years or more in a public health team). Intercalating students This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon successful completion of their third year.
English language
I nternational students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from countries that are not majority English-speaking countries (a list of majority English-speaking countries, are defined by the UK Home Office ). Specifically, we require a minimum of: IELTS : 6.5 overall (with minimum of 6.0 in all components) TOEFL iBT: 90 overall (with minimum of 22 in all component) See further information about requirements for your country . If the language of instruction of your first degree was English, but you obtained the degree from a university of a non-majority English-speaking country, the English language requirement may be waived for applicants on our Personal Professional Development CPD programme only, provided written evidence is submitted. The Personal Professional Development CPD programme is not award-bearing and allows you to complete up to three units from the MPH syllabus. After successfully completing this level of the course, students could then be considered for progression to the award-bearing levels of our course, through re-application.
English language test validity
Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 2,836/year (international)
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows: MRes (full-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): £12,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,000 MRes (part-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): Year 1 £4,800, Year 2 £4,800, Year 3 £2,400 International, including EU, students (per annum): Year 1 £10,400, Year 2 £10,400, Year 3 £5,200
Fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs. Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information . Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance. You may be eligible for a postgraduate loan if you choose the one-year full-time or two-year part-time course. Please check the government's eligibility criteria . The course fees include all the tuition, technical support and assessments required for the course. Costs may also be incurred for travel, subsistence and accommodation charges during the following optional events or units: the face-to-face induction (first year) the Arts and Public Health blended learning unit the Intercultural Public Health blended learning unit the Engaging the Hard to Reach for Health Gain blended learning unit the Infection, Prevention & Control blended learning unit the Nutrition and Public Health blended learning unit
Additional expenses
Cost of AP(E)L The University permits applicants with comparable previous experience to submit an application for consideration of Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L). The maximum AP(E)L is 15 credits to a PGCert, 45 credits to a PGDip and 60 credits to a master's. If your AP(E)L application is successful, the University charges £30 for every 15 credits of AP(E)L. The overall tuition fee is adjusted and administrative charge applied.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Fees and funding
Fees
For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows: MRes (full-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): £12,000 International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,000 MRes (part-time distance learning) UK students (per annum): Year 1 £4,800, Year 2 £4,800, Year 3 £2,400 International, including EU, students (per annum): Year 1 £10,400, Year 2 £10,400, Year 3 £5,200
Fees quoted above are fully inclusive of tuition, administration and computational costs. Fees for entry are subject to yearly review. The University reserves the right to increase your tuition fee by up to 7% each year for courses lasting more than one year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our educational and wider student experience. Postgraduate fees information . Always contact the admissions team if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance. You may be eligible for a postgraduate loan if you choose the one-year full-time or two-year part-time course. Please check the government's eligibility criteria . The course fees include all the tuition, technical support and assessments required for the course. Costs may also be incurred for travel, subsistence and accommodation charges during the following optional events or units: the face-to-face induction (first year) the Arts and Public Health blended learning unit the Intercultural Public Health blended learning unit the Engaging the Hard to Reach for Health Gain blended learning unit the Infection, Prevention & Control blended learning unit the Nutrition and Public Health blended learning unit
Additional expenses
Cost of AP(E)L The University permits applicants with comparable previous experience to submit an application for consideration of Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L). The maximum AP(E)L is 15 credits to a PGCert, 45 credits to a PGDip and 60 credits to a master's. If your AP(E)L application is successful, the University charges £30 for every 15 credits of AP(E)L. The overall tuition fee is adjusted and administrative charge applied.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
About The University of Manchester
The University of Manchester
Botswana, Botswana
Visit the university profile page to learn more about this institution.
University Profile- Start Date September 2026
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)