Faculty of Medicine

Course content

The course can be studied full-time or part-time.

The course is studied full-time over 12 months from the start of October to mid-September.

Important note:  this MPH requires dedicated full-time study for the entire calendar year (i.e. all 12 months) including the summer months. Attendance from Monday to Friday each week is required. It is expected that students will attend all classes.

The teaching format will generally include:

  • a number of lectures on the topic
  • tutor-directed practical or discussion sessions
  • guest seminar presentations
  • lunchtime journal clubs
  • self-directed learning

For the taught part of the course, students will spend most days per week at St Mary’s Campus, Paddington but may also have teaching at Imperial College Business School, South Kensington Campus and at Dept of Primary Care and Public Health, Charing Cross Campus in Hammersmith. 

Students will have taught classes on Monday to Friday each week of Terms 1 and 2.  Classes are not usually scheduled on Wednesday afternoons but students are encouraged to make use of a professional development and transferable skills programme. There is also a professional skills development course in  Health Systems offered on Wednesday afternoons by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training.

Students conduct their dissertation projects on a full-time basis from May to September. 

New Global Health Stream starting October 2013: how is the MPH (GH) structured?

The Global Health stream will be embedded within the existing Master of Public Health (MPH) and will share a number of core and optional modules.  In addition it will have specific modules dedicated to outlining current global health challenges and insights into innovative responses to meet these challenges, within the context of a complex global political and economic environment. Emphasis will be placed on teaching rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methods. The MPH (GH) will link to the already successful BSc in Medical Sciences with Global Health in the School of Public Health.

 Please see more detailed information about this option at  'Quick Links' on the opening page. 

Term 1

Intensive, compulsory taught modules focus on core concepts and techniques in modern epidemiology, biostatistics and public health. Topics covered include:

  • Statistical thinking and data analysis
  • Principles and methods of epidemiology
  • Infectious disease epidemiology OR Global health challenges (for Global Health stream)
  • Chronic disease epidemiology and the burden of disease

All the above modules consist of a mixture of lectures, computer practical sessions using a range of software, journal clubs and discussion groups.

MPH students will also study core public health modules:

  • Introduction to public health
  • Health information
  • Health improvement  OR Global health challenges (for Global health stream)
  • Global health

There are additional sessions scheduled throughout Term 1 for the development of professional skills, study skills and careers guidance.

Term 2

A mixture of core public health and health management modules and optional modules allow students to develop a broader understanding of the basis for intervening to improve health, prevent disease and develop health services . Modules are:

Core:

  • Public health in action OR Global health governance (Global Health stream)
  • Study design from hypothesis to publication
  • Health economics
  • Health systems, policy and financing
  • Improving health services OR Global health innovations (Global Health stream)
  • Health protection  OR Global health innovations (Global Health stream)
  • Social science for public health

Options:

  • The genetics and evolution of infectious pathogens
  • Social epidemiology
  • Exposure assessment
  • Evidence synthesis

 

Term 3

Individual research projects are carried out from May to September under supervision.

Projects may be carried out in collaboration with NHS organisations, external companies or government agencies providing the project, facilities and day-to-day supervisory arrangements have been agreed in advance with the course organisers.

Projects are expected to take 4 months, with a member of Imperial College academic staff assigned to advise and monitor the student's progress.

Share this on Delicious
Tweet this
Digg this
Stumble this
Share this on Facebook
 

  Links with employers

Imperial College works closely with employers such as the NHS in designing the MPH course. This ensures that the MPH course provides graduates with technical knowledge, expertise and transferable skills and to encourage students to take internships and placements in the NHS, as well as in other organisations that carry put public health activities. All Master’s courses are designed with employer needs in mind with some Master’s courses accredited by Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies. The MPH course offers an opportunity to carry out research projects with the NHS. 

Part A Membership exams

Some MPH students may also wish to take Part A Membership examinations for the Faculty of Public Health.

The MPH curriculum has been designed to cover some, but not all sections of the current Part A exam syllabus.  The Part A exam and syllabus are currently being revised.