Health Promotion MSc (PGCert PGDip)

Course structure
 

After the induction day, the course begins with the first core module, Principals of Health Promotion and Behaviour Change. This module provides a sound foundation in health promotion and public health systems thinking. The other core module, Strategy and Project Planning in Health is delivered in teaching semester 2.
 

You will also take six 20-credit modules which includes a research methods module and complete a 60-credit research dissertation. 
 

The combination of modules depends on the pathway you choose and will be selected in consultation with the course leader – for information on the pathways, look at the other tabs on this page.
 

You will learn through a mixture of taught sessions, tutorials, interactive online sessions, group work, independent study and placement related activities. Most 20-credit modules are delivered over five to seven 7 full-days spread over two weeks, with follow up assignment support or online action learning sets. The dates are set well in advance so that you can plan your study schedule and time on campus.
 

The 20-credit Community Placement module runs alongside your study period depending on the location, timing, and nature of your placement. You will be supported to identify a 65+hour voluntary placement in a not-for-profit organisation in the broader health promotion practice community. Opportunities exist locally in Sussex and further afield, including overseas, depending on your chosen pathway.
 

You will be taught by a range of university academics, researchers and health promotion practitioners, including our MSc graduates, who work in public health roles. You'll also benefit from contributions from our visiting professors who include Dr Suzanne Jackson from Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and Professor Albert Lee from School of Public Health at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
 

The course is flexible and allows you to exit with a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) after passing three modules (60 credits) or a postgraduate diploma (PGDip) after passing six modules (120 credits). You must complete the 60-credit research dissertation to qualify for the MSc.
 

Core syllabus 
 

You will take the following core modules whichever pathway you choose:

• Principles of Health Promotion and Behaviour Change (20 credits)
• Health Promotion: Strategy and Project Planning (20 credits)
• A research methods module chosen from the PG programme (20 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide. 
 

Degree and experience

• Normally a good UK honours degree or equivalent recognised award from an international institution in a relevant subject, for example health, social sciences, education, or in another subject with additional relevant experience (professional or voluntary).
• Candidates with professional qualifications (for example, health, teaching diploma and/or directly relevant experience, or record of active involvement in civil society organisations) will also be considered, although you will need to demonstrate ability to study and write at postgraduate level.
• International students whose language skills are below the IELTS scores requirement but are 5.5 or above should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters Programme.

International (full-time) - 13,842 GBP

You will be prepared for a career as a health promotion specialist working in health improvement or public health practice in the public, not-for-profit, voluntary or commercial sector.

Employment and self-employment opportunities in this area are growing, hastened by the impact of lifestyles and life systems changed by COVID-19 and the need to address health inequalities.
 

Typical roles include:

• health improvement practitioner
• programme coordinators or commissioners for public health
• health project coordinators for voluntary sector organisations
• young peoples’ welfare or sexual health advisers in a college or primary prevention setting
• health and wellbeing advisers.