The next global health crisis might already be unfolding, and it won’t wait for more experts to get ready. When COVID-19 hit, public health professionals were the ones building testing networks, tracing infections, and coordinating vaccination drives that saved millions. During the Zika and Ebola outbreaks, they worked behind the scenes — analysing data, guiding governments, and rebuilding trust in communities that had lost faith in the system.
Such impact begins with the preparation that only a leading MPH programme can provide. These programmes deepen your knowledge, sharpen your leadership and teach you how to turn complex data into life-saving action. Professionals from medicine, policy, and even technology pursue an MPH to bridge the gap between evidence and real-world outcomes. This is what enables a researcher to shape national immunisation strategies, or a community worker to design prevention programmes that truly reach those most at risk.
Because in public health, every decision counts. An MPH equips professionals with the perspective to anticipate challenges, the tools to respond effectively, and the confidence to lead when the world needs them most. If that’s the kind of impact you want to make, here are three world-class MPH programmes offered by top universities.
The University of Hong Kong’s Master of Public Health prepares health professionals and researchers to address key health and healthcare issues across Hong Kong, China, and the Asia-Pacific. Source: The University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong
If you seek a public health degree in Asia that is aligned with internationally recognised public health standards, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) makes it possible. Ranked 11th in the QS World University Rankings 2025, its second consecutive record-breaking year following its rise to 17th globally in 2025, HKU offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) that’s accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). It’s a distinction that lets you sit for the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam, allowing your qualification to be recognised not just in Asia, but internationally.
Global credentials aside, HKU’s School of Public Health is where future leaders train to solve some of today’s most urgent global health challenges. The MPH welcomes professionals from all backgrounds who are passionate about public health, those who want to prevent disease, strengthen healthcare systems, and promote health equity. Through a well-structured curriculum, you’ll build both the core competencies and leadership skills needed to drive meaningful change.
You’ll begin with six core courses that lay a strong foundation for advanced study: Introduction to Biostatistics, Introduction to Epidemiology, Principles of Public Health, Health Behaviour and Communication, Health Leadership and Management, and Health Policy and Politics. Then, you’ll have the option to specialise in one of four concentrations: Control of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Economics, Policy and Management, or Public Health Practice – Comprehensive Primary Health Care.
Whether you choose the one-year full-time or two-year part-time mode, you’ll get to complete a supervised practicum at a public health agency, healthcare organisation, or NGO. This practical experience lets you apply your classroom knowledge to real-world issues while building professional connections in one of the world’s most advanced cities. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply science to modern public health practice, translate research into action, and lead initiatives that improve lives.
University College London’s cutting-edge MPH programme lets you collaborate with leading academics, public health experts, and communities impacted by real-world health challenges. Source: University College London/Facebook
University College London
When you join University College London (UCL), you become part of a global community that’s been driving change since 1826. At the heart of UCL’s mission is the Faculty of Population Health Sciences, dedicated to improving health and well-being across the world. Ranked third globally for public health in the 2024 Shanghai Rankings and first in the UK for research impact in medicine, health and life sciences, the faculty leads research that addresses major global health challenges. You’ll explore issues such as health inequalities, cancer, heart disease, mental health and the effects of climate change on populations.
Building on this expertise, the online Master of Public Health (MPH) offers you the opportunity to develop the skills and insight needed to shape healthier communities. The degree pairs classical population health sciences with an interdisciplinary approach that encourages you to think beyond traditional boundaries. You’ll learn how to design, implement and evaluate preventative strategies that improve population health at local and global levels.
Equity and inclusion are central to your curriculum Through modules focused on leadership, management and communication, you’ll gain the tools to understand and address health inequalities in diverse settings. Core modules include Leadership and Management for Public Health, Health Systems Organisation, Applied Epidemiology and Statistics for Public Health, while optional modules like Urban Health and Applied Infectious Disease Epidemiology allow you to tailor your studies.
Graduates of the UCL Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care have gone on to work with leading organisations such as the NHS, the Department of Health and Social Care, the UK Health Security Agency, the Lancet and Public Health England.
University of California, Berkeley’s Public Health Online is flexible and practice-based. Source: University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
When it comes to shaping the next generation of public health leaders, UC Berkeley stands in a league of its own. Ranked sixth globally by the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings 2025, the university’s excellence is recognised worldwide. Its School of Public Health is equally outstanding, ranking eighth in public health according to US News & World Report 2025.
At Berkeley Public Health, you’ll be part of a community that lives and breathes health equity and social justice. For over 75 years, the school has been leading change, shaping public health professionals who challenge norms and advocate for the right to a healthy life. The School of Public Health is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), a US Department of Education-recognised agency. That means your degree holds strong value in the US and beyond.
Building on that legacy, the 27-month Online Master of Public Health (MPH) programme brings Berkeley’s excellence to wherever you are. It’s designed for workers who want flexibility and academic rigour. The programme is 90% online with two required summer visits at Berkeley Way West. These five to seven-day gatherings combine workshops, career advising, and networking with faculty and peers, bringing the online experience to life and helping you feel genuinely connected to the Berkeley community.
You can customise your study plan or specialise in one of four concentrations: Interdisciplinary Concentration, Health Policy and Management, Food, Nutrition and Population Health, or Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Each path helps you gain the knowledge and leadership skills needed to address today’s most pressing health challenges.
*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International
