Unlock your public health potential with degrees from leading universities

In an era of unprecedented global challenges, the role of public health has never been more pivotal. The field of public health plays a critical role in promoting health, preventing disease, and empowering individuals to make lifestyle changes, manage illness and disabilities. Every scientific finding,  new individual, group or community intervention, awareness campaign, and new policy has the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of people around the world.

With Covid-19 yet to end after more than three years of mayhem, and new diseases emerging, there’s never been a better time to pursue a public health programme. In fact, public health jobs are expected to grow by 13% from 2021 to 2031, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics.

Public health professionals have the power to reverse the damage that has prevailed for far too long. These experts use their qualifications — typically a Master’s of Public Health — to place equal emphasis on achieving improvements in overall health and the distribution of health by contributing to science, spearheading informed policies and advocating for action.

If this is the impact you want to create, here are three universities with public health programmes that you should consider:

Source: University of Rochester – Public Health Sciences

University of Rochester

The University of Rochester’s Department of Public Health Sciences (UR PHS) offers a range of exceptional educational programmes designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to excel in the dynamic public health and clinical research fields.

Here, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies driving advancements in public health and healthcare. Through hands-on experiences, you’ll learn how to conduct groundbreaking research, identify critical disease patterns, and influence preventive healthcare strategies. Picture yourself at the heart of a bustling academic medical centre, working alongside clinical experts and using cutting-edge resources. At the University of Rochester, this is your reality.

UR PHS programmes have a strong emphasis on practical research and evaluation skills. They offer direct access to collaborative faculty members and state-of-the-art clinical research facilities as well — elevating the learning experience to a whole new level. The transformative programmes offered here are Master’s in Public Health, Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, Master of Science in Epidemiology and Master of Science in Health Services Research and Policy. Each programme equips students with relevant skills and knowledge to prepare them for high-demand careers in public health, health services research, epidemiology, and clinical research.

Along the way, you get to be part of a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of innovators. Faculty members and students have a close working relationship, harnessing the power of their diverse views and backgrounds. It’s an environment that not only leads to impactful discoveries but also prepares students to add value to multiple sectors in academia and beyond, including private industry, government agencies, and international organisations. Click here to learn more and pursue your dreams in public health and clinical research with the University of Rochester’s Department of Public Health Sciences.

The MPH programme at the University of Ottawa is a 16-month full-time course with practical experience and a final capstone project. Source: University of Ottawa/Facebook

University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa aims to provide students with an outstanding education, exceptional research skills and an unparalleled student experience. Here, graduate students learn, discover and work in an exciting, creative, challenging and diverse environment.

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, the University of Ottawa is home to the Faculty of Medicine, which offers master’s and doctoral degrees in various programmes, including in public health — Master of Science Epidemiology and Master of Public Health (MPH, among others. 

The MPH is designed as an exit qualification for public health professional training and qualifies graduates to seek positions across municipal, provincial and federal public health settings within Canada. They can also gain employment in international governmental and non-governmental organisations.

That’s not all. Students benefit from the proximity to multiple public health policy and provider agencies. This means they will have access to a wide range of teaching experts, including adjunct faculty members, and a diverse array of practicum placements within governmental and non-governmental organisations based in Ottawa.

Experiential learning is just as important here. All MPH students undergo public health policy training. The best part? Students can broaden their expertise by choosing the Public Health Policy stream and obtaining further training in this area.

With three concentrations offered in this programme — Public Health Practice, Public Health Policy and Global Health — students graduate with specialised skillsets that enable them to make an impact in their chosen careers. 

The campus-based Master of Public Health programme is for health professionals interested in a career in public health in a diverse range of settings. Source: University of Manchester/Facebook

University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is ranked # 51 in the world out of more than 1,900 institutions in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2024. It also placed eighth in Europe and sixth in the UK in QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024. Perhaps what’s more immeasurable and invaluable is how its research is delivering economic, environmental, social, cultural, health and wellbeing benefits across the globe.

Researchers here are discovering, developing and creating innovative solutions to the world’s biggest problems and transforming lives.

Its Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health is exemplary of this. It offers a top-ranked Master of Public Health where students can gain skills and knowledge to apply to local, national and international public health concerns.

Public health is a rapidly changing and interdisciplinary field. Here, students benefit from the constantly evolving modules, with new units and topics introduced regularly to ensure they are at the forefront of contemporary public health practice. Beyond this, students will also have additional learning opportunities through research and CPD programmes that address the hot topics in public health and primary care today. Just ask graduate Ogochukwu Okoye.

“The team at Manchester exposed me to a highly effective manner of teaching and made learning worthwhile,” Okoye says. “The skills and knowledge I have acquired are already impacting my professional and personal development. I am a better teacher, doctor and researcher as a result.”

The best part? You’ll learn from professionals in local, national, and international public health, with a strong focus on applying your knowledge to real-life public health challenges.

 *Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International