You take all of the core modules below.

Introduction to Statistical Thinking and Data Analysis

This module aims to introduce students to the importance of statistical thinking in epidemiology, randomised trials and public health. At the end of the module, students should be able to critically evaluate the results of standard statistical analyses published in journal articles and to carry out a range of statistical analyses using STATA. Module leaders: Dr Victoria Cornelius and Hilary Watt.

Principles and Methods of Epidemiology

This module introduces students to the core concepts of epidemiology. By the end of the module, students would have acquired the skills necessary to describe, analyse, interpret, and appraise epidemiological studies. This basic understanding is essential for subsequent coursework and the dissertation project. Module leaders: Dr Amanda Cross and Dr Filippos Filippidis.

Disease Masterclass

This module showcases some key public health challenges along with cutting-edge epidemiological research. Through navigating a range of infectious and non-communicable diseases, the module aims to impart an understanding of how core public health principles and epidemiological concepts are applied to real-life challenges. Module leader: Professor Tim Hallett.

Foundations of Public Health Practice

The module introduces and contextualises a range of core public health principles and skills. It covers health improvement, health protection, health intelligence and an integrative strand that seeks to develop problem solving and consulting skills. The module is based around a series of classes that weave in core public health knowledge with more practically-oriented skills set amidst a series of simulated public health settings with associated challenges. Module leader: Dr Richard Pinder.

Health Economics

This module is delivered at the Imperial Business School. The aim of the module is to introduce the basic principles of microeconomics and their application to healthcare. The module covers a range of economics concepts as they apply to healthcare: efficiency and equity, demand and supply, and economic evaluation of healthcare treatments. Module leader: Dr Marisa Miraldo.

You choose one stream from the two options below, and complete both modules within your stream.

Health Services stream

The Health Services and Systems stream focuses on the theory and practice of population health improvement and health care service delivery.

Quality Improvement in Health care

This ten-week long module is developed by the CHLARC-NWL team (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care- North West London), whose work involves facilitating the translation of new knowledge and research into day to day care practices within the NHS and social care. The module draws on academic literature and research in quality improvement which will be comprehensively illustrated with real life practical examples to aid students learning, including an external visit to meet quality improvement teams working in healthcare. Module leader: Dr Tom Woodcock and Dr Mable Nakubulwa.

Population Health Improvement

This module introduces students to the theoretical basis and practical applications of health promotion. The module explores key theoretical constructs in health promotion, the interplay of evidence and research with policy formation, the primary structures involved in health promotion at various levels, and methods for evaluating health promotion interventions. Module leaders: Dr Eszter Vamos and Dr Anthony Laverty.

Global Health stream

The Global Health stream examines health challenges facing populations and nations globally, the role of governance in addressing these challenges, and the development and dissemination of innovative solutions.

Global Health Challenges and Governance

This ten-week module addresses the complexity of tackling health determinants, inequity, and health outcomes within a globalizing world where the capacity to influence health cannot be assured through national actions alone. The intensification of cross-border and trans-border flows of vectors, people, goods, services and ideas necessitates the involvement of important stakeholders and the need for good governance in global health. Module leader: Dr Ekaterina Maslova and Dr Matthew Harris.

Global Health Innovations

This module enables students to understand the roles and processes of innovation in global health. This includes the adoption and diffusion of simple, low-cost technologies and more complex combinations of organizational, business, and technological models in resource-constrained settings. Module leader: Dr Matthew Harris and Professor James Barlow.  

You choose two optional modules from below.

Anthropology in Public Health

This module will provide a broad introduction to concepts and methods of anthropology, and their use in public health and epidemiology. It focuses on understanding of peoples, actors, and stakeholders through their relationships around health concerns, interventions, and frameworks for improvement of healthcare. Module leader: Professor Helen Ward and Professor Sophie Day.

Contemporary Topics in International Health Policy

Module Leader: Professor Franco Sassi.

Digital Health

This module discusses the portfolio of digital health technologies; the opportunities to apply these technologies to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare; the challenges of implementation; and emerging areas, such as artificial intelligence. Module leader: Dr Felix Greaves.

Exposure Assessment

This module provides an overview of the importance of exposure assessment in epidemiology, risk assessment, and public health protection. It enables students to critically evaluate different approaches to exposure assessment. Module leader: Dr Daniela Fecht.

Health Systems Development

This module aims to introduce students to contrasting concepts that explain health systems by drawing upon multiple disciplinary lenses, including organizational behaviour, health policy, information systems, and human resources. Module leader: Dr Sondus Hassounah.

Emerging and Infectious Neglected Tropical Diseases

This module will develop students’ knowledge across the breadth of emerging and neglected tropical diseases. Students will learn practical field tools and techniques for effective monitoring and evaluation of public health control programmes, applicable in both high and low-income settings. By the end of the module, students will be better equipped to conduct critical appraisals of public health infrastructure and surveillance. Students will also have exposure to a simulated, real-time outbreak that will require application of the skills learnt during the course. Module leader: Dr Leigh Bowman and Dr Lisa Danquah

Infectious Disease Modelling

Module Leaders: Professor Nim Arinaminpathy and Dr Ilaria Dorigatti.

Health Systems, Policy, and Financing

This module is delivered at the Imperial Business School. This module explains how health systems are organized and financed; and how priorities are identified, resources allocated, and providers paid. It enables students to explore the advantages and disadvantages of different health financing models and delivery systems. Module leader: Dr Pedro Rosa Dias.

Research Methods

This module aims to explore core concepts related to research cycle, and impart key skills involved in designing, planning, and conducting research, especially mixed methods research. Module leader: Dr Henock Taddese.

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

Projects could be drawn from ongoing research within Imperial or in collaboration with NHS organisations, international agencies, non-governmental organizations or government agencies.

Projects are expected to take four months with periodic supervision by academic staff and support sessions run by the Course Organizers. We encourage students to pursue publication of their projects with their supervision team. We have many examples of successful publications in high impact factor journals and programmatic briefs that have influenced public health practice.