Public Health

The MPH aims to provide graduates (or holders of a relevant medical or non-medical professional qualification), with the academic background required for leadership roles in public health. The MPH (Primary Care) specialty aims to enable health professionals involved in primary health care provision to develop both personally and professionally.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

The Master of Public Health was introduced at King's in 2002 to satisfy the need for a modern generic public health masters programme aimed at assisting public health professionals to prepare for management and leadership roles. The curriculum was originally based on that of the Faculty of Public Health but it has a stronger emphasis on prevention and the broader determinants of health.

The MPH is aimed at graduates or holders of a relevant professional qualification, whether medical or non-medical, who are working or intend to work in the broad field of public health.

Since its introduction, optional modules have been developed in Toxicology and Health Protection Science to better meet the needs of those working in health protection and environmental health, but most students take the mainstream public health modules.

We also offer MPH students the opportunity to take certain modules from the MSc in Public Services Policy and Management.

The orientation is towards high income countries and most subjects are taught in a UK context, though we take many students from overseas.

MPH (Primary Care)

From September 2012, the highly regarded MSc in Primary Health Care will merge with the Master of Public Health programme, reflecting the newly merged Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences. This will ensure the continued viability of the programme and enhance the learning opportunities available to students; ensuring they continue to reflect the demands of practice.

The roles undertaken by GPs, and other members of the Primary Care team have continued to develop and the recent White Papers indicate further major changes to the organization and delivery of healthcare. Whatever the exact outcomes of the current "pause" to the proposed reforms, GPs will play a central role with implications for education and training. Furthermore, the requirement of appraisals and advent of revalidation will mean that continuing professional development is ongoing. The Masters programme will provide the opportunity to fully integrate policy, theory and excellence in practice.

Many applicants ask: what is the difference between the MPH and the MSc in Public Health? Academically there is no difference between the MPH and the MSc. They are both rated at 180 credits at level 7 under the National Credit Framework and at King's College London they both share the same core module requirements. All students are initially registered for the MPH, but in most cases graduating students are eligible for both the MSc and the MPH, in which case we ask them to indicate their preference. Normally, MPH students have some practical experience in the field of public health. MPH students either bring this experience with them or can gain field experience when undertaking their dissertation. The MPH dissertation is required to be 'vocational '- ie directed towards the improvement of public health service delivery. A laboratory-based dissertation might be accepted for MSc, but would not be acceptable as an MPH dissertation.