MRes Public Health (Web-based Learning)

Year of entry: 2025

Overview

Degree awarded
MRes
Duration
1 year FT, 2 years PT, 3-5 years PT
Entry requirements

We require a minimum of an Upper Second honours degree or the overseas equivalent . If you have obtained a Lower Second class honours degree we may still consider your application if you have significant relevant research or professional experience (e.g. 3-years or more in a public health team).

Intercalating students

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon successful completion of their third year.

Full entry requirements

Number of places/applicants
200 places
How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Late applications may be considered.

We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Course options

Full-time Part-time Full-time distance learning Part-time distance learning
MRes N N Y Y

Course overview

  • Learn the skills to address public health concerns at a local, national and international level. 
  • Gain the skills to enter a public health research career if you currently work in healthcare.
  • Fit study around other commitments with online learning.
  • Learn through coursework and research training, tailoring the taught component to your own needs through a choice of optional units.
  • Open up a career in health science research if you undertake a PhD after completing this course.
  • We offer a number of units as standalone credited CPD.
*Please note this is a distance learning course*

Open days

Attending an open day is a great way to find out what studying at Manchester is like. Find out about our upcoming open days .

Fees

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

  • MRes (full-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £12,000
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,000
  • MRes (part-time distance learning)
    UK students (per annum): £1,200 per 15 credits and £4,800 for the dissertation
    International, including EU, students (per annum): £2,600 per 15 credits and £10,400 for the dissertation

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

The fees quoted above will be fully inclusive for the course tuition and administration costs during your studies.

All fees for entry may be subject to a yearly review and incremental rises per annum are also likely over the duration of courses lasting more than a year.

For general fees information please visit postgraduate fees . Always contact the department if you are unsure which fee applies to your qualification award and method of attendance.

You may be eligible for a postgraduate loan if you choose the one-year full-time or two-year part-time course. Please check the government's eligibility criteria .

The course fees include all the tuition, technical support and assessments required for the course.

Costs may also be incurred for travel, subsistence and accommodation charges during the following optional events or units:

  • the face-to-face induction (first year)
  • the Arts and Public Health blended learning unit
  • the Intercultural Public Health blended learning unit
  • the Engaging the Hard to Reach for Health Gain blended learning unit
  • the Infection, Prevention & Control blended learning unit
  • the Nutrition and Public Health blended learning unit

Additional expenses

Cost of AP(E)L

The University permits applicants with comparable previous experience to submit an application for consideration of Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L). The maximum AP(E)L is 15 credits to a PGCert, 45 credits to a PGDip and 60 credits to a master's.

If your AP(E)L application is successful, the University charges £30 for every 15 credits of AP(E)L. The overall tuition fee is adjusted and administrative charge applied.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

Equity and Merit Scholarships

We offer Equity and Merit Scholarships to academically excellent students from Ethiopia, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Manchester Alumni Scholarship Schemes

If you're a current or recent student at The University of Manchester and plan to start a master's course, you may be eligible for our Manchester Alumni Scholarship Schemes.

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Contact details

School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Contact name
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Telephone
+44 (0)161 529 4563
Email
Website
https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/public-health-data/masters/
School/Faculty
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Courses in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview

We require a minimum of an Upper Second honours degree or the overseas equivalent . If you have obtained a Lower Second class honours degree we may still consider your application if you have significant relevant research or professional experience (e.g. 3-years or more in a public health team).

Intercalating students

This course is also available for intercalating medical students, both from The University of Manchester and other UK universities, upon successful completion of their third year.

English language

I nternational students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system. We ask for English language proof from applicants from countries that are not majority English-speaking countries (a list of majority English-speaking countries, are defined by the UK Home Office ).

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

  • IELTS : 6.5 overall (with minimum of 6.0 in all components)
  • TOEFL iBT: 90 overall (with minimum of 22 in all component)

See further information about requirements for your country .

If the language of instruction of your first degree was English, but you obtained the degree from a university of a non-majority English-speaking country, the English language requirement may be waived for applicants on our Personal Professional Development CPD programme only, provided written evidence is submitted.

The Personal Professional Development CPD programme is not award-bearing and allows you to complete up to three units from the MPH syllabus. After successfully completing this level of the course, students could then be considered for progression to the award-bearing levels of our course, through re-application.

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

Application and selection

How to apply

Please apply via our online application form . See the application and selection section for details of the supporting documents we require.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Late applications may be considered.

We reserve the right to close applications if the course is full.

Advice to applicants

Your application form must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • one academic reference on letter headed paper or sent from a work email. A professional references can be provided in instances where you have been out of university for more than three years. We do not contact referees directly so please inform them yourself;
  • copies of official degree certificates (with translations if not in English) if you have already graduated;
  • copies of official university transcript (with translations if not in English);
  • a personal statement (approximately 300-500 words) about why you wish to take this course and how it will affect your personal and professional development. This statement should try and refer to your current role;
  • full CV including any voluntary experience;
  • proof of English language proficiency (if required).

Supporting documents can be uploaded with the online application form or emailed directly to pgtaught.mph@manchester.ac.uk. After applying, please do not submit documents in any other way without telling us first so we can provide you with the most efficient service.

Please make sure you can include your University ID number on any correspondence and do not send any documents before you have submitted your application.

How your application is considered

Your application will be reviewed by the relevant Programme Director on receipt of all required supporting documentation.

Applicants are considered on an academic and relevant professional experience basis, based on all information provided.

Interview requirements

We do not normally interview applicants but reserve the right to do so in certain circumstances.

Deferrals

Deferrals are considered on an individual basis. Successful applicants may defer entry to the course for up to one year.

Re-applications

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again.

Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application, you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all the information from your previous applications or any previous registration at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

Course details

Course description

Our MRes Public Health course is an innovative distance learning research degree that meets the need of researchers in all public health settings, from local authorities to non-governmental organisations in both the UK and worldwide.

The course provides an introduction to research development, mainly for those currently in the healthcare workforce who wish to become researchers or pursue a research pathway within their profession.

You will learn through a combination of coursework and research training, with the modular nature enabling you to design the taught component around your own training needs. The teaching and supervising staff are international experts in public health, primary care and related disciplines.

After completing the taught component, you will be supported in carrying out your own research project or a full systematic review.

Our course is ideal for Academic Clinical Fellows (ACFs) who wish to gain research experience in the field of primary care and public health.

PhD with integrated master's

If you're planning to undertake a PhD after your master's, our Integrated PhD programme will enable you to combine your postgraduate taught course with a related PhD project in biology, medicine or health.

You can also visit this page for examples of projects related to integrated master's courses.

Special features

Expert teaching

You will be taught by professionals working in the field of local, national and international public health. There is an emphasis on applying your learning to real life public health issues.

Flexible learning

All of the course content is delivered online, enabling you to fit study around other commitments. If possible, a face-to-face induction is held in Manchester at the start of the course, but attendance is not compulsory. There are both fully online and blended options where face-to-face sessions are planned.

Learn with students from around the world

You will be able to mix with students from a range of disciplines from all over the world. We have over 1,500 alumni from more than 80 countries.

Additional course information

We run induction sessions for all new students starting our Public Health and Primary Care courses.

Face-to-face induction (If possible)

A face-to-face induction is normally held at the University at the beginning of the academic year.

The course is designed to introduce you to the content and technology used throughout the programmes. It is also an opportunity for you to meet academic and support staff.

You are encouraged to attend the face-to-face induction, when it is running, and many students find it very beneficial.

However, due to the international nature of our programmes, attendance is not compulsory and an online induction is also offered.

 The residential course includes:

  • an introduction to the course units
  • an opportunity to meet tutors and administrators
  • an introduction to the online learning environment
  • an introduction to the library and e-resources at Manchester
  • an opportunity to present your work and hear about work undertaken by other students

You will be required to provide your own transport and accommodation for the face-to-face induction.

Confirmation of attendance on the face-to-face induction will be sought once you have applied for the course.

Online induction

Our online induction will offer a similar programme to the face-to-face induction but will be delivered entirely online. Attendance is not compulsory but the induction can help to introduce you to the programme, the team and provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.  

Teaching and learning

Most of our course units are delivered completely online. A learning structure with a recommended pace is in place throughout the course unit, with specific deadlines for all summative assessments.

Some course units require your participation throughout and some of the optional units are blended, which require a mandatory face-to-face element. Please check whether your chosen course unit includes any face-to-face teaching days, as this is clearly stated in the Course Unit Overview. If you unable to attend a face-to-face component due to mitigating circumstances, you may be permitted to repeat this unit in a subsequent year. However, if you are unable to attend the face-to-face sessions, please do not choose one of the blended units. Please contact mph.admin@manchester.ac.uk if this is likely to be a problem.

Coursework and assessment

You will use a number of assessed and non-assessed activities to develop key skills and expand your knowledge base. There are no written exams; assessment is based on assignments and other activities such as moderated discussion boards and group work.

Course unit details

This course has one core unit that you must complete: Evidence Based Practice.

You are then able to select your remaining five units from a pool of more than 20 optional units, including some blended learning and face-to-face study options.

After completing all of the taught units, you will progress to your dissertation project.

You will be able to choose from a range of dissertation models designed to cater for different work situations and interests. The master's dissertation is a focused, critical and reflective body of writing that seeks to add to the understanding of a particular problem or question. It is an opportunity to expand knowledge and expertise in an area of study, through in-depth, critical and reflective thinking, relevant to the focus of the dissertation.

We advise you to informally contact the dissertation tutor early on in your course to discuss research ideas and plans. Following these discussions, you will then submit a proposal. If this is approved, you will be assigned a supervisor from the University.

Course unit list

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

TitleCodeCredit ratingMandatory/optional
Evidence Based Practice POPH60041 15 Mandatory
Dissertation for Masters of Research (Public Health and Primary Care) POPH63160 90 Mandatory
Health Promotion Theory & Methods POPH60021 15 Optional
Working with Communities POPH60072 15 Optional
Economic Evaluation in Healthcare POPH60092 15 Optional
Practical Statistics for Population Health POPH60982 15 Optional
Fundamentals of Epidemiology POPH60991 15 Optional
Communicable Disease Control POPH62051 15 Optional
Health Systems Challenges in Low and Middle Income Countries POPH62212 15 Optional
Global Health into the 21st Century POPH62311 15 Optional
Global Women's Public Health POPH62411 15 Optional
Qualitative Research Methods POPH63121 15 Optional
Emergency Planning, Response & Resilience POPH64132 15 Optional
Implementation Sciences POPH64552 15 Optional
Health Services Management POPH64662 15 Optional
Intercultural Public Health POPH64771 15 Optional
Health Improvement POPH65012 15 Optional
Digital Public Health POPH65022 15 Optional
Climate Change and Health POPH65042 15 Optional
Introduction to Health Policy POPH65052 15 Optional
Behaviour Change and Public Health POPH65062 15 Optional
Public Health and the Antibiotic Crisis POPH65072 15 Optional
Business, Media & Health POPH65092 15 Optional
Infection Prevention & Control POPH65552 15 Optional
Nutrition and Public Health POPH66662 15 Optional
Displaying 10 of 25 course units

Scholarships and bursaries

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

What our students say

'Even though I have already completed a PhD, I found the optional units available on the MRes course broadened my research knowledge and skills. This course has been a positive learning experience, strengthening my research capability and benefitting my clinical-academic practice.' Dr Richard S Bourne.

This course shares some units with our Master of Public Health (MPH) course. See what our Student Ambassadors have to say about our MPH course and visit our blog .

Facilities

This course is delivered through online distance learning. You will have normal access to online library facilities.

Disability support

Online learning resources are designed with accessibility as a priority, using the latest web accessibility technologies.

Further practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service .

CPD opportunities

We offer a number of our units as standalone credited CPD courses through our Personal Professional Development programme in public health and primary care.

We also run monthly public health journal clubs, the annual Festival of Public Health , an International Summer School , CPD events and our free open-access courses.

Careers

Career opportunities

A career in public health offers diverse opportunities in a variety of settings.

Most of our students complete the course part-time while working in a wide variety of jobs and sectors, and many (eg General Practitioners (GPs), hospital doctors, health promotion staff, managers and researchers) take the course to consolidate their existing work as a researcher, or to help them gain access to that profession.

The MRes is often a stepping stone, providing skills, experience and a qualification that usually leads to a PhD.

UK intercalating students choose to study for an MRes if they are applying for a research foundation post or are looking ahead at the potential of pursuing a PhD in the future.

If you have any questions about how our course can benefit your career, please email us at mph.director@manchester.ac.uk .

Some of our students use their experience and qualification to help them move into predominantly public health-related roles. You can see the occupations that some of our MPH students and graduates work in on the student ambassadors' page . You can also get in touch with them to ask questions about the course.

There are a range of resources offered by the University and the Faculty of Public Health , a membership organisation for public health professionals in the UK and around the world, to help you think about how a Master of Public Health can aid your career path.