MSc Leadership and Management in Public Health (Online)

Duration: 1 Year | Delivery: Online | Credits: 180 UK Credits | Tutorial Time: Weekly (7 PM – 9 PM UK Time)

Why Study MSc Leadership and Management in Public Health?

In an era marked by complex global health challenges from pandemics and health inequalities to climate change and chronic disease the need for effective leadership and strategic management in public health has never been greater. This programme addresses a critical skills gap by preparing graduates to lead with insight, shape policy, and drive transformational change in health systems worldwide.

Public health systems are facing unprecedented demands. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep structural weaknesses in healthcare governance, emergency preparedness, and leadership coordination across nations (World Health Organization, 2020). Similarly, the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, continues to rise particularly in low- and middle-income countries demanding innovative management strategies (WHO, 2021).

Against this backdrop, trained public health leaders are essential to achieving resilient, equitable, and efficient health systems. Leadership and management expertise has played a pivotal role in:

• Designing vaccination strategies during COVID-19 that reached marginalised populations (Ghebreyesus, 2021).
• Implementing universal health coverage reforms, such as in Thailand and Rwanda, where visionary public health leadership transformed access to care (Tangcharoensathien et al., 2018).
• Guiding mental health and wellbeing policies in high-income nations, helping shape school-based and workplace initiatives to reduce stigma and increase service access (Patel et al., 2018).

This MSc equips students with the skills to address these complex, real-world issues through courses in health systems policy, strategic management, health economics, epidemiology, and ethical decision-making. As a graduate, you will be positioned to influence public health practice at institutional, national, and global levels whether in government ministries, international organisations, NGOs, or academic settings.

In short, this programme is not just an academic qualification; it is a direct investment in your capacity to lead meaningful health improvements that change lives.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for:

• Mid-career public health professionals looking to move into leadership roles
• Healthcare practitioners transitioning into public health policy and management
• Graduates with a background in health, social sciences, or related disciplines
• NGO and governmental staff seeking formal public health leadership training

Study Mode

• Fully Online
• Designed for flexible study around professional and personal commitments
• Weekly live tutorials (Wednesdays, 7 PM – 9 PM UK Time)
• Recorded webinars and asynchronous learning activities

Core Modules (180 UK Credits)

All modules are core and compulsory:

Module Title	Description	Credits
Leadership in Public Health	Examines strategic thinking, systems leadership, and crisis response in public health.	20
Health Systems and Policy	Studies the structure, financing, and reform of global health systems.	20
Strategic Management in Health Organisations	Equips students with tools for planning, performance management, and organisational change.	20
Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice	Develops ability to critically assess and apply health data to improve practice.	20
Public Health Ethics and Law	Explores ethical dilemmas and legal frameworks in modern public health.	20
Health Economics and Resource Allocation	Focuses on economic evaluation and cost-effective resource use in healthcare.	20
Project Planning and Evaluation	Prepares students to design, implement, and evaluate public health interventions.	20
Research Methods and Dissertation	A final research project based on leadership and management in a public health context.	40

Weekly Schedule (Sample)

All live sessions occur in the evenings (UK time) to accommodate working professionals.

Day	Activity	Time
Wednesday	Live Tutorial	7 PM – 9 PM
Friday	Recorded Webinar Release	Self-paced

Additional activities include independent study, group work, and discussion forums throughout the week.

Tutor Support

• Weekly live online tutorials with Q&A (Wednesdays, 7 PM – 9 PM)
• Dedicated tutor support for individual assignments
• Access to online forums for peer and academic interaction
• Timely feedback and guidance throughout the course

Career Pathways

Graduates will be well-positioned for roles in:

• National Public Health Agencies
• NGOs and Global Health Organisations (e.g., WHO, UNICEF)
• Health Policy and Planning Units
• Healthcare Management and Consultancy
• Academic and Research Institutions

Employment Opportunities

Successful graduates can pursue employment as:

• Public Health Programme Managers
• Policy Advisors and Analysts
• Health Systems Consultants
• International Development Officers
• Health Promotion Leads
• Research and Teaching Fellows in Public Health

Entry Requirements

• UK Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2:2) or international equivalent
• Relevant work experience considered
• English Language Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each component) or equivalent

Accreditation and Quality Assurance

This programme is designed to align with the APHEA Core Curriculum Areas, including modules on public health methods, policy, economics, ethics, and global health practice.

Tuition Fees

• Total Fee: £7,500 (for the full MSc programme)
• Flexible payment options and instalment plans available

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Early application is advised. Course intake January & September.

Apply Now: here
Contact Us: enquiries@thelondonschoolofpublichealth.com

Head of Public Health Dr A. Saxena

E: as@thelondonschoolofpublichealth.com

References

Ghebreyesus, T.A. (2021). Vaccine equity: delivering on the promise of global solidarity. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches (Accessed: 8 May 2025).

Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., Thornicroft, G., Baingana, F., Bolton, P. and UnÜtzer, J. (2018). ‘The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development’, The Lancet, 392(10157), pp.1553–1598.

Tangcharoensathien, V., Mills, A. and Palu, T. (2018). ‘Accelerating health equity: the key role of universal health coverage in the Sustainable Development Goals’, BMC Health Services Research, 17(Suppl 1), p.132.

World Health Organization (2020). COVID-19 Strategy Update. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/covid-19-strategy-update (Accessed: 8 May 2025).

World Health Organization (2021). Noncommunicable diseases. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases (Accessed: 8 May 2025).