Public Health MPH / PGDip / PGCert
About This Programme
The Master of Public Health (MPH) at the University of Birmingham Dubai prepares graduates from many fields, and healthcare professionals aiming for senior roles, to improve population health through disease prevention, health protection and health promotion. It runs for 12 months full-time or two years part-time, with evening and weekend classes, and a Postgraduate Diploma and a Postgraduate Certificate are also offered. The first term builds foundations in epidemiology, statistics and research methods, health information and informatics, and healthcare public health; the second covers systematic reviews and evidence synthesis, health protection and health improvement, including how to design, run and assess interventions; and the third term is given to an individual thesis project. Teaching is hands-on and built around real-world scenarios, drawing on Birmingham's public health research as a member of the NIHR School for Public Health Research.
Course Highlights
- A hands-on programme built around real-world public health scenarios from the start, developing critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership.
- Designed for graduates from diverse fields and for healthcare professionals moving into senior roles in public health, epidemiology or health service evaluation.
- Research-led teaching from a member of the NIHR School for Public Health Research, with the Dubai course matched to the UK campus, and a global network of public health professionals.
- Evening and weekend classes, Monday to Wednesday from 18:00 to 21:00 and Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, that suit working professionals as well as full-time students.
- Birmingham is ranked 62nd in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine in the QS World Rankings 2026, and is one of the UK universities most targeted by leading graduate employers (top 2 in High Fliers' Graduate Market 2026 report), as stated on the course page.
What You'll Study
The course has seven taught modules and one independent research project, and encourages independent, self-motivated learning from the outset. Teaching uses lectures by academics and researchers; small-group tutorials alongside the lectures to work through individual problems and consolidate the material; and peer group learning. Assessment mixes exams, essays, presentations and computer-based problem solving. Classes run on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 18:00 to 21:00, with an extended Sunday session from 9:00 to 17:00, a pattern designed for working professionals and full-time students alike. Teaching staff listed on the course page include Dr Khalifa Elmusharaf, Associate Professor in Public Health and Director of the Public Health Programme at the Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham Dubai.
First term (Semester 1)
Foundations in epidemiology, statistics and research methods, with practical skills in applying epidemiological and statistical techniques; the role of health information and informatics in public health practice; and the principles of healthcare public health.
- Epidemiology, Statistics and Research Methods20 credits
- Practical Epidemiology and Statistics20 credits
- Health Information and Health Informatics10 credits
- Healthcare Public Health10 credits
Second term (Semester 2)
Specialised areas: critically evaluating and synthesising research evidence, and designing, implementing and assessing interventions that protect and improve population health.
- Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis20 credits
- Health Protection (MPH)20 credits
- Health Improvement20 credits
Third term
The individual thesis project. The MPH totals 180 credits: 120 credits of taught modules, all compulsory (2026/27 session), and the 60-credit project.
- Dissertation (Master of Public Health/Health Research Methods)60 credits
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University's general entry requirements and the course's own criteria. Each application is reviewed by the course's Admissions Tutor, who decides whether to make an offer.
Careers
The MPH prepares graduates for careers in and beyond public health and epidemiology. Graduates have gone on to work in United Nations agencies, including WHO, UNICEF and UNDP; national and local healthcare and public health services; ministries of health and other government bodies; commercial health technology and pharmaceutical companies; national and international non-governmental organisations; and academic research and further education. The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Master of Public Health; the register also lists a Postgraduate Diploma and a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health as Active.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Public Health (MPH), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Typical Offer
2:1 Honours degree in a subject relevant to public health
Duration
1 year full-time; 2 years part-time
Qualification
Masters, Diploma, Certificate
Subject Area
Health Sciences
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Full time, Part time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 155,483/yr
AED 155,483 a year full-time or AED 77,742 a year part-time, for September 2026 entry; the page gives no separate fee for the PGDip or PGCert. The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation and is charged for each year of study, so part-time students pay it in both years; it can be paid in full or in three instalments a year, and it does not include visa or living costs. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made online through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal, with no application fee; postgraduate applicants upload transcripts for study completed so far, their degree certificate if available, and a CV. Decisions are usually made within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form, and full-time students can apply for a student visa sponsored by the University.