The Public Health Department of the University of Malta runs a part-time 2-year evening course leading to a Masters’ Degree in Public Health. The main areas of the course are: Research Methods - Epidemiology and Qualitative Research, Medical Statistics, Health Information Science, Health Promotion, Organisation of Health Care Systems and Management, Environmental Health, Sociology of illness, Applied Epidemiology, Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases, Social Policy and Health Economics.

You will undergo a number of study units each term which each have failing examinations in the subsequent examination period. However, there are no formal written final examinations at the end of the course. Instead, you will conduct several practical projects in addition to your normal schedule of study units. In addition, you will be expected to prepare and defend a research thesis by the end of the 2nd year on a topic of public health relevance, with appropriate help from department supervisors.

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The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of a Bachelor degree from this University or another recognized higher education institution, obtained with at least Second Class Honours, in any area deemed relevant by the Board.

The maximum number of students that can be admitted to the course is 25 students.

When the number of places is so limited and the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of places available, applicants shall be selected through an interview by a board, composed of at least three members appointed for the purpose. The board shall select applicants using the following criteria, the weighting of which shall be published at the time of the call for applications:

(a) degree type and class
(b) experience in the area of the proposed study and
(c) performance during the interview.

The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2021.

For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.

UM currently hosts over 1,000 full-time international students and over 450 visiting students. The ever-increasing international students coming from various countries, in recent years, have transformed this 400-year old institution into an international campus.

Our international students generally describe Malta as a safe place, enjoying excellent weather and an all-year varied cultural programme. Malta is considered as the ideal place for students to study.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage.

Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

Local/EU/EEA Applicants:	Total Tuition Fees: Eur 7,500 Fee per semester: Eur 1,500
Non-EU/Non-EEA Applicants:	Total Tuition Fees: Eur 13,400 Yr 1: Eur 6,700 - Yr 2: Eur 6,700

You will accrue a number of skills and knowledge by the end of the Masters in Public Health course. These relate to the various study units involved, but also to the practical aspects of running surveys and preparing written reports which the students develop over the duration of the course.

These include skills such as:

• choosing the right research method for a research question
• selecting and using health databases
• using statistical tests of significance to establish and ascertain the findings of any research conducted
• developing skills in environmental risk assessment and planning, developing management skills for use in health settings, understanding the basis for the various models of health economics
• understanding the philosophy and tools used in developing a social policy, understanding the basics of health information and how it relates to developing an evidence base for health policy
• being able to conduct a literature review on any health topic and being subsequently able to teach and discuss the findings in a formal setting.
These and many more skills are explained, tested and developed over the 2-year course and are put to immediate use in the various assignments and practical sessions which have become an integral part of this course.

This Course is particularly attractive if you are:

• A graduate in any health profession and would like to take the next step towards higher studies with a strong background in research and health managerial skills.
• Intending to follow a public health career path and who already have a basic health degree.
• A Researcher seeking to develop your skills to be able to follow a research degree at the highest level in any health-related field.

The course is especially attractive for 3 types of career progression, enabling you to enter a career in:

1. Public health; to get the basic knowledge and skills from a reputable University and department which will set them into the career path of public health and start climbing the ladder as a public health professional.

2. Education; to fulfil the Masters level of academia in public health and bridge the gap between a basic health professional course and a PhD in a public health related field.

3. Health; if you are a health professional already engaged in your field and career to garner useful public health and health managerial skills to enable you to take on higher levels of responsibility which utilises population based health skills for higher management and planning.

This course is ideal if you do not wish to pursue a PhD in a public health related field and gives the vital skills in research methods and health management that enables you to prepare and conduct a research proposal for higher postgraduate study. The degree is accepted by the University of Malta and other Universities as a stepping stone for Bachelor level graduates to further their studies – which they may do subsequently in any related health science.

Click here to access the Programme of Study applicable from 2021/2.