BOTH PROGRAMMES
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Normally students should have an appropriate university degree or equivalent qualification, with a
minimum of 50% pass or equivalent professional qualifications. Alternatively, students with relevant
experience and who can demonstrate their ability to study at postgraduate level may be able to apply
through the University’s Accreditation of Prior/Experiential Learning (APEL) route.
Applicants should have fluent writing skills and be numerate. Overseas students whose first language
is not English will need to have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; TOEFL of 575 (written version), 250
(computer version) or 90 (internet version); or a TEEP score of 6.5 – gained within the last two years;
or equivalent English language qualifications. The British Council can provide information about
taking the IELTS test overseas and the availability of suitable English language courses.
MSc Public Health
MSc Research Methods
Applications must be made directly to the International Office of the University of Chester. Application
forms may be obtained from, and returned to:
The International Office
University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, Cheshire, England, UK, CH1 4BJ
T: +44 (0)1244 512465/512468
E: international@chester.ac.uk
Alternatively, an interactive application form is available on our website at:
http://www.chester.ac.uk/international.html
FEES
THE CENTRE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH
Tuition fees for the MSc Research Methods and MSc Public Health programmes fall within Band
C. For the 2010-2011 academic year, fees for both programmes are £8,298 per year for overseas
students. However, these fees are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
The Centre for Public Health Research, within the Faculty of
Applied and Health Sciences, is the ‘hub’ for public health
research at the University of Chester and is part of a growing
network of public health research and education activities within
the University. One of the Centre’s main roles is to carry out
policy-relevant health and social research, specifically in the
areas of public health, primary care and social welfare. It has had
considerable success over the last ten years in attracting external
income for commissioned research. To complement the Centre’s
extensive research expertise, it runs a successful postgraduate
programme in Research Methods which is sufficiently flexible to
meet a variety of continuing professional development needs. The
Centre also offers a postgraduate programme in Public Health, as
well as opportunities to study at MPhil and PhD level.
Students who meet the academic entry requirements, accept their place on the course, and pay the
full tuition fee in advance of enrolment, will be offered a £1,000 University of Chester bursary. This
bursary is awarded in the form of discount. Please note that students are only eligible for the bursary
if they, or a member of their family or other private sponsor, will be paying their fees; no bursary will
be awarded if students are funded by their employer or another government body.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information for overseas students, including up-to-date tuition fees and information on student
visas, can be obtained from the International Office by calling +44 (0)1244 512465 or by emailing
international@chester.ac.uk. Alternatively, information can be found online, at http://www.chester.
ac.uk/international/index.html
The University of Chester is committed to the active promotion of equality of opportunity. Applications are particularly welcome from
those groups currently under-represented in higher education. For a copy of our diversity and equality policy in admissions, please
contact us at enquiries@chester.ac.uk
This document is available in larger formats upon request. Please email enquiries@chester.ac.uk for further details.
More information about the Centre and its work can be found at www.chester.ac.uk/cphr
MSc PUBLIC HEALTH
MSc RESEARCH METHODS
THE PROGRAMME
THE PROGRAMME
This multidisciplinary programme is
particularly suitable for medical and
non-medical graduates who are
working in the broad field of public
health and health improvement. It is
designed to meet the needs and aspirations of a number of constituent
groups, particularly practitioners who work face-to-face with the public
in a variety of settings, as well as individuals in the wider workforce who
have public health as part of their role.
This flexible generic research methods
programme meets the continuing
need amongst professionals from a
range of backgrounds for high quality
research skills, both in terms of the
critical appraisal of published research literature and the development
of new research projects, as well as the needs of more recent graduates
interested in a career in research.
Core taught modules
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Contemporary issues in public health
Epidemiology and statistics for public health
Evidence-based public health: concepts, principles and methods
An introduction to qualitative research
Protecting population health and wellbeing
Research dissertation
Level 7 option module to be discussed with, and agreed by the
Programme Leader.
PROGRAMME LEADER
The Programme Leader may be contacted directly for informal
discussions and further information.
Miranda Thurston
Centre for Public Health Research
T: +44 (0)1244 512022
E: m.thurston@chester.ac.uk
DURATION OF STUDY FOR BOTH PROGRAMMES
Full time - one year
Part time - up to six years
Core taught modules
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Philosophy, theory and practice of research
Information retrieval, appraisal and synthesis for research
An introduction to statistical methods for quantitative research
An introduction to qualitative research
Quantitative research design and survey methodology
Research dissertation
Level 7 option module to be discussed with, and agreed by the
Programme Leader.
PROGRAMME LEADER
The Programme Leader may be contacted directly for informal
discussions and further information.
Catherine Perry
Centre for Public Health Research
T: +44 (0)1244 512029
E: c.perry@chester.ac.uk
dissertation (PH7010 Research Dissertation, worth 80 credits). Taught modules will
be delivered using a variety of lectures, seminars and workshops. Normally, there will
be thirty hours of tutor contact time per module, i.e. three hours per week over a tenweek period.
FORMAT AND STRUCTURE FOR BOTH PROGRAMMES
Students studying full time will complete the programme in one year. For the award of Master
of Science (MSc), students must accumulate 180 credits at Level 7. This will be made up of
five core taught modules, plus either one Level 7 option module and a 12,000 - 16,500 word
dissertation (PH7013 Research Dissertation, worth 60 credits) or a 16,000 - 22,000 word
EXIT AWARDS AVAILABLE FOR BOTH PROGRAMMES
- Postgraduate certificate (60 credits at level 7)
- Postgraduate diploma (120 credits at level 7)
- Master of Science (180 credits at level 7)