University of Malta

What you'll study

The programme combines core public health disciplines with applied practice and a research project. You will study methods for understanding and improving population health, learn to design and evaluate interventions, and explore the policy and organisational contexts in which health systems operate.

• Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance — principles of disease causation, study design, outbreak investigation and surveillance systems.
• Biostatistics and Research Methods — quantitative and qualitative methods, data analysis, study appraisal and evidence synthesis.
• Health Promotion and Behavioural Science — theories and practice of promoting healthy behaviours across populations and settings.
• Health Policy, Systems and Management — health system organisation, financing, governance and strategies for system improvement.
• Environmental and Occupational Health — the impact of environmental and workplace factors on health and approaches to control and prevention.
• Health Economics and Evaluation — economic appraisal, resource allocation and methods for evaluating programmes and services.
• Applied Practice / Placement — supervised practical experience with health agencies, community organisations or research projects to apply classroom learning.
• Dissertation / Major Research Project — an independent piece of work applying research methods to a public health question, typically supervised by academic staff.

The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, practical workshops, case studies and a supervised placement or applied project. Assessment methods commonly include coursework, exams, project reports and the dissertation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree in a health-related subject, social sciences, biological sciences or a closely related discipline. Candidates with substantial relevant professional experience in health, social care, environmental health or policy roles may also be considered.

Other common requirements include evidence of competence in research methods/basic statistics, a statement of purpose outlining professional aims, and references from academic or professional referees. Where English is not the first language, applicants will need to demonstrate proficiency in English through an approved test or equivalent evidence of prior study in English.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of roles across the public, private and third sectors. Typical career pathways include:

• Public health practitioner or community health officer in national or regional health services.
• Health promotion or education officer with NGOs, charities or community organisations.
• Policy analyst or adviser in government departments, health agencies or international organisations.
• Research assistant or analyst in academic centres, research institutes and think tanks.
• Environmental and occupational health officer in regulatory bodies or industry.
• Further academic study or research degrees for careers in epidemiology or specialised public health fields.

The combination of practical placement and research training also supports transitions into roles that require applied project management and evaluation skills.

Why study at University of Malta

The University of Malta provides a national hub for health education and research, offering close links with local health services, government agencies and regional organisations. Teaching is delivered by staff engaged in applied public health research and policy work, giving students exposure to real-world public health challenges in a Mediterranean and EU context.

Students benefit from multidisciplinary collaboration across faculties, opportunities for supervised placements with local and regional partners, and access to research facilities and networks that support practice-oriented learning. The programme's location and English-medium instruction make it suitable for both local and international students seeking a compact, practice-focused public health degree.