Epidemiology (Online Learning) MSc, PgCert, PgDip The University of Edinburgh

This MSc in Epidemiology gives you the opportunity to study at the 15th ranked university in the world (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Epidemiology is the foundational discipline for understanding and improving population health. Its methods underpin medical research, investigates the causes of disease, and evaluates intervention to prevent or control disease – the world needs more epidemiologists.

This programme in Epidemiology is suitable for:

• Those interested in developing specialist skills
• Those interested in developing or progressing a career in academic research, industry or another health-related setting

Key information:

• This programme is taught online and between 1-3 years part-time
• This programme is part of the Usher Institute which is a world-leader in global health and novel approaches to epidemiology

Entry requirements: A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in science, medicine, biomedicine, nursing, social science, statistics, or other related discipline.

“Global public health expertise is absolutely vital, during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also for our ongoing health crises and future challenges. Epidemiology is absolutely essential to understanding how best to improve people’s health, and Edinburgh University is a world-leading university in public and global health issues. This will be vital training for those wishing to transition from lay epidemiologists to expert ones.”

Devi Sridhar, Personal Chair of Global Public Health

What to expect at the University of Edinburgh

As a student within the College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, you will join more than 7,000 students studying a range of postgraduate programmes. Following the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, our vet school and our medical school were both among the UK top five, ranked by research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions REF 2021).

Your postgraduate experience here will be supported and enhanced by the wealth of resources and opportunities we offer. We are committed to delivering high-quality, innovative teaching. The latest report from the Quality Assurance Agency awarded us the highest rating possible for the quality of the student learning experience.

You will gain:

· a critical understanding of the principles and practice of epidemiology

· research and enquiry skills

· the ability and skills to critically evaluate epidemiological evidence

· the ability to convey complex information to a range of audiences

· skills for working in teams and leading where appropriate

On completing the programme, you will:

· have developed an understanding of the principles and practice of epidemiology

· be able to design research projects and collect data

· be able to evaluate and interpret epidemiological evidence and communicate this evidence to a range of audiences

· have acquired skills for working in teams and groups

· be equipped to move into a range of health science research or allied careers, or progress to further doctoral-level training

Programme structure

For this online programme, you can choose to complete:

• a one-year postgraduate certificate
• a two-year postgraduate diploma
• three years of study to receive a Master’s degree

We offer part-time study options for all of these awards.

Year 1

You will take five core courses:

• Introduction to Epidemiology & Statistics
• Data Analysis with R
• Intermediate Epidemiology
• Epidemiology for Public Health Practice
• Statistical Modelling for Epidemiology

Year 2

You will take two new core courses:

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Research Design for Epidemiology

In the second half of the year, you will choose four elective courses from a diverse range of optional courses offered by the Epidemiology programme and other programmes within and outside the Usher Institute. These options include:

• Introduction to Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology
• Global Health Epidemiology
• Advanced Statistics for Epidemiology
• Global Burden of Mental Illness
• Systematic Reviews
• Non-communicable Diseases in a Global Context
• Advanced Epidemiology
• Introduction to Genetic Epidemiology You will also have other relevant course options from Master’s programmes in areas such as:
• Clinical Trials Clinical Trials (Online Learning)
• Data Science for Health and Social Care
• Public Health

Year 3

You will be supported to undertake a dissertation research project.

All practical analytical learning is underpinned by training in R software, the primary statistical software used in epidemiological research.

Why study a Master in Epidemiology

Our graduates will be suitably qualified to pursue a range of careers across multiple sectors, including in:

• · academia/research
• · government
• · NGOs/charities
• · medical practice, including public health and other health-related professions

As well as gaining expertise in the field of epidemiology, you will develop key transferable skills including collaborative team-working, communication and research skills.

The Usher Institute has well-established strong connections to the National Health Service, Public Health Scotland, Scottish Government and Public Health Policy.

How the University of Edinburgh can support you

We are committed to helping you to develop skills and attributes that will enhance your ability to compete in the job market, to progress your career, and to achieve your full potential within the global community. In addition to the provision of dedicated support through our award-winning Careers Service, we broker strategic partnerships between academics, industry specialists and other institutions, to enhance your personal and professional development and provide relevant career insights.

Our graduates are ranked 24th in the world by employers, making the University an excellent choice for a postgraduate education with prospects (QS World University Rankings 2023).

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent in science, medicine, biomedicine, nursing, social science, statistics, or other related disciplines.

Students from China

This degree is Band D.

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.5 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 23 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• CAE and CPE: total 185 with at least 176 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components.
• PTE Academic: 70 overall with at least 62 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.