Master of Public Health Managing Health Services

Health services are the backbone of population wellbeing. From strategy and staffing to budgets and delivery, effective management determines whether people can access the care they need.

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Course type
Master’s course
Director of Studies
Dr Jennifer Day
Location
Liverpool, UK
Start date
14 September 2026
Mode of study
Full time, on campus
Duration
One year
Home fee
£12,125
International fee
£24,899

Overview

Our MPH Public Health (Managing Health Services) equips you to lead, plan and manage healthcare in complex settings. You’ll learn how health systems operate, build leadership and quality-improvement skills, and gain the tools to improve service delivery and organisational performance.

Whether you’re working in a hospital, NGO or development agency, this course will help you shape better outcomes for people and communities.

Who is this course for?

  • Professionals and graduates from a wide range of backgrounds, including health services management, medicine, nursing , public health, policy , social sciences, business and law.

  • Intercalating medical students who have completed at least three years of study.

“The MPH covers a range of important issues in contemporary public health. You’ll explore approaches to reducing health inequalities and learn how to use evidence-based principles to enhance policy and practice in various settings.”

Dr Jennifer Day Director of Studies

Why study Public Health at LSTM?

  • Learn from public health leaders with experience in health systems and service delivery.

  • Focus on the organisation, leadership and financing of healthcare in low-resource settings.

  • Gain real-world insight through your self-directed project in the UK or abroad.

  • Collaborate with a global community of students and professionals.

  • Build a toolkit that blends research, operations and impact.

“Good management of vital health services is key to tackling serious health inequalities in the world’s poorest countries It has the potential to narrow the socio-economic divide, improve quality of life and trigger economic growth. Being able to contribute to such an important global issue is a great feeling.”

What will I learn?

This one-year master’s is divided into three semesters. The first two focus on taught modules delivered through lectures, group work, case studies and simulation scenarios. The third semester is dedicated to your research project.

  • Research Methods in Public Health (20 credits). 
  • Scientific and Professional Skills (20 credits).
  • Public Health Policies, Programmes and Strategies (20 credits).

  • Scientific and Professional Skills (continued).
  • Promoting Health and Improving Systems (20 credits).
  • Organisation and Management of Health Services (20 credits).
  • One optional module, such as: 
    • Climate Change.
    • Applied Statistics for Health Research.
    • Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health.
    • Developing a Disease Control Programme.

  • Research Project: Humanitarian and Public Health Programmes (60 credits). 

Each 20-credit module involves around 200 hours of learning, including contact time and self-directed study.

Up-to-date, research-informed content is delivered through lectures, case-based learning, small group work and simulation scenarios.

The course is taught on campus in Liverpool, UK.

By the end of this programme, you’ll be able to:

  • Lead and manage health services in challenging contexts.
  • Understand how systems and structures influence care delivery.
  • Apply public health theory to operations and strategic planning.
  • Drive service improvements using evidence and data.
  • Communicate across clinical, managerial and policy environments.

You might work in:

  • National health ministries and planning departments.
  • NGOs, UN agencies and consultancy firms.
  • Health operations, systems design and service development roles.

You could become a health programme manager, systems adviser, service improvement lead, or move into research, education or advocacy.

Entry requirements

Academic

A second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a health-related or relevant discipline.

We welcome applicants from other backgrounds such as management, law or development.

Medical students can apply to intercalate after three years of study.

Professional

Experience in health or service delivery is desirable but not essential.

English language

IELTS 6.5 overall, minimum 5.5 in all components (or equivalent).

Full English language requirements.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,125

International fee

£24,899

Financial support for UK students

We have scholarships, bursaries, discounts and loans available, established through generous donations from alumni, staff and friends and funding from within Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Financial support for International students

We offer various scholarships for international students, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. These include full or partial funding through programs like the LSTM Global Health Impact Scholarship and the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship

LSTM Global Health Impact Scholarship

If you’re from a low- and middle-income country (LMIC) you could be eligible for a discounted fee.

How to apply

Apply for this course online via MyLSTM.

Register for a MyLSTM account to:

  • Apply for courses at LSTM.
  • Upload supporting documentation.
  • Save your draft application.
  • Accept an offer to study.
  • Keep your account information up-to-date.

If you can’t access our online application form, please get in touch. Paper application forms are available on request.

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