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Register nowPopulation Health Sciences
Why do you live longer depending on where you are born or your income? How do we address leading causes of illness and death such as heart disease or dementia? Population health scientists study the factors which shape our health – the social and physical environment, the way we live, healthcare systems and our genes – as well as how to take action to improve health. Modules in population health will ground you in the different social science disciplines used to study population health and will prepare you for research and professional practice in the health sector and beyond.
Key Information
- Faculty
- Population Health Sciences
- Department website
- Population Health Sciences
- Availability
- Year, Fall Term, Spring Term
- English language level
- Level 2 - see English language requirements for more details.
- Tuition fees
- see Tuition fees for more information
- GPA requirement
- 3.3
- Subject/Module requirements
- Applicants are expected to have an academic background relevant to the programme.
Why study Population Health Sciences at UCL?
Some of the world's leading researchers in population health will teach you the social, economic and demographic distribution of health and disease. Depending on your module selection, you will gain data analysis skills and insights into the theory, history and policy of population health, creating a unique, multidisciplinary, educational experience.
What you will gain from study at UCL
The Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care is one of the most well respected and largest public health departments in the UK, as recognised by the UK government's recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (2014). Our students are exposed to world-leading research and encouraged to make use of secondary data collected by our researchers, including the externally funded Health Survey for England and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching will be delivered through lectures, problem-based seminars, group working and through UCL's virtual learning environment. Students will be able to access materials online where they will be able to interact with course tutors and fellow students. The modules will be assessed through a mixture of assessments including examinations, practical exercises, essays, individual and group presentations.
Fall Term-only students cannot be assessed by end of year examinations held in the Summer Term, but should check with each individual department to see if alternative assessment is possible (e.g. by essay) at the end of the Fall Term.
During Spring Term students attend classes, while the Summer Term is dedicated to assessment, including written exams and the submission of any coursework, such as essays.
Full year students attend classes during the Fall and Spring Terms, while the Summer Term is dedicated to assessment as above.
Modules in Population Health Sciences
Please note that this guide lists a range of popular modules offered as a representative sample. It is not exhaustive and, since the guide is published ahead of time, module options may have changed, been deleted or replaced. If you have very specific study needs or require confirmation of module availability for 2024/25, you are strongly advised to get in touch with the relevant Affiliate contact, listed on this subject page, before making an application.
Students must concentrate at least 50% of their module load within the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care. The remaining 50% may be taken outside of the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care according to individual student interests. If you have a particular interest or academic requirement you are advised to contact the department to make sure that an appropriate module is available.
Fall Term students register for one term only: the autumn term. Spring Term students register for two terms, the spring and summer terms. Full year students register for the full year.
Level 2 (FHEQ 5) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEHC0029 | Frontiers of Knowledge in Population Health | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0030 | The Life Course | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0031 | Acute and Chronic Infectious Diseases | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0032 | Health Demography | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0054 | Social Theory | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0056 | Health and Behaviour | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0082 | Qualitative Research Methods | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Level 3 (FHEQ 6) modules
| Module code | Title | Availability | US Credits | ECTS Credits | UCL Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEHC0002 | Health Economics | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0035 | Population Ageing | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0036 | Genomics, Health and Society | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0038 | Child and Adolescent Public Health | Fall Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
| IEHC0058 | Health Psychology | Spring Term | 4 | 7.5 | 15 |
Contact details
- Name
- Nicola Shelton
- n.shelton@ucl.ac.uk