布里斯托大学

Programme overview

Epidemiology is the study of disease and health outcomes in populations. It is about finding causes—the reasons why some people become ill, and the reasons why some populations are healthier than others—and what we can do to remove or control these causes. It is the science underpinning public health, clinical research and healthcare evaluation. The MSc in Epidemiology will enable you to engage with the complex population health challenges facing the global community in future decades, providing high-quality training in epidemiological methods that are applicable to low-, middle- and high-income settings. The programme is suitable for students from both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds.

The MSc will introduce the principles of modern epidemiology and its role in public health and other health-related disciplines. You will learn how to design and analyse experimental and observational studies covering aetiology, interventions, diagnosis and prognosis. There will be opportunities to learn about cutting-edge methods in causal inference and molecular epidemiology.

Your dissertation, on a research topic of your choice, will take the form of a journal article and a poster presentation, opening the possibility of submission for publication.

The Department of Population Health Sciences is a large and thriving department, with numerous opportunities for PhD study and employment on research projects. We are internationally recognised for our excellence in developing epidemiological methods and applying these to a broad spectrum of population health topics. Our research ranges from discovery science in molecular and genetic epidemiology to innovative clinical trials, policy-influencing activities and robust evidence assessments. Our MSc in Epidemiology is founded on this expertise.

Careers

This MSc will give students the knowledge and skills needed to work as a researcher or systematic reviewer in a wide range of settings, including universities, research institutes, government agencies, charities, pharmaceutical companies, and other private and public organisations that collect and analyse health-related data. Graduates will also be well placed to apply for a PhD in a range of population health research topics.

The MSc will prepare students to move into careers which, with further work experience and training, could develop into leadership roles, such as academics (lecturers, senior lecturers and professors of epidemiology), directors of research and development in pharmaceutical companies and biotech startups, strategic directors of health charities or public health government policy advisers.