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Study Abroad course guide

Study Public Health Abroad

Epidemiology, health policy and global health: the MPH for doctors, dentists, nurses and science graduates.

A guide for Indian students · Updated 23 Oct 2026

Subject area

Health and life sciences

Master's length

1–2 years

Countries compared

13 destinations

Popular destination

United Kingdom

Switch courseBrowse all 18 courses

What is Public Health?

Quick read

  • Public health studies the health of populations: epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, health promotion and global health.
  • The Master of Public Health (MPH) is popular with MBBS, BDS, BPharm, nursing and life science graduates.
  • Many programmes include a research dissertation or a placement with a health organisation.
  • NHS public health roles are paid on Agenda for Change bands, for example Band 5 £31,049–£37,796 (2025/26).
  • An MPH abroad does not give a licence to practise medicine there.

Public health focuses on preventing disease and improving health for whole communities rather than treating individual patients. You learn to measure health problems, design and evaluate programmes, and shape policy.

MPH programmes usually combine a core in epidemiology, biostatistics and health systems with options in global health, health economics, nutrition or environmental health, and end with a dissertation.

Why study Public Health abroad

  • Research strength

    Universities abroad run large population health studies and global health partnerships.

  • Global health focus

    Many MPHs are designed for students who will work in low- and middle-income countries, including India.

  • Skills in data

    Biostatistics and epidemiology training is useful in research, NGOs, governments and industry.

  • Flexible backgrounds

    Programmes welcome doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and science graduates.

Specialisations you can choose

  • Epidemiology
  • Global health
  • Health policy and management
  • Health economics
  • Health promotion
  • Environmental health
  • Nutrition
  • Health data science

Degree options

Public Health degree options
ProgrammeDurationTypical entryIdeal for
Master of Public Health (MPH)1–2 yearsHealth or science bachelor's; some ask for experienceMBBS, BDS, BPharm, nursing and science graduates
MSc Epidemiology / Global Health1–2 yearsBachelor's with some maths or statisticsGraduates who want research-focused roles
Bachelor's (BSc Public Health)3–4 yearsClass 12, often with biologyStudents after Class 12

Best countries to study Public Health

Public Health: costs and work rights in 13 countries

The table compares typical international tuition per year in each country (a range across subjects, from our country guides), how long a master's usually takes, and the post-study work route. Notes specific to Public Health are added where they matter.

Public Health: countries compared
CountryBachelor's / yearMaster's / yearPost-study workWhat to know
Flag of United KingdomUK£15,000–40,000≈ ₹18.3 lakh – ₹48.8 lakh£17,000–36,000≈ ₹20.7 lakh – ₹43.9 lakh1–2 yearsGraduate visa: 2 years (18 months if you apply from 1 January 2027) DetailsOne-year taught master's are common.
Flag of AustraliaAustraliaA$30,000–50,000≈ ₹19.5 lakh – ₹32.5 lakhA$32,000–55,000≈ ₹20.8 lakh – ₹35.8 lakh1–2 yearsTemporary Graduate visa (485): usually 2–3 years; Indian graduates up to 3 years after a master's DetailsMany master's are 1.5–2 years; credit for related degrees can shorten them.
Flag of CanadaCanadaC$20,000–60,000≈ ₹13.4 lakh – ₹40.2 lakhC$10,000–50,000≈ ₹6.7 lakh – ₹33.5 lakh1–2 yearsPGWP: up to 3 years, depending on programme length DetailsColleges also offer postgraduate diplomas; check the field-of-study rule for PGWP.
Flag of IrelandIreland€16,000–30,000≈ ₹17 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh€16,000–30,000≈ ₹17 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh1–2 yearsStamp 1G: 12 months, up to 24 months after a master's DetailsMost taught master's take 1 year.
Flag of GermanyGermanyUp to €20,000up to ≈ ₹21.2 lakhUp to €25,000up to ≈ ₹26.5 lakh1.5–2 years18-month job-seeker residence permit DetailsPublic universities charge little or no tuition (Baden-Württemberg and TUM charge non-EU fees). Most bachelor's are taught in German.
Flag of New ZealandNew ZealandNZ$36,000–55,000≈ ₹19.4 lakh – ₹29.7 lakhNZ$40,000–60,000≈ ₹21.6 lakh – ₹32.4 lakh1–2 yearsPost Study Work Visa: up to 3 years after a master's DetailsIncludes 1-year and 1.5–2 year master's.
Flag of NetherlandsNetherlands€9,000–20,000≈ ₹9.5 lakh – ₹21.2 lakh€12,000–30,000≈ ₹12.7 lakh – ₹31.8 lakh1–2 yearsOrientation year: 1 year DetailsResearch universities and universities of applied sciences both teach in English.
Flag of Dubai (UAE)Dubai (UAE)AED 44,000–165,000≈ ₹11 lakh – ₹41.3 lakhAED 42,000–181,000≈ ₹10.5 lakh – ₹45.3 lakh1–2 yearsNo dedicated route: employer work visa or a 60–120 day Job Seeker visa DetailsBranch campuses award the parent university's degree.
Flag of SpainSpain€1,000–27,000≈ ₹1.1 lakh – ₹28.6 lakh€2,700–43,000≈ ₹2.9 lakh – ₹45.6 lakh1–2 yearsJob-search authorisation: 24 months DetailsPublic universities teach mostly in Spanish; English-taught options are mainly at private schools.
Flag of MaltaMalta€7,000–15,000≈ ₹7.4 lakh – ₹15.9 lakh€8,000–20,000≈ ₹8.5 lakh – ₹21.2 lakh1–2 yearsPost-study permit: up to 9 months DetailsEnglish is an official language; small universities and colleges.
Flag of CyprusCyprus€6,800–12,000≈ ₹7.2 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh€4,000–18,000≈ ₹4.2 lakh – ₹19.1 lakh1–2 yearsUp to 12 months after a master's; none after a bachelor's DetailsPublic universities teach mainly in Greek; private universities teach in English.
Flag of LatviaLatvia€3,000–10,000≈ ₹3.2 lakh – ₹10.6 lakh€3,500–12,000≈ ₹3.7 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh1–2 yearsUp to 9 months after a master's or PhD DetailsEnglish-taught programmes at state and private universities.
Flag of LithuaniaLithuania€2,500–10,000≈ ₹2.6 lakh – ₹10.6 lakh€2,300–12,000≈ ₹2.4 lakh – ₹12.7 lakh1.5–2 years12-month job-search permit DetailsEnglish-taught programmes at state and private universities.

Ranges are typical yearly international tuition across subjects; lab-based and professional courses often sit at the upper end. Living costs, visa and health cover are extra. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

Not sure which country suits Public Health?Share your marks, budget and goals and we'll compare countries and universities for you.

Universities to consider for Public Health

Admission requirements

Bachelor's

  • Class 12, often with biology
  • Minimum marks set by each university
  • English test or accepted Class 12 English mark

Master's

  • Bachelor's in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, life sciences or a related subject
  • Some programmes prefer work experience
  • Minimum grade set by each university

Documents you will usually need

  • Mark sheets and certificates
  • Statement of purpose
  • CV
  • References
  • English test score report

English test scores

English requirements for Public Health
LevelTypical requirement
Master'sIELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 overall is typical for MPH programmes
Bachelor'sIELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is typical
Other testsPTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are widely accepted

Typical ranges; each university and course sets its own scores. Prepare with our IELTS and PTE classes.

Professional recognition

  • Working as a doctor abroad

    An MPH does not give a licence to practise medicine. Doctors who want clinical work abroad need that country's licensing route.

Skills you will build

  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics (R, Stata or SPSS)
  • Study design
  • Policy analysis
  • Programme evaluation
  • Health communication
  • Report writing
  • Working with communities

Careers and salaries after Public Health

Public Health career roles and UK salary guides
Job roleUK salary guideSource
Public health or health promotion role (NHS Band 5)£31,049–£37,796 a yearNHS Employers, Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 (England) (opens in a new tab)
Epidemiologist or specialist (Band 6–7)£38,682–£54,710 a yearNHS Employers, Agenda for Change pay scales 2025/26 (England) (opens in a new tab)
Clinical research associate£26,000–£36,000 starting; £37,000–£55,000 with experienceProspects job profile (UK), 2025 (opens in a new tab)

UK salary guides are shown so all courses use the same comparison. Pay elsewhere differs, and a job offer abroad is never guaranteed.

Planning a career in Public Health?Our counsellor can map courses to the jobs and countries you're aiming for.

Study Public Health abroad: FAQs

Is an MPH good after MBBS?

Yes, if you want a career in research, policy, programmes or health management rather than only clinical work.

Can non-medical graduates do an MPH?

Yes. Many programmes accept graduates in nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, nutrition and social sciences.

One-year or two-year MPH?

One-year programmes are common in the UK and Ireland. Two-year programmes often include a practicum and more research.

Does an MPH help with jobs in India?

Yes, public health skills are used by governments, NGOs, research organisations and industry in India.

Is statistics difficult in an MPH?

Biostatistics is a core part. Programmes start from the basics, but comfort with numbers helps.

Explore other courses

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