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How public health in Malta is redefining global healthcare careers

See how public health in Malta and the MPH course in Malta at GBS Malta attract GCC and Filipino students aiming for global public health careers.

If you have been wondering whether public health in Malta could be the next step in your health career, you are not alone. Nurses, pharmacists and fresh graduates from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Philippines are looking beyond purely clinical roles and towards work that shapes health at a community and policy level. They want skills in prevention, data and planning, not just treatment.​ 

Malta has begun to stand out for this kind of growth. The country combines strong health services with Malta health education that follows European standards and uses English as a teaching language. At the same time, governments across the Middle East and Southeast Asia are placing more focus on prevention, health promotion and system management. The shift means well-trained public health professionals will be required on a local, national and regional level.​ 

Public health in Malta 

Public health in Malta covers far more than hospital services; it includes prevention, surveillance, policy work and health education aimed at whole communities. For international students, that mix creates a setting where classroom learning connects closely to real issues around ageing, chronic disease and environmental risks.​ 

Why Malta appeals for public health? 

  • EU health systems context with local and global case studies.​ 
  • English taught degrees and Malta health education recognised beyond the island.​ 
  • Compact country where policies and outcomes are visible and easier to study.​ 
  • Growing choice of public health programmes in Malta at different levels.​ 

Why is Malta getting noticed in public health? 

For students from the GCC and the Philippines, public health in Malta offers a chance to learn from a system that has to manage both long-term conditions and fastmoving threats. Malta works on issues such as noncommunicable diseases, cross border infections and health equity, all of which match challenges back home.​ 

Key strengths: 

  • Strong primary care and hospital networks within an EU framework.​ 
  • Active work on ageing populations, lifestyle related conditions and mental health.​ 
  • Health policies that respond to tourism, migration and environmental pressures.​ 
  • Links between Malta health education providers and wider European research.​ 

Begin Your Health Career Here

From hospital care to population health 

Many students first hear about public health careers when they work in wards, clinics or pharmacies. Public health moves the focus from single patients to entire populations, asking why problems arise and how systems can respond more effectively.​ 

Main strands of public health: 

  • Epidemiology and data: tracking disease patterns. 
  • Health promotion: improving knowledge and behaviours. 
  • Policy and management: designing services and rules. 
  • Research: testing ideas and measuring impacts.​ 

Issues public health professionals often tackle: 

  • Noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease. 
  • Infectious disease outbreaks and vaccination strategies. 
  • Environmental topics such as air quality and water safety. 
  • Health gaps between urban and rural or rich and poor communities.​ 

Where GBS Malta fits in the public health picture 

Within public health programmes in Malta, GBS Malta has built an MPH programme that is MFHEA accredited. It is mapped to MQF Level 7 and aimed at students from many different backgrounds. The course is delivered on campus in small groups, which helps local, EU and international students get direct support from faculty.​ 

At a glance – GBS Malta MPH: 

  • One-year, full-time MPH course in Malta with 90 ECTS/180 UK credits.​ 
  • Suitable for recent graduates and experienced professionals.​ 
  • Mix of lectures, workshops and applied projects.​ 
  • Develop practice-ready skills for public health careers across multiple regions.​ 

What the MPH course in Malta at GBS Malta actually offers 

The MPH course in Malta at GBS Malta is designed for people who want to move beyond clinical roles and work on prevention, policy and system-level change. It gives a strong core in research and analysis, then lets you choose a pathway that matches your aims.​ 

Core learning areas 

  • Contemporary issues and ethics in public health.​ 
  • Health research and research methods. 
  • Introduction to epidemiology. 
  • Quantitative research methods and statistics in health. 
  • Public health dissertation or applied project.​ 

Specialisation options 

  • Master of Public Health (general). 
  • Master of Public Health with Epidemiology. 
  • Master of Public Health with Health Promotion. 
  • Master of Public Health with Leadership and Management.​ 

Pathway fit 

  • Epidemiology: for students who enjoy data, trends and investigations. 
  • Health promotion: for those who like community work and campaigns. 
  • Leadership and management: for future managers, heads of departments and non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders.​ 

By the end, graduates of this MPH course in Malta can analyse evidence, design interventions and contribute to public health careers in agencies, ministries and international organisations.​ 

What makes Malta attractive for international students 

Many students from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the Philippines see public health in Malta as a stepping stone to better roles at home. Health systems in these regions invest more in prevention, surveillance and health education, creating a demand for new skills.​ 

Reasons why they look at Malta: 

  • English medium teaching and assessment.​ 
  • EU aligned degrees that signal quality to employers and agencies.​ 
  • Multicultural classes with peers from Europe, Asia and Africa. 
  • Compact setting that feels safer and less overwhelming than megacities.​ 

For many, an MPH course in Malta brings fresh approaches to health promotion, data use and service planning.​ 

Where an MPH from GBS Malta can take you 

Graduates of the MPH at GBS Malta step into a wide range of public health careers, both in Malta and overseas. Since the course emphasises research and project work, many students can discuss concrete outcomes when they meet recruiters.​ 

Example roles you might pursue: 

  • Public health officer and specialist in the government.​ 
  • Epidemiology or surveillance analyst. 
  • Health promotion coordinator for hospitals or NGOs. 
  • Programme manager in international or community projects. 
  • Policy advisor or consultant on health topics.​ 

Public health careers exist across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and demand for people who understand prevention and management systems is growing.​ 

From application to making a difference 

For international students, the route to public health programmes in Malta follows a clear set of steps. First comes checking entry criteria, English language evidence and any experience that supports the application.  In the next step, you should gather transcripts, references, and, wherever necessary, proof of clinical or health-related experience.​ 

Typical journey: 

  • Review MPH details and confirm eligibility with the admissions team. 
  • Submit documents and wait for the formal offer.​ 
  • Arrange visas and health checks required for longer stays in Malta.​ 
  • Join classes, choose your pathway and start planning your dissertation or project. 
  • Focus your final work on an issue that matters in your home country or region.​ 

Is the MPH at GBS Malta your next move? 

Choosing the MPH course in Malta is a personal call. However, a useful test is this: do you want your work to shape health outcomes for whole communities, rather than only one patient at a time? If that sounds like you, an MPH might be a strong fit.​ 

Quick check 

  • You enjoy connecting clinical practice with data and planning. 
  • You are willing to work across cultures and sectors. 
  • You want public health in Malta to be a springboard for regional or global roles. 
  • You are ready for a focused year of study that reshapes how you see health systems.​ 

Studying public health in Malta through an MPH built on MFHEA standards gives you a base for meaningful work in ministries, NGOs, hospitals and research teams across the GCC, the Philippines and beyond. 

Applications are open for May 2026 Intake. Apply Now if you feel ready to explore this path.​ 

FAQs

1. Do I need a medical degree to study MPH at GBS Malta?

No, applicants come from nursing, pharmacy, social sciences, management and other fields, though you do need a relevant background and interest in health topics. Exact requirements are listed on the official course page.

2. Can GCC and Filipino students stay in Malta after MPH?

Some graduates look for roles in Malta, while others return home or move elsewhere. Options depend on visa rules and employer demand, so always check current government guidance. 

3. Is the teaching very statistics heavy?

There is a strong focus on research and quantitative methods, but support is built in, and many students join without a maths degree. What matters most is your willingness to work with data.

4. How does the MPH help if I already work in a hospital?

The course helps you move into planning, policy, education or management, so you can influence services instead of staying only in frontline care.

5. Are scholarships available for the MPH?

Scholarship options can change year by year. Students also get benefits with Get Qualified scheme, so it is worth speaking with GBS Malta’s admissions team for current information.