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The full MPH curriculum at GBS Malta: From core modules to specialisation pathways

Study MPH in Europe with GBS Malta's comprehensive curriculum: ethics, research, epidemiology, statistics, dissertation and your choice of a specialisation pathway.

A Master of Public Health (MPH) is more than just a degree – it's a journey from student to public health leader. The curriculum at GBS Malta reflects this.  

You don't just study public health theory; you learn to identify and analyse population health problems, design evidence-based solutions, and lead organisations through complex challenges. The 90 ECTS (180 UK credits) programme combines five non-negotiable core modules – Contemporary Issues and Ethics in Public Health, Health Research and Research Methods, Introduction to Epidemiology, Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics in Health, and Public Health Dissertation/Project – with two specialisation modules that shape your career focus. 

Whether you're drawn to epidemiology, health promotion, leadership or want to keep your options open with a general MPH, the curriculum is designed around real-world roles. 

This blog walks you through every module: what you will study, why employers value it and where it leads professionally. By the end, you will see how studying public health in Malta equips you with the skills employers seek for careers in epidemiology, health policy, programme management, and health system leadership. 

The core foundation: Five modules every MPH student masters

Table of Contents

All students at GBS Malta who study the MPH begin with the same strong foundation. The programme requires you to complete six 10 ECTS modules in total – five core modules, plus one compulsory module with an elective choice – and a 30 ECTS project module. Together, these build the depth of knowledge and practical skills that distinguish a public health leader from someone with general health knowledge. 

Contemporary issues and ethics in public health 

This isn't a theoretical ethics class. It's about real dilemmas. You explore health inequities and social justice. You tackle the ethics of data use in health surveillance. You discuss vaccination hesitancy, environmental health crises, and how technology reshapes public health practice. You analyse actual policy failures and successes.​ 

Why it matters for your career: In 2025, public health employers increasingly seek professionals with strong ethical training. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), governments and international organisations want decision-makers who are aware not just of what works, but also of what is right. This module builds that. 

Key skills gained: 

    • Critical evaluation of policies and their real-world impact​ 
    • Ethical reasoning under uncertainty​ 
    • Clear communication on sensitive health topics​ 

Health Research and Research Methods  

It is here that you learn how to read, critique and design research in public health. You study literature review techniques, research ethics, and both qualitative and quantitative research methods. by the end of the module, you will be able to critically appraise published studies, identify their strengths and limitations, and propose methodologically sound research designs. 

This module is foundational because public health practice is evidence driven. policies interventions, and programmes should be informed by robust research. Employers value professionals who can distinguish robust high-quality evidence from weak or misleading findings. 

Key skills gained: 

    • Critical appraisal of published research​ 
    • Design of feasible, ethical research studies​ 
    • Understanding research ethics and approval processes​ 

Introduction to epidemiology 

Epidemiology is the science of disease patterns. In this module, you learn how epidemiologists measure disease frequency (incidence, prevalence), identify risk factors, design studies and investigate outbreaks. You work with real data, calculate relative risks, interpret confidence intervals and understand how epidemiological findings translate into public health action.​ 

This is where public health becomes tangible. Epidemiological methods are used to understand COVID-19 transmission patterns, investigate monkeypox spread and plan vaccination campaigns. Employers in disease control, surveillance and public health research value graduates with strong foundations in epidemiology. 

Key skills gained: 

    • Measuring disease frequency and association​ 
    • Designing and appraising epidemiological studies​ 
    • Outbreak investigation and data interpretation​ 

Quantitative Research Methods and Statistics in Health 

If epidemiology is what to measure, statistics is how to measure it properly. This module introduces you to statistical software such as (SPSS, R, Stata), along with hypothesis testing, confidence intervals and the statistical tests commonly used in public health research. 

You also learn how to critically appraise statistical claims in published studies – an essential skill, given the impact of data interpretation on public health decision-making.  

Why it matters: Every government health decision, NGO programme evaluation and hospital quality improvement project relies on solid statistical evidence. Graduates with strong data analysis skills are highly valued across public health, research, and policy settings. 

Key skills gained: 

    • Statistical software competency (SPSS, R, Stata)​ 
    • Hypothesis testing and interpretation​ 
    • Critical evaluation of quantitative findings​ 

Public Health Dissertation/Project (30 ECTS) 

This is your capstone: a 30 ECTS (six-month equivalent) original research project. You identify a public health question, design an appropriate study, collect and analyse data, and present your findings.  

The project allows you to apply research methods to a real public health issue and develop original, evidence-informed insights.  

Employers value this component because it demonstrates your ability to work independently, manage a complex problem and communicate findings clearly. 

The dissertation can support progression into research, policy, or professional public health roles. 

What the dissertation builds: 

    • Independent research design and execution​ 
    • Data analysis and interpretation under real-world constraints​ 
    • Academic writing and presentation skills​ 
    • Contribution to knowledge in a chosen public health area​ 

Learn About MPH Programme Structure

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Four specialisation pathways: Choose your focus 

Following completion of the five core modules, you choose two additional 10 ECTS modules. One module is pathway-specific (compulsory); while the other is selected as elective. This is where you begin to shape your Master of Public Health around your professional interests. 

Master of Public Health with Epidemiology 

Compulsory: Advanced Epidemiology​ 

Elective options: Public Health for an Aging Population, Health Promotion and Health Improvement, Leadership and Management in Health, Qualitative Research Methods​ 

Who chooses this: Students aiming for disease surveillance, outbreak response, research roles, or positions in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-like agencies, World Health Organization (WHO) or health ministries focused on disease control. 

Career outcomes (indicative): 

    • Epidemiologist: €55,000–€75,000 entry; €80,000–€120,000+ senior 
    • Disease surveillance officer: €50,000–€70,000​ 
    • Research scientist (epidemiology): €50,000–€70,000​ 
    • Senior epidemiologist/Lead scientist: €120,000–€150,000+ 

(Sources: Masters Public Health, AECC) 

Master of Public Health with Health Promotion 

Compulsory: Health Promotion and Health Improvement​ 

Elective options: Advanced Epidemiology, Public Health for an Aging Population, Leadership and Management in Health, Qualitative Research Methods​

Who chooses this: Students passionate about behaviour change, community health, health education, and prevention programmes. This pathway is suited to those interested in designing health campaigns, supporting health initiatives and managing community-based programmes. 

Career outcomes (indicative): 

    • Health promotion officer: €35,000–€55,000 entry; €60,000–€85,000 mid-level 
    • Health educator: €45,000–€70,000​ 
    • Programme manager (community health): €50,000–€80,000​ 
    • Health education director: €75,000–€110,000 

(Sources: Human Rights Careers, SCUHS) 

Master of Public Health with Leadership and Management 

Compulsory: Leadership and Management in Health​ 

Elective options: Advanced Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Health Improvement, Public Health for an Aging Population, Qualitative Research Methods​ 

Who chooses this: Professionals aiming for management and leadership roles in hospitals, NGOs, health systems, or government agencies. This pathway is designed for those interested in developing skills to lead teams, manage budgets, improve organisational performance and contribute to health policy development. 

Career outcomes (indicative): 

    • Health services manager: €60,000–€85,000 entry; €85,000–€130,000+ senior 
    • Programme director (NGO): €50,000–€90,000​ 
    • Public health administrator: €95,000–€125,000 
    • Health system director/Executive: €120,000–€180,000+ 

(Sources: UNICAF, Global NMSU, Human Rights Careers) 

Master of Public Health (General) 

Two electives from: Public Health for an Aging Population, Qualitative Research Methods in Health, Health Promotion and Health Improvement, Advanced Epidemiology, Leadership and Management in Health. 

Who chooses this: Students seeking flexibility in their studies, those who prefer not to commit to a single specialisation and professionals combining interests across areas (e.g., epidemiology and leadership for surveillance roles that include management responsibilities).  

Career outcomes (indicative): 

    • Entry into a wide range of roles across epidemiology, health promotion, management and policy 
    • Career progression aligned with the mix of electives and professional experience Often chosen by mid-career professionals seeking to upskill across multiple public health domains. 

​Study Public Health in Malta Europe 

Study public health in Malta is not just about the curriculum; it is also about the advantages of the location.   

EU accreditation: 

The qualification is recognised within the European Qualifications Framework and internationally, supporting career opportunities across the EU and beyond, including countries such as in Germany, France, Italy, and the UK, subject to local requirements. 

Mediterranean context: 

Malta sits at the crossroads of European and North African public health. You engage with real health challenge including ageing populations, migrant health, tourism-related disease patterns, environmental health in a small island setting. These are lived issues that can inform your dissertation and professional interests.  

Networking: 

Your cohort includes public health professionals from over 20 countries. Classmates often become long-term professional contacts, collaborators, and part of an international public health network.  

Affordability: 

Tuition and living costs in Malta are generally lower than in countries such as the UK, Switzerland or Scandinavia, while offering access to comparable public health career pathways. 

Visa simplicity: 

EU students do not require a visa. For international students, Malta offers a relatively straightforward residence permit process, subject to standard immigration requirements.​ 

(Sources: UNICAF, Public Health Degrees, SCUHS) 

Public Health careers: Where work 

Studying public health in Malta prepares graduates for a wide range of roles across public, private, and international health sectors, including:  

Public health agencies and ministries: Epidemiologists, health officers, policy analysts, programme managers. 

Healthcare management: Hospital administrators, clinic directors, quality improvement leads, healthcare consultants. 

NGOs and international organisations: Programme managers, health advisors, research coordinators and global health specialists working for the Red Cross, UNICEF, WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières. 

Research and academia: Research scientists, doctoral programme leaders, university faculty contributing to public health research and education.  

Health policy and advocacy: Policy analysts, advocacy officers, health system consultants and government health advisors. 

Environmental health: Environmental health officers, occupational health specialists and climate and health advisors.  

Private sector:  Public health and healthcare consultants, roles within health insurance organisations, and public health functions within pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, including global consulting firms.​ 

The Dissertation: Your research contribution to Public Health 

The 30 ECTS dissertation is a substantial and applied research component of the programme. It offers you the opportunity to a substantial and applied research component of the programme. Recent dissertation topics have included vaccination uptake in underserved communities, mental health during public health crises and malaria prevention in specific populations.  

Why this matters: 

    • Portfolio piece: Your dissertation demonstrates your ability to manage complex research projects independently and communicate findings clearly, skills valued across government, NGO, and consulting settings. 
    • Publication pathway: High-quality dissertations may provide a foundation for conference presentations or peer-reviewed publications, positioning you as an expert early in your career. 
    • Network building: Your supervisor often becomes a professional mentor and reference. and the dissertation process may create opportunities to engage with wider academic or professional networks. 
    • Career clarity: The dissertation allows you to explore a specific area of public health in depth, helping to clarify career interests and inform future professional pathways. 

The full MPH curriculum as your career launch 

MPH curriculum

A Master of Public Health from GBS Malta is comprehensive by design. 

Five core modules ensure all graduates develop strong foundational knowledge in ethics, research capability, epidemiological thinking, statistical literacy and the ability to conduct independent research. from there, your professional focus is shaped through your chosen specialisation (epidemiology, health promotion, leadership and management or general). While the dissertation supports your transition from learner to contributor within the field of public health.  

Employers value GBS Malta graduates because they arrive on day one understanding the contemporary public health challenges, equipped to design solutions and ready to lead teams.  

Choose your specialisation pathway and begin your journey towards meaningful public health impact.  

Launch your public health career today.  

Applications are now open for the May 2026 intake.  

Apply Now 

FAQs: The Full MPH Curriculum at GBS Malta

1. Can I switch specialisation pathways after starting the programme?

Generally, yes – but it is best to make this decision early on. Upon completion of the core modules, you will choose your specialisation pathway. If your interests change, please inform your programme coordinator. They can help you adjust your elective choices to align with a different pathway. 

2. Are there practicum or field placement opportunities during the MPH?

Yes. Many modules include live case studies and applied projects. Additionally, dissertation research often takes place in real health organisations – hospitals, NGOs, government health departments or research institutes. This provides practical experience alongside academic learning.

3. How does the dissertation connect to real public health organisations or problems?

Your dissertation supervisor typically works with you to identify a research question grounded in a real need. Many students partner with NGOs, health ministries or international organisations to investigate actual programme effectiveness, health system challenges or disease patterns. It ensures your research contributes to real-world decisions. 

4. What software and tools will I learn in the statistics module?

You will gain hands-on competency with SPSS, R, and/or Stata – industry-standard statistical software used by epidemiologists, researchers and health policy makers globally. In addition, you will learn how to run analyses and to interpret and communicate findings clearly. 

5. Can I pursue doctoral studies (PhD) after an MPH at GBS Malta?

Absolutely. An MPH provides the research foundation for doctoral work. Many graduates pursue PhDs in epidemiology, public health, or specific health disciplines. Your dissertation experience and training in research methods training will serve you well for doctoral programmes.