Join an online epidemiology course you can study flexibly, part-time.
Epidemiology explores the patterns, causes and effects of diseases in groups of people.
In this Masters-level online short course, you’ll develop your skills in epidemiology and discover what factors can protect people against disease.
- Get an introduction to disease measurement at population level.
- Learn to design and appraise epidemiological studies.
- Join a part-time online epidemiology course you can fit around full-time work.
You’ll study with active applied health researchers at a university awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for 40 years of excellence in health services research.
We have a distinguished track record in putting health research into practice and you’ll benefit from this unique expertise.
Build credits towards a Masters degree
This online course is part of:
- Master of Public Health (MPH)
- MSc Applied Health Sciences
- MSc Clinical Nutrition
- MSc Health Data Science
- PgCert Research Methods for Health
You can use the credits you earn on this short course towards any of these postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll study
You’ll study the basic principles of epidemiology.
This includes an introduction to disease measurement at a population level and basic epidemiological study design and analysis.
You’ll explore:
- causality and associations
- measures of disease occurrence
- different types of study design – and the pros and cons for each
- populations
- sampling
- validity and reliability
- sensitivity and specificity
- bias and confounding
- critical appraisal.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…
-
Discuss the concept of causation, how this differs at a population and individual level, and the difference between a ‘simple’ association and a ‘causal’ association.
-
Explain the different methodological considerations in epidemiological investigations, including: validity, reliability, bias and confounding.
-
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different epidemiological study designs, understand when to use them and the appropriate analytic approach in each case.
-
Identify different measures of disease occurrence.
-
Critically appraise and interpret epidemiological research.
Why choose the University of Aberdeen for online epidemiology courses?
1st in Scotland
We’re rated 1st in Scotland for Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care in the UK’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Real-world impact
Our work has changed clinical practice, policy, legislation and academic method, directly impacting the lives of millions of people.
Our research impact
Award-winning research
We’re proud winners of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, the highest national honour for a UK university, for sustained excellence in health research over the last 40 years.
Why we were awarded the Queen’s Anniversary PrizeHow you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning epidemiology course is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn anywhere, with no need for a study visa, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of resources at your fingertips, including:
- short podcasts
- online lectures
- online tutorials
- reading materials
- discussion boards with classmates
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
This course has weekly themes, with material released in three-week blocks to give you flexibility to suit your schedule. You’ll consolidate your learning from lectures with further reading, practical assignments, online discussions and homework assignments.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from experienced epidemiologists and researchers from our School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, internationally recognised for its research excellence.
This course is assessed entirely online via:
- a weekly quiz (worth 5% of your final grade)
- a written assignment (25%), and
- an online test (70%).
The course totals approximately 150 hours of study and assessment time. That’s around 10 – 15 hours per week.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. MyAberdeen is available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There may be some activities scheduled for fixed times, such as assessments with deadlines or online meetings with your tutor. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies.
You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen, Microsoft Teams, or phone. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
Your course coordinator
Samuel Bennett
Sam is a Teaching Fellow at the University of Aberdeen, specialist in software/hardware development, and multidiscipline researcher focusing on the causes and outcomes of alcohol consumption, health education, and novel uses of technology.
View Sam’s profileWhere this will take you
Towards a Masters
You’ll earn 15 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this course. You can use these credits towards our:
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Join an online Master of Public Health (MPH) you can tailor to your career. Study with experts and choose from a wide range of courses to focus your training. 10% discount for NHS staff.
View Master of Public Health (MPH)
Masters in Applied Health Sciences
Fast-track your career in healthcare with our uniquely flexible MSc Applied Health Sciences. Study 100% online or combine with on-campus courses at our Foresterhill Health Campus. 10% discount for NHS staff.
View MSc Applied Health Sciences
Masters in Clinical Nutrition
Join an online Nutrition degree accredited by the Association for Nutrition. Study the link between diet and health, and how issues of over and undernutrition affect populations today. 10% discount for NHS staff.
View MSc Clinical Nutrition
Masters in Health Data Science
Develop your skills in health data science, whether your background’s in healthcare or computing, with this flexible online MSc.
View MSc Health Data Science
PgCert in Research Methods for Health
Learn to design and carry out healthcare research projects. Study part-time with active health researchers at an award-winning health sciences university. 10% discount for NHS staff.
View PgCert Research Methods for HealthBuild your learning with more short courses
We have a range of online healthcare and medicine short courses you can use to earn in-demand skills.
Many carry credits you can build up into postgraduate qualifications, including Masters degrees:
Careers
Developing your skills in this key area of public health, you’ll gain a strong career advantage as a researcher, health or related professional.
An epidemiology career can take you into roles in a research setting, focusing on populations as a whole, or as a clinical epidemiologist, concentrating on patients.
Continuing professional development (CPD)
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for CPD hours. Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.
Free career support
Access our free careers service while you study.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You do not need to provide proof of your qualifications.
But you do need to check the entry guidance above to understand the level of teaching delivered, to decide if this course is right for you.
If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check the equivalent teaching level for your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
You do not have to provide proof of your English language skills to join this course. But we want to make sure that you can use English well enough to study successfully.
Recommended level of English
This course uses our Postgraduate Higher level of English language proficiency.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements, and these are minimum scores.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, or IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic / LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Skills for English: SELT
- B2 pass with merit
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening and speaking
- 105 for reading and writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) with an up-to-date operating system
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneDrive and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
Fee payment
Your course fee needs to be paid in full before you start your course.
We accept payment via Visa Debit, Visa Credit and Mastercard.
Ways to save
You may be able to get help funding this course via:
- discounts – if any discounts are available for this course, they’ll appear in the section below
- employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors.
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
This course has no formal entry requirements. You decide if it’s suitable for you.
The course is delivered at Masters level. At this level, you’d usually have at least:
- a 2:2 UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent), or
- relevant experience that supports this level of study.
