Public health is the art and science of improving health through the organised efforts of society.
- Learn how to carry out your own rapid health needs assessment and impact public health for the better.
- Gain a population-based perspective on health, illness and disease.
- Learn from some of the country’s leading public health scientists and researchers, based in our award-winning Institute of Applied Health Sciences.
Access their skills and teaching online, wherever you are in the world, on a flexible online course that fits around full-time work.

Build credits towards a Masters degree
This online course is part of:
You can use the credits you earn on this short course towards either of these postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll study
You’ll cover the three major areas of public health:
- Healthcare evaluation
- Health protection
- Health promotion
Within these, you’ll cover the core concepts of public health, including identifying populations at risk, monitoring public health, the burden of ill-health, effective intervention and health inequalities.
You’ll learn about the practical application of numerical ways of thinking about the health of populations. You’ll study health needs assessments and how they can be used to improve the health of a population in the context of its political, economic and social circumstances.
You’ll select a health needs assessment topic and carry out your own rapid health needs assessment, with step-by-step guidance from some of the best experts in this field.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to…
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Explain the relevance and contributions of health protection, health promotion and healthcare provision towards improving population health.
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Locate, utilise, interpret and present data obtained from the major sources of information available to assess population health.
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Integrate numerical data within the context of a health needs assessment, as a rational approach to improving public health.
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Carry out a rapid health needs assessment and make recommendations to improve public health based on the best evidence available.
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Communicate public health-related information effectively to a range of audiences in support of improving the health of a population.
Why study public health online with the University of Aberdeen?

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, legalisation and academic method, directly impacting the lives of millions of people around the world.
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 services research over the last 40 years.
How you’ll study
Online learning
Our distance-learning Public Health in Action course is delivered flexibly, 100% online. You can access our expertise wherever you are in the world and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This course is taught at Masters level.
Your 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:
- recorded sessions
- videos
- discussion boards with classmates and tutors
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
You’ll learn from an experienced team of clinical academics and public health practitioners from our Institute of Applied Health Sciences and NHS Grampian.
Your course coordinator

Dr Leone Craig
A Teaching Fellow in Applied Health Sciences, Leone has a PhD in Nutrition. She’s passionate about improving diet quality around the world and has worked as a Scientific Advisor to the Food Standards Agency Scotland. Leone’s current research includes comparing methods for the global assessment of diets.
View Leone’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:

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
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)Build your learning
We have a range of online Health short courses you can use to build your skills.
Many carry credits you can build up into postgraduate qualifications, including Masters degrees:
Careers
Your employer or professional institute may recognise this course for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Talk to your employer or institute to find out more.

Free careers advice
We’ll help you explore your career potential and connect with job opportunities around the world.
You can access our free careers service while you study.
From interview training to CV clinics, we’re here with tailored, impartial and professional advice.
This course includes many of the same learning outcomes as our on-campus Health Needs Assessment short course. We do not recommend studying both. If progressing to a related Masters, credits will only count from one of these courses, not both.
Entry guidance
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 (second-class) degree
- or relevant experience that supports this level of study.
Apply for this course