Shape the Future of Population Health with Our Programmes
Oxford Population Health (the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford) is a global pioneer and leader in population health science. We lead human health forward by identifying the most important questions, developing innovative ways to answer them, and making sure that the answers improve lives. Our programmes equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex health challenges and improve health outcomes worldwide.
Our MSc courses include dedicated modules showing how epidemiological research can be applied across non-communicable diseases, communicable diseases, and maternal and child health, providing a strong foundation for doctoral studies in population health. Our DPhil offers students the opportunity to work closely with world-leading researchers, developing in-depth knowledge of their chosen population health project in preparation for a research career.
Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including medical practice, epidemiology, statistics, health services research, public health, economics, and ethics. This breadth of perspective is what defines population health science.
msc in global health science and epidemiology
A one-year, full-time taught programme that equips students to design, analyse and interpret research studies to improve population health worldwide.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
MSc in Clinical Trials
A two-year, part-time distance-learning master’s course designed to train professionals in the design, conduct and analysis of large-scale clinical trials.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
DPhil in population health
A three-year (full-time) or six-year (part-time) research degree in close collaboration with world-leading researchers to advance population health.
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
Hear from our leaders and students
Our Director of Graduate Studies and two DPhil students offer a glimpse into life at Oxford Population Health, from beginning their journey to building a research career.
Inside the DPhil: Leadership Perspective
Dr Mark Sheehan shares what makes our DPhil distinctive: how the programme is structured, how students are matched with supervisors whose projects align with their interests, and why our culture of curiosity and collaboration nurtures independent researchers.
Why Oxford Population Health: Data and mentorship
Favour Peters is exploring how infections may contribute to lung cancer risk. She shares what sets Oxford Population Health apart: working across genetics, cancer epidemiology, immunology, and data science, with access to world-leading datasets such as UK Biobank and the China Kadoorie Biobank.
Why Return to Oxford Population Health
Matthew Quinn first came to Oxford Population Health as an MSc student and returned to pursue his DPhil, drawn back by the chance to do research that makes a real‑world difference. He reflects on what brings researchers here: asking big questions using large‑scale datasets, within a diverse, international community.
Short courses and other opportunities
We offer training and career development opportunities for population health scientists and medical students. Our short courses build expertise in specific areas of population health research, complementing our wider training and studentship programmes.
Short courses
We offer short courses to build practical skills in epidemiology, statistics, health economics, and research methods for real-world impact. Explore our short courses:
Applied Methods of Cost‑effectiveness Analysis
BHF 4-Year PhD Studentships in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
A four‑year PhD programme co‑led by the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and Imperial College London, as part of a British Heart Foundation doctoral training initiative using data‑driven approaches to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Medical Student research projects
By choosing a Final Honours School (FHS) or Academic Special Interest Project (ASIP) in Oxford Population Health, medical students can engage in innovative and impactful research addressing critical public health challenges. We support both standard-entry and graduate-entry medical students and offer a rich environment to develop research skills with the support of experienced investigators.
Final Honours School (FHS) research projects
FHS projects provide Oxford medical and biomedical science students the opportunity to undertake supervised public health research, developing analytical and methodological skills under the guidance of experienced investigators. Students are encouraged to select projects that reflect their academic and research interests.
ACADEMIC SPECIAL INTEREST PROJECTS (ASIP)
ASIP provide graduate‑entry medical students the opportunity to explore their academic interests through a Year 1 literature review and a related Year 2 research project, undertaken under close supervisor guidance during Hilary term.
PUBLIC HEALTH: SPECIAL STUDY MODULE (SSM)
SSM placements provide senior medical students opportunities to gain practical experience in public health through short‑term projects. Opportunities include working with Oxfordshire County Council’s public health team to explore policy, research, and community health initiatives.