Public health training in the UK

Overview

Training in public health can involve a number of different routes depending on individuals' prior experience and the type of job for which they wish to train.

The majority of the information below focuses on the formal public health training scheme, which is open to medical or non-medical applicants who wish to train to become a Consultant in Public Health, Director of Public Health, CCDC (Consultant in communicable disease control) or other consultant-level public health professional. Other roles, such as Environmental Health Officer, have their own training arrangements.

Eligibility and length of training

For medics, training in public health is similar to training in any other medical specialty - a period of 5 years as a Specialty Registrar (StR), once Foundation House Officer (F/FHO) years 1 and 2 are complete.

The training scheme is also open to those from other non-medical professional backgrounds with appropriate relevant experience.

The Faculty of Public Health gives full details on eligibility for formal training and the contact details for your local deanery Programme Director if you are interested in taking things further. In addition some posts may be available in your area at F1 or F2 level if you would like to gain some on-the-job experience.

Exams and MPH

In common with most specialties, public health has its own set of exams, the Membership of the Faculty of Public Health (MFPH).

The format and content of these change from time to time but involve both a theoretical, written section and a practical exam (currently the Objective Structured Public Health Examination, OSPHE). You may wish to read articles I've written previously on tips for taking the MFPH Part A and Part B.

All public health trainees are also expected to have completed a Masters in Public Health (MPH or MSc) by the end of the training scheme, and this is usually an integral part of the scheme, either full- or part-time. Full-time degrees usually last 1 year.

Salary

Public health trainees and consultants are paid in line with other medical specialties. Depending on on-call commitments, there may be a supplement payable in addition to the basic salary. Medical salaries (BMJ Careers)

On-call commitments

Many public health posts, both in training and once qualified, will involve participation in some form of on-call rota, often for health protection (communicable disease) queries.

Day in the life...

So what's the training scheme like in practice? Read my archived article about a day in the life of a public health trainee.

Interested in applying?

If you think public health training may be for you then have more of a browse around this site to read more about public health, and then you should check the FPH website for the latest details on training schemes and how to apply for places. You may also like to read some of my recommended books on public health to get more of a feel for the subject, and see the links in the Directory section on training.

For non-training scheme jobs, including Consultant posts, see the Jobs section of Public healthy.