Master of Science in Public Health
KPT/JPT(R2/720/7/0077)09/2025 | A10261
KPT/JPT(R-DL/720/7/0811)09/2028 | MQA/SWA11356
Commencement
Mar & Sep (Conventional & ODL)
Degree/Duration
Master of Science in Public Health (IMU):
1 year (Full-time)
2 – 6 years (Part-time)
Master of Science in Public Health (IMU) + Master in Public Health (University of Arizona):
1 + 1 (Full-time)
Maximum 6 years (Part-time)
Optimise Healthcare Management and Safety

Unravel the intricate art and science of disease prevention, life extension, and health promotion. Our Public Health programme empowers graduates to emerge as influential contributors, dedicated to upholding community well-being by enhancing social conditions and fostering healthy behaviours and lifestyles. Through immersive, hands-on experiences within local public health departments, under the mentorship of seasoned specialists and experts, students gain invaluable practical insights and skills to effect positive change in public health initiatives.

What is ODL?
Open and distance learning provides working professionals an alternative to conventional programmes at universities, giving them the opportunity to earn a university degree without interrupting their career. As Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and health sciences university with 30 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education, IMU offers a few postgraduate programmes via this learning mode with students having the opportunity to benefit from all the teaching and support that the University has to offer.
Benefits of ODL
Designed especially for students with employment, family or other commitments, this mode of learning provides flexibility and convenience for the student to schedule their studies around these obligations and around their lifestyle – allowing a student to plan and pace their own learning at a time and learning environment that is most suitable for the student. It also saves students from spending time travelling to the university, the costs of travelling to the university and the costs of staying near the university.
Teaching Methods
Teaching methods include a series of annotated lectures supplemented by videos. For each subject taken, students will be part of a student online community. Students will also be assigned a mentor who will be available to answer any questions and provide feedback on their progress.
Students will be assessed fully online via the in-course assessment assignments and end of module assessment assignment so they don’t need to be at the University to sit for your exams. They will the receive their grades and feedback online.
In order to do this, students will be required to have a desktop/laptop, internet connection, a headset and webcam to participate in online tutorials and other group activities, access to standard office software – such as Microsoft Word and Excel, plus any standard browser, such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox and Skype for certain online sessions.
Your Commitment
Time will be an ODL student’s most important commitment – understanding, working through and reflecting on all teaching materials. The hours spent per week on their studies for the duration of the programme depends on module taken.
Support from University
ODL students are fully registered student of the University with all of the support and services available to them, the same as the on-campus students. Technical support will also be provided if students have difficulty in accessing the e-learning platform.
Why Study Public Health at IMU?
01
An Established Private Healthcare University
IMU is Malaysia’s first and most established private medical and healthcare university with over 30 years of dedicated focus in healthcare education. IMU achieved the SETARA-2018/19 Tier 6 status (Outstanding) under the Mature University category.
02
Renowned and Highly Experience Faculty
Students will be supervised by staff who are experts in their field with well-established reputations nationally and internationally. The academic community of IMU pursues and achieves excellence in a wide range of research activities. Many of them present their findings in international conferences to keep up to date with the latest development in specialised areas. They also publish their findings in international peer-reviewed journals.
03
Recognised By JPA
The IMU MSc in Public Health is recognised by the Malaysian Public Service Department (JPA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). With this recognition, healthcare professionals who are working in the public sector especially MOH who want to advance in their careers in a related field can choose to study the IMU MSc in Public Health programme. Our graduates of this Masters degree can also apply to work in the public sector.
04
Unique Curriculum
This programme has a research component in its curriculum in which the student is required to complete a research project. There will also be field visits to the Ministry of Health, the Local Council and Non-Governmental Organisations as part of the experiential learning component of the programme. E-learning approaches are also used extensively including web-based e-learning in the programme.
05
Research Partnerships
Students will benefit from the University’s research collaborations with various local and foreign institutions in areas such as cancer, bioactive molecules, nutrition and environmental health. Close links have also been established with local hospitals, especially Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in clinical research.
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
Applicants are required to have obtained:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in the field or related fields with a minimum cGPA of 2.50 or equivalent, as accepted by the University’s Senate; or
- A Bachelor’s Degree in the field or related fields or equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 and not meeting a CGPA of 2.50, can be accepted subject to rigorous internal assessment.
For students opting for University of Arizona Credit Recognition Pathway
- Applicants to the MPH-UA programme must possess a minimum CGPA of 3.00 in their undergraduate degree when submitting their application for this pathway.
English Requirements
For Malaysian Students
Not applicable
For International Students
- IELTS : Band score 5.0; or
- TOEFL (iBT) : Overall score of 42; or
- Cambridge English : Advanced (CAE) : Overall score of 154; or
- Cambridge English : Proficiency (CPE) : Overall score of 154; or
- Cambridge Linguaskill : Overall score of 160; or
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) : Overall score of 47;
The following categories of students are exempted from the above requirements:
- International students from countries in which English is the first language.
- International students who graduated from any Malaysian or other institutions where the curriculum is delivered in English.
Note: Please note that achieving the minimum Entry and English requirements as stated does not guarantee you admission into any of IMU’s programmes. Please refer to our Student Admissions Policy for more information.
Programme Structure
Core Modules | |
September to February Semester | September to February Semester |
MSPH117 Research Methodology (3 credits)* | MSPH114 Family Health (3 credits) |
MSPH113 Principles & Method in Epidemiology (3 credits) | MSPH115 Health Services Management with Health Economics (3 credits) |
MSPH116 Biostatics (3 credits) | MSPH118 Health Promotion (2 credits) |
MSPH120 Environmental Health (3 credits) | MSPH119 Sociology of Health & Illness (2 credits) |
MSPH121 Occupational Health (3 credits) | MSPH123 Research Project (Part II) (7 credits)* |
MSPH122 Research Project (Part I) (2 credits)* | |
Electives | |
MSPH127 Healthcare Operation Management (3 credits) | MSPH124 Public Health Practice (2 credits) |
MSPH125 Epidemiology of Communicable & Non-Communicable Diseases (2 credits) | MSPH126 Multivariate Regression Models (2 credits) |
MSPH128 Community Health Service |
*Delivered every semester. Full-time must take them in Semester 1. Part-time student can choose to take them in any semester. The curriculum is reviewed periodically and is subject to change.
The IMU-MSc in Public Health programme has a minimum of 40 graduating credits and is delivered in conventional + open and distance learning (ODL) modes. Both have full-time and part-time options. The curriculum comprises core and elective modules. Core modules are compulsary while electives can be chosen to fulfil the minimum credit requirements. Research I and II are compulsory core modules where students will be required to submit a project proposal and conduct it upon approval from IMU's ethical commitee. Module ends with project report examination and viva voce. This programme is taught in collaboration with various Public Health Departments under the Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur City Council, non-governmantal organisations and other public health-related institutions.
University of Arizona (UA) Credit Recognition Pathway
For students planning to take the University of Arizona Credit Recognition Pathway, a minimum of 40 credits from MSPH-IMU is pre-requisite to the subsequent 20 credits in the Master of Public Health programme at UA, which can be completed via ODL. There is also an option to undertake the internship at UA.
Fee Structure
Fee | Malaysian Student (RM) | International Student (RM) |
---|---|---|
Application Fee | 150 | 500 |
Registration Fee | 1,100 | 3,400 |
Refundable Caution Deposit | 2,000 | 2,000 |
Student Association Fee per Semester | 40 | 40 |
- All IMU Alumni who are self-funding their postgraduate studies and meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for a bursary of 15%
- Application fee is payable upon submission of application
- Registration fee and refundable caution deposit is payable upon acceptance of the offer letter issued by the IMU Admissions Office
- Students must adhere to the Policy on Payment of Fees
- For information on Student Visa Administration fee, please refer to Visa and Immigration on the IMU website, www.imu.edu.my
- Fee payable per semester are subject to the number of credits registered
- **Subject to annual increase
Study Mode | Malaysian Student Tuition Fees |
International Student Tuition Fees |
---|---|---|
Master of Science* | ||
Conventional | RM1,150 per credit hour, | RM1,300 per credit hour, |
No. of Credit Hour: 31 hours | RM35,650 total fee | RM40,300 total fee |
Research Paper | RM1,150 per credit hour, | RM1,300 per credit hour, |
No. of Credit Hour: 9 hours | RM10,350 total fee | RM11,700 total fee |
RM46,000 total fee | RM52,000 total fee | |
Master of Science* | ||
Open & Distance Learning (ODL) | RM930 per credit hour, | RM930 per credit hour, |
No. of Credit Hour: 31 hours | RM28,830 total fee | RM28,830 total fee |
Research Paper | RM1,150 per credit hour, | RM1,150 per credit hour, |
No. of Credit Hour: 9 hours | RM10,350 total fee | RM10,350 total fee |
RM39,180 total fee | RM39,180 total fee | |
University of Arizona Credit Recognition Pathway Open & Distance Learning (ODL) |
Additional tuition fee of approximately USD 10,000 |
|
- *Students have the opportunity to take more credits than 40 credits required. Additional fees will be charged according to the number of additional credit hours.
- All tuition and ancillary fees are subject to annual increases, currency exchange rates, and exclusive of levy and bridging fees (if any).
- All students are required to pay Student Association Fees of RM40 per semester.
- The fees quoted for partner universities are current estimates only.
- All fees are accurate at time of print. For latest fees and information, please visit IMU website at www.imu.edu.my
Hear from Our Students and Alumni
Frequently Asked Questions
- Verified copies of your academic qualifications
- Evidence of English language proficiency
- A copy of your MyKad or the identification page of your passport
Recorded videos lectures with additional learning materials and activities to do self-learning are for ODL mode.
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A Word from the Programme Director

Welcome to the dynamic world of Public Health. Our programme is designed to equip people with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to address the most pressing health challenges facing communities today. Join us on a journey towards creating healthier populations and promoting well-being for all. Explore the possibilities and opportunities that await you in the field of Public Health.
Dr Hlaing Thaw Dar
Senior Lecturer and Programme Director, Public Health (MSc)
MBBS (UM1, Ygn), MPH (UM)

A Word from the Programme Director


Welcome to the dynamic world of Public Health. Our programme is designed to equip people with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to address the most pressing health challenges facing communities today. Join us on a journey towards creating healthier populations and promoting well-being for all. Explore the possibilities and opportunities that await you in the field of Public Health.
Dr Hlaing Thaw Dar
Senior Lecturer and Programme Director, Public Health (MSc)
MBBS (UM1, Ygn), MPH (UM)
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