Specialty training in public health

You can train in public health as a public health specialty registrar with or without a degree in medicine

If you have a degree in a subject other than medicine (or if you have a medical degree but want to apply for training through the non-medical route) you must have a good first degree or a higher degree and a significant amount of work experience in an area relevant to public health practice.

Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be invited to take part in a selection process consisting of written tests and, subject to satisfactory performance, a face-to-face assessment. If you meet the minimum thresholds for both tests and are ranked sufficiently highly overall, you will be offered a training post.

Find out more about selection for specialty training in public health.

Play the video to hear a registrar's perspective on application to, selection for, and opportunities in specialty training in public health.

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If you're accepted on the training programme, you'll usually be employed full time for five years (or longer if part time) to complete the training. This typically includes spending one year on an academic course and four years training on the job within public health teams.

You will also have assessments in the workplace and have to pass the Faculty of Public Health membership exams.

Once your training is complete, you'll be eligible for specialist registration via the relevant professional body. You can then apply for consultant-level posts in local authorities, the NHS or other settings.

Find out more about the public health specialty training programme.

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