Institute for International Health and Development - IIHD

MSc in International Health

International health is a multidisciplinary field of study that takes a multi-nation perspective on the state of people’s health, enhances knowledge and implementation of effective intervention strategies through a systematic examination of health problems, their determinants, and their solutions around the world (Aboud 1998 p281).

This Institute for International Health and Development acknowledges the global right of individuals and communities to essential health care that is practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable. The Institute also recognises that health and development are inextricably linked. Thus, health is influenced by a wide range of social, political, economic and biological variables. The development of health is a social process and interventions within the health sector alone will not necessarily result in the improvement of the health of a population. The promotion of health requires international, national, regional and local policy approaches across a range of sectors as well as environmental changes and community and individual approaches. The teaching team also recognise that development projects themselves can inadvertently impact negatively on health.

IIHD values interprofessional education and the development of critical thinking. It is believed that health professionals require the ability to work in teams and to critically appraise different theoretical approaches to health and development. IIHD values an analytical perspective on international health and the way in which the agenda for international health is prepared. The study of international health integrates a number of disciplines including sociology, economics, epidemiology, management, social policy, politics, nutrition, psychology, edcation and medicine.

This is a modular programme of study with the taught Postgraduate Certificate component extending over one 15-week semester and the taught Postgraduate Diploma component extending over two 15-week semesters. The Dissertation component extends over the summer period (mid-April-August). Planning for the dissertation necessarily begins in Semester 2 and requires the completion of the core module, Research Design and Planning in Semester 2. For full-time participants, the programme will run over one calendar year, starting in September each year (although January entry is permitted for suitably qualified participants).

The programme is based on completion of between 4-8 modules, with a dissertation for those completing the MSc. A module is equivalent to a notional 150 learning hours (the anticipated average time for the participant to complete the module). Learning hours are the combination of teaching contact hours and self-directed study time.

IIHD Programme Structure

Semester 1

Induction (4 days)

Core Module: International Health & Social Policy - 15 credits/5 ECTS
Core Module: Health Related Research -15 credits/5 ECTS(6 weeks)
Core Module: Health Systems Development - 15 credits/5 ECTS(6 weeks)
Core Module: Select one from International Public Health / Social Development Policy & Practice / Health Economics - 15 credits/5 ECTS

Reading week (1 week) - usually around October

Semester 2

Induction (3 days)

Core Module: Research Design and Planning - 15 credits/5 ECTS (5 weeks)

3 Elective Modules: Please see IIHD Programme Structure

Semester 3

Dissertation - 60 credits/'20 ECTS (3.5 months)
Successful completion of the dissertation will, therefore, accumulate a further 60 credit points giving the total of 180 M points required for the award of the Masters Degree.