Institute for International Health and Development - IIHD

MSc in Social Justice Development & Health

This award was introduced in 2000 in response to the increasing emphasis being placed upon "mainstreaming social development" within development assistance and is aimed to equip graduates with an indepth knowledge of social development and relevance to health within transitional and developing economies.

It focuses on key issues influencing current development policy and practice, including inter-sectoral links, governance and poverty reduction, participation and empowerment, gender analysis, sustainable livelihoods, and the role and development of civil society. The focus of the programme is to examine the approaches taken to poverty reduction through social development and the enhancement of health and the provision of health care. Students taking this programme can exit with 1) a Postgraduate Certificate (covering three core modules one of which is a double module over one semester), 2) a Postgraduate Diploma (covering five core modules plus a choice of 2 elective modules over two semesters) or 3) a full MSc (all 5 core and 2 electives plus a dissertation over one year). This programme is relevant to a wide variety of professions working within healthcare, education and community development. The programmes are a blend of skill-based approaches with critical and evaluative analysis utilising a range of group and individual teaching formats.

Other post graduate courses in Social Justice are being delivered by the School of Arts and Social Sciences within Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

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Programme Structure MSc in Social Justice Development & Health

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 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: International Public Health or Health Systems - 15 credits/5 ECTS(6 weeks)
Core Module: Social Development Policy & Practice - 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)
Core Module: Social Justice - 15 credits/5 ECTS

2 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.