NB Admission to this course is currently paused as this course will not run in 2024 – it is currently not confirmed if the course will run again in the future.

Postgraduate Taught

Applied Global Health - MSc

Do you want to make a difference to the health of people in low-resource settings? Are you passionate about social justice or looking for a qualification that will enable you to work at a senior level in health policy and practice in the UK or abroad, particularly in low and middle income settings? Our flexible and highly respected range of global health courses could be the perfect stepping stone for your career.

This MSc in Applied Global Health course will help you to develop a set of relevant practical skills that can be applied to global health programming and interventions. It will equip you with the skills and competencies to promote the health of populations in low, middle and high-income countries and settings through the development of effective and relevant health policies, services and interventions.

This course will be relevant to you if you are working, or planning to work, in enhancing population health in low or middle-income settings particularly as a consultant advisor or technical expert, within governmental (eg ministries of health), non-governmental or intergovernmental organisations (eg WHO or UN agencies).

The course will offer you a thorough grounding in this multidisciplinary field, with the opportunity to specialise your studies if you wish later on. The course can be studied full or part-time.

Why QMU?

Unique academic institution: The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at QMU offers a range of postgraduate courses aimed specifically at those who wish to work in health policy and practice, particularly in low and middle income settings.
Make a difference to your career and to others' lives: Our courses put a strong focus on the social aspects of health and on health systems strengthening from a community-based perspective. They will equip you to assist in improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world, whether that be overseas or locally in Scotland. You will develop a strong understanding of current global health and development issues and will equip yourself with the tools you need to forge positive change locally, nationally or internationally.
Access to expertise and industry connections: You will learn from experienced figures in the field and make connections that could last your whole working life. At IGHD we work directly with ministries of health, international and national organisations and local communities to develop real solutions to health and development problems. We have links with various bodies, including the following: Health Systems Global / Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network / Scottish International Development Alliance / Development Studies Association / Scottish Government Scottish Refugee Council. At QMU we host the NIHR Research Unit on Health in Situations of Fragility (RUHF).
Join us on our compassion mission: Our work at IGHD addresses the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need, whether that be vulnerable populations in Scotland or those living in low or middle income countries.  
Wide ranging teaching and research expertise: Our teaching and research expertise spans multiple aspects of global health and development. These range from health financing, support to fragile and conflict-affected settings, to refugee integration and child protection.

Applied Global Health (MSc): More information and what you will achieve

The global health field has become more complex in the past two decades with the dramatic increase in donor funding channelled through global health initiatives, the rise of more complex patterns of co-morbidity, emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, anti-microbial resistance and the impact of conflict and migration on health and health systems. These issues are targeted through a wide range of health and social development interventions that are implemented by diverse partners in multiple countries and regions of the world. Many global health funding agencies, governments and non-governmental organisations increasingly seek short-term as well as longer-term consultant advisors and technical experts. Practical expertise in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating both research projects as well as interventions through a range of approaches and methods are essential for graduates hoping to find employment in the applied global health arena. This MSc Applied Global Health is geared to provide you with these skills to find employment in global health.

How will I be taught?

Structure and exit awards

You can opt to study for the full MSc (180 credits), a PgDip (120 credits) or a PgCert (60 credits). You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD. On completion of a single module, you may wish to complete further modules and progress your studies to a named award.

A variety of modules can be studied, for example: Psychosocial Interventions for Displaced Populations or Forced Displacement and Integration Module. Contact IGHD for more information.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching is comprised of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates assignments, action plans, projects and presentations.

For your dissertation projects, you can chose to do a desk study involving a literature review or conduct primary data collection, including in collaboration with national or international organisations working in health and development.

Teaching hours and attendance

Your exact attendance requirements at QMU will depend on the module you are studying and whether you are studying full-time or part-time. In addition, for each module students spend approximately 10-12 hours of each week on preparatory class work independently and with colleagues, including readings and exercises available on dedicated web-based learning platforms.

Class sizes

We expect approximately 15-20 students to enroll for this course each year.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

Modules

PgCert

Three from: Programme Evaluation in Global Health and Development (15 credits)/Project Design and Management (15 credits)/Research Proposal Writing(15 credits)/Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
Plus one other module chosen from the available Semester 2 electives.

PgDip

Global Public Health and Social Policy (20 credits) (core module)
Health Systems, Services and Communities (20 credits) (core module)
Global Health Research (20 credits) (core module)
Plus the required three from: Programme Evaluation in Global Health and Development (15 credits)/Project Design and Management (15 credits)/Research Proposal Writing (15 credits)/Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
Plus one other module chosen from the available Semester 2 electives.

MSc

Global Public Health and Social Policy (20 credits)(core module)
Global Health Research (20 credits)(core module)
Health Systems, Services and Communities (20 credits)(core module)
plus a further 60 credits from three of the following: Programme Evaluation in Global Health and Development (15 credits)/ Project Design and Management (15 credits)/Research Proposal Writing (15 credits)/Qualitative Research Methods (15 credits)
plus one further module can be freely chosen from other available electives that include topics such as Global Approaches to Gender and Health; Health Systems in Fragile Setting; and Psychosocial Interventions for Displaced Populations, among others.

If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation involving desk study or fieldwork on an approved topic related to global health (60 credits).

NB The modules listed for each course are correct at time of posting (October 2022) but are subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please check this site or contact IGHD for any updates.

Applied Global Health (MSc): Entry requirements and application information

Entry requirements

A UK honours degree or equivalent from a relevant subject area (arts, humanities, health or social sciences). Students without an honours degree may be considered if they have other relevant qualifications and/or appropriate work experience.

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.0 with no individual component score less than 5.5.

Applying for this course

This course MAY run in 2024/25. Updates will be posted here when confirmed.

Application deadline

This course MAY run in 2024/25. Updates will be posted here when confirmed.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).

Career opportunities

This course could be a major turning point in your career. It will enable you to work on programming related aspects such as monitoring and evaluation, programme design and management and developing and implementing research studies.