Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights - MSc

On the MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights course you will study a rights-based approach to the social and political issues influencing sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on low-income and middle-income countries. You will work on integrating theory and practice, developing critical thinking skills and widening your perspective on current and historical sexual and reproductive health and issues.

You will also be able to evaluate the importance of sexual health and sexual rights, developing critical thinking skills and widening your perspective on current and historical sexual and reproductive health issues.

Structure and exit awards

You can opt to study for the full MSc (180 credits), a PgDip (120 credits) or a PgCert (60 credits). Please note all students will initially enrol onto the MSc course. 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 CPD. Contact IGHD for more information.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Our teaching is guided by case-based learning, complemented with lectures, seminars, tutorials, simulation exercises, and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates essays, action plans, projects, and presentations. 

For your dissertation project, you will choose a health systems topic in coordination with your academic supervisor. You can choose to do a desk-based study involving a literature review or potentially conduct primary data collection in collaboration with national or international organisations working in global 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 each week preparing class work independently and with colleagues, including readings and exercises available on dedicated web-based learning platforms. 

Class sizes

We expect approximately 10 students to enrol in this specialisation pathway 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.

PgCert

For the award of PgCert you will complete the following modules:

• Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health (20 credits)*: In this module, you will take a critical approach to gender, health, and sexual and reproductive health in a global context, exploring both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Using a case-based learning approach and drawing on perspectives from public health and the social sciences, you will examine key contemporary issues affecting gender and health. Some theoretical approaches including feminism, masculinities and intersectionality will be explored along with the impact of gender as a social determinant of health. 
• Gender and Sexual and Health Rights in Action (20 credits)*: This module is designed for students interested in working with community-based or policy-focused organisations in the field of sexual health and rights. It offers a critical exploration of the role of sexual health and rights in global health. In the first part of the module, you will examine various forms of transformative action, including community, local, and global initiatives that drive change. The second part focuses on developing both knowledge and practical skills through practice-based learning, enabling you to interpret and respond to current, contested issues in sexual health and rights programming and policy. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to engage critically with both theoretical and practical aspects of the field.
• And 20 credits of additional taught modules from the following list:

• Key Concepts in Health and Development (20 credits)
• Key Methods in Health and Development (20 credits)
• Key Practice in Health and Development (20 credits)
• Health Systems in Fragile Settings (20 credits)
• Health Systems and Policy (20 credits)
• Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (20 credits)
• Project Design and Management (20 credits)
• Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology (20 credits)
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (20 credits)
• Applied Approaches to Climate and Health (20 credits) 

NB Students leaving with 60 credits of study, but without having completed the two modules marked '*' will be awarded a PgCert Global Health without specialisation. 

PgDip

For the award of PgDip you will complete the following modules: 

• Key Concepts in Health and Development (20 credits): In this module, you will be introduced to key concepts in health and development, providing a strong conceptual foundation to the field. You will define and critically engage with fundamental principles, theories, and approaches, enabling you to assess health and development from both global and local perspectives. The module explores essential metrics and measures, equipping you to analyse health outcomes and disparities.
• Key Methods in Health and Development (20 credits): In this module, you will develop a strong foundation in research methodologies essential for global health and development. You will explore how knowledge and evidence are produced, validated, and applied, gaining insight into the strengths and limitations of various research approaches. By comparing diverse epistemological and methodological frameworks, you will critically assess their theoretical foundations, ethical considerations, and practical applications
• Key Practice in Health and Development (20 credits): You will explore the practical and analytical approaches needed to assess and improve population health, health systems, and social and economic development in diverse contexts. You will learn how to apply system-level thinking to address health challenges from local to global levels, and integrate principles of inclusivity, equity, and sustainability into systems, policies, and programmes. Through critical engagement with evidence, you will assess systems, strategies, and interventions designed to tackle key health and development issues across different settings.
• Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health (20 credits): In this module, you will take a critical approach to gender, health, and sexual and reproductive health in a global context, exploring both theoretical frameworks and practical applications. Using a case-based learning approach and drawing on perspectives from public health and the social sciences, you will examine key contemporary issues affecting gender and health. Some theoretical approaches including feminism, masculinities and intersectionality will be explored along with the impact of gender as a social determinant of health. 
• Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Action (20 credits): This module is designed for students interested in working with community-based or policy-focused organisations in the field of sexual health and rights. It offers a critical exploration of the role of sexual health and rights in global health. In the first part of the module, you will examine various forms of transformative action, including community, local, and global initiatives that drive change. The second part focuses on developing both knowledge and practical skills through practice-based learning, enabling you to interpret and respond to current, contested issues in sexual health and rights programming and policy. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to engage critically with both theoretical and practical aspects of the field.
• And 20 credits of additional taught modules from the following list: 

• Health Systems in Fragile Settings (20 credits)
• Health Systems and Policy (20 credits)
• Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (20 credits)
• Project Design and Management (20 credits)
• Introduction to Biostatistics and Epidemiology (20 credits)
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (20 credits)
• Applied Approaches to Climate and Health (20 credits)

MSc 

For the award of an MSc you will also complete a Dissertation (60 credits) involving desk study or fieldwork on an approved topic relevant to sexual and reproductive health.

This course could be a major turning point in your career. You will be ideally equipped for employment as a specialist in sexual and reproductive health, working as a practitioner, programme manager, policy advisor, or advocate in local, national or international settings.

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 students: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0. 

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at QMU. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service where someone will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

Home students: August for a September 2026 start and December for a January 2027 start.

International students: End of June for a September 2026 start and November for a January 2027 start.

Contact Admissions or contact IGHD for more information.

International applicants may apply for a competitive Commonwealth Scholarship.

More information on our forthcoming open events

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2026/27 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (October 2024) but is subject to change following a routine re-validation. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please keep an eye on this page for updates.