Global Health (Health Systems) - MSc

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 Continuing Professional Development (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 can choose to do a desk-based study involving a literature review or 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 of each week on 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 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.

PgCert

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

• Health Systems in Fragile Settings (20 credits)*: In this online module, you will learn to analyse health systems under stress and develop a critical understanding of approaches to health system strengthening in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS), with a case-based approach. You will explore the challenges to health systems during and post crises and discuss concepts and approaches to health system strengthening in humanitarian response and in the recovery process after acute shocks, or in chronic crises
• Health Systems and Policy (20 credits)*: In this module you will deepen your understanding of health systems as complex, adaptive social institutions, focusing on the application of health policy and systems research (HPSR) frameworks and methods. You will critically engage with how systems function, how they are governed, financed, and reformed, and how they interface with the communities they serve. Through an HPSR lens, you will explore the political economy of health systems, the role of actors and institutions, and the dynamics of implementation.
• 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)
• Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health (20 credits)
• Gender and Sexual Health Rights in Action (20 credits)
• Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (20 credits)
• Project Design and Management (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 (120 credits) 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.
• Health Systems in Fragile Settings (20 credits): In this online module, you will learn to analyse health systems under stress and develop a critical understanding of approaches to health system strengthening in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS), with a case-based approach. You will explore the challenges to health systems during and post crises and discuss concepts and approaches to health system strengthening in humanitarian response and in the recovery process after acute shocks, or in chronic crises
• Health Systems and Policy (20 credits): In this module you will deepen your understanding of health systems as complex, adaptive social institutions, focusing on the application of health policy and systems research (HPSR) frameworks and methods. You will critically engage with how systems function, how they are governed, financed, and reformed, and how they interface with the communities they serve. Through an HPSR lens, you will explore the political economy of health systems, the role of actors and institutions, and the dynamics of implementation.
• And 20 credits of additional taught modules from the following list:

• Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health (20 credits)
• Gender and Sexual Health Rights in Action (20 credits)
• Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (20 credits)
• Project Design and Management (20 credits)
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (20 credits)
• Applied Approaches to Climate and Health (20 credits)

MSc

To be awarded the MSc, you will also complete a 60-credit Dissertation involving either a literature review, primary data collection, or secondary data analysis on an approved topic related to health systems.

This course could be a major turning point in your career. You will be ideally equipped for employment as a global, international health practitioner, senior health manager or policy maker working in, or advising, a low- or middle-income context or one in economic transition.

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 who 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: End of August 2027 for a September start and End of December 2027 for a January 2028 start.

International students: End of June for a September 2027 start and End of November for a January 2028 start.

Contact Admissions for more information.

More information about our forthcoming open events

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2027/28 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
• The information on this page is correct at the time of posting (September 2026) but is 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 keep an eye on this page for updates.