Join us at our postgraduate open events in November to find out more about this course

Postgraduate Taught

Course entry year:

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights - MSc

Do you want to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in diverse communities across the UK and around the world? Are you passionate about social justice and interested in developing the knowledge and skills needed for senior roles in health policy and practice? Our MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights provides a strong foundation for professionals seeking to influence policy, programmes and services that promote health, equality and human rights. The course is particularly relevant for healthcare workers, health practitioners (including those working in public health), community and development workers, and those pursuing technical, advocacy or leadership roles in national and global SRHR initiatives.

The course combines theoretical learning with practical, non-clinical skills development, enabling you to explore key sexual and reproductive health and rights issues in both local and international contexts. You will examine the social, political and rights-based factors that shape health outcomes, with particular attention to low- and middle-income countries. Through integrating theory and practice, you will develop critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of both historical and contemporary SRHR challenges.

Alongside shared modules within QMU’s Institute for Global Health and Development, you will study specialist modules in Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health, and Gender and Sexual and Reproductive Health in Action. These modules bring real-world issues to life and help you apply your learning to policy and practice. Available full-time or part-time, the MSc equips you to work at a senior level, designing and delivering effective, context-sensitive policies, programmes and services that advance sexual and reproductive health, wellbeing and rights across a range of settings.

Why QMU?

Unique academic institution: The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at QMU offers a range of postgraduate courses designed for those who wish to work in health policy and practice, addressing health inequities from local communities to global settings. Our researchers are at the forefront of health policy and systems research, and we are known for informing and influencing policy and practice in low- and middle-income countries and fragile settings.
Transforming careers and communities: Our courses place strong emphasis on the social aspects of health and on strengthening health systems from a community-based perspective. They will equip you to improve health outcomes for communities facing significant challenges, internationally, nationally, and locally. You will develop a strong understanding of current global health and development issues and challenges, and you will gain the tools you need to forge positive change.
Access to expertise and industry connections: You will learn from leading experts in global health and build lasting professional relationships. 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. Our partners include:

Health Systems Global
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network
Scottish International Development Alliance
Development Studies Association
Scottish Government
Scottish Refugee Council
At QMU, we hosted the NIHR Research Unit on Health in Situations of Fragility (RUHF), and we are part of the UK FCDO-funded ReBUILD for Resilience project.

A commitment to equity: Our work at IGHD addresses the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need, wherever they may be, from vulnerable populations in Scotland to those marginalised groups in low- and middle-income countries.
Expertise that matters: Our teaching and research span health financing, support to fragile and conflict-affected settings, climate change, and priority health issues, including mental health, chronic disease, sexual and reproductive health and rights, refugee integration, and child protection. Our teaching team brings real-world case studies and insights from their field experience across diverse contexts, including Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Take a quick-fire look at IGHD's range of postgraduate courses:

Start Your Application

Apply for this Course

Admissions FAQs How to Apply

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 Admissions 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 course-related topic in co-ordination with your academic supervisor. You can choose to do a desk-based study involving a literature review or potentially conduct primary data collection or secondary data analysis.

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 (including public health 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 2027 start and December for a January 2028 start.

International students: End of June for a September 20276 start and November for a January 20287 start.

Contact Admissions for more information.

More information on 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 (October 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.

Become your best you: study at QMU