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Masters Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Global Health Policy

These courses aim to provide students with an in-depth understanding of health determinants and outcomes that transcend national boundaries, and the policy responses required to protect and promote population health in a globalising world.

(by Distance Learning)

Click here to listen to an interview with Dr Justin Parkhurst

The courses combine core modules on the economics and politics of global health (including such topics as global health diplomacy, trade and health and migration), global environmental change, and key issues in global health policy (such as access to medicines, virus sharing and tobacco control). The courses are aimed at students and professionals from both health and non-health backgrounds who seek to understand more about the policy environment associated with issues of global health. They will be of value especially to those who may be seeking to assume positions related to issues of global health policy in national, regional or global health organisations, health-related research institutions, non-governmental organisations and private consultancies.

The Programme specification gives a more detailed breakdown of how elements of the courses support and achieve learning objectives.

Course Duration

On successful completion of the core modules, students can exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Policy or may transfer their registration to either the Postgraduate Diploma or to the MSc. Postgraduate Certificate students have a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years to complete their award. Postgraduate Diploma and MSc students have a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years to complete the degree.

 

Computing Requirements

The list below describes the specifications of a computer capable of operating the software supplied for the Global Health Policy courses. A computer with the minimum rather than recommended specifications will be capable of handling the software, but may be rather slow. 

Computer: PC capable of running Windows and fulfilling the other requirements. 

Processor: Pentium or better, 90MHz or higher (recommended). 

Memory (RAM): 512MB (1GB recommended). 

Hard disk space: 200MB of available disk space of higher (recommended). 

CD-ROM drive: Double speed or faster recommended. 

Operating System: Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 or later (Windows XP). 

Graphics: 256 colours (minimum), 65536 colours or higher (recommended).  Resolution 640 x 480 or higher. 

Internet connection: Email account and regular web access are essential.

Printer: Laser or ink jet recommended.

A sound card and headset are recommended, or sound card, speakers and microphone.

Objectives

By the end of these courses, students will be expected to have established a solid foundation in various theories and practices concerned with global health, as well as understand the emerging institutional structures and governance mechanisms to address global health issues. Students should gain a good appreciation of relevant health policy research methods, such as comparative analysis and cross country learning. They should also be able to apply these analytical and methodological skills to address the multifaceted challenges posed by global health issues.

Course Content

Students can choose to study an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate, or individual modules. The last option is ideal if you wish to sample the degree or update your professional knowledge.

Course structures

The compulsory core modules, which are common to the Certificate, Diploma and MSc courses, comprise:  

These four modules constitute the Postgraduate Certificate. After successful completion of the core modules, those registered for the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc must successfully pass a specific number of further modules to complete the award.

Students registered for the Postgraduate Diploma must select four modules from the list below.

Students registered for the MSc must choose five elective modules from the list below, and must also complete a project report in their final year. (Alternatively, three further elective modules may be chosen from the list below in place of the project report.)

Note that restrictions and prerequisites may apply to some of the modules below. Not all modules will be available every year.

Combining DL studies with studies at the School - 'blended learning' study
After successful completion of a minimum number of core modules, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc students may also be eligible for the 'blended learning option', which allows for the study of up to two modules only (from a restricted list) at LSHTM in London during the Spring or Summer terms in place of distance learning modules. Please note that these options, and the dates when the modules are held at the School, are subject to change - full details will be sent to all DL students in July each year. The fee for attending LSHTM in-house modules is payable directly to LSHTM, not to the University of London International Programmes, and is in addition to the distance learning course fees.
Method of assessment
 
All distance learning modules are assessed by means of a two-hour unseen written examination (with 15 minutes planning/reading time at the start of the examination). Examinations are only held once a year, usually in June. Students may sit examinations in any one of a wide range of examination centres around the world - please click here to view details of the examination centres available.

Elective modules - EPM3, IDM2, IDM3, IDM5 and PHM2 modules - are assessed partly by the two-hour unseen written examination (70%) and partly by an assessed assignment (30%), submitted electronically to LSHTM by a set deadline.

Credits awarded

Credits will be awarded to all modules (15 credits each) and (MSc only) the project (45 credits) successfully completed. To successfully pass an award the following credits must be gained:

Postgraduate Certificate – 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma – 120 credits
MSc – 180 credits

Entrance Requirements

All applicants are required to have a second-class honours degree or equivalent in a subject appropriate to the course, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London and a minimum of one year’s relevant work experience.

Students who do not satisfy the above requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.

For all applicants, an advanced level of ability to work in English is required. Applicants may be required to pass or to have passed within the last five years, at the appropriate level, a test of proficiency in English acceptable to the University. Further information on the English language tests and scores accepted by the School are available in the Entrance Requirements section of the University of London International Programmes website.

Application for Study by Distance Learning
The School's distance learning courses are run in collaboration with the University of London International Programmes. Applications for the Distance Learning courses must be made direct to the University of London International Programmes. Applications should be made online at:
http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/prospective_students/postgraduate/lshtm/global_health_policy/index.shtml
Alternatively, an application form may be downloaded from the above website and posted, together with evidence of academic qualifications and references, to the following address:
Postgraduate Admissions Office, University of London International Programmes, Ground floor, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DN, UK.
(Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.)
 
Applications must be received no later than 30 June. (Students applying to study individual modules rather than a full PG Certificate, Diploma or MSc award, may apply until 31 August.)
 
Enquiries may be submitted online at http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/contact_us/webform_enquires.shtml or by contacting:

The Information Centre, University of London, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DN

Email: enquiries@london.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8360
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8361
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8362
Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8358

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