Develop your understanding of global public health and strengthen your ability to apply critical thinking to some of the most pressing health challenges. Explore issues ranging from malaria to sexual health, and consider how public health approaches can address inequalities and improve health in underserved communities in low- and middle-income countries.

The MSc Public Health for Global Practice is designed for students interested in addressing complex public health challenges. Students typically have a strong interest in pursuing a career in global public health, and many bring relevant academic, professional or practical experience that they are keen to build upon.

You will learn from specialists across a range of disciplines, including statistics, epidemiology, health economics, social science and health policy. You will explore how these different perspectives can be brought together to understand complex health and development challenges, and develop the knowledge and skills to design, implement and manage interventions that improve health outcomes, particularly among the most marginalised and underserved populations.

What you will learn

• Gain in-depth knowledge of a range of current issues and topics in public health in low- and middle-income settings.
• Explore core public health disciplines, including epidemiology, statistics, social science research, health economics and health policy.
• Develop an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods, their respective strengths and how they can be applied to global health challenges.
• Learn how to identify health problems, design and implement appropriate interventions, and evaluate their impact.

You’ll be taught by a team of diverse experts, and benefit from 1:1 tailored advice and guidance over the course of the year. With a maximum of 40 international students in each cohort, who have very diverse backgrounds and experiences, you will build on your existing knowledge and experience as you hear first-hand experiences from other students.

Alongside the compulsory courses, which provide students with the core skills needed for global public health practice, we hold weekly sessions to explore and discuss a range of ideas and topics as a group. Students also benefit from our strong alumni network, whose members provide an additional source of support, advice and connections during the programme and beyond.

A wide range of optional modules will then allow you to shape your studies around your personal interests and career ambitions. You might choose to explore topics such as the design and management of disease control programmes, nutrition or sexual health, or develop more specialised skills through modules in statistics or economic evaluation.

Your own research project towards the end of the degree will give you an additional chance to examine a global public health problem of your choice in more depth.

Who is it for?

From public health programme planners and health researchers to humanitarian relief workers and clinicians in conflict areas, students join this course from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. We’ve designed the content to be multidisciplinary, meaning you can hone your skills alongside each other.

You should be enthusiastic and keen to consolidate and develop your knowledge in public health – alongside a desire to apply new knowledge and skills in a low- and middle-income settings. You will already have some relevant work experience that can provide a basis for further learning.

Having built up skills in a range of key topics, you could open up exciting roles at organisations such as the United Nations, UNICEF, or the WHO. Or perhaps you’re considering an academic career, progressing to a higher research degree in your chosen area of global health.

Duration

One year full time; part-time or split study over two years. Ways to study explained.