2021 2020 (for Jan 2021 entry)
MSc Applied Global Health
Are you looking for the skills to promote the health of populations in low, middle and high income settings through the development of effective health policies, services and interventions? This MSc will give you the competencies to do this in a field that has become more complex in the past two decades with the dramatic increase in donor funding, the rise of more complex patterns of co-morbidity, emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19, anti-microbial resistance and the impact of conflict and migration on health and health systems.
You will gain practical expertise in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating both research projects as well as interventions through a range of approaches and methods.
This MSc is geared to provide you with these skills to find employment in global health.
This course is particularly suited to individuals working, or planning to work, in enhancing population health in middle or low-income countries, within governmental (eg Ministry of Health), non-governmental (NGO) or intergovernmental organisations (eg WHO or UN agencies).
MSc Applied Global Health through TropEd
If you want to make a difference in the world of global health, a qualification from QMU can be a major turning point in your career. You will develop a strong understanding of current global health and development issues and will equip yourself with the tools you need to forge positive change locally, nationally or internationally.
You will learn from experienced figures in the field and make connections that could last your whole working life. 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.
We are on a compassion mission. Our work at IGHD addresses the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need, whether that be vulnerable populations in Scotland or those living in low or middle income countries.
Our teaching and research expertise spans multiple aspects of global health and development. These range from health financing, support to fragile and conflict-affected settings, to refugee integration and child protection.
If you want to take a broad approach to your learning, you can enrol on our MSc Global Health. This approach offers you a thorough grounding in this multidisciplinary field and you can later decide to specialise your studies if you wish. If you wish to develop a set of relevant practical skills that can be applied to global health programming and Interventions, you can enrol on our new MSc Applied Global Health. This degree will give you the skills and competencies you need to promote health of populations through contextually appropriate health policies, services and interventions.
Alternatively, you can choose a more focused pathway at the outset, with either our MSc Sexual and Reproductive Health or MSc Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. You can also choose to study for one of our PgCert qualifications such as in Health Interventions in Fragile and Conflict Affected Settings or Mental Health and Psychosocial Support. These can be a good option if you have time, work or other commitments that would conflict with studying for a full master's. We have deliberately designed our courses to be as flexible as possible, so you can apply for the course that best suits your career needs and later revise your choice before progressing to the dissertation stage (this is subject to you having studied the appropriate modules).
The global health field has become more complex in the past two decades with the dramatic increase in donor funding channelled through global health initiatives, the rise of more complex patterns of co-morbidity, emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, anti-microbial resistance and the impact of conflict and migration on health and health systems. These issues are targeted through a wide range of health and social development interventions that are implemented by diverse partners in multiple countries and regions of the world. Many global health funding agencies, governments and nongovernmental organisations increasingly seek short-term as well as longer-term consultant advisors and technical experts. Practical expertise in developing, planning, implementing and evaluating both research projects as well as interventions through a range of approaches and methods are essential for graduates hoping to find employment in the applied global health arena. This MSc is geared to provide you with these skills to find employment in global health. This course will equip you the skills and competencies to promote the health of populations in low, middle and high-income countries and settings through the development of effective and relevant health policies, services and interventions.
To obtain a specific postgraduate award at QMU you must complete a number of credit bearing modules detailed in the following 'Exit awards' section. The MSc Applied Global Health programme comprises three core modules (20-credit each) which are taught face-to-face in Edinburgh in the first semester, which runs from September to December.
During the second semester (January-May), students can choose three core modules (15-credit each) from four semester 2 modules (Programme Evaluation in Global Health and Development; Project Design and Management; Research Proposal Writing; Qualitative Research Methods) and choose one from any other elective modules. Semester 2 modules are delivered fully online or through blended learning. Finally, during Semester 3, students will prepare and submit a dissertation on an applied global health topic (60-credit).
MSc (180 credits)/ PgDip (120 credits)/ PgCert (60 credits)
Teaching learning and assessment
Teaching is comprised of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates assignments, action plans, projects and presentations.
For your dissertation projects, you can chose to do a desk study involving a literature review or conduct primary data collection in collaboration with national or international organisations working in health and development
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 preparatory class work independently and with colleagues, including readings and exercises available on dedicated web-based learning platforms.
We expect approximately 10-15 students to enrol for this course each year.
Students study from core modules totalling 60 credits:
Global Public Health and Social Policy
Global Health Research and Health Systems
Services and Communities.
A further 60 credits are then selected by choosing 3 modules from the following:
Programme Evaluation in Global Health and Development,
Project Design and Management,
Research Proposal Writing,
Qualitative Research Methods.
One further module can be freely chosen from other available electives that include topics such as Global Approaches to Gender Health, Health Systems in Fragile Settings, Psychosocial Interventions for Displaced Populations among others. For the MSc award the culmination of your study will be completion of a dissertation involving desk study or fieldwork on an approved topic related to global health (60 credits).
The modules listed are subject to change. In the event that modules do need to change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact to the students. Please check this site or contact IGHD for any updates.
Single modules for CPD
Available. Register an associate student to study single modules in areas of interest. Contact IGHD for more information.
Our courses have been helping people successfully advance their careers in global health for many years. Our graduates have gone on to make measurable improvements in a variety of international health environments.
Examples of positions filled by IGHD graduates include:
Health Advisor for Save the Children UK
Senior Coordinator for International Operations with Partners in Health
Policy Development Officer in the Scottish NGO sector
Public Health Policy Workers for First Nation's communities in Canada
Humanitarian worker with Islamic Relief
Others have taken internships with organizations such as the WHO on graduation, and others have progressed to doctoral studies.
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.
There is no formal deadline, but you should be aware of the time requirements of visa applications which vary by country. We do not accept applications where the candidate will not be able to arrive on the term start date, but if the application otherwise meets our criteria, will recommend a start at the next available course start date (January or September).
Contact Admissions or Contact Carola Eyber, Programme Leader
International applicants may apply for a competitive Commonwealth Scholarship.
Please click for information about our forthcoming open events
Links with industry and professional bodies
Our work with a number of internationally recognised organisations and professional bodies helps shape the content of our courses. We have links with various bodies, including the following:
Health Systems Global
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Network (MHPSS.net)
Scottish International Development Alliance
Development Studies Association
Scottish Refugee Council
At QMU we host the NIHR Research Unit on Health in Situations of Fragility (RUHF).
The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our  2021/22 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).
At QMU
IGHD
Experience Global Health and Development courses at QMU
Visit the Institute for Global Health and Development webpage
MSc Global Health
MSc Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
MSc Sexual and Reproductive Health
PgCert Health Interventions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings
Staff and Student Stories
Dr Carola Eyber