About this course
Discover the issues driving the world's population health and wellbeing on our MSc Global Health degree. Learn to tackle the risks posed by global issues such as infectious disease, rising obesity and climate change.
You'll cover socio-behavioural, demographic, spatial, economic, political, environmental and healthcare perspectives.
We have three Wellcome Studentships available for this programme for September 2022. Two of these studentships are reserved for applicants from low- and middle income countries and the third is for a UK student. For full details please visit the Wellcome Scholarship page.
Explore the global risks of disease and changing population structures. Understand the trends behind inequality, globalisation, migration and urbanisation.
You’ll learn:
- the concepts and dimensions of global health
- the issues underpinning health outcomes and inequalities between countries and population sub-groups
- how to analyse and solve complex global health problems
- how to apply critical thinking and analytical skills to problem-solving
You’ll also develop:
- quantitative skills in global health research
- key transferable skills, including independent research, report writing, data analysis, and teamwork
- ways to develop your professional career in global health and related fields
The modules you study may be taught by academics from specialisms including social sciences, medicine, the environment, and life sciences.
Students on this master's degree come from a range of backgrounds, in the UK and overseas. This makes for a diverse learning environment where you can connect with peers from all over the world.
This degree is available to take as an intercalation degree for undergraduate medical students. Intercalation means that you'll take a year out of your undergraduate medicine degree to gain this extra award.
Flexible study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Sarah Neal. Her research interests include maternal and child health, inequities in health, and health in conflict affected areas. Sarah has close links with the World Health Organization (WHO) Reproductive Health team and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Visit Dr Neal’s profile page to learn more about her work.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree.
We accept students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including:
- social sciences
- behavioural sciences (psychology)
- geography
- population sciences
- demography
- medicine
- basic/applied sciences
- health sciences
- epidemiology
- public health
- nursing and pharmaceutical sciences
- statistics/mathematical sciences
- law
- management
- information technology
- web sciences
- engineering sciences
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
On the full-time version of this UK master’s your studies take place over 12 months.
The course is made up of 9 months of taught learning between October and June. This includes modules that all students on the degree study, as well as a number of modules that you can choose.
The last 3 months of the course focuses on the research and preparation of your master’s dissertation.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
Changes due to COVID-19
Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
This module provides a comprehensive overview of current issues and challenges in global health. Using relevant case studies, it will discuss trends and determinants of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, as well as assessing possible effec...
This module focuses on the epidemiological methods and approaches that underpin an evidenced based approach to public health research and practice. The module covers each of the main types of epidemiological study design and provides a framework for criti...
If you successfully complete the taught component of the programme, then you will be allowed to progress to the MSc dissertation equivalent to 60 CATS/30 ECTS, which can be completed over a 3 months period during summer (usually mid-June to mid-September)...
This module provides the core methodological and analytic tools underlying the MSc Global Health. The primary objective is to provide an overview of the conceptual, methodological and empirical basis for quantifying levels of health in individuals and pop...
This module will be coordinated and taught by staff in the Division of Social Statistics and Demography for MSc students. PhD students are also welcome to audit this module. The aim of this module is to enhance knowledge and understanding of the inter...
The emphasis will be on the practical application of statistical methods and the interpretation of results using the statistical computer software SPSS. The module will draw on a range of international and UK data sources. One of the pre-requisites ...
You must also choose from the following modules:
Students will be introduced to key issues and literature concerning the current structure and workings of the welfare state, focusing on the health and social care for older people.
This module is intended to provide foundational GIS skills for various Masters-levels programmes (such as the MSc in Applied GIS and Remote Sensing and MSc in Sustainability). It is intended to introduce Geographical Information Systems and Science to tho...
The module will cover a range of more advanced methods of demographic analysis, including multiple decrement life tables, health expectancies, an introduction to event history analysis, the use of type 1 and type 2 rates in demography and sources of bias ...
This Module provides an introduction to the technical basis of demography. It focuses on concepts and methods underpinning demographic analysis and provides a practical introduction for those professionally engaged with demographic work (in government de...
This module develops your understanding of the wider social and political context within which the formation of public health policies and programmes operate both domestically and internationally. The module will enable you to develop and demonstrate comp...
This module provides you with the knowledge and understanding of the direct and indirect links between agricultural production, food availability, access to food and public health nutrition in both developed and developing countries
This module is intended to introduce students who have already studied the principles of geographical information systems (GIS) to the concepts, methods and techniques involved in using GIS for the analysis of health. Academic study of the geography of he...
The increasing demand for health, but limited resources available to meet the needs of an aging population (with higher levels of chronic disease), makes health economics an important aspect of everyday life as choices must be made as to what health progr...
This module introduces the public health importance of understanding health systems and health services, including their evaluation and quality improvement. It is therefore key to anyone interested in healthcare public health
This is an overview of heath care informatics. It is a non-technical module (that is, there is no programming or mathematics) that introduces students to the central concepts and debates in the field of healthcare informatics. This module will be of int...
This module will review and discuss the state of the art in research on social welfare and human well-being and the one, and on social policies addressing these issues on the other hand. In the first part students will explore how previously dominant econ...
GEOG6098 is a multidisciplinary unit designed for students with an interest in sustainable development, sustainability, green growth, complex socio-ecological systems, and resilient development. Over the term we will explore the key issues and debates aro...
The overall structure of the Leadership and Management Pathway is supported by three parts: Self Leadership, Leading Others, and Leading Organizations. This module forms the second part, Leading Others. Self Leadership helped you to understand your own ...
This module focuses on organisational behaviour, and the coordination of organisations to improve health and social care outcomes. The module is divided into five topics that align with the learning outcomes.
This module will introduce you to the use of mixed methods for approaching and addressing research questions in a range of disciplines within social and human sciences. You will be introduced to the theories of mixed methods, and examine the ways in which...
This module develops your knowledge and understanding of the causal pathway between nutrition and heath and how to assess the nutritional health and wellbeing of groups or populations.
During the module you will develop your key skills in: 1. Assessing the nature of the evidence base on population, poverty and policy issues from a variety of sources; 2. Improved analysis, debate, reading and writing The skills will be developed...
The syllabus for this 10 CATS module will cover an introduction to qualitative methods and a range of qualitative data collection methods. We will consider the defining characteristics of qualitative research and its epistemological underpinnings. The ...
Quantitative Methods II builds upon the material learnt in Quantitative Methods I and introduces students to some commonly used statistical methods for analysing data.
This module is designed to enable and encourage students to apply social psychological and related methods and theories to various aspects of sexual health, including both psychological and physical aspects.
This module is an introduction to the substantive concepts of demography, how populations change and grow or shrink, and the transitions that populations make in various stages of their development. An introduction to the past, present and future world po...
Learning and assessment
Learning
You'll learn through case studies, discussions exercises, data analysis and different assessment approaches.
The course reinforces independent research, and stimulates your critical thinking, research communication, written and oral, and problem-solving skills.
Your induction will cover:
- basic research skills
- introduction to statistical software
- writing and oral presentations
- critical appraisal of published literature and issues related to academic integrity
As well as lectures, you’ll learn through:
- interdisciplinary modules
- case studies
- problem-solving and analysis of real data
- debates, peer-review and group work
- web-based global health resources
- consultation/advice
- independent research
Assessment
We’ll assess you using:
- reports
- policy briefs
- proposals
- essays
- data analysis and interpretation
- presentations
- dissertation
Dissertation
This is your opportunity to carry out a piece of independent research. It will result in a 15,000 to 20,000 word dissertation usually carried out over a 3 month period between June and September.
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
As a global health graduate you’ll be ideally placed to take on a career in government, the private sector and international development agencies.
Health issues are universal, so the skills you learn will put you in a good position for roles across the world. You'll be able to work for employers including:
- universities and research institutions
- UK institutions including: the NHS, Public Health England, Office for National Statistics
- World Health Organisation and other United Nations organisations
- World Bank, Asian/African development banks, BRIC Bank
- European Commission
- multinational pharmaceutical companies
You'll also be in an ideal position to consider further study such as a PhD.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- EU and international students pay £21,000.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
The Department of Social Statistics and Demography can offer up to four scholarships of £2,500 each for excellent UK (Home) students, to go towards paying the tuition fees for studying on our postgraduate programmes. To qualify, you need to have a first-class degree in a relevant discipline. To apply for one of these scholarships for the Global Health MSc please contact S.Neal@soton.ac.uk
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.
When you apply for this course please make sure you apply for the MSc Global Health rather than the MSc Public Health (Global Health).
Intercalation applications
You can take this course as an intercalated year whilst studying undergraduate medicine. If you're an internal applicant you must have successfully completed at least 3 years of your medical degree and achieved 60% or above in all your third year assessments.
If you're an external applicant and need to intercalate in a different study year please contact us.
To apply for this course as intercalation please contact us:
Email: AdmissionsPGT.MED@southampton.ac.uk
Phone: +44(0)23 8059 1364
Application deadlines
UK students
Make sure we receive your application at least 4 weeks before the start of the course. This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available.
International students
Make sure we receive your application at least 6 weeks before the start of the course.
This gives us time to consider your application, if there are still places available. It will also give you time to apply for a visa if we offer you a place.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll aim to get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
