Applied Global Health

If you desire 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.

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 non-governmental 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 with 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.

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• 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. 

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: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.0 with no individual component score less than 5.5. Please note the PgCert Health Interventions in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States is only open to applicants who do not require a student visa to study.

The University requires all students to demonstrate sufficient academic English language proficiency to undertake and derive full benefit from their chosen programme of study. This page acts a guide to help you meet the English language requirements for your chosen course.

Students who are not a national of a Majority English Speaking Country, as recognised by the UKVI, must meet the English language requirements of their intended programme of study.

Our courses have been helping people successfully advance their careers in global health for many years. Former IGHD students work in a variety of settings where a social development understanding informs approaches to health.

Examples of positions filled by IGHD graduates include:

• Health Advisor for Save the Children UK
• Senior Co-ordinator 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 organisations such as the WHO on graduation, while others have progressed to doctoral studies.

As a graduate of the MSc Global Health you will be ideally equipped for employment as a global health practitioner, senior health manager or policy maker working in, or advising, a developing country or one in economic transition.

Taught Postgraduate Courses

Applying online

You will find all our degree programmes listed on our course information pages. To apply for your chosen programme, click on the “Apply for thisCourse” button which appears top right on each course page.

Each programme will list the entry requirements, available awards, study modes and available start dates.

Select your programme and preferred start date and begin your application.

Application form

On our application form please input your basic details. Be careful spelling your email address as this is how we will contact you about your application in future.

As part of your application on the form, you will need to write a personal statement specific to the course that you are applying. This is your chance to sell yourself through highlighting your experience, suitability and motivators for wanting to join this course at QMU.

You will have the chance to upload supporting documents as part of your application. This is an important part of the admissions process and without seeing supporting documents, tutors will not have enough information to make a decision on your application.

The form allows you to save your application should you wish to complete it later.

Once complete you can submit your application to us and you will receive an automatic acknowledgement email confirming receipt of your application. You will also receive a QMU applicant ID number which you should keep a note of and quote in any correspondence to QMU.

Find your perfect course using our Course A-Z list

Alternatively if you know which course you'd like to apply for, you can apply using our online application form

Supporting documents

As part of your application you will need to submit to us:

• A copy of your degree certificate
• A copy of your academic transcripts
• One or two letters of reference, depending on the course. If you finished your degree within the last three years, we ask for an academic reference. References must be signed, dated and written on letter headed paper or sent directly from a professional email account. You can find more information on how to get references here.

If your documents are in any language other than English then they will need to be accompanied by a formal certified translation into English, by either the awarding institution or a sworn translator.

Students whose first language is not English are required to provide us with proof of their English language ability. More information on how to do this can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you have not yet graduated and don’t have your degree certificate, this can be sent to us at a later date.

Interviews

Some of our courses require interviews as part of the selection process. If your course requires an interview it will be noted on the course page and if successfully chosen we will contact you by email with further instructions and information. Where applicants are unable to attend an interview on campus, it may be possible to arrange a telephone or skype interview.

Deadlines

A number of our most popular courses have set a closing deadline for applications. Where a deadline has been set this will be detailed on the individual course page.

Decisions

You should expect a decision on your application within four weeks of submitting a fully completed application with supporting documents. Where programmes have set closing dates with an equal consideration deadline, decisions will be notified within four weeks of the closing date.