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Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Global Health

BSMS > Postgraduate > Global Health

Global Health

Key facts

MSc, PGDip, PGCert 
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years 
Eligible applicants: UK, international

This course is validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. Applications for 2026/27 entry are now open. 

Contact us for any enquiries: Email GlobalHealthTeaching@bsms.ac.uk or talk to our Course Leader at an online drop-in session.

Apply for the Global Health course here >

Apply for a single module here >

Follow our Global Health MSc on social media via LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky and X (Twitter). 

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Join us for an online drop-in session

Learn more about our Global Health MSc and get your questions answered by the Course Leader at one of our online drop-in sessions.

Register for a session now and drop-in at any point during the allocated time slot:

The sessions will be held on Zoom, so you may need to download the app if you are joining on your smartphone.

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Why Choose Our Global Health postgraduate programme?

  • Transform your career – whether you are starting out, intercalating, want a career change or to add to your expertise. This is the perfect course to enhance your employability with the United Nations and other international health organisations, NGOs, research institutions, government agencies, local government and many other employers.
  • Follow your passion and make an impact: gain the skills and knowledge to tackle health disparities and improve healthcare systems in the UK and worldwide.
  • Meet and learn from experts working at the cutting edge of Global Health research and practice.
  • Hands-on experience through research projects and practice-oriented teaching will build your confidence in ‘real world’ and empower you to make a meaningful difference in the world of global health.
  • Flexible Learning – choose between full-time or part-time study offered in manageable blocks or as single modules, allowing you to balance your education with family and professional commitments.
  • Benefit from the world-class academic communities, facilities, extracurricular activities and student support services at the University of Sussex, University of Brighton and Institute of Development Studies. 

Watch our video below with staff and students to find out more about our Global Health course. 

Who is our Global Health programme for?

  • Recent graduates – we welcome graduates from a wide range of subjects including development studies, anthropology, medicine, nursing, political sciences, geography, psychology, biomedical sciences, social sciences and many more…
  • Intercalating students – within BSMS or from other institutions. The course is designed to fit in with your programme of study
  • Health professionals – we can support you to develop your skills and knowledge to address health inequities in the UK and around the world
  • Researchers – our courses cater for those wishing to start a research career; with aspirations to complete a PhD; or anyone looking for a career change within research or academia
  • Local, regional and national government personnel who are interested in designing, developing and implementing policies to reduce health inequities.
  • Programme planners, implementers and relief workers – the programme will provide you with the required multidisciplinary skills to support your work and transform your career

Course overview and structure

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Overview

Our innovative Global Health programme offers a stimulating and vibrant environment to support you to get the most from your studies and ensure you meet your goals. Here is a short video overview of the course.

Our teaching approach

A unique aspect of our MSc in Global Health is our innovative teaching, learning and assessment methods. Our teaching includes participatory approaches such as seminars, workshops, research-informed lectures, tutorials and student directed presentations and seminars.

Our interactive, student-centred approach to teaching and learning equips you with skills and knowledge in the field of Global Health by bringing together theory and practice. 

Our approach supports students in developing independent learning skills as well as transferable skills such as advocacy, critical appraisal, communication, dissemination, presentation skills, planning, problem-solving, teamwork plus many more!

Course structure

The MSc degree combines compulsory core modules with a variety of optional modules, allowing you to select topics relevant to your work and professional interests.

We also offer a PGDip or PGCert in Global Health and our modules can be taken individually as single modules. Credits earned can be used in the future towards completing the full MSc.

MSc (180 credits):
Three compulsory core modules three 20 credits optional modules OR two 30 credit optional modules, plus a dissertation module.

PGDip (120 credits):
Three compulsory core modules and three 20 credits optional modules OR two 30 credit optional modules.

PGCert (60 credits):
One compulsory core module and two (20 credits each) optional modules.

Key areas of study

  • Determinants of health and ill-health in a globalised world
  • Global burden and management of disease and injury
  • Migration, asylum, and global health
  • Climate change, disasters, and planetary health
  • Global health policy, institutions, and politics
  • Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
  • Health, poverty and development
  • Global mental health
  • Emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance
  • Impact of conflict and violence on health
  • Research methods and critical appraisal
  • Economic evaluation of healthcare
  • Epidemiological concepts
  • Essential statistics for health and medical research
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Modules

The modules are delivered in ‘blocks’ over 5-6 days (usually with a weekend in the middle for some down time!). We find that this works really well for students who have other time commitments and responsibilities. It also allows you to focus on one module at a time which helps to really immerse yourself in the topic.

Click on the individual modules below to find out more information.

Core modules:

Optional modules:

In previous years, we have also run popular modules on: Access to Medicines (20 credits); Decolonising Health (20 credits); Anthropological Perspectives on Mind, Madness and Mental Health (30 credits); Global Politics of Disease (30 credits); Sexuality and Development: Intimacies, Health and Rights in Global Perspective (30 credits); Fertility, Reproduction and Health (30 credits); and Cultural Understandings of Health and Healing (30 credits).

Module availability can change from year to year according to the availability of lecturers and interests of the students. Please contact the course team if you need information on specific modules.

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Dissertation (Research Project)

We offer a robust research component that allows you to immerse yourself in a topic you are passionate about. Your dissertation or research project provides the opportunity to build deep expertise in your chosen area, addressing real-world global health challenges.

What you will gain:

  • Hands-On Research Experience: Locally or collaborating with our prestigious international partners to gain invaluable first-hand research experience in diverse global settings.
  • Expert Guidance: Under the mentorship of a dedicated research supervisor, you will develop essential skills in independent research, critical thinking, and the ability to analyse complex global health data.
  • Impactful Outcomes: Design and report your own research project while contributing to global health discourse. You will learn to engage with considerations and processes for ethical and just research, ensuring your work adheres to rigorous standards.

Check out recent publications showcasing how our students are consistently making meaningful contributions to the field:

McGaughey G, Richardson D, Vera J. Harm reduction services for people engaging in chemsex in Brighton, UK: A pilot qualitative study. International Journal of STD & AIDS. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/09564624231188752

Mei L. Trueba, Tessa Axelrod & Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson (2023) Are asylum seekers and refugees provided with appropriate mental health support in the United Kingdom?, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, DOI: 10.1080/1369183X.2023.2181126

Hitch G and Zaman S (2023) COVID-19 pandemic experiences of students from BAME and White ethnic groups pursuing higher education in the UK: A qualitative comparative exploration. Front. Psychiatry 13:1078479. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1078479.

Meadows, T and Davey, G; What factors influence adherence and non-adherence to multi-drug therapy for the treatment of leprosy within the World Health Organisation South East Asia region? Asystematic review; Leprosy Review; 2022; 93; 4;  311-331; DOI: 10.47276/lr.93.4.311

K Midtbo, CJ Jones, M Kapasa, B Vwalika, H Rabe. Barriers to implementation of placental transfusion of babies at birth in Zambia. www.ajrh.info/index.php/ajrh/article/view/3139.

Banda GT, Deribe K, Davey G. How can we better integrate the prevention, treatment, control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases with other health interventions? A systematic review BMJ Global Health 2021;6:e006968. https://gh.bmj.com/content/6/10/e006968.citation-tools

Key staff

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Dr Sarah Kehoe: Course Leader

Anne Gataguta

Dr Anne Gatuguta: Module Lead

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Dr Mei Trueba: Module Lead

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Professor Shahaduz Zaman: Module Lead

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Dr Natalia Ivashikina: Module Lead

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Prof Papreen Nahar: Module Lead

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Dr Saeideh Babashahi: Module Lead

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Prof Jaime Vera: Course Lecturer

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Prof Gail Davey: Course Lecturer

Melanie Newport

Professor Melanie Newport: Lecturer

Gemma Aellah

Gemma Aellah: Lecturer

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Professor Collins Iwuji: Lecturer

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Dr Bethany Davies: Lecturer

Chi Eziefula

Dr Chi Eziefula: Lecturer

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Dr Caroline Ackley: Lecturer

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Dr Maya Semrau: Lecturer

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Elizabeth Morris: Course Co-Ordinator

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Why BSMS?

  • You will be taught by academics from a range of sectors including international organisations, consultancy, advocacy and academia. The team are multi-disciplinary and include experts in global and public health, medicine, development studies, anthropology, sociology, economics and international relations.
  • The Centre for Equitable Global Health Research at BSMS has robust international connections with academic institutions in over 25 countries that you will be able to engage with during your time on the course
  • Academic and pastoral support will be continuously provided and tailored to your individual needs by our dedicated course team. Our programme administrator will proactively support you with any day-to-day enquiries you may have.
  • We offer a huge array of extracurricular activities, clubs and societies that you are warmly invited to join in.
  • A welcoming learning environment, with both UK and international students from a diverse range of backgrounds.

What our students say:

"I enjoyed the variety of lecturers allowing for more perspectives. I especially liked when we were able to apply it in exercises or hear from professionals or from case study experiences."

"It was a great introduction to several types of research methods in global health & lecturers were interesting and genuinely excited about sharing their own research experiences."

"Overall lots of really interesting topics covered with lots of thought-provoking information. Really enjoyed the more interactive lectures and the in-class exercises e.g. looking at health needs assessments in the humanitarian seminar." (in Global Burden and Management of Disease module)

Our partners

As part of the Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research we have partnerships with academic institutions in over 25 countries. Examples include:

  • CDT Africa at Addis Ababa University and the Armauer Hansen Research Institute in Ethiopia
  • The Mycetoma Research Centre and The Institute for Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Sudan
  • The University of Rwanda
  • The Institute of Development Studies in the UK
  • Medical School and University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
  • collaborating centres and partners.

Read more about our research partners here >

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Students’ voices in real global health issues

The annual NTDs Charity Challenge allows MSc students to critically evaluate interventions to combat NTDs and through a competitive process, award the charity working most effectively to combat specific NTDs. The winning charity receives a donation to support their work. Past winners have included Mission Rabies and DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative). See an example of how we amplify students voices.

Watch the video here >

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“Addressing NTDs is not just a health issue but an issue of Social Justice, NTDs continue to persist not because we lack solutions but because we neglect their victims, which is why it is essential to step up our actions to address them. Alleviating the burden of NTDs will empower communities and reduce poverty while upholding the dignity and well-being of the millions of people who have been overlooked for too long.” Esmie Kachikuni 2023-2024

Resources and support

We value our community of students and staff. Students interact with experts from Global Health and Infection department, BSMS and our parent universities.

Our MSc in Global Health allows you to access a wide range of learning resources at three leading institutions and students can choose optional modules from across the medical school and the University of Sussex and University of Brighton, and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), which is the number one university in the world for Development Studies.

Inclusion, community and belonging are very important to us. Students are supported to achieve their optimum potential through academic skills support as well as providing opportunities to network and socialise.

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Students and staff attending the World Kiosk in Brighton 2024

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a global health alumni student named Abiman wearing a mustard t shirt in front of a blue train smiling

"I applied to study the Global Health MSc for my intercalation and my experience over the year exceeded expectations! The tutors were always very encouraging and friendly. I would highly recommend the Global Health MSc at BSMS for anyone interested in global health and any medical students considering intercalating as you learn new skills which you don’t always get the chance to develop whilst at medical school."

Abiman Ravishanker, MSc Global Health student 2021-22

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A global health alumni student named Syra stood on rocks with the sea and blue sky in the background

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Global Health MSc at BSMS. The lectures and seminars were deeply interesting, engaging and fun! I took this course alongside my FY2 year full time, so I'd encourage anyone who is looking to work alongside to get in touch with the global health team for more information on a flexible plan that is achievable."

Syra Dhillon, MSc Global Health student 2021-22

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"Although I have always been really interested in the topic and have experience working in healthcare, I have no biomedical background, and was worried this would be a hindrance. However, I am so glad I went for it. The course is structured in such a way that you get an excellent foundation regardless of your prior knowledge, and then you can build on this. There is plenty of scope to really explore your personal areas of interest, and all the lecturers and tutors are so supportive, friendly and approachable." 

Bella Tomsett, MSc Global Health student 2020-22

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"The Global Health course has been very well structured to support learning. The lectures have been really interactive and the team have done so well to deliver teaching remotely this year. Learning from experts in the field has made the content so much more interesting and all the lecturers have been very supportive and responsive."  

Roohil Yusuf, PGDip Global Health student 2020-21

Career opportunities

BSMS' Global Health graduates currently work as global health practitioners, policy makers, researchers and consultants for NGOs, national governments and international organisations as well as leading research organisations, think-tanks and universities.

Some of the institutions where our alumni have worked include: Save the Children, the British Red Cross, Tropical Health Education Trust, Public Health England, WHO country offices, and national governments and ministries of health.

Examples of recent graduate roles include:

  • Member of the WHO steering committee for the Civil Society Task Force on Anti-microbial resistance (2024-25)
  • Parliamentarian Coordinator British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (2024-25)
  • PhD Candidate, University of Otago, New Zealand (2023-24)
  • Research Project Manager, University of Pennsylvania (2021-22)
  • Senior Associate Consultant, Oracle (2021-22)
  • PhD Candidate, University of Brighton (2020-22)
  • Global Pharmacy Advisor, Save the Children (2020-21)
  • Lecturer/Deputy Programme Manager, University of Sunderland (2020-21)
  • WHO Country Office, Guinea Bissau (2018-2019)

Click the images below to hear from our alumni.

a global health alumni student named Abiman wearing a mustard t shirt in front of a blue train smiling

Abiman

A global health alumni student named Syra stood on rocks with the sea and blue sky in the background

Syra

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Ibrahim Hamami

Clare Phillips Headshot

Clare Phillips

Calum Barnes Headshot

Calum Barnes

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Leah Salm

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Renee Donner 

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Other Opportunities to Learn and Network: Current Stories in Global Health

Our Current Stories in Global Health online event series runs quarterly throughout the year and aims to simplify Global Health research, policy and practice.

This series is for people considering a career in Global Health, those already working in Global Health, or anyone interested in learning about the intersectional aspects of health, society and welfare through practical examples of research and intervention - and we welcome and encourage anyone considering the MSc in Global Health to attend.

You can rewatch the presentations from previous events in the series here >

Contact us at GlobalHealthTeaching@bsms.ac.uk so we can add you to our mailing list to find out about our latest news and events.

Entry requirements

A first or upper second-class undergraduate honours degree or equivalent in any global health-related subject (e.g., development studies, anthropology, nursing, political sciences, geography, psychology, biomedical sciences, etc.). The course is very multidisciplinary, if unsure whether your undergraduate degree is relevant, please contact us.

OR

Applicants with a 2:2 degree or other international higher education (HE) qualification with relevant global health experience will be considered on an individual basis.

OR

Successful completion of at least three years’ basic medical science at a UK medical school (having gained at least 360 credits).

For international students an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 or above is required, with no less than 6 in each section. You can still submit your application pending IELTS results and any offer made will be subject to meeting the IELTS requirement. We encourage you to discuss with the course team your IELTS scores once you receive them even if lower than the required scores. Nationals of majority English speaking countries may be exempt from completing an English test. 

In cases where you can show evidence that you signed up for a pre-sessional English language course at the University of Sussex or the University of Brighton, we will also consider accepting you. See below the pre-sessional requirement scores for the two courses. 

University of Sussex >

University of Brighton >

If shortlisted for the course, we will invite you to a friendly, informal online chat to get to know you and your interests further, and to give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the MSc.

Due to visa restrictions, international students requiring a student visa (including EU/EEA who require a student visa) are eligible to apply for BSMS full-time Masters courses only. Part-time Masters courses, all PGDip and all PGCert courses are open to UK and Irish students and international students (including EU/EEA) who have an alternative visa/immigration permission to stay in the UK (such as settled/pre-settled status, Tier 2/work visa, indefinite leave to remain etc).

Fees and funding

The fees listed are the overall costs for full-time courses taken in the academic year. Where courses are taken part-time over more than one academic year, fees are usually charged pro-rata for the modules taken during each academic year.  

With effect from 2021/22 onwards, EU nationals starting new postgraduate courses will pay international fees and will not be eligible for student funding from the UK government. However, there are exceptions to this for Irish nationals and EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. For the latest information, please see gov.uk/student-finance. If you do not have settled status in the UK and require a work visa, then you will be fee assessed as Overseas and will therefore be subject to the International fee rate.

Find out more about fees and funding >

Scholarships

more about Sussex Postgraduate scholarships  >

Some postgraduate applicants may be eligible to apply for Rotary International Global Grant Scholarships.

more about Rotary International Global Grants >

Check out this handy article from the Institute of Development Studies for tips applying for this and other scholarships >

Some scholarships available to Global Health students are below. Please select one of the options to find out more. We are happy to support students applying for scholarships, please contact us if you would like to discuss more.

Chevening >

The Commonwealth Masters Scholarships > 

Eramus+ Master Degree Loans >

Snowdon Masters Scholarships >

Get tips for applying for these and other scholarships via the link below.

Get tips on applying for scholarships > 

Read about Global Health MSc student Jenniffer Hockey’s experience with the Find a Masters scholarship >

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Global Health Scholarships

BSMS offers a number of scholarships for students admitted to the full-time Masters degree in Global Health at the Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research.

BSMS Global Health scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic and/or professional merit and financial need. The scholarship provides one £5,000 award or two £2,500 awards towards tuition fees. UK, EU and International (Non UK/EU) students are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Application procedure

You must first apply for admission to the MSc in Global Health course via our online application process (see 'Apply here' below). You will need your applicant number to complete the BSMS Global Health Scholarship application form.

The completed application form should be submitted as a single Word document saved as a PDF via email to Dr Anne Gatuguta (A.gatuguta@bsms.ac.uk).

The subject of your email should read BSMS Global Health Scholarship. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of July. Unfortunately we are not able to provide feedback regarding unsuccessful applications.


BSMS Global Health Scholarship Fund: Supporting equity in health and empowering future global health leaders!

You can help fund a deserving student to come study with us. Each year, many brilliant students apply for our course but are unable to join the course due to financial constraints. We are only able to provide a limited scholarship, but you can help support more students. Scholarships are transformational for students and for global health equity. Read more about the scholarship and how you can help.

Download the information document here >