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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
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).
Location: University of Sussex Falmer campus
Course Leader: Dr Anne Gatuguta

Course Administrator: Elizabeth Morris

Read Elizabeth Morris' profile here > 

General enquiries: For enquiries about the course or application process, please email: GlobalHealthTeaching@bsms.ac.uk 

This course is validated by the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. Applications for 2023/24 entry are now open. 

Apply for the Global Health course here >

Download our admissions handbook here >

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

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Upcoming events

Our Current Stories in Global Health online event series, running quarterly throughout 2023, aims to simplify Global Health research, policy and practice.

Each session will demonstrate case studies of excellent Global Health interventions, bridging the gap between theory and practice. We will showcase the world-class research that we are conducting at BSMS in more than 25 countries globally, and highlight the joys and challenges of working in Global Health.

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 >

Next event: Necropolitics: What is it and how does it shape global health? Summer 2023 – date tbc.

The ‘politics of life and death’ (necropolitics) is ever present in global health. Who decides who must live or die? Do governments and institutions prioritise certain populations at the detriment of others? Decisions that are not evidence-based can result in vulnerable populations being further marginalised and at the risk of death – physical, social or political. In this session, we explore how necropolitics has played a role in key global health issues such as the control of pandemics, labour extraction, the health of migrants and the health of people living in conflict and violence contexts.

Online, via Zoom, this event is free to attend and open to all. Booking will open soon.

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.

Our new Summer School module 'Critical Reflections on Global Health' is now open for registration. Learn more about upcoming summer school here >

About the course

This innovative MSc in Global Health offers a stimulating and vibrant programme delivered by world leading experts, empowering you to kick-start a successful career in the field of global health policy, research and practice.

The degree combines four compulsory core modules with a variety of optional modules, allowing you to focus on areas relevant to your work and professional interests.

The course also allows students who do not have enough time to complete the full MSc to enrol on our PGDip in Global Health, PGCert in Global Health or individual modules. Credits earned can be used in the future towards completing the full MSc.

Download our BSMS Global Health single modules 2022-23 document below.

Download our MSC Global Health single modules 2022-23 here >

Find out more about studying a single module here >

Watch our short video summarising the course below.

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 global health
  • Global health policy, institutions, and politics
  • Access to medicines
  • 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 practice in global contexts
  • Economic evaluation of healthcare
  • Epidemiological concepts
  • Essential Statistics for Health and Medical Research
global pharmacy4

Why BSMS?

Teachers come from a range of diverse backgrounds including international organisations, consultancy, advocacy and academia, and are working in global and public health, medicine, development studies, anthropology, sociology, economics, international relations.

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

You will be able to develop and strengthen critical skills to use in your professional career through essays, policy briefings, individual and group-based presentations, reflections, and a final dissertation.

Academic and pastoral support will be continuously provided and tailored to your individual needs by our course director, module leaders and lecturers. Our programme administrator will proactively support you with any day-to-day enquiries you may have.

Assessments are diverse and designed to help you solidify your global health knowledge and develop transferable skills. Most assessments are submitted online and include essays, policy briefs, presentations, critical appraisal, exams and posters.

What we offer:

  • You will work on your own original research through your dissertation, developing your own ideas or joining an existing project to work in partnership with academics within the department - and we will support you to publish your work
  • Our Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research has robust international connections with academic institutions in over 25 countries that you will be able to engage with, as well as two large NIHR-funded research programmes
  • Our intersectional approach will empower you to develop a strong foundation in the interrelated forces impacting Global Health
  • Innovative teaching approaches delivered through interactive small group sessions and a critical focus on bridging theory and practice
  • Our range of practising experts from diverse backgrounds will help build your critical skills to examine and explain complex global health problems based on their current research
  • Our diverse learning environment, with both UK and international students from diverse backgrounds, will help you engage with peers and share perspectives informed by various health angles and perspectives
  • You will develop critical qualitative and quantitative skills to effectively develop your professional career and opportunity to conduct your research either in the UK or overseas.
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Course structure

Our interactive, student-centred approach equips you with solid knowledge in the field of Global Health by bringing together theory and practice. The degree can be completed full-time in 1 year, or part-time over 2 years.

Our block scheduling allows you to focus on one module at a time allowing you to engage with the subject with reduced distraction. It also supports a better life-study balance, enabling you to better schedule other responsibilities such as work and family if needed.

In-person delivery maximises opportunities for learning using our popular interactive classroom sessions. This is augmented with online delivery when necessary, building on the very positive feedback from students who enjoyed online teaching delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our approach supports students in developing independent learning skills as well as transferable skills such as critical appraisal, communication, presentation skills, planning, problem-solving and teamwork, among others.

MSc (180 credits):

Four compulsory core modules and two (30 credits each) optional modules or three (20 credits each) optional modules.

PGDip (120 credits):

Three compulsory core modules and two (30 credits each) optional modules or three (20 credits each) optional modules.

PGCert (60 credits):

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

Modules

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 Global Politics of Disease (30 credits); Sexuality and Development: Intimacies, Health and Rights in Global Perspective (30 credits); Anthropological Perspectives on Mind, Madness and Mental Health (30 credits); Fertility, Reproduction and Health (30 credits); and Cultural Understandings of Health and Healing - description available soon (30 credits). Module availability can change from year to year according to the availability of lecturers and interests of the students.

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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.

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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. Additionally, I had the privilege of getting to know coursemates from across the globe from various professional backgrounds. The course allowed me to develop my skills in essay writing, oral presentations, and research. 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! My background is in medicine  and I became much more knowledgeable on the sociopolitical determinants of health. 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

Bella Tomsett headshot

"I was a little apprehensive when I was first applying to study Global Health. 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. I was especially impressed with how well the team tackled teaching during the pandemic, and although it hasn't been the same as having regular classes, I don't feel that my studies were disadvantaged at all. If anyone is interested in exploring health in the global context (and let’s face it, after the Covid-19 pandemic everyone should!), I would thoroughly recommend the MSc Global Health at BSMS." 

Bella Tomsett, MSc Global Health student 2020-22

Roohil Yusuf headshot

"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

Two workers on the road pushing a coal cart

Dissertation (Research Project)

Our MSc in Global Health has a strong research component. The dissertation or research project allows students to develop an area of expertise through in-depth focus on a topic of their particular interest.

Students can gain first-hand research experience with one of our overseas partner institutions. With the support of a research supervisor, students are expected to learn and work independently, access and critique information from a variety of sources, and competently design and report a research project. Students will be also required to obtain the necessary ethics approvals when needed.

Examples of recent publications from our students:

 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

Hannah Masraf, Temesgen Azemeraw, Meseret Molla, Christopher Iain Jones, Stephen Bremner, Moses Ngari, James A Berkley, Esther Kivaya, Greg Fegan, Abreham Tamiru, Abebe Kelemework, Trudie Lang, Melanie J Newport, Gail Davey, 2020 Excess mortality among people with podoconiosis: secondary analysis of two Ethiopian cohorts, Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 114, Issue 12, December 2020, Pages 1035–1037, DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/traa150 https://academic.oup.com/trstmh/article/114/12/1035/6000683?login=true

Suzie Lane, Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson & Arianne Shahvisi (2020) Impacts of the Global Gag Rule on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Global South: A scoping review, Global Public Health, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1840611 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17441692.2020.1840611

Emma Robertson, Andrew Bambala, Aubrey C. Kalungia, Sarah Marshall, Patience Mbozi & Derick Munkombwe (2020) Prescribers’ experiences of, and attitudes to, use of morphine for palliative care at a tertiary hospital in Zambia, Hospital Practice, 48:2, 86-91, DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2020.1733318

St Clair-Sullivan, N., Mwamba, C., Whetham, J., Bolton Moore, C., Darking, M., & Vera, J. (2019). Barriers to HIV care and adherence for young people living with HIV in Zambia and mHealth. mHealth, 5, 45. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.09.02

Phillips C, Samuel A, Tiruneh G, Deribe K, Davey G. The impact of acute adenolymphangitis in podoconiosis on caregivers: A case study in Wayu Tuka woreda, Oromia, Western Ethiopia. 'If she was healthy, I would be free.'. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Jul 8;13(7):e0007487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007487. PMID: 31283763; PMCID: PMC6638979

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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.

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 with relevant global health experience will be considered on 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 7 or above is required, with no less than 6.5 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.

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.

Fees and funding

The fees listed below are the overall costs for full-time courses taken in the academic year 2023/24. 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.

MSc

UK £9,980
International £19,920

PGDip

UK £6,654
International £13,280

PGCert

UK £3,327
International £6,640

Scholarships

All BSMS students on Masters courses accredited jointly by the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton are eligible to apply for University of Sussex postgraduate scholarships in 2023/24. 

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 >

Other scholarships available to Global Health students are below. Please select one of the options to find out 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 >

podo patient receives treatment

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.