Course information

The MSc in Global Health Implementation is a one-year taught programme run by the School of Medicine. The programme provides a detailed theoretical understanding of global health implementation literature and issues within the attainment and maintenance of health. The teaching staff within the School believe in supporting the development of critical thinkers and radical practitioners, and peer-interaction and student-centred learning are at the heart of the curriculum.

Highlights

• Students have the opportunity to learn from world-leading practitioners and academics from a range of disciplines in health and social science.
• You will develop the knowledge and skills necessary for roles in policy, practice, or academe.
• The programme was developed in collaboration with the Schools of Management, Geography and Geosciences, Psychology and Neuroscience, and International Relations, offering an interdisciplinary perspective on global health implementation.
• The programme is non-exam based and emphasises student participation and independent learning.

Teaching format

The taught portion of the programme is delivered through tutorials, e-seminars, practical classes and workshops. Modules are delivered by academics from across the University, from members of the local health board in NHS Scotland, and from guest academics, policy makers and practitioners. There are typically 10 to 12 students on the course each year.

The course is non-exam based and incorporates a variety of alternative assessment techniques such as:

• written assignments
• oral and poster presentations
• peer and self assessment.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

The taught portion of the course includes eight modules incorporating a variety of teaching and learning approaches, including:

• tutorials
• seminars
• practical classes
• workshops.

Modules are delivered by academics from across the University, members of the local health board in NHS Scotland, and guest academics, policy makers, and practitioners offering a truly inter-disciplinary educational experience.

For more details about each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue, which is for the 2016–2017 academic year and therefore some elements may be subject to change for 2017 entry.

Compulsory modules

Semester 1

• Issues in Global Health: an introduction to key issues within global health.
• Principles in Implementation Science: the methods promoting the integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice.
• Ten Global Health Problems: a range of health problems that represent the diversity of the issues that affect most of the world’s population.
• Quantitative Research in Social Science: a user-friendly introduction to the fundamental concepts of quantitative analysis.

Semester 2

• Globalisation and Health: an analysis of what is meant by globalisation and how this might affect the health of the global community.
• Inequalities and Inequities in Global Health: the inequalities and inequities in health, as they relate to race, gender, nationality, geography, and poverty, in the context of global injustice.
• Evidence Synthesis for Global Health Policy, Programming, and Practice: forms of evidence synthesis and its implications for global health policy, programming, and practice.
• Qualitative Methods in Social Research: offers both a theoretical and practical introduction to the collection, analysis and writing of qualitative social science research.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2016–2017 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2017 entry. Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Dissertation

One of the final elements of the MSc in Global Health Implementation is a 5,000-word dissertation. Relevant University staff will supervise dissertation projects.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc.

Conferences and events

The School of Medicine has a busy programme of conferences, workshops and visiting speakers from universities in the UK and from abroad. Check out the School of Medicine's seminar series.

SCALE (Strategy for Changing Academic Life Environment) is an initiative designed to make the School of Medicine a flourishing working environment where all staff (academic, administrative and technical) and students reach their full potential.

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).