Module manager: Mahua Das
Email: M.Das@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
Same as programme
NUFF5495M Research Project in International Health
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module is the culminating component of the MSc International Health programme and is designed to provide students with practical experience in international health. Using an experiential learning approach, the module enables students to integrate, apply, and reflect on the knowledge and skills developed throughout earlier modules. Students will undertake an independent piece of work focused on an international health topic of their choice, supported by a project or placement supervisor and a supervisor from the module team. Depending on their interests, students may either design and conduct a small research project or complete a period of work experience with an international health partner. The module also aims to enhance key personal and professional development skills, including project planning, time management, independent working, initiative, and reflective practice. Throughout the module, students receive supervisory guidance to support the successful completion of their project or placement. All projects and placements are subject to ethical and safety approval, and travel arrangements must comply with guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the University of Leeds, including for students undertaking work in their country of origin.
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
Design and plan an independent experiential learning project that adheres to ethical standards and safety requirements.
Collaborate effectively with peers, supervisors, and relevant stakeholder groups.
Manage an independent project by setting goals, organising tasks, and meeting deadlines.
Communicate research ideas, processes, and findings clearly and professionally in written and oral formats.
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Create and conduct an original independent experiential learning project that investigates a contemporary issue of importance to international health.
Analyse and evaluate international health theories and frameworks in relation to complex health issues and professional practice settings.
Apply, analyse, and critically interpret data and information relevant to international health using ethical and safe research practices.
Evaluate evidence and formulate actionable recommendations to inform and improve health policy, practice, and service delivery.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following skills and learning outcomes:
Technical:
To reflect critically on the experiences of leading a project in international health and assess personal and professional growth throughout the project.
Work-ready and sustainability
To apply project management skills in the field of international health
To exhibit cultural sensitivity and competence in working with diverse populations and health systems.
Teamworking, collaboration and problem-solving related to the conducting and management of an independent project
Effectively communicating research in written and oral formats using academic English
Managing uncertainty, ambiguity and risk in a constantly changing international health context
Searching for and using information to develop and inform ideas, discussions, and conclusions
Digital
Utilise technology, digital tools, including research software for oral and written communication
On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Create and conduct an original independent experiential learning project that investigates a contemporary issue of importance to international health.
Analyse and evaluate international health theories and frameworks in relation to complex health issues and professional practice settings.
Apply, analyse, and critically interpret data and information relevant to international health using ethical and safe research practices.
Evaluate evidence and formulate actionable recommendations to inform and improve health policy, practice, and service delivery.
Each student is supported by a joint supervisory team comprising a Leeds-based project supervisor and a local placement or project supervisor. The supervisory team provides guidance throughout the module, from topic and organisation selection to project completion.
Students will select an international health topic from an approved list within the broad themes of maternal and child health (MCH), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), or communicable diseases (CDs).
During the module, the students will be covering:
Introduction to experiential learning in international health and its two streams
Identifying, justifying and developing a topic/area organisation relevant to international health
Working with collaborators and communities
Developing methods to answer the research questions/placement objectives
Developing analysis and interpretation plans based on a research protocol /Terms of reference
Ethical thinking, safeguarding, health and safety
Case studies as examples of placements
Interpreting and analysing data
Writing reports and dissemination plans
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 6 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Lecture | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Independent online learning hours | 156 | ||
| Private study hours | 269 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 25 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 450 | ||
In addition to the above-mentioned in section 6 on assessments:
As this is the final module of the programme, students are expected to use what they have learned from other modules in the programme, including the research methods modules.
Projects would be approved only after the protocol/ToR and the ethics risk assessment, as outlined above, have been submitted. Feedback is provided on proposed topics and protocols by the module leader and/or project supervisors. Students develop a feasible work plan that is monitored through attendance at supervision meetings and minutes of those meetings. Supervision meetings are opportunities for students to receive individual feedback at the various stages of the independent project, including in the planning and execution stages. Students also receive individual feedback upon application to the ethics committee. It is expected that students attend supervision meetings and submit formative draft work as required.
In-class activities provide opportunities for other oral and written feedback on the quality and rigour of research as well as on communicating research in academic English in written and oral formats.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Protocol (formative) | 0 |
| Assignment | Ethics and Risk Assessment (formative) | 0 |
| Report | Written Report | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The assessments are outlined such that each component must be completed in order to progress to the next component. This is due to the nature of experiential learning and the competencies required. For example: Formative assessments- The protocol /proposal assignment is a demonstration of planning a feasible project that the students are required to complete for ethics approval and their overall research project. Ethics and risk assessment processes demonstrate that the planned project is ethical and aligns with the University of Leeds expectations of good research. This is a requirement of work being conducted at the University. Projects would be approved only after all required components, as outlined above, have been submitted. At this stage, students will benefit from the feedback provided by examiners and their supervisors ahead of the weighted summative assessment. In class, students engage in group activities that allow for peer input, peer review and mutual learning. Lecturers provide verbal feedback as required during class to support students in their project development. Students benefit from supervision meetings specific to their project and progress. These meetings are directed by students to support their learning, project development and assessment preparation. Supervisors also provide comments on drafted work to support student progress. Question and answer sessions specific to each component of the module are conducted in advance of the submission date to prepare students for submission. Summative Assessment- Students will submit a written report of 5000-words based on their experiential learning experience, so that they can demonstrate good written communication and dissemination of findings and interpretations.
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Last updated: 13/08/2026
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