Our course is an ideal introduction to international health if you're interested in the sector, but have limited experience. It is designed to develop your understanding of international health issues, systems, programmes and policies to prepare you for a rewarding career in international health. You’ll develop your knowledge and skills to help achieve international development goals and reduce the burden of diseases borne by vulnerable populations.
This course also has a strong emphasis on research methods training, which is an essential grounding if you intend to pursue further postgraduate research (PhD), or intend to work within international health policy, systems or programmes. For aspiring research students without strong training in methods, the MSc should be considered an essential preparatory year prior to beginning a PhD.
This course is also offered as an intercalated MSc course for MBChB medicine degree students, designed to provide a solid grounding in understanding the international health system, policy and service delivery. This will enhance your international/public health knowledge in preparation for your career in medicine in resource-limited settings.
Course highlights
- A strong emphasis on developing research skills prepares you for future careers in international health and provides a strong grounding for those who intend to pursue further postgraduate studies (PhD).
- A distinctive feature of this course is the research project, which allows you to gain first-hand experience of research into health and healthcare systems, usually in an overseas context. It also offers an opportunity to do experiential learning on how international health organisations work in real-time in low- and middle-income contexts.
- You have the opportunity to take part in a study visit to Geneva (depending on travel restrictions and visa requirements - see course terms and conditions) to attend workshops and meetings with various health-related UN and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation; UNAIDS; UN High Commission for Refugees; United Nations High Commission for Human Rights; International Labour Organisation; International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies; Médecins Sans Frontières; GAVI Vaccine Alliance. Participants are required to pay toward the cost of flights, accommodation, visa and food, an estimated cost is provided to prospective students in welcome information, before arriving in Leeds.
- In one of the optional modules, you can focus on the implications of disasters and conflicts on the health system. In this module, you will be taught by experts who have first-hand experience of working in emergency settings. They include experts from frontline medical aid charities that work towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.
Our teachers and programme leaders at the Nuffield have 40 plus years of experience of teaching mainly international students (both young fresh graduates and mature professionals such as policy makers from ministries) from diverse background mostly from LMICs. We also have vast experience in conducting research across international health issues (mental health, antimicrobial resistance, maternal and child health, climate change) in 28 (mostly low-income) countries around the globe.
Core modules
- Key Issues in International Health (NUFF5065M) - 15 credits
- Policy for Health and Development (NUFF5105M) - 15 credits
- Programmatic Responses to Key Issues in International Health (NUFF5505M) - 15 credits
- Introduction to Health Systems (NUFF5510M) - 15 credits
- Applied Qualitative Health Research (MEDR5250M) - 15 credits
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods in International Health Research (NUFF5041M) - 15 credits
- Research Project in International Health (NUFF5495M) - 45 credits
Optional modules - choose any three - 15 credits each
- Health Econo
mics for Developing Health Systems (NUFF5465M)
- Human Resources Planning and Management for Health (NUFF5435M)
- Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programmes (NUFF5550M)
- Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and child Health (NUFF5455M)
- Health Promotion (NUFF5610M)
- Communicable Disease Control (NUFF5590)
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NUFF5001M)
- International Health Policy: Geneva Study Tour (NUFF5475M)
Learning and teaching
Our course introduces essential learning skills for postgraduate level study, with particular emphasis on the challenges facing those returning to study. A reflective learning approach will form the basis of career-long independent learning and continued professional development.
You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, group work, workshops, tutorials and case studies. You will learn in an international and diverse classroom environment, with students from different countries and academic staff with lived and work experience outside the UK. You will contribute to an active learning environment, which invites you to reflect on and share your own experiences while learning from others.
Some study sessions use the University's computer resources, with support to enhance your competence in the use of information technology. You will have access to our virtual learning environment, which includes teaching materials and resources to prepare you for assignments and your own research.
Facilities
You will be able to use University facilities for independent study, such as computing facilities and the Health Sciences library, with its extensive collection of online journals. You will also have access to the newly refurbished Worsley Building with new teaching spaces and a social space specifically for postgraduate students.
On this course you will be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Please note that modules NUFF5065M, NUFF5105M, NUFF5510M, NUFF5505M will be delivered in Semester1 (Sept- Dec), NUFF5041M and MEDR5250M in Semester 2 (Jan-Feb) and NUFF5495M across the Semester 1-3 (Sept-May).
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDR5250M | Applied Qualitative Health Research | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| NUFF5041M | Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in International Health | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| NUFF5065M | Key Issues in International Health | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| NUFF5105M | Policy for Health and Development | 15 | 01 Oct to 30 Nov | PFP |
| NUFF5495M | Research Project in International Health | 45 | 1 Oct to 30 Jun | PFP |
| NUFF5505M | Programmatic Responses to Key Issues in International Health | 15 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| NUFF5510M | Introduction to Health Systems | 15 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study 45 credits from the following optional modules:
Please note that these optional modules are offered in separate baskets spilt between three semesters. (1,2 and 3) . The students’ numbers on each optional module would be monitored to make sure the module is feasible and viable for delivery.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUFF5001M | Non-Communicable Diseases | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5435M | Human Resources Planning and Management for Health | 15 | 1 Mar to 31 Mar (1mth) | |
| NUFF5456M | Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health | 15 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| NUFF5465M | Health Economics for Developing Health Systems | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5475M | International Health Policy: Geneva Study Tour | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5550M | Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Programmes | 15 | 1 Feb to 28 Feb (1mth) | |
| NUFF5590M | Communicable Disease Control | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5601M | Global Health Threats and Crisis Management | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| NUFF5610M | Health Promotion | 15 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 0 credits of discovery modules
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Last updated: 16/04/2025 10:32:02
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