How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Global Public Health

Start date: October 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 1 year

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Health and Social Care (School of)

What is the MSc Global Public Health?

Are you passionate about health and social justice and want to make a difference?

The University of Essex offers an exciting opportunity to learn from world-class experts in the field of Global Public Health. Join us to develop your knowledge and skills to challenge health inequities and shape the future of public health worldwide.

The MSc Global Public Health is a 1 year postgraduate course that explores how global forces; politics, economics, environment and society, shape people’s health and health inequalities worldwide.

Why study Global Public Health at Essex?

World-class education: Our course is designed by experienced global health academics and researchers with expertise in international health systems, global health policy, health inequalities and social justice.
Global perspective: Learn how health affects populations around the world and across the life-course and how policies, systems and communities respond to health needs in different contexts.
Interdisciplinary approach: Our programme combines elements from public health, social science, economics, politics and human rights to provide a holistic understanding of global health challenges and potential solutions.
Hands-on experience: You will have opportunities to engage in real-world case studies, research projects, and internships to apply your learning.
Supportive learning environment: We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment with a range of specialist learning resources and dedicated advisors to help you succeed.

Who should apply

A graduate looking to begin or develop your knowledge in global public health.
Interested in a career working in global public health, international health organisations, non-profit organisations or NGOs.
Looking to understand health inequalities and how to improve health justice globally.
Wanting to make an impact on global health policy and services.

Your learning experience

Societies all over the world are faced with mounting public health challenges and increasing inequality. Conflicts and forced displacement, pandemics and climate change are just some of the issues impacting on health worldwide. Economic, social, political, environmental, and commercial determinants shape human and planetary health in complex ways. Structural discrimination, racism and colonial legacies perpetuate inequity and social injustice with devastating impacts on public health.

Our MSc Global Public Health will provide you with the knowledge and skills to explore these issues and critically appraise policies which affect health and social justice. You will learn from innovative research in global public health and consider what changes could bring about a more equitable, sustainable and healthy future for all.

What you will learn

Through interactive lectures and seminars you will develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of:

Social, economic, commercial, political and environmental factors which influence health.
Decision-making and priority setting in global health.
Health governance and policies and their effects at individual, societal, national, and global levels.
How inequalities interact to shape people's life chances and ability to thrive.
Innovative approaches, interventions and actions to improve public health and well-being to achieve fairer, equitable and healthier societies.
Research skills to evaluate and support the development and implementation of local, national and global public health policies and programmes.

Career options

Graduates may go on to careers in:

Public health policy and practice
The health and social care sector
The humanitarian sector (e.g. human rights organisations, campaigning and advocacy organisations)
The development sector (e.g. non-profit organisations, charities, NGOs)
Academia and research

Our Campus

You’ll study at our Colchester Campus — a vibrant, green campus set in 200 acres of parkland and just under an hour from London. It’s a supportive and diverse environment where Global Public Health students learn alongside peers from across health, social care and the wider University community.

As a postgraduate student, you’ll have access to modern teaching spaces, specialist facilities, study zones and collaborative learning areas designed to support both independent and group work. Beyond your studies, Colchester offers a lively student experience with cafés, social spaces, sports facilities and excellent transport links to London and across the UK.

Take the Colchester Campus virtual tour

Teaching and Expertise

You’ll be taught by a multidisciplinary team of experts working across global public health research, policy and practice. Our academics bring experience from the UK and internationally, spanning areas such as health systems and policy, inequalities in health, epidemiology, community and population health, digital health, and public health leadership.

The MSc Global Public Health teaching team includes academics such as:

Their research-informed teaching ensures you engage with current global challenges and graduate with the knowledge and skills to make an impact across diverse health settings.

Why we're great.

You'll gain practical knowledge and transferable research and evaluation skills necessary for pursuing a career in public health policy and practice.
You'll enhance your research skills by applying theoretical and methodological learnings to real life public health challenges.
You'll develop the analytical and methodological skills necessary for applying an innovative intersectional lens to examine policy and health inequalities.

Specialist facilities

The School of Health and Social Care is located in the Kimmy Eldridge building on our Colchester campus.

We offer excellent physical and online resources in terms of libraries, computer labs, datasets, archives, and other research materials.

Your future

This course will prepare you to evaluate and support the development and implementation of evidence-informed and rights-oriented local, national and global public health policies and programmes. It, therefore, is likely to be of interest to you if you are already working in or are keen to develop a career in: public health policy and practice; the health and social care sector; the humanitarian sector; the development sector, and academia.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a medical, health, social care or social sciences discipline.

A 2:2 degree, or equivalent, in one of the following subjects:

Biology
Biomedical Sciences
Biotechnology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Food Science and Technology
Law
Medical Laboratory Science
Microbiology

Applicants with a 3rd class degree, or a 2:2 degree in any other discipline, will be considered on a case by case basis and may also need to demonstrate at least one year's relevant experience in the field of health policy and systems, the development sector, or in the broad field of public health. This can include administrative service or working in a clinical setting within health and social care.

Please include your CV in your application. This will allow us to consider any professional experience you may hold.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Graduate Admissions team at pgquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Structure

Course structure

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Global Public Health Research Dissertation

(60 CREDITS)

A dissertation in Global Public Health is a research project that you structure and lead. Dissertations offer the opportunity for in-depth study and analysis of a topic relevant to Global Public Health. It gives you the chance to pursue a topic that you are interested in in-depth and to develop research and independent study skills. These may take one of four general forms: Literature review: an extended literature review of a relevant policy, intervention, or practice issue in global public health; Quantitative/qualitative analysis (secondary data): new analysis of existing quantitative or qualitative data (i.e., secondary data) related to a relevant policy, intervention, or practice issue in global public health; Quantitative/qualitative analysis (primary data): collection and analysis of new data (i.e., primary data) through primary research using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, related to a relevant policy, intervention, or practice issue in global public health; and Health policy analysis: an in-depth analysis of a relevant policy in global public health. Whatever type of dissertation you decide to prepare, you are expected to demonstrate your ability to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree. You need to show knowledge of relevant research methodology and data analysis.

View Global Public Health Research Dissertation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY

Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation

(15 CREDITS)

This module provides you with a range of techniques for collecting, analysing and interpreting data. It combines a theoretical and a practical approach to enable you to understand the collection and analysis process. At the end of the module, you will be able to design and pilot data collection instruments, conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate computer software, and interpret statistical and qualitative research findings. Find out more about this module at https://www.essex.ac.uk/short-courses/hs908/7/data-collection-analysis-and-interpretation

View Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: COMPULSORY

Literature Review and Critical Appraisal

(15 CREDITS)

This module provides you with an advanced understanding of the research study designs commonly used in health research. It combines a theoretical and a practical approach to enable you to search for, obtain, and understand the research literature, and provides you with the critical skills to analyse and synthesize material into a literature review.

View Literature Review and Critical Appraisal on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Global Health

(15 CREDITS)

The global health priorities established in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have helped bring the importance of global health governance to the fore of global health scholarship. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on global public health governance, exposing the systemic weaknesses in the global health architecture and demonstrating how power and resource imbalances impact on global health policy, global health equity and population health. The global health landscape is shaped by centuries old interactions and structures. The past few decades have brought dramatic change shaped by cross-border flows of capital, ideas, technology intermediated through the complex interaction between global, national and local actors and institutions. This module provides an introduction to the fundamentals of global public health governance by focusing on health-related issues that transcend national boundaries and the differential impacts of globalization on health. It introduces essential concepts from the social sciences, including political science, sociology and law. It includes critical scholarship on interactions between global and local actors to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for critically exploring key questions including who governs global health, which states, institutions and other entities finances global health, who sets priorities for global health and who is accountable for delivering on global health commitments. It provides an introduction to understanding the diverse social, economic and political forces which shape how and why some important health related challenges are addressed through global health policies, including the SDGs, and others are not.

View Introduction to Global Health on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY

Social Determinants of Health

(15 CREDITS)

The module will introduce you to the skills required for ethical practice in the context of safeguarding and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The module also aims to introduce you to the skills related to legislation and regulation including advocacy and legal research skills. You will have the opportunity to explore the process of ethical decision-making alongside students and tutors from the Law Clinic. Law, and Health and Social Care staff will be making use of the giving voice to values approach which focuses on empowering decision making for transformational leadership.

View Social Determinants of Health on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: COMPULSORY

Introduction to Epidemiology

(15 CREDITS)

This is an introductory module which provides a foundation in the field of epidemiology. Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in specified human populations. The purpose of epidemiology is to guide public health in the prevention, surveillance, and control of health disorders and states of illness. This module adopts a global perspective, and draws on global health data, statistics, and evidence, as appropriate. Previous knowledge in public health or population health is useful, but not required.

View Introduction to Epidemiology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 07: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(15 CREDITS)

COMPONENT 08: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS

(30 CREDITS)

Teaching

On this programme students can expect to have approximately 12-14 hours of taught hours per week across all three times. In term 1 teaching takes place three days per week, with two days dedicated to independent study, but this can vary. In term 2 students have the opportunity to undertake some optional modules, some of which are taught intensively during a whole week Monday-Friday. In the third term, there are fewer contact hours as students are expected to be working on their dissertation.

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£11,025

International fee

£23,875

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing tours@essex.ac.uk and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 11 April 2026 - April Open Day

Saturday 20 June 2026 - June Open Day

Find out more

You can apply for this postgraduate course online. Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We aim to respond to applications within two weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘how to apply' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.