Global Health (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree. 

We accept students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, including:  

• social sciences
• behavioural sciences (psychology)
• geography
• population sciences
• demography
• medicine
• basic/applied sciences
• health sciences
• epidemiology
• public health
• nursing and pharmaceutical sciences
• statistics/mathematical sciences
• law
• management
• information technology
• web sciences
• engineering sciences

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

On the full-time version of this UK master’s your studies take place over 12 months.

The course is made up of 9 months of taught learning between October and June. This includes modules that all students on the degree study, as well as a number of modules that you can choose.

The last 3 months of the course focuses on the research and preparation of your master’s dissertation.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

You'll learn through case studies, discussions exercises, data analysis and different assessment approaches.

The course reinforces independent research, and stimulates your critical thinking, research communication, written and oral, and problem-solving skills.

Your induction will cover:

• basic research skills
• introduction to statistical software
• writing and oral presentations
• critical appraisal of published literature and issues related to academic integrity

As well as lectures, you’ll learn through:

• interdisciplinary modules
• case studies
• problem-solving and analysis of real data
• debates, peer-review and group work
• web-based global health resources
• consultation/advice
• independent research

Assessment

We’ll assess you using:

• reports
• policy briefs
• proposals
• essays
• data analysis and interpretation
• presentations
• dissertation

Dissertation

This is your opportunity to carry out a piece of independent research. It will result in a 15,000 to 20,000 word dissertation usually carried out over a 3 month period between June and September. 

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

As a global health graduate you’ll be ideally placed to take on a career in government, the private sector and international development agencies.

Health issues are universal, so the skills you learn will put you in a good position for roles across the world. You'll be able to work for employers including:

• universities and research institutions
• UK institutions including: the NHS, Public Health England, Office for National Statistics
• World Health Organisation and other United Nations organisations
• World Bank, Asian/African development banks, BRIC Bank
• European Commission
• multinational pharmaceutical companies

You'll also be in an ideal position to consider further study such as a PhD.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Global Health Scholarship

The Department of Social Statistics and Demography can offer up to four scholarships of £2,500 each for excellent UK (Home) students, to go towards paying the tuition fees for studying on our postgraduate programmes. To qualify, you need to have a first-class degree in a relevant discipline. To apply for one of these scholarships for the Global Health MSc please contact [email protected].

Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Economic, Social and Political Sciences.

Find out more about the Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship

Two scholarships of £5,000 each are available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Social Statistics and Demography.

Find out more about the Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

These full scholarships are for international applicants applying for the MSc Genomics, MSc Amputation and Prosthetic Rehabilitation, MSc Electrochemistry and Battery Technologies, MSc Global Health and MA Fashion Management in the academic year beginning autumn 2025.

Applicants for this course may be eligible for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, which supports students from developing Commonwealth countries who may not otherwise be able to study in the United Kingdom.

To learn more about eligibility and conditions explore the Commonwealth Shared Scholarships page.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply for this course please make sure you apply for the MSc Global Health rather than the MSc Public Health (Global Health).

You can take this course as an intercalated year whilst studying undergraduate medicine. If you're an internal applicant you must have successfully completed at least 3 years of your medical degree and achieved 60% or above in all your third year assessments.

If you're an external applicant and need to intercalate in a different study year please contact us.

To apply for this course as intercalation please contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)23 8059 1364

Application deadlines

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000