Online Global Health MSc | University of Leeds | University of Leeds

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Master Global Health: Tackle worldwide challenges with an interdisciplinary approach to policy, politics and public health.

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Watch our webinar to understand how this MSc can support your career in NGOs, government, policy, or public health. Receive access to the recording once you register your interest.

Course overview

Transform your passion for global health into impact. This fully online MSc in Global Health gives you the expertise and confidence to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges - equipping you for a career that drives change locally and globally.

Across the programme, you’ll explore the systems that shape global health, investigate challenges facing communities worldwide, gain the analytical and research capacities needed to address major health challenges, and consider practical solutions for building more resilient and equitable health systems. Modules such as Global Health Systems and Challenges, Global Health Governance and Policy, Health Diplomacy, Environment, Climate and Health, and Strengthening Health and Mental Health Service Delivery provide both breadth and depth, giving you the tools to address health issues from multiple perspectives.

Developed by leading academics from the School of Politics and International Studies and the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development (School of Medicine), this MSc combines interdisciplinary insight with real-world policy and public health application. Designed for ambitious students and professionals, it offers the flexibility to study around your commitments while preparing you for roles that influence policy, strengthen health systems, and improve lives worldwide.

Graduates go on to work with international NGOs, governments, multilateral organisations, health ministries, departments of public health, research institutions, and health related industries - shaping the future of global health at local, national, and international levels.

Entry requirements

We welcome applicants from a range of diverse backgrounds.
Whether you are applying through a standard or professional-based
entry route, we'd love to hear from you.

Standard entry

2:2 or above in any degree with honours.

Professional entry

ONE of the following criteria:

A minimum of a third-class degree with at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in health or public policy, including any role within civil service or public administration, or education.
At least 5 years of relevant professional experience. In a decision-making role involving some level of data analysis and use of qualitative or quantitative evidence.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any component.

Top 100 University

We're ranked in the
Top 100 Universities in the world

QS World University Rankings 2026

Highly Ranked

We’re ranked 22nd
Globally for Development Studies

QS World University Rankings 2025

Modules

Depending on when you start the course, you will take half of the optional modules in Year 1, with the remaining modules being taken in Year 2.

The following list represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Module breakdown

The course begins with a two-week online induction, preparing you for online learning at the University of Leeds. It will introduce the study skills you will need to successfully complete your degree.

Students will then complete 12 modules, including two project modules.

You’ll typically spend eight weeks per module, with the modules grouped into three carousels, allowing you to take the modules within each carousel in any order. You will usually complete all of the foundational modules in Carousel 1 before progressing to Carousel 2 and 3.

On Carousel 1, you will gain expertise in Global Health Systems and Challenges, which introduces the concept of global health systems and outlines the challenges involved in policy development and the provision of national health services.

On Carousels 2 and 3, you will delve into more specialised modules, including Data Analysis for Population Health, Health Diplomacy, and the Strengthening Health and Mental Health Service Delivery.

Global Health Systems and Challenges

You’ll be introduced to the concepts of Global Health Systems and challenges faced by Global and National Actors involved in policy development to support the provision of national health services.

Global Health Governance and Policy

Explore the structures, actors, and conceptual approaches that shape global health governance. Through six focused units, you will analyse the roles of key organizations, partnerships, and paradigms in addressing global health challenges.

Environment, Climate and Health

Gain in-depth knowledge about the role that current food production systems, environmental degradation and climate change play in the emergence and aggravation of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics.

Data Analysis for Population Health

Learn the fundamental statistical skills needed to identify patterns and trends in population health data. You will use data analysis tools to uncover inequalities in health status and health service provision, as well as evaluate intervention effectiveness, to inform evidence-based decision-making.

Strengthening Health and Mental Health Service Delivery

Explore the service delivery component of health systems, with a focus on strengthening the delivery of both physical and mental health services.

Social and Corporate Determinants of Health

Understand how health is socially determined by factors such as inequality, income, race and class, alongside the commercial determinants of health, marking the impact of harmful markets and commodities (e.g. ultra processed food) and the role of corporations in structuring those markets and health outcomes.

Global Health Resources

Analyse strategies for managing human resources for health and how financial resources are distributed within the health sector.

Health Diplomacy

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the role and impact of diplomacy in global health and how it provides opportunities for active learning from real-world examples.

Research Methods

Explore the politics of global health research funding and quantitative and qualitative research design in health.

Pandemic and Health Emergency Preparedness and Response

Learn about health emergency preparedness and response across a range of health indicators, institutional arrangements, and emergency types, with a particular focus on pandemics.

Project 1 - Artificial Intelligance

Uncover the potential, constraints, and ethics for using artificial intelligence including generative artificial intelligence tools to support public health functions.

Project 2 - Health Commentary / Rapid Scoping Review

Conduct a scoping review of one World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulation (IHR) benchmark to determine the response effectiveness of strengthening that benchmark prior to a health emergency.

Why study Global Health online at Leeds?

Our online course is accessible from anywhere in the world, for study when it suits you. You will be able to plan your studies around your job, family life and other commitments, and take breaks between modules if needed.

Register your interest

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