Christiana Ekezie
Global Health and Management, MSc
Introduction
Are you seeking postgraduate training that focuses on your employability, equips you with knowledge and skills to address complex and multidimensional global health issues, and enables you to make professional contributions towards positive health and social change?
This programme is available to start in January or September. Apply now
Study Information
Study Options
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months, 24 months or 36 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- January or September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
On our MSc Global Health and Management programme, you will gain knowledge and understanding of established and emerging concepts, issues, theories and practices in global health and management studies. You will develop appreciation of how these intersect with broader social, economic and political factors, and develop skills to critically engage with these debates. The aim is to develop multidimensional views for more complete impacts in the field.
You will learn about health and social research methods, global health and global citizenship, health systems and policy, and management studies. You will have opportunities to work in professional environments in the health and development sector in the UK and overseas, applying taught content in real world settings and conducting projects of practical significance. With supervision from world-class research academics, students also develop deepened knowledge into current research and methodological development in selected area(s) in a research environment.
This programme is available to start in September or January.
*Students who would like to specialise in a research focused career, for example, through PhD or research jobs, may find that the September cohort is better aligned with their needs. The January cohort is more practice-based and has a stronger alignment with non-research intensive jobs such as working in the community or policy development, and our January start students have the option to enrol on extended work-based placement in their second semester. They can also extend your learning by evaluating the existing policies and understanding their effects on global or public health practice. We recommend that students check the course details of September and January entries to make an informed decision.*
Available Programmes of Study
- MSc
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Global Health and Management
Qualification Duration Learning Mode Study Mode Start Month LocationMSc 12 months or 24 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time September Aberdeen MoreProgramme Fees
Fee information Fee category Cost EU / International students £23,000 Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year Stage 1
Compulsory Courses
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)
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This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
- Applied Statistics (PU5017)
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15 Credit Points
This course in Applied Statistics focuses on the application of statistical techniques in postgraduate research for health professionals, with a particular emphasis on the correct interpretation of statistical analyses results. The course will NOT focus on the statistical theory underlying the subject. An important component of the course is the use of a statistical package (IBM SPSS), which can be used to implement all the methods taught on this course.
- Epidemiology (PU5030)
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15 Credit Points
This course in applied epidemiology gives an introduction to disease measurement at a population level, basic epidemiological study design and analysis, and provides an understanding of key methodological issues needed to apply when designing – or critically appraising – an epidemiological study.
- Key Concepts in Global Health (PU5062)
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15 Credit Points
This course introduces students to key concepts in global health and develops skills to critically appraise organisations, actors, debates and data. Teaching material will cover: key definitions and terminology; institutions, practitioners and scholars in global health; and key drivers and challenges in the global health field. Students will learn about established and emerging topics, how these intersect with broader social, economic and political factors, and how research can make credible contributions in this context.
Optional Courses
Students select ONE course from the following electives:
PU5070 Women's Health in a Global Setting (15 credit points)
- Health Economics (PU5032)
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15 Credit Points
Resources available for the provision and payment for health care are limited. However, knowledge of economics helps ensure that available resources are used in the most effective way possible. Economics allows more informed decision making about a variety of issues: choosing between alternative treatments; setting priorities between patients; choosing between alternative new technologies; organising the provision of health care.
In this course students will acquire a knowledge and understanding of:
- Key themes of economic theory applied to health care
- Some of the main techniques of health care evaluation
- Main arguments concerning alternative systems for organising and financing health care
- Health, Well Being and Behaviour Change (PU5040)
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15 Credit Points
What can health professionals and health care promoters do to improve their own and others health and wellbeing? What influences people’s health behaviours? Why do people find it difficult to change their health behaviour? What are the most promising strategies for improving health and well-being?
Health behaviours cover a wide range of behaviours (e.g. smoking, physical activity, vaccination, diet, taking medication, and practicing safe sex) and have a major impact on peoples’ health, quality of life, and (healthy) life expectancy. Nevertheless, many people have an unhealthy diet, exercise too little, don’t take their medication as prescribed, smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and so forth.
In this course, we will address these challenges and students will learn key theories about health behaviour and behaviour change, including behaviour change techniques, in order to understand how health behaviours can be influenced by a variety of factors within an individual (e.g., conscious and unconscious thoughts, emotions, goals, and decisions), and also by factors in the environment (e.g., the behaviours and expectations of society; the quality of the communication by health care professionals; or availability and affordability of healthy options in the environment).
Health psychologists and health professionals are expected to be able to develop, evaluate and implement intervention programs to promote healthier behaviour, through changing individuals and their environment.
Within this course you will develop your understanding of health behaviours, what influences them and how to change them. You will experience the role of health behaviours from both the participant’s and researcher view, by developing, participating in and analysing your own behavioural intervention.
- Fundamentals of Research Design (PU5052)
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15 Credit Points
Fundamentals of research design provides the student with skills in both quantitative and qualitative design enabling the student to plan ethical research in a health context. Students are taken through each step - from formulating the research question, to study design, sample selection, methods for data collection to dissemination of results.
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
- Summarise the key factors involved in the research process
- Evaluate the appropriateness of study designs commonly used in applied health research studies
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages associated with quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
- Develop a research proposal to answer a health-related research question which maximises research quality and rigour.
Stage 2
Compulsory Courses
- Health Systems and Policy Research (BU5594)
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15 Credit Points
The course aims to instill knowledge but, much more importantly, stimulate students’ thinking about the major challenges within different health systems and the options for the health services management. Furthermore, it aims to take a genuinely international perspective on health care, providing knowledge of different health care systems and encouraging comparison and critique. It covers a wide variety of topics including an overview of the health systems around the world, the effects of social inequalities on health inequalities and their repercussions for social policy and issues of public health policy towards tobacco, alcohol and obesity.
- Global Health (PU5505)
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15 Credit Points
This course focuses on the issues that affect the health of all nations of the world, the problems that unite developing and developed countries – the shared risks and vulnerabilities. This is not merely the study of emerging diseases and epidemic threats such as HIV, Ebola, Zika and Sars Cov-19 but also the dual burden of over and undernutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, the impact of war, conflict and climate change on the health of individuals, nations and world populations.
Optional Courses
Students select TWO courses from the following electives:
PU5566 Challenges in Global Nutrition (15 credit points)
PU5568 Women's Health in a Global Setting (15 credit points)
PU5569 Understanding and Applying Regression Models (15 credit points)
- Managing Human Resources (BU5577)
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15 Credit Points
Managing human resources is important for survival and prosperity of organizations and economies, and has implications for individual attitudes and well-being. Managers are expected to contribute to the delivery of the human resource strategy, supported by expert advice and guidance. This module explores the key concepts underpinning the management of human resources and their practical application in organisations today. Focus on four important themes:
· Recruitment and selection
· Equality and diversity
· Flexible employment and work-life balance
· Talent management
You will be encouraged to share your views and experiences through class discussion and debate.
- Internationalisation (BU5579)
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15 Credit Points
International Business is a wide-ranging subject that includes economic, political, cultural and technological facets. The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the complexities of international business management by examining how the global environment and our understanding of these affect management within an international context.
- Systematic Reviewing (PU5526)
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15 Credit Points
This course will equip students with the relevant skills to interpret and conduct systematic reviews on the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Using lectures and practical sessions, students will understand the principles of systematic reviewing and the differences between narrative and systematic reviews. They will learn to formulate a clear research question and undertake each stage of systematic reviewing of randomised controlled trials. They will also learn about the importance of the levels of evidence and systematic reviews of other different study designs. This course will also introduce the students to advances in systematic reviews such as network meta-analysis and use of Individual Patient Data (IPD)
- Qualitative Health Research (PU5529)
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15 Credit Points
This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.
This course provides a sound overview of the methods involved in qualitative health research. You will consider the relevance and value of different qualitative methodologies which respond to current health agendas. The course covers planning to conduct qualitative research and a range of methods to generate, handle and analyse qualitative data. You will gain insight into issues of rigour, quality and ethics, and understand the importance of engaging with relevant audiences. The course is delivered by experienced qualitative researchers, and you will gain insight into the practicalities of undertaking qualitative research via practical workshops and lecture sessions.
- Work - Based Placement in Applied Health Sciences (PU5548)
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15 Credit Points
This work-based placement elective offers a professional placement with a government/public, industrial, civic or voluntary health and/or development sector organisation. You will undertake a ten-week placement with your host organisation, either within the organisation, remotely from Aberdeen, or using a combination of both. Placements are subject to availability and may be offered on a competitive basis.
Stage 3
Compulsory Courses
- Masters Research Project (PU5922)
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60 Credit Points
This course offers students the opportunity to complete a substantial piece of data-driven, empirical work within their field of study under the supervision of an experienced researcher.
Topics available will be varied but within the domain of their field of study. Alongside supervisors, students will identify a suitable topic area, describe an appropriate study design and implement an empirical study to be completed within a laboratory setting. Students will be involved alongside the supervisors in the process of defining the research question, and developing the research plan and, where appropriate, obtaining regulatory approvals. This course is for non-laboratory based projects (if you are intending to undertake a project in a scientific laboratory setting you should register on MB5913)
MSc 12 months or 36 months On Campus Learning Full Time or Part Time January Aberdeen More
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Fee Information
Additional Fee Information
- Fees for individual programmes can be viewed in the Programmes section above.
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships
Self-funded international students enrolling on postgraduate taught (PGT) programmes will receive one of our Aberdeen Global Scholarships, ranging from £3,000 to £8,000, depending on your domicile country. Learn more about the Aberdeen Global Scholarships here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
The overall curriculum is designed with an integrated approach to teaching and learning in mind. Students participate in formal lectures, small group work, seminars, student presentations, and discussion groups. Throughout, the programme also provides training in mobile and digital technologies and social media. External experts are also regularly invited to provide specialist expertise. Many lectures are recorded and can be viewed again when required.
The MSc makes the most of hands-on learning to enable repeated exposure to evidence-based practice using real life examples. Some of the teaching methods employed in the programme include:
- Inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary learning
- Exposure to leading academic and field experts
- Research-led teaching taught by key opinion leaders
- Insight into real-life situations and examples
- Real-life learning in professional environments
The University’s dedicated, interdisciplinary team of experienced researchers tutor you and provide on-going support. Peer support will develop throughout the course(s) as engagement with students from other countries and disciplines is actively encouraged.
Much of the teaching on this course is participatory and students are expected to consolidate all taught content by completing related tasks and activities and engaging in independent study in their own time.
Learning Methods
- Field Trips
- Field Work
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
Each course has its own continuous assessment criteria based on the progress of practical and course work as well as a written degree examination. Progression to a research project is dependent on performance in the individual courses. The MSc project is assessed with the submission of a thesis and viva examination.
Why Study Global Health and Management?
- We are recognized internationally for global health research within the Institute of Applied Health Sciences and for management studies at the Business School. Our range of expertise means that you get training that is broad, multi-disciplinary and current.
- You will receive teaching and supervision from world-class research-active academics, enabling you to develop specialised interdisciplinary skills and knowledge relevant to career goals.
- World-leading researchers and qualified clinicians will teach you on-site and you will experience studying within the one of the leading medical schools in the UK.
- Our programme is rich in hands-on practical sessions, where you work directly with senior academics, practitioners, communities, patients and fellow students to analyse data, and develop both technical and generic skills essential for a career in global health and management.
- Teaching on the programme is integrated with our other programmes, meaning that you benefit from structured training in transferable skills and have access to a range of elective courses.
- Our links and research networks are extensive. Internationally and in the UK, you will benefit from having access to leaders in global health research and management studies, which will provide you with insights into the field and employment market. There will also be opportunities to build a network of contacts.
- We strongly believe in inter-disciplinary learning, which is reflected in our collaborations with other universities, research institutions, governments and non-governmental organisations globally.
- The Foresterhill Health Campus at the University is one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe which includes a Medical School, large teaching hospital, maternity and children's hospitals, and the Rowett Institute.
- Our Business School has an international faculty consisting of over 40 research active members with world leading academic credentials and strong professional links with the business community.
What Our Students Say
Gillian Noble
Entry Requirements
A second (2:2) class Honours degree or equivalent, usually in a health-related honours undergraduate degree (medicine, midwifery, nursing, public health, pharmacy). We also consider applications from students with a pure science, social or management science first degree and who have a keen interest in health.
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
In recent years we have had students from backgrounds including medicine, midwifery, nursing, public health, health/medical research, pharmacy, public administration, management.
Please check the In My Country pages to find out if your degree is equivalent.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- CV
- an up-to-date CV/Resumé
- Degree Certificate
- a degree certificate showing your qualifications
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
Eligible self-funded postgraduate taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Explore our Global Scholarships, including eligibility details, on our dedicated page.
Aberdeen Global ScholarshipsCareers
Students are provided with opportunities to develop portfolios of work during the programme that relate to interests, strengths, previous training and experience, and career aspirations. The underlying assumption is that finding personal strengths and areas of interest is the key to unlocking a rewarding career.
As part of the programme, we offer an elective Work-Based Placement (WBP) course, in which students work with external health and development organisations in the UK and overseas. Students have been placed in research, advocacy and clinical organisations in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, the UK and Zimbabwe. Placement students gain a unique experience, professional connections, transferable skills and a stand-out CV. A short film on placements produced by recent graduates can be viewed here.
Graduates of the MSc Global Health and Management programme establish careers in a range of health and development organisations and institutions, these include:
- In governance in local/national/regional health policy and planning and administration;
- In monitoring and evaluation/technical assistance and consultancy roles;
- In advisory and advocacy roles with donor agencies, multilateral and bilateral organisations, international and national non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups;
- In research and academia in social and health sciences including epidemiological and health systems and services research, development studies, sociology and political science.
Industry Links
In the UK we work with Action on Smoking and health (ASH), The International Union Against TB and Lung Disease, and the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. Students take advantage of our collaborators’ facilities for research projects or placements.
International partners include Diva Medical Centre, Uganda; Training and Resource Support Centre, Zimbabwe; Naretu Girls and Women Empowerment Programme, Kenya; MRC/Wits Rural Public Health Unit (Agincourt), South Africa.
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
What our Alumni Say
Victoria Kincaid
Our Experts
The programme will be delivered by an experienced, multidisciplinary team of internationally renowned researchers in global health and management.
- Other Experts
- Dr Lucia D'Ambruoso
- Wendy Graham
- Dr Nigel Dower
- Professor Ioannis Theodossiou
- Dr Miriam Brazzelli
- Dr Alison Elliott
- Professor Vikki Entwistle
- Dr Shona Fielding
- Dr Kathryn Martin
- Dr Patricia Norwood
- Dr Zoë Skea
- Professor Cairns Smith
- Dr Pamela Ann Abbott
- Mr Russell Williams
- Programme Coordinator
- Dr Aravinda Guntupalli
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Foresterhill Health Campus
The Foresterhill Health Campus is one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe which includes the Medical School, large teaching hospital, the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Rowett Institute.
Business School
Our Business School has an international faculty consisting of over 40 research active members with world leading academic credentials and strong professional links with the business community.
Find out moreGet in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX