International Health MSc

Course overview

Develop your understanding of international health issues, systems, programmes and policies. Prepare for a rewarding career in international health as you develop your knowledge and skills to help achieve international development goals and reduce the burden of diseases borne by people in low and middle-income countries.

Our course provides an introduction to international health for students with limited work experience in the sector who are looking to work in international health policy, systems or programmes, or to study at PhD level.

An international community

• Learn in an international learning environment, with fellow professionals from a range of countries and areas of expertise.
• Work with leading experts in international health.
• Tailor your course to align with your own skills to your own interests with a choice of optional modules.
• Develop the skills and knowledge to build a career within national NGOs and national-level research organisations.

At Leeds, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit Geneva as part of a study visit. You'll attend workshops and meetings with various health-related United Nations (UN) organisations amongst other international bodies.

Our course is run by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, based in the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences in the School of Medicine.

Course details

Explore and analyse factors that cause inequalities in health status, resources and access to health information and services.

Our core modules are designed to provide you with a detailed introduction to the key issues and challenges within international health policy, systems and programmes. You’ll become familiar with the current debates around health, poverty and development. You will also choose from optional modules to tailor your knowledge and skills to your own interests.

A distinctive feature of this course is the research project. This allows you to gain first-hand experience of research into health and healthcare systems, usually in an overseas context.

With a strong emphasis on research skills, we will prepare you for a future career in international health or further postgraduate study.

Course structure

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

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read International Health MSc in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Learning and teaching

Benefit from an international learning environment. Learn and discuss with fellow health professionals from a range of countries and professional backgrounds. Under the guidance of academic tutors who have all worked in international resource-limited settings, you’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and group work, and independent learning.

You’ll be able to use University facilities for independent study, such as computing facilities and the Health Sciences library. This offers an extensive collection of online journals.

On this course, you’ll 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.

Assessment

You will be assessed at the end of each module. The assessment depends on the module but could include essays and group presentations.

You will also be assessed on your ability to produce an original research protocol and an assignment in the style of a journal article for your research project.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a health-related discipline or equivalent qualification. If your degree is in a non-health related discipline, your application will be considered but is less likely to be successful unless you have significant relevant experience.

Alternatively, a diploma in a health-related discipline together with at least three years’ relevant experience.

We will give preference to candidates with work or study experience in areas related to international health.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadline: 31 July 2024

Applications are considered on the basis of the applicant’s qualifications and experience. Applications may close before the deadline date if numbers accepted reach capacity.

For more information about this programme, please contact the programme lead.

Further application information:

• One reference must be supplied at the point of application. If you graduated less than one year ago, you must provide an academic reference; if you graduated more than one year ago, the reference can be either an academic reference or a professional reference. The reference should support your experience in a health-related field. The reference should be provided on a headed document with either a stamp from the institution or an electronic signature.
• Supporting statements must reflect your experience in a health-related field and your understanding of how the content of the course will benefit your personal and professional development. If you are not working in a health-related field, you should clearly indicate how you are going to use your previous training and this MSc content (modules) to benefit your career aspiration and future goals.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Selection principles

There is strong competition to study this course. We will give preference to candidates with work or study experience in areas related to international health.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine Taught Postgraduate Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Medicine

Contact us

School of Medicine Postgraduate Admissions

Email: pgmed-admissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £12,250 (Total)

International: £27,500 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

The cost of the optional one-week trip to Geneva (see Overview) is not included in the course fees. Students pay a contribution towards their travel, accommodation, visa and insurance costs, and the Nuffield Centre for Health and Development pays the rest of these costs.

(Students who choose the study trip as an optional module pay a smaller contribution than students who attend the study trip for their personal development only). Other costs, including meals and any personal costs, are paid by the student. We send more information with offer letters.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

Studying in the School of Medicine at Leeds is an amazing opportunity, but we know that the cost can be difficult for many people to meet. If you are keen to join us, a range of funding opportunities are available.

We provide information on where previous students have obtained funding. Please take a look at Leeds Institute of Health Sciences Funders for ideas.

Career opportunities

The Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development has taught international health and development courses at Leeds for over 40 years. Therefore it has a large alumni network of health professionals in senior positions around the world.

Graduates of this programme have gone into a range of careers including working for major international NGOs, working in national-level research organisations or undertaking further postgraduate research.