Global Public Health and Policy

Entry requirements

You should have a bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in an appropriate subject such as health psychology, health and exercise science, health sciences, social policy, social science, medicine or sport and exercise science. We will also consider graduates with an undergraduate degree in other subjects where you have substantial relevant professional experience.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Build and enhance your understanding of policymaking to address all core aspects of public health from a global perspective.

During this specialist master's course, you’ll explore the factors that contribute to some of the biggest public health challenges facing society today. These may include:

• global climate change
• pandemics
• crises, such as war and conflict
• determinants of health
• health inequalities

You’ll learn about the approaches used to respond to these challenges, in the context of improving the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations.

The combination of topics covered will help you to gain a worldwide perspective on public health. You’ll analyse various elements and considerations that go into developing, implementing and sustaining evidence-based, public health policy using contemporary examples and case studies.

You’ll finish your studies with a greater appreciation of necessary adaptations to suit different contexts, countries and regions; and the practical, analytical and evaluative skills to work in a number of public health settings.

Practice Track

The Practice Track is an alternative to a dissertation. It’s your chance to work virtually on a consultancy or research-based project with an external organisation, using the skills and knowledge you’ll gain during your studies.

You’ll conduct appropriate research, analyse data (if necessary) and share your solution as a written report and presentation. The Practice Track can be a group activity, but you usually do it alone.

You will benefit from our well-established business connections across the public health industry, both in the UK and overseas.

Practice Track project numbers are limited each year. You’ll apply for a suitable project with one of our external partners and will receive support from us during this process. If a suitable project can’t be secured, you will complete a dissertation instead.

Learn from experts in the field

You’ll learn from experts in global public health and policy, as well as staff in the wider Department for Health. Their passion, knowledge and research shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience.

Throughout this course, you’ll have the chance to work with research-active academics, as well as representatives from Centres and Groups in our Department. These include:

• Centre for Motivation and Health Behaviour Change
• Centre for the Analysis of Social Policy
• Centre for Development Studies
• Tobacco Control Research Group

Each of these has strong links with public health practitioners and health organisations from across the world.

Utilising our links with leading public health organisations, you will also work with practitioners and groups to develop a research project in an area of particular interest.

This MSc brings together Bath’s internationally renowned work in applied health research, behavioural psychology, social policy, governance and public policy, international development, health and social care.

Gain important career skills

The course is designed for both recent graduates of degrees in areas such as health, sports science, biology, public policy, international development, and health and social care, as well as current practitioners working within health, policy or medical roles.

You’ll develop professional practical skills suited to current careers in public health and policy industry, as well as key transferable skills relevant to other career paths and further study.

The course is informed by the UK Faculty of Public Health Diplomate Examination (DFPH), so it will support you to prepare for these exams. 

Graduate prospects

With a strong grounding in public health and health policy, you will be well equipped to respond to public health challenges in fast-paced political, media and technological contexts.

You could go on to work as an epidemiologist, health scientist, public health advisor or practitioner, field consultant, global health educator, policy analyst, environmental health practitioner or NGO aid worker.

Your skills will lend themselves to working in government agencies, international organisations, private research, academia, international charitable foundations or other NGOs.

You’ll also be better prepared to progress your studies to doctoral level in a number of areas related to health and policy.

Information for international students

View availible funding oppurtunities.