International Health

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 but you’re keen to study this programme, you should apply and we will consider your application.

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

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.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

This course is an ideal introduction to international health for students with limited work experience in the sector. It has a strong emphasis on research methods training - an essential grounding if you intend to work in international health policy, systems or programmes, or to study at PhD level.

Make an impact

The International Health MSc equips you with the skills to help achieve international development goals and reduce the burden of diseases borne by people in low and middle-income countries. You’ll develop your understanding of international health issues, systems and programmes and policies. You’ll learn to analyse factors that cause inequalities in health status and resources and access to health information and services.

Course highlights

You’ll benefit significantly from the international learning environment with fellow professionals from a range of countries and areas of expertise. As part of studying with us, you will be able to work with, and research, diverse populations, geo-political environments and health systems.

On this course you have the opportunity (dependent on travel restrictions - please see our Course terms and conditions) to take part in a one-week study visit to Geneva, attending workshops and meetings with various health-related UN and other international organisations. In the past this has included the World Health Organization, UNAIDS, UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR), International Labour Organization, International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies (IFRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and GAVI Alliance.

The International Health MSc is designed for those interested in pursuing a research career with a focus on international health policy, systems or programmes as well as for those looking to work within the field.

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.

Information for international students

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).

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

Fees and funding

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.

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