Global Health MSc/PG Dip/PG Cert

Course modules

Students will undertake a range of modules including:

Introduction to Global Health:

This introductory module to global health will explore contemporary health challenges within the context of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals, differing health systems and policy approaches. The module provides a comprehensive understanding of the different political structures, actors, policies, economic systems and theories (such as the social determinants of health) underpinning global health initiatives, programmes and practices.

Critical Issues in Global Health:

This module will build on the Introduction to Global Health module by exploring critical issues in global health in more depth. Using problem-based learning and case-studies, the module will enable students to critically appraise aspects such as sociological, psychological, political, legal, environmental, social, cultural, and spiritual factors that influence global health in different contexts. Students will gain an understanding of challenges that cross disciplines and borders; and the importance of transdisciplinary teamwork and systems thinking.

Global Health Skills:

This module will focus on students developing skills to work with communities and incorporates some opportunities for reflection on Global Health competencies and skills for employability. The module will start from the perspective of self-awareness and critical reflection on issues such as unconscious bias and cultural competence as well as completion of a skills audit. The module will incorporate a broad range of theoretical perspectives including determinants of health, engagement and consensus decision making, community development, leadership and change management, lobbying, policy writing and evaluation and advocacy.

Researching Global Health:

This module is designed to give the student the opportunity to critically evaluate the fundamental and procedural aspects of Global health research, as well as engaging with evidence and evidence-based practice. The context surrounding research will be explored and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches will be critically appraised.

Global Health Dissertation:

This module is a student-led, self-directed piece of work, which sees the student undertake an individual project from start to finish. This can be an empirical or non-empirical project utilising a variety of methods. The student will conceive and execute the project with support from a suitably qualified staff member to guide their work, playing a small consultative role, and the main responsibility lies with the student to organise their time, agree, and meet interim deadlines with their supervisor and maintain contact and dialogue throughout. Students will choose a dissertation topic and approach that is relevant to their academic and/or vocational interests.

Teaching and assessment

A variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods will be used for this programme in line with the university policy of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Learning is supported by an experienced teaching team and a variety of inclusive and engaging teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Work-based/service learning (optional)
• Action learning sets
• Interdisciplinary and peer learning opportunities
• Enquiry-based, problem-based learning
• Tutorials
• Independent guided study and e-learning
• Tutor support
• Student directed seminars

There are a variety of assessments used within the programme including essays, presentations, group-based presentations, reflections, development of a group podcast and a final dissertation. The final dissertation has three flexible pathways to enable students to meet the learning outcomes according to their vocational interests and strengths.

Academic expertise

The programme team contains a number of research-active staff members, researching diverse topics across applied health, sociology and psychology. Current research topics include, mental health within sport, the care of dementia patients, improving patients’ preparation for amputation surgery, safeguarding in mental health, egg freezing, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health, Global mental health, and One Health.

Our active engagement with research enables us to provide students with the most current thinking in our area and equips us with outstanding skills to support students with their own research projects during their studies. The course will sit within the Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences at De Montfort University and will be delivered by a teaching team experienced in the areas of practice and research, with expertise drawn from the wider School and Faculty of Health and Life Sciences to complement the course delivery. As a School, we are well placed to deliver the programme, as there is a number of academics with skills and expertise who will be invited to contribute to the programme in areas such as Global Health specific research, epidemiology, nutrition and more.