Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Distance Learning
- Fees
- Home: £5,900
Overseas: £5,900
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
Our Global Public Health PGCert offers a high-quality and interactive online learning experience. It is a wide-ranging post-graduate programme that explores social, political, economic and ecological determinants of health, with a focus on health policy analysis.
The determinants of health and their consequences for health improvement and health inequalities are an essential part of the work of public health practitioners when dealing with health issues at the population level. Governments, researchers, and the public are increasingly aware of health inequity and the need for health systems to provide and promote health for all.
This postgraduate certficate will appeal to anyone with an interest in the health and wellbeing of societies within and across countries. It has direct relevance to anyone working in a health or policy setting, and to anyone with a general interest in the social and political sciences.
Structure
This is a nine months, part-time, fully online postgraduate programme. It comprises of four x 15 credits taught modules.
If you join us in January 2025, you will study the following modules:
Spring semester:
- Health Inequalities and the State of Global Health
- Health Systems, Policies and Practice
Autumn semester:
- Research Methods, Power and Ethics in Global Health
- Understanding Epidemiology and Statistics
You can find out more about these modules below:
Compulsory/Core modules
This module introduces students to the social, economic and political determinants of health and health inequalities, both between and within countries. The module is interdisciplinary in its approach, relying on contributions from public health, anthropology, international relations, human rights, economics, and sociology. It provides students with the wide variety of tools required for a critical and applied understanding of global health issues.
Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution and determinants of health and disease conditions within populations; and is the basic science of public health.¿ Epidemiological evidence is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent and control illness and to improve health. It is essential that those working in Public Health understand epidemiology to be able to understand and appraise the public health evidence base. This module provides an introduction in the design, analysis, interpretation, and appraisal of epidemiological studies and introduces statistical methods applied to public health. The focus will be on practical application, providing students with the skills necessary to critically interpret methods, results and appraise the evidence.
Compulsory/Core Elective modules
This module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to health systems in different geographical contexts. Starting with an overview of the different components of health systems and service coverage, it considers how best to finance and organise health systems to achieve universal health, the effective delivery of comprehensive primary health care, and the different components and functions of health systems. The module covers critical contemporary health system issues in countries across the Global South and North. It introduces students to key concepts that help understand the health systems and their components, locating them within socioeconomic, political and historical contexts.
This module will develop students¿ understanding of the different forms of research that are used to produce evidence in global public health. It will introduce students to the philosophy of science and to different paradigms of research and help them to reflect on how we generate data, how this data is used to generate evidence, to what purposes and how that evidence can be used, and for whose benefit. We will explore different research methods in order to reflect on how different methods and types of evidence are required to answer different types of research questions, and use this reflection to start to develop plans for student dissertation projects. Throughout we will reflect on how research and evidence is influenced by power dynamics, and the importance of considering ethics and intersectionality in research design and conduct.
The module will begin by recounting the history of global health, distinguishing it from international health, and drawing students¿ attention to its colonial and imperial origins. It will then explore how global health policy is made (e.g. the International Health Regulations, pandemic preparedness, FCTC), and explain the importance of economics, politics and power in policy formation. It will introduce different actors (e.g. States, non-State actors, the WHO, civil society organisations), and reflect critically on their contribution to global health governance. Finally, the module will encourage students to consider how the global health system can be changed to better address major global challenges.
This module introduces students to various analytical perspectives on environmental change on a local, regional and global basis and how this is related to human health and to planetary health applying an ecological global health framework and a human rights to health approach.
Assessment
Students will be assessed in a variety of different ways that will develop research, writing, presentation, and critical analytical skills. The assessments are carefully designed for students to demonstrate authentic and work-relevant skills. Students will gain experience writing for different audiences, participating in group presentations, and multi-media assessments. Formative assessments will be incorporated into each module to check progress towards meeting module outcomes and prepare students for their summative assessments.
Teaching
With access to our virtual learning platform, QM+, students will enjoy a variety of learning tools specifically designed to enhance their online learning experience. These tools will include interactive forums, fully accessible pre-recorded online lectures, practice exercises, and peer-group discussions. Students will receive fully accessible feedback on individual and group assessments. A tutor will be allocated for each module who will engage regularly with students via forums and office hours. They will also facilitate optional but recorded live webinars where students can interact with peers and staff. Students can expect additional support during the assessment period.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
At Queen Mary, you will have access to a range of advanced facilities, including our bespoke QM+ online learning platform, online library facilities, and extensive reading materials. You will also have access to video and audio recordings of all lectures and additional online resources. Additionally, if you choose to visit the campus during your course, you will have access to our campus facilities.
Watch our video to have your questions answered about online study of Global Public Health
About the Institute
Wolfson Institute of Population Health
This course is based at the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, which delivers internationally recognised research and teaching in population health. The Wolfson Institute is a part of Queen Mary University of London’s faculty of medicine and dentistry.
The work of our researchers and educators has had a significant impact on lives across the world. We provide integrated teaching and training opportunities delivered by leaders in the field. By sharing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of research, we will continue to advance population health and preventive medicine on a global scale.
Queen Mary is a member of the Russell Group of leading research universities in the UK and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry proudly holds an Athena Swan Gold Award in recognition of our commitment to gender equality.
Career paths
After graduating, you will be well-equipped to explore a career in health policy and health service delivery at local, national, and international levels – in governmental and international bodies as well as NGOs.
You will hold the skills and knowledge needed to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams engaged in health improvement.
Since research and epistemology will be integrated into the modules you will learn, you could also get the opportunity to pursue further academic development in the form of a PhD.
What additional career support is available?
As an online student, you'll have access to QM Careers and Enterprise throughout your studies and for up to two years after you graduate. The service offers information and guidance on a wide range of topics, from choosing a career to finding work experience and starting your own business.
Learn more about career support and development at Queen Mary.
—The diverse view on the issues of Global Public Health that opened my vision on where we as an industry can help to construct sustainable health systems.
Rolf Erik Hönger, MSc Global Public Health
Fees and funding
Funding
There are a number of ways you can fund your postgraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in a relevant subject, such as Medicine, Nursing, the health sciences or the social sciences..
Applicants with a 2:2 degree and relevant experience in the field will be considered on an individual basis.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the Wolfson Institute falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.