Find out more about studying International Health MSc at University of Leeds? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MSc - Master of Science
Leeds, Main
Full Time
Sep 2026
1 Year
Our course is an ideal introduction to international health if you're interested in the sector, but have limited experience. It is designed to develop your understanding of international health issues, systems, programmes and policies to prepare you for a rewarding career in international health. You’ll develop your knowledge and skills to help achieve international development goals and reduce the burden of diseases borne by vulnerable populations. This course also has a strong emphasis on research methods training, which is an essential grounding if you intend to pursue further postgraduate research (PhD), or intend to work within international health policy, systems or programmes. For aspiring research students without strong training in methods, the MSc should be considered an essential preparatory year prior to beginning a PhD. This course is also offered as an intercalated MSc course for MBChB medicine degree students, designed to provide a solid grounding in understanding the international health system, policy and service delivery. This will enhance your international/public health knowledge in preparation for your career in medicine in resource-limited settings. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a medical student wishing to intercalate, or a healthcare professional, you’ll become a part of our 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 your own skills to your own interests with a choice of optional modules. Develop the skills and knowledge to build a career within international and national NGOs and national-level research and health and development organisations. Make an ImpactUnderstanding how different healthcare systems are organised in response to different healthcare needs is rarely taught in medical and health sciences. The Masters in International Health course addresses this gap. You’ll gain competence in identifying and analysing factors that generate disparities in health status, health resources, and access to health information and health services, particularly for marginalised and vulnerable population groups. This course is delivered by the Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, based in the Leeds Institute of Health Sciences in the School of Medicine. Course highlightsA strong emphasis on developing research skills prepares you for future careers in international health and provides a strong grounding for those who intend to pursue further postgraduate studies (PhD). A distinctive feature of this course is the research project, which allows you to gain first-hand experience of research into health and healthcare systems, usually in an overseas context. It also offers an opportunity to do experiential learning on how international health organisations work in real-time in low- and middle-income contexts. You have the opportunity to take part in a study visit to Geneva (depending on travel restrictions and visa requirements – see course terms and conditions) to attend workshops and meetings with various health-related UN and international organisations such as the World Health Organisation; UNAIDS; UN High Commission for Refugees; United Nations High Commission for Human Rights; International Labour Organisation; International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies; Médecins Sans Frontières; GAVI Vaccine Alliance. Participants are required to pay toward the cost of flights, accommodation, visa and food, an estimated cost is provided to prospective students in welcome information, before arriving in Leeds. In one of the optional modules, you can focus on the implications of disasters and conflicts on the health system.
This module provides students with the ability to appraise critically the role and application of qualitative approaches in applied health research. Topics covered will include: the role and contribution of qualitative approaches in applied health research; qualitative study design; generating and analysing qualitative data; ethical considerations; processes for assessing quality in qualitative research; conducting qualitative research in a health research context; challenges of conducting applied qualitative health research. On completing the course, students will be able to critically appraise the contribution of qualitative research in applied health research, and have the skills to formulate and conduct a small scale qualitative health research project.
Health systems are an important element in improving a population's health. This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the key aspects of organisation, composition and strengthening of health systems in LMICs and to equip them with the ability to contextualise their knowledge to a particular country.
This module will provide a foundation and a vocabulary of ideas and concepts, an understanding of the key issues in international health. The students will also develop an understanding of the key players in international health, and of the historical developments, current priorities, and emerging issues, and how these shape international health practice.
This module interrogates current debates around health, equity and development. It introduces critical perspectives and questions some of the ideologies and assumptions lying behind health policies and development approaches. Through an analysis of key health policy issues, the module explores the complex, messy and political world of health policy making and planning.
This module will identify and analyse key challenges and major global issues in international health and review various approaches for developing adequate and appropriate responses to these problems, especially in a resource poor setting. The students will work throughout the module towards developing a plan/programme proposal for responding to a specific international health issue.
This module is the culmination of the MSc in International Health programme, building upon the learning from previous modules. The goal is to allow students to gain independent experience of designing and conducting a small research project in international health. Students can choose to do their fieldwork in a foreign country, allowing cross-cultural learning through exposure to a foreign health system. This experience also will strengthen a student's personal development skills including planning, independent working and initiative.
The module provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to 1) understand and critically interpret results from statistical analyses (as found in research literature), and 2) analyse health sciences data using statistical analyses. It will enable students to understand basic statistical concepts that are key to interpreting the results of statistical analyses. It will also equip students with skills to undertake valid statistical analyses, such as statistical inference, sample estimation, confidence intervals and p-values. Students will learn about study design, data types and statistical concepts. Through computer practicals using widely used statistical software students will learn how to undertake basic but versatile and powerful statistical analyses.
