Global Health Policy

Overview

Over the course of the last decade, global health has received dramatically increased attention, both as an emergent academic discipline and in terms of heightened policy salience.

This has become particularly emphasised in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global health concerns have become a central component of foreign and security policy and of development and human rights agendas, and have reshaped debates regarding the social impacts of global economic and environmental change.

Finding answers to the key questions confronting global health policy and practice is vital.

From the impact of globalisation and the recent development of influential global health partnerships to the complex relationships between health objectives and the trade policies of leading states, through this Global Health Policy programme at The University of Edinburgh you’ll learn to understand, critically appraise and apply key concepts and theories within policy studies, public health, and the wider social sciences.

Why Edinburgh?

Situated within the Global Health Policy Unit, this programme offers innovative research-led teaching that draws on academic expertise from disciplines including:

• public health
• political science
• social policy
• economics
• medicine
• epidemiology
• geography
• anthropology

Our location within the School of Social and Political Science gives students access to an academically challenging but friendly and supportive environment and to diverse postgraduate courses offered in one of Europe’s leading centres of social science research.

Career opportunities

This highly regarded qualification will improve your chances of securing rewarding roles.

Recent graduates have taken up employment and research positions with NGOs, health agencies, government departments and international organisations.

We have structured the programme to enable the option to undertake a placement during your dissertation, which can provide valuable professional experience and contacts.

The transferable skills you gain from the programme in areas such as communication, critical thinking and research will give you an edge in the employment market, whatever your eventual career.

A number of our students, particularly from social science backgrounds, use this programme to prepare for applications to medical school, law school and PhD programmes.

Our programmes are also recognised for training purposes by the UK Faculty of Public Health, and a number of practising doctors undertake study with us.