Course summary
The Global Health masters curriculum addresses existing and emerging health challenges of the modern age and offers two pathways, a social-science focused MA as well as a data, natural and physical sciences focused MSc as an exit route. Both will equip you with sound knowledge and understanding to navigate to a career that will intersect with healthy environments and healthy people and shape our shared future. The Global Health: Human Health and the Environment MSc course promotes an interdisciplinary approach to the challenges of the Anthropocene: environmental change, climate instability, urbanisation, shifting geopolitics, changing demographics, sustainability, biodiversity and development. You will work collaboratively to examine fundamental challenges and cover the role of environmental factors and international agencies, including via our strong links to partners in the Global South. With a choice to focus either on post-industrial societies of the Global North or on developing societies of the Global South, and to the realisation for all of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), your studies will help to define and shape a more sustainable future for all. You will study at our biodiverse campus in Surrey, and undertake fieldwork and hands on practical time to develop the skills needed for your chosen career, from opportunities to undertake research projects with partners around the world, to undertaking placements with policy, NGO, business and overseas academic partners. The Department of Health Studies is a hub for world-leading research, knowledge exchange and public engagement and you will be taught by international research leaders across a broad range of topics, with options to acquire real-world experience through projects and placements as part of an embedded approach to developing your employability and transferable skills. You will benefit from individual attention, stimulating teaching to inspire and challenge you, and the flexibility to explore your own interests. From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience, and this is particularly the case as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as we can.
Modules
Please check our website for details: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/postgraduate/health-studies/msc-global-health-human-health-and-the-environment/
Assessment method
A programme of lectures, seminars, workshops and independent learning, both online and in-person will include a strong presence from visiting lecturers and guests from professions and the Global South, combined with practical experience and peer-group learning. You will be encouraged to work together in small teams from the beginning of the course to plan joint projects and to develop as both an individual, as a team researcher and as a project manager. Throughout your studies you will develop career-focused skills such as preparing and presenting verbal and written briefings, visualising results, summarising key findings, project planning, advocacy and tactics for communicating with the public, media and policymakers. The course has a project element which will involve students undertaking primary data collection outside of the classroom, when our team-oriented approaches will ensure that those for whom such activities are challenging, due to mobility or other physical challenges, family commitments or working patterns are not excluded. Secondary data analysis and desk-based research will be equally valued and will provide opportunities to hone skills that are valued by employers. Your final research project in term 3 will be an opportunity to conduct independent research, supervised by experts from Royal Holloway and our international partners. This will be written up in the style of a scientific paper, policy brief or business plan, with the potential to be published in an academic journal or by an internationally renowned think tank. You will present your findings at a conference with other students and supervisors at the end of the course.
Entry requirements
We invite students from a wide range of scientific, social science and humanities backgrounds to be considered, whether they are coming from an undergraduate degree or relevant work or volunteering experience (at least five years in a relevant field preferred). Eligible backgrounds include Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Conservation Science, Earth Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, Geography, Health Science, Horticultural Science, Plant Science, Soil Science, Epidemiology, Genetics, Medicine and Healthcare. Applicants coming straight from undergraduate studies will be expected to possess, or be expecting to attain, a UK 2:2 (Honours) degree or international equivalent in subjects listed above. Applicants coming back to education from a career or volunteering experience should have at least 5 years’ work experience in a related field. Applicants with experience in other subjects, such as social sciences and economics, should contact the Course Lead to be considered, especially if they can demonstrate relevant training and/or professional vocational experience.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £10600 | Year 1 |
| EU | £20500 | Year 1 |
| England | £10600 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10600 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £10600 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £10600 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £10600 | Year 1 |
| International | £20500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. Please be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration). This means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25. Find out more (https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/tuition-fees/)
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX