Global Health Policy & Society MSc
Our Masters in Global Health Policy & Society responds to the huge challenges we face in the fast-changing environment of population health and wellbeing. From climate change and geopolitical conflict to global inequality, you will be well prepared to offer to solutions to these most challenging issues and be an asset within the workplace.
- Academic contact:
- Teaching start: September
- Glasgow: Gilmorehill campus
- MSc: 12 months full-time; 24 months part‑time
Why this programme
- This programme will enable you to develop a critical understanding of what determines whether people are healthy or not. You will explore what drives health inequalities, by examining health policies and societies through a comparative lens across high, medium and low-income countries.
- You will develop knowledge and understanding of a diverse range of issues related to health policy and practice. This will include health systems, and the social, cultural, political, commercial, economic and environmental determinants of national and international health.
- This programme offers a dynamic and flexible structure designed to empower you as both a thinker and a changemaker. You will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach, with optional courses available from the School of Social & Political Sciences and the School of Health & Wellbeing, both research leaders within respective fields.
- You will have opportunities to expand your learning outside the classroom through our connections with local authorities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international health organisations. These include the Scottish Government, the NHS, Public Health Scotland, local health boards and health improvement partnerships (eg Greater Glasgow and Clyde), WHO, UNAIDS, Unitaid, StopTB, Global Health Fund, and Gavi.
- You can gain key workplace skills and experience by taking advantage of some of our optional experiential learning opportunities. These include undertaking a collaborative dissertation to solve a real-world problem, or diving into your research potential through a Glasgow Changing Futures Fellowship, supporting research teams tackling global challenges related to healthy and equitable futures.
- You will join a diverse student cohort and meet people from all around the world, allowing you to build an international network to take into your career and life after university.
- Our optional field trip to a European city lets you see global health policy in practice and make memories with your classmates.
- Watch: Global Health Policy & Society programme overview
Programme structure
You will take four core and two optional courses, enabling you to tailor your learning journey to match your personal interests and career aspirations. The programme is carefully crafted to equip you with the interdisciplinary skills and tools needed to tackle current and future global health challenges.
Courses are delivered over two semesters, followed by an independent research project, where you will identify a pressing global health issue and explore it through critical, in-depth analysis.
Semester 3 includes an exciting opportunity to join a week-long international field trip, visiting leading Global Health organisations such as those based in Geneva. It’s a chance to connect theory with practice, expand your professional network, and gain insights from the heart of global health policy.
Core courses
- Contemporary Global Challenges
- Global Health in Social Context
- Researching Public Policy
- Understanding Health Policy
Optional courses
- Communicable Diseases
- Geography of Health and Health Inequalities
- Global Health Challenges
- Global Development and Human Rights
- Health and Culture
- Improving Health and Society
- Mental Health and Disability: International Law and Policy
- Mental Health Promotion Across the Life-span
- Sexual Health and Wellbeing
- Skills For Development
- The Disabling Society
- The Wellbeing Economy
Research project
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours
to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw
or alter a programme. More information: Student contract.
Career prospects
This programme will help you develop a holistic understanding of the key issues within population health and wellbeing alongside a policy and planning focused approach. This unique opportunity will prepare you for entering the global workplace and tackling key issues from a social science perspective.
Career opportunities and pathways
Early in the programme you will be given advice and support on career pathways and how to achieve them. Roles in the workplace that Global Health Policy & Society graduates would be well-prepared and suited to do include:
- National health policy and planning
- Advisory and advocacy roles in governments
- Academic and non-academic research
- International agencies and non-governmental organisations
- Public health care systems, and the voluntary and third sectors
- Health care professionals
- Health care improvement specialist
- PhD study in the UK and internationally
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Professional development
Our programme embeds professional development into your learning, with assessments structured to allow you to demonstrate your mastery of evidence synthesis, critical thinking and analysis skills within your chosen course. You’ll also be developing key workplace skills such as communication, leadership, social influence and problem-solving.
There is also the option to apply for a collaborative dissertation and work in partnership with an organisation to tackle a real-world problem, with support offered by the University during this process. For those wanting to pursue an academic career or those looking to develop their network further, you can also apply for a Glasgow Changing Futures Fellowship. These fellowship opportunities see students support research teams tackling global challenges related to healthy and equitable futures.
You can also take your learning into the field through participating in an optional field trip to a European city with a global health policy focus, such as Geneva. Our programme aims to develop future health policy leaders, ensuring students on the programme have the opportunity to network with their classmates and build connections for their future careers.
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Career support from the University of Glasgow
As a postgraduate student at the University of Glasgow you will have access to our Careers, Employability and Opportunity service. This service offers students the opportunity to network through organised events, help with finding employment, internships and work experience, and career development masterclasses.
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Fees & funding
Tuition fees for 2027-28
MSc
Home & RUK
- Full-time fee: £11,481
- Part-time fee: £1,276 per 20 credits
International & EU
- Full-time fee: £27,390
Fee status
Deposits
International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 to secure a place on this programme.
Deposits: terms & conditions
The following guidelines will apply in determining whether a deposit will be refunded. Where the deposit is refunded, a 25% administration fee will be deducted unless otherwise stated.
a: Deposits WILL be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- Where the University is unable to offer you a place on the programme as specified on the offer. A full refund will be issued in this case.
- Death of a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- SERIOUS ill health of the applicant or a close family member (parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child/dependent). Official evidence (signed and stamped) must be provided.
- Applicant does not meet conditions of offer. This may be academic or language test requirements. Satisfactory evidence must be uploaded to the student’s applicant self-service to prove that they have not met the conditions of their offer (note that applicants who do not meet the language condition of their offer must show reasonable attempt to meet this, i.e. they must provide at least two language tests which were taken after the date the deposit was paid).
- Visa / ATAS refusal: we will only consider a refund if the visa / ATAS refusal was based on matters outside of the applicant’s control.
- If a refund request is received within 14 days of the deposit being received a full refund will be issued under the Consumer Protection Regulations.
b: Deposits WILL NOT be refunded to applicants under the following circumstances:
- An applicant decides not to attend the University for any reason not outlined above.
- Personal financial constraints / unsuccessful scholarship application.
- Applicant has decided to defer – in this situation the University will retain the deposit and hold it against the applicant’s account to secure their place for the following year of entry. You may defer twice. After the second deferral standard conditions will apply.
- There is still time to meet the English language test requirement before the final upload date. Please see section a) 4.
- Visa / ATAS was applied for too late. Please see section a) 5.
- Any documents used for admission are proven to be fraudulent. We work in partnership with Qualification Check to check academic qualifications. English language qualifications are verified with the provider.
- The refund request is received more than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email.
Timeframe for requesting a refund
Refund requests must be received no later than 30 days after the official course start date as outlined in your offer email. As per section b)7 above the request will be denied.
Receiving a refund
- To comply with Money Laundering Regulations, the University will pay all refunds to the original payer using the source payment details. This is known as a “return to source” payment.
- All appropriate documentation and evidence relating to the original payment must be provided, when requested.
- All payments and refunds are in GBP currency - the University is not responsible for any exchange rate fluctuations or beneficiary bank charges associated with the refund.
- Where University approved payment methods have not been used, this may cause significant delays or prevent payment altogether.
- We will aim to issue the deposit refund within 8 weeks of receipt of information per point 2 above. At peak times this may be longer.
How to request a deposit refund
Please go to our enquiry form and select 'Fees and Deposit' as the enquiry reason and then 'Can I have a deposit refund?'.
Please upload all supporting documentation to your applicant self-service portal before submitting the above request.
Additional fees
- Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
- Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
- Registration/exam only fee: £170
Funding opportunities
The scholarships shown are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
Entry requirements
2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Public Health, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing or Pharmacy.
We may also accept degrees in lab-based sciences.
We may sometimes accept degrees at 2.2 Hons or non-UK equivalent.
English language requirements
For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form
For applicants from non-majority English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
Accepted English Language Tests
We accept a wide range of English language tests for entry to this programme. Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date, and requirements must be met using a single test.
IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic for UKVI/ IELTS Academic online
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
- IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
- We do not accept General Training
TOEFL iBT (including MyBest and Home Edition)
Test taken up to 20 January 2026
- 90 overall with no subtest less than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests taken from 21 January 2026
- 92 overall with no subtest less than 4.5
PTE Academic (test centre only)
- 65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
- We do not accept the online PTE Academic
Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Oxford ELLT
- 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
LanguageCert Academic/Academic SELT/ Academic Online
- 70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Password Skills Plus
- 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II
- 96 overall with no subtest less than 90
Kaplan Test of English
- Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
PSI Skills for English
- B2 Pass with Merit
Duolingo English Test
- 120 overall with writing at 120 and no subtest less than 110
Oxford Test of English Advanced
- 140 Overall with any two subtests at 126 or higher, and any two subtests at 136 or higher
Alternatives to English Language test
Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
- students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within 6 years of programme start.
TNE degree from UK university taught at a campus outside of the UK
- students must be awarded the degree by the UK university and must have completed the degree within 6 years of programme start.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study and remain valid for 2 years following date of successful completion.
Our courses give you:
- direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
- essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
- flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.
For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/mlc/eas/pre-sessionalcourses/
We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:
- Heriot Watt
- Kingston Upon Thames
- Middlesex University
- Manchester University
- Reading University
- Edinburgh University
- St Andrews University
- UCL
- Durham
International students
We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.
How to apply
To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.
Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.
Documents
As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:
- A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
- A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
- Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
- One reference letter on headed paper
- Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
- Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
- A copy of the photo page of your passport
You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.
You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.
For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree
Guidance notes for using the online application
These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.
If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.
- Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
- Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
- Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
- Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
- Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
- English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
- Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.
Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.
Application deadlines
For entry in September 2027
International & EU applicants
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International application rounds
Applications are considered on a rolling basis within each round, and the decision date shown for each round is the latest date by which you will receive an outcome on your application.
Round 1: 1 October 2026 to 5 November 2026
You will receive our decision on your application by 18 December 2026.
Round 2: 6 November 2026 to 17 December 2026
You will receive our decision on your application by 3 March 2027.
Round 3: 18 December 2026 to 4 February 2027
You will receive our decision on your application by 8 April 2027.
Round 4: 5 February 2027 to 25 March 2027
You will receive our decision on your application by 6 May 2027.
Round 5: 26 March 2027 to 13 May 2027
You will receive our decision on your application by 10 June 2027.
Round 6: 14 May 2027 to 8 July 2027
You will receive our decision on your application by 29 July 2027.
As we receive a high volume of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply to each programme once per year.
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UK applicants
- 24 August 2027
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