MSc Global Health Policy
- MSc
Overview
This programme equips you to address health equity and resilience in a changing world by analysing global health policy challenges and solutions. You will learn to design and evaluate sustainable, equitable policies, while exploring how evidence, power and policy shape global health. It combines interdisciplinary social science perspectives with practical policy analysis. Developed with UK and international employers, you will gain the analytical, research and communication skills needed for careers across the field of global health policy and related public sector, NGO, and international organisations.
The University of Bristol is a top 10 UK University and ranked 57th globally (QS World University Rankings, 2027). We are also ranked 18th in the world for Social Policy & Administration (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026).
In this programme, you will learn about some ofthe world's most pressing transnational health and care challenges, including:
- pandemic response and preparedness
- health impacts of climate change and poverty
- global nutrition challenges
- migrationand health
- global increases in long-term health conditions,ageingand mentalillness.
You will develop a strong foundation in social science research design, with training in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, and learn to evaluate the quality, relevance, and application of 'evidence' across diverse policy and practice contexts. Building on this, you will gain exposure to a toolkit of applied evidence and policy-analysis approaches - including health impact assessment, realist evaluation, and systems thinking - providing you with practical and analytical skills that are increasingly in demand in policy, research and practice environments.
You benefit from research-led teaching, delivered by academics with expertise in social & public policy, systems science, public health, sociology, political economy, and global governance. Their research addresses some of the world's most pressing global health challenges, such as obesity, undernutrition, climate change, and pandemic preparedness. Their work has informed policy discussions and practice across national and regional governments in Africa, East and Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America, as well as global NGOs, including the World Health Organisation and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
Alongside core academic staff, guest lecturers, who are global health practitioners or policymakers, enhance your learning. You will have opportunities to develop campaigns, interventions, and research projects that directly address key priorities in the field.
Programme structure
The programme consists of six taught units plus a dissertation OR a work-based applied research project, giving you a balance of structured breadth and independent depth. Five units (including the dissertation/applied research project) are mandatory, and two options for you to focus on policy areas that connect with your interests, experience and career plans.
Teaching Block 1
Three mandatory units (20 credit points each) focus on broad conceptual and theoretical topics:
- Power, Politics and Global Health
- Social and Commercial Determinants of Health
- Research Methods.
Teaching Block 2
Students will take one mandatory unit (20 credit points), focusing on research and further evidence tools common in the field:
- Global Health Policy Evidence Toolkit.
Also, you choose two optional units (20 credit points each), either both
- Global Health Diplomacy and Leadership
- Global Health Inequalities across the Life-course.
Or one of the above plus one of five specialist units from MSc in Public Policy.
Work-based Applied Research Project or Dissertation (60 credit points)
In addition to your taught units, you will choose to undertake either a dissertation (up to 10,000 words) or a work-based applied research project to have an opportunity to work on a co-produced project with a host organisation within the global health policy field.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content of MSc in Global Health Policy.
Entry requirements
You will typically need a strong second-class honours degree (55% or higher) or an international equivalent in any subject.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
If your achieved grade is lower than our entry requirements, your application may be more likely to receive an offer if you have additional relevant postgraduate qualification/s. Please upload your postgraduate degree documents and include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- Home: full-time
- £18,700 per year
- Home: part-time (two years)
- £9,350 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £32,700 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding and scholarships
There are a range of scholarships and bursaries available. Visit our Scholarships page to search for further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
The programme will enhance your future career prospects by ensuring that you not only learn theoretical concepts but also develop the ability to apply policy analysis tools and research methods in real-world settings. You will build strong methodological foundations while combining these with in-depth knowledge of global health policy.
The programme will support you in developing skills to:
- analyse, develop and critique health policy using evidence-based approaches
- communicate effectively, translate knowledge, and engage in co-production
- examine the power dynamics within the evolving global health sector
- advocate, influence and campaign for change.
You will graduate with unique skill sets, making you highly employable in many sectors. Future employment opportunities may include:
- policy roles in local and national governments
- local and international NGOs working on global health issues
- policy analyst or development roles
- consultancy
- leadership positions inglobal institutions such as the World Health Organisation, World Bank, and United Nations
- further academic study or policy research.
The University of Bristol has a dedicated Careers Service to support you in exploring your career options throughout your time at Bristol and up to three years after graduation.
Contact us
- Contact
- Enquiries Team
- Phone
- +44 (0) 123 394 1649
- choosebristol-pg@bristol.ac.uk