MSc Global Health

About the MSc programme  

This programme provides high-quality, integrated courses, which are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field of global health policy. Based in the Department of Social Policy, the programme is delivered by faculty based in LSE Health. LSE Health is one of the Department’s associated research centres and one of the world’s most highly rated research centres in international health policy and health economics, both for its research and its institutional links. The programme offers:

• teaching by specialists at the forefront of research into global health policy, health economics and population health
• a comparative, international and multidisciplinary environment with links to several specialist research groups based in the Department of Social Policy
• study with a highly international and diverse group of students and in a truly international environment

Our wide variety of courses gives you the flexibility to customise your curriculum so that you can pursue the areas that most interest you, suit your background, experience and goals, and challenge you to reach your fullest potential. You will leave LSE with the high-level knowledge and range of skills to help you master new challenges and expand your choice of careers. 

Applicants with an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, from any subject background will be considered. Relevant professional experience would also be advantageous. 

Programme details

The MSc is comprised of nine half unit taught courses and a 10,000 word dissertation. Each course consists of a minimum of 20 face-to-face contact hours with tutors, alongside additional meetings and off-campus support from faculty such as online revision sessions. 

Compulsory courses

(* half unit)

• Social Policy and Global Health* explores the social determinants of health, and how social policy impacts population health.
• Global Health Policy: Institutions, Actors and Politics* examines the transnational institutions and actors involved in global health policy and the interplay between them.
• Financing Health Care: Comparative Perspectives* focuses on the health financing functions of collecting revenue, pooling funds and purchasing services, as well as on policy choices concerning coverage, resource allocation and market structure. 
• Economic Analysis for Health Policy* describes the role economics can play in health policy and health system administration.
• Global Ageing* considers the process and implications of ageing at both the population and the individual level and policy responses.
• Dissertation in Global Health*

You can find the most up-to-date list of optional courses for MSc Global Health in the Programme Regulations section of the current School Calendar.

You must note however that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, some circumstances may cause the School to subsequently change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to circumstances outside of its control. You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee places on its courses. You should visit the School's Calendar, or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the Updated graduate course and programme information page.

Graduate destinations

Possible professional destinations after completing the degree include international organisations and agencies, consultancies, insurance funds, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries, national health services, government departments and agencies and NGOs as well as employment in research or further study for a PhD.