Global Health

Course Overview

Global health is an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global health emphasises transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions; involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration; and is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level clinical care.



The M.Sc. in Global Health is a multidisciplinary course using biosocial models to address global health challenges. It augments traditional approaches to public and international health by bringing together perspectives and insights from a range of health and social sciences in understanding and resolving the challenges of global health. These problems may arise, for example, in relief and development programmes in developing countries; in conflict and post-conflict situations; with refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants; with tourists and business travellers. All countries give rise to inequities in health, wealth, education and human rights, and the interconnectedness of these issues will be a major theme running throughout the course.



The course also lays emphasis on ‘local’ experiences that resonates globally in the case of Ireland. These include the influence of poverty and rapid social change on health and identity in Ireland; migration and refugee welfare, the consequences of ethnic conflict, the peace process and the challenges of reconciliation for creating inclusive health services. The strongest emphasis within the course is on health in developing countries and the impact of globalisation.



Is This Course For Me?

This programme is intended for individuals from a range of disciplines and professions who wish to develop an understanding of health issues that integrate health and social science perspectives in a global context. As global health is a multidisciplinary field, applicants can be graduates of any academic discipline.



Course Structure

The M.Sc. in Global Health is a full-time programme taught over one year. Students must complete 90 ECTS to graduate: 60 ECTS for the taught component and 30 ECTS for the dissertation. The academic year is divided into three terms, with the first two terms forming the taught component of the course, and the last term to complete the research dissertation.

Modules may change from year to year to reflect current thematic changes and remain relevant and responsive to international policy priorities for health.



Modules taught in recent years included: Conceptualisations of Global Heath; Health Economics and Finance; Quantitative Research Methods and SPSS: Quantitative Research Methods for Global Health; Mental and Cognitive Health and Ageing: A Global Perspective; Epidemiology; Health Environment and Climate; Sexual and Reproductive Health; and Culture Health and Illness.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to complete an online application and provide some of the following documents:



- A personal statement stating your interest in global health issues, why you wish to participate in the course, prior global health experience, and your career aspirations.



- A professional CV.



- Two references, with at least one from a contact in academia.



- Copies of certificates of English language competence (for applicants whose native language is not English or who have not been taught at university in the English language).



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet B and B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date 30th June 2025

1 year full-time.

Next Intake: September 2025

Career Opportunities

Graduates pursued leadership positions in global health research, policy and practice, among a variety of other fields related to global health issues.