Program Overview

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MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology

The MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology is a one-year, full-time course that provides intensive training in epidemiology and statistics to enable students to conduct and interpret research studies in important areas of population health.

About the Course

The MSc is designed for students who would like to develop knowledge and skills to understand the global burden and major determinants of disease through the application of epidemiology and quantitative research methods. It provides opportunities for students to develop and enhance their critical appraisal and epidemiological research skills and prepares students for a major piece of population health research in a world-class environment.

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to:

• understand the global burden and major determinants of disease;
• describe and discuss the role and contribution of epidemiology to health;
• critically appraise, analyse and interpret epidemiological studies;
• select, devise and develop appropriate study designs for epidemiological research; and
• conduct appropriate statistical analyses of epidemiological and health-related data.

Course Structure

Teaching is delivered during the whole of the first two terms through a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, student presentations, self-directed learning and study. Students will receive 15-20 hours of supported learning per week, and will be expected to undertake 20-25 hours of self-directed learning per week.

The first term will consist of an overview of the global burden of disease and the fundamental concepts and considerations in research methods and practice related to population health. During the second term and up to two weeks in the third term, in addition to some continued content of the compulsory modules, students will select four module options for further study.

The third term will involve a 12-week research placement with a project representing the range of subjects covered in the course. The department will have a series of projects to choose from each year, hosted by academics within and outside the department, but students will also have the option to propose their own project. The research project will form the basis of a dissertation to be submitted in mid-August.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources and IT services.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Nuffield Department of Population Health, and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances, a supervisor may be found outside the Nuffield Department of Population Health.

You will be assigned an academic supervisor who will support you through the duration of the course. You will also have a placement supervisor related to your chosen placement, who you will have the opportunity to meet with individually during your placement.

Assessment

During the first two terms, there are a series of formative assessments designed to enable teaching staff and students to monitor progress. These assessments are compulsory, but the marks do not contribute to the final degree.

There are eight summative assessments in total; summative assessment marks contribute to the final degree. During the second term, a data analysis and report are submitted. Four global health reports are submitted by the beginning of the third term. At the beginning of the third term, there are two written examinations one on the Principles of Epidemiology and the other on the Principles of Statistics. Following submission of all other summative assessments, students will undertake a research placement, leading to a dissertation to be submitted in August.

Graduate Destinations

The MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology prepares students to establish careers in academia (by pursuing doctoral studies), in government, inter-governmental or non-governmental organisations, or in industry, or to return to/begin clinical training.

Changes to the Course

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration.

Course Components

Compulsory Study

The compulsory core modules provide an overview of the global burden of disease and the fundamental concepts and considerations in research methods and practice related to population health:

• Introduction to Global Health Science
• Principles of Epidemiology
• Principles of Statistics
• International Research Ethics

Placement Project and Dissertation

You will complete a 12-week research placement with a project representing the range of subjects covered in the course. The department will have a series of projects to choose from each year, hosted by academics within and outside the department, but you will also have the option to propose your own project. The research project will form the basis of a dissertation to be submitted in mid-August.

Options

You will select four of the following eight module options for further study during the second term and up to two weeks in the third term:

• Clinical Trials and Meta-analyses
• Communicable Diseases Epidemiology
• Genetic Epidemiology
• Health Economics
• Maternal and Child Health
• Non-communicable Diseases
• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Principles and Applications of Data Science

Entry Requirements

Proven and Potential Academic Excellence

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in medicine, a quantitative degree (e.g., statistics, economics), or a health-related degree.
• For applicants with a bachelor's degree from the USA, the minimum overall GPA that is normally required to meet the undergraduate-level requirement is 3.5 out of 4.0.

Other Qualifications, Evidence of Excellence, and Relevant Experience

• Preference will be given to applicants with professional or research experience in a health-related field.
• Preference will also be given to those who have previously studied mathematics or statistics as a module in their undergraduate degree or at A-level, or equivalent.
• Publications are not essential, but will be viewed favourably.

English Language Proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Annual fees for students entering the MSc directly:
  • Home: Ł15,550
  • Overseas: Ł34,820
• Annual fees for students entering the MSc immediately upon completion of the PGCert in Statistics and Epidemiology:
  • Home: Ł12,060
  • Overseas: Ł27,140

Additional Costs

• All students in the department are expected to provide their own laptop for use throughout the MSc, estimated to cost approximately Ł600.
• Depending on your choice of topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, equipment, materials, and field trips, estimated to range from Ł100 to Ł1,500 or more.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology:

• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Green Templeton College
• Harris Manchester College
• Jesus College
• Kellogg College
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Oriel College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

How to Apply

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

Referees

Three overall, academic preferred. Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete.

Official Transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.

Statement of Purpose

A maximum of 1,000 words. Your statement must be entirely your own work and written in English. You should include the following sections, clearly stating the word count for each section:

1. Motivation for applying: What is your motivation for applying to the MSc Global Health Science and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford? (Up to 400 words)
2. Past academic or professional training: Summarise your past academic or professional training and describe how this would be relevant to and prepare you for this rigorous MSc course. (Up to 400 words)
3. Future plans: What are you hoping to achieve with the training from this MSc course? (Up to 200 words)

Your statement will be assessed for:

• your reasons for applying to, and suitability for, this course;
• evidence of motivation for, understanding of, and commitment to population health and epidemiology;
• your capacity for sustained and intense work;
• your understanding of the benefits of the course to your future prospects;
• your ability to present a reasoned and coherent case in proficient English.