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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:L4UO
Department of Health Policy

MSc Global Health Policy

Draw on LSE's world leading strengths in politics and economics to analyse a range of global health policy issues and learn from a world-renowned faculty.
Discover the MSc Global Health Policy programme at LSE.

Overview

Introduction

The MSc Global Health Policy draws on LSE's world leading strengths in politics and economics to analyse a range of global health policy issues. Engaging with both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, you'll gain insights into a range of approaches to global health as you learn crucial skills in policy making, health economics, sociology, politics, demography and more.

Health policy globally is changing, owing to great interconnection and shared health concerns. It requires a new generation of inspired health policy professionals equipped to handle the specific challenges working in this space from the global levels of Geneva to the field in low and middle income countries. This programme offers both levels of analysis.

You'll be taught by a world-renowned multi-disciplinary faculty passionate about global health who are at the forefront of research into global health policy. Similarly, students on the programme come from diverse academic backgrounds, ranging from medical doctors to anthropologists to those that have just finished their undergraduate studies. The level of experience of students is quite varied, and this makes for a dynamic and stimulating learning environment. Our students are culturally diverse with the vast majority of students coming from outside the UK.

You'll graduate from LSE with both a conceptual understanding of the big issues in global health, and tangible skills for a career in global health. As core modules, you'll study the institutions, actors and politics in global health policy and learn how to develop healthcare policies specifically for low and middle income countries. You'll also examine the role of economics in health policy and different ways of financing healthcare.

The programme further offers a wide variety of courses which gives you the flexibility to customise your curriculum so you can pursue what most interests you and suits your background, expertise, and goals, whether that be global policy issues or health concerns in low and middle income countries or something in between. Beyond this, students are also offered short courses in epidemiology and project management to supplement their studies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our faculty have been highly engaged in advising governments and international organisations on coronavirus policy responses, research on the short-, medium-, and long-term impacts of the crisis, and in developing innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the pandemic and its negative effects. Visit our website for more information about the Department’s coronavirus-related research and impact.

The LSE Department of Health Policy offers a wide range of programmes in health policy and health economics. Visit our website to find out which programme is best for you.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in any discipline, with social science background and/or work experience in the social policy field advantageous but not essential.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Please note: The Department of Health Policy on intercalating onto their master’s programmes is as follows:

  • Students on a US medical degree are always qualified to apply
  • Students who will have completed no more than two years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are not typically qualified to apply
  • Students who will have completed at least three years of a UK medical degree on beginning a prospective MSc at LSE are qualified to apply
  • Students on non-UK/US medical degrees should contact Graduate Admissions in the first instance

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Standard. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Visit our department's website to meet more alumni.

Meet the department

The department seeks to advance and challenge our collective understanding of health systems and the social, economic and political contexts in which they operate. Through our research, teaching and scholarship, we aim to influence and inform how health policy is designed, implemented and evaluated globally.

We apply rigorous social science research to emerging health and social care challenges, advising national and international agencies as well as government bodies. This world-leading research is conducted through two affiliated research centres: LSE Health and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC).

Our academics have made significant contributions to developing policies on global health, health equality, older adults, care and welfare.

The department’s research feeds into our multidisciplinary teaching, with an emphasis on health and social care policy, health economics and management. We offer a range of postgraduate master’s programmes and our MPhil/PhD programme. Students learn about healthcare systems around the world and develop skills that can be applied in many different contexts.

Our goal is to prepare the healthcare leaders of tomorrow for challenging and rewarding careers.

Your application

Overview

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two academic references
  • CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the programme, please contact: healthpolicy@lse.ac.uk.

329
Applications
44
Intake
7:1
2023 Ratio

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

£22,900

Home student fee (2025/26)

For this programme, the tuition fee is different for home and overseas students depending on their fee status.

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

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.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

Mentorship Programme

As a student in the LSE Department of Health Policy, you'll be able to apply to take part in our Mentorship Programme. The programme connects current students with one of our alumni, active in a wide range of fields, to provide career mentoring as students graduate from the MSc courses. The programme gives students greater insight into career prospects after graduation and will help students build connections with current health policy leaders and experts to build their network.

Learn more about the programme and our mentors

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£41,000

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Health and Social Care
Education, Teaching and Research
FMCG, Manufacturing and Retail
Consultancy
Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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