PgCert Applied Social Development

Do you want to make a difference to the health of people in developing countries? Are you looking for a qualification that will enable you to work at a senior level in health policy and practice in the UK or abroad, particularly in low and middle income settings? Our flexible and highly respected range of global health courses could be the perfect stepping stone for your career.

The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at QMU is a unique academic institution. We offer a range of postgraduate courses aimed specifically at those who wish to work in health policy and practice, particularly in low and middle income settings. Our courses put a strong focus on the social aspects of health and on health systems strengthening from a people’s perspective. They will equip you to assist in improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world, whether that be overseas or locally in Scotland.

Why QMU?

• If you want to make a difference in the world of global health, a qualification from QMU can be a major turning point in your career. You will develop a strong understanding of current global health and development issues and will equip yourself with the tools you need to forge positive change locally, nationally or internationally.
• You will learn from experienced figures in the field and make connections that could last your whole working life. At IGHD we work directly with ministries of health, international and national organisations and local communities to develop real solutions to health and development problems.
• We are on a compassion mission. Our work at IGHD addresses the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need, whether that be vulnerable populations in Scotland or those living in low or middle income countries.
• Our teaching and research expertise spans multiple aspects of global health and development. These range from health financing, and support to fragile and conflict-affected settings, to refugee integration and child protection.

Course overview

If you want to take a broad approach to your learning, you can enrol on our MSc Global Health. This approach offers you a thorough grounding in this multidisciplinary field and you can later decide to specialise your studies if you wish.

PgCert Applied Social Development

This PgCert will be of interest if you want to work in social development, and wish to examine community-based strategies for enhancing health and wellbeing of a population. This includes local health planners, community health staff, health promoters and community workers addressing health improvement.

The course focuses on analysing the relationship between gender, health and development; identifying the many opportunities and constraints related to the social development of a community; appraisal of the impact of such opportunities and constraints on a planned health project or programme; and the effective planning and implementation of health and social interventions.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching is comprised of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates assignments, action plans, projects and examinations. For your dissertation projects, you can chose to collect desk-based studies or conduct primary data collection in collaboration with national or international organisations working in health and development.