Introduction

Global Health is a relatively recent area of scholarship that focuses on the increasing interconnectedness of health and its determinants. Major socioeconomic, environmental and technological changes are producing new challenges, ranging from the global epidemic in obesity through to the emergence and rapid spread of new infectious diseases. These new problems compound existing inequalities in health that are experienced within and between countries. At the same time, we are witnessing major scientific and medical advances that hold the promise of solving many of these problems given the necessary leadership and commitment to ensure equitable implementation.

This course will comprise a 12 week teaching block where the students gain specialism-specific knowledge and skills, a self-directed learning block involving independent and group work. All students also perform a 15 week research project.

The Course Director is Dr Richard Pinder (richard.pinder@imperial.ac.uk).

Aims and Objectives

The Global Health BSc aims to support undergraduate students who wish to develop the knowledge and skills to become future leaders in Global health or related areas of research, policy or practice. It also enables trainee doctors who wish to develop a better understanding of their clinical context to gain a skillset which will support an academic career in parallel with their clinical career.

Overall aims for students are:

• To develop an awareness of the major issues in Global Health scholarship from a global public health perspective and be able to discuss these, including their theoretical foundation
• To be able to integrate the contribution of different academic disciplines to the study of Global Health issues including those of anthropology, sociology, ethics, international development, history and economics
• To learn to apply specific scientific methods relevant to the study of Global Health or interpret their use critically
• To be able to critically discuss the ethical and political dimensions of Global Health
• To be informed, analytical and able to identify challenges in Global Health and advocate for solutions based on critical assessment of evidence
• To acquire, through theory and practice, reflexivity of approach and ability to communicate these ideas effectively to a range of audiences
• To develop a curiosity towards Global Health issues, develop creativity, originality and innovation and be able to apply these in future career

Further Information and Application Guidance

Detailed information about BSc Global Health and its structure can be found here. More information about applying for/undertaking an intercalated BSc course at Imperial College London can be found in the downloadable Imperial College London Intercalated BSc Guide - 2022-23 Entry (PDF).‌

If you have any queries about the application process, please email the Faculty Education Office (BSc Team) at feo.bsc@imperial.ac.uk.