GLOBAL HEALTH at University of Sussex

Course Overview

The health and wellbeing of people differs widely across the globe. Life expectancy varies from 45 years in some countries to double that figure in others, and similar inequalities exist within countries. 

Many complex factors and processes simultaneously operating from the local to the global spheres affect the health of individuals, populations and nations. As these factors change, so do the challenges and opportunities for improving health locally and globally. The global health programme at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Global Health Research develops students’ understanding of the complex determinants of health and their potential solutions in order to help them contribute to the improvement of health and the achievement of health equity and social justice worldwide. With this purpose, this programme offers an inter-multi and cross-disciplinary approach to health and ill-health. 

The course brings together experts from the health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, development studies, anthropology, economics and political sciences among others in order to deliver a stimulating and vibrant programme. We combine traditional didactic teaching with dynamic and interactive methods, using case studies alongside evidence and insights from the various disciplines to facilitate students’ critical understanding of current global health issues, their complex determinants and their potential solutions.

Key areas of study

• Determinants of health and ill-health in a globalised world
• Global burden and management of disease and injury
• Access to medicines
• Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
• Health, poverty and development
• Global mental health
• Emerging infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance
• Sexuality, fertility and reproductive rights
• Conflict and violence
• Research practice in global contexts

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme will have the skills to work as global health practitioners, policy makers, consultants or researchers within international health and development agencies.

Previous graduates have gone into a range of careers, including working for national and international NGOs and Public Health England (PHE). Others are working in national and international-level research organisations and universities, and some have continued for further postgraduate training at PhD level.