About the MSc Modelling for Global Health course
Course Content
The MSc in Modelling for Global Health will provide interdisciplinary content on:
- Mathematical Modelling of Infectious diseases
- Health economic modelling
- Health evidence to inform models and
- Policy processes to inform decisions
You will complete a series of compulsory core modules in Michaelmas Term, which provide the required background knowledge. All students will be able to access the full range of optional modules offered in Hilary Term. More information on the course can be found on the University course webpage.
During your third term (Trinity Term), you will embark on an eight-week funded placement that will involve participation in a global health project in (or related to) a resource limited setting.
You could be placed in a; field site, laboratories, international NGO/policymaking institutions, industrial setting or academic research groups.
The placement will call upon the skills and topics you will have covered during the first two terms of the course and its outcomes will be the content of your final dissertation.
The course caters to students with a wide spectrum of previous experience from recent graduates hoping to pursue a research career, to experienced professionals seeking professional development. Recent graduates would most likely be looking to embark on a career in modelling in the global health space. This would also apply to those more experienced professionals from the STEM disciplines of mathematics, statistics, economics, computer science, engineering etc.
Graduates from this programme would be highly employable with demand for these skills spanning academia, industry, governmental, non- governmental and consulting sectors. For those experienced professionals from the bio-medical and health policy and governance fields, we would expect this training to support evidence-based policymaking to enhance their impact and professional development
Eligibility
You should be able to demonstrate quantitative competence (evidenced by degree level qualifications in a relevant subject) and an interest in global health in resource limited contexts, either through previous study, research or other in situ professional experience. One of the key aims of the course is to build modelling capacity beyond groups already well-established in the global north, and with this in mind, we anticipate admitting a geographically diverse cohort. Additionally, with interdisciplinarity inherent within modelling, which combines mathematics, statistics and computing, we expect the cohort to bring together a mix of students reflecting these proficiencies.
Fees and Funding
All information can be found on the Graduate Admissions website. Confirmed changes in fees and funding eligibility can also be found on the University fees and funding webpage.
Scholarships
You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the December deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.
A list of available scholarships can be found on the University page on fees, funding and scholarships search, but you are encouraged to undertake your own research into the range of scholarships and other funding which you may be eligible.
You can also download our list of scholarships available to MSc students (.xlsx, updated February 2021)
If you need more information, visit the University course pages for further details about the course and details on how to apply.
Start your application using the relevant button below. As you complete the form, consult our Application Guide for advice at each stage. You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are wondering whether we would only consider students with a very technical background, rest assured that the only strict requirement is that you have A-level maths proficiency. In fact, we encourage applicants from any discipline, granted they are interested in making a difference in the global health landscape through modelling. We consider diversity in cultural and discipline backgrounds to be one of the main strengths of our course and reflective of the true multidisciplinary nature of global health research.
Weather your focus is on policy analysis, global health financing, mathematical system dynamics, pharmaceutical interventions, operational research or population adherence to public health policy, you will be welcomed and supported in pursuing our career goals and will get to interact with cohort colleagues working on intersectional disciplines to foster thought around holistic interventions to tackle global health problems.
At the beginning of the first term, we offer an introductory module for the R programming language and will consistently use that language week on week. We also provide a mathematics for modellers “refresher” course to ensure all students are on equal footing from the onset.
Throughout Trinity Term, our students are given the opportunity to conduct a research project within an academic group working on a global health problem of their interest. These are world-leading academic groups doing impactful research either in the global South or working in collaboration with other groups in LMICs.
Placement projects are announced towards the end of the first term and students are allocated a project, based on their stated preference, by the end of term. While the actual work can span several months across terms and be done remotely in part, placement includes a fully funded 8-week stay with the host institution.
The placement project work will serve as the basis for the MSc dissertation, written as a scientific paper. Some of our students have been successful at publishing their work in peer-reviewed journals post-graduation but this is not a requirement.
If you apply for the December round, you will be eligible for different sources of funding across the Oxford network. The administration team will make sure to signpost you to the appropriate mechanisms if you are offered a place on the course. We will not be able to support you applying for funding that is external to the university.
Most of our students are academically inclined. Consistently, over 50% of our cohorts apply for DPhil scholarships/studentships. We have had a very positive success rate, with approximately a third of our alumni currently enrolled in DPhil programmes. We’ve also had students pursue industrial positions, either in the pharmaceutical industry or in consultancy firms. We are also quite proud that some of our alumni have secured roles in policy facing institutions, either with their local governments or the WHO.