Objectives

This innovative and successful programme, run by the Trinity Centre for Global Health, aims to provide graduates with a greater appreciation of the global interconnectedness of health problems and to equip them with a range of analytical and methodological skills to address the challenges of global health. Designed for individuals from a wide range of disciplines and professions, the programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach that integrates health and social science perspectives to analyse, design, implement and evaluate health programmes within a global context.

Global health is an attempt to address health problems and issues that transcend national boundaries and are informed by the circumstances and experiences of countries in differing contexts including inequity within and among countries. Priority transnational health concerns include infectious diseases that travel between countries, as well as the global burden of noncommunicable diseases and determinants of health that affect many populations such as climate change. The underlying assumption is that the world’s health problems are shared and are best tackled by cooperative action and the sharing of innovative solutions. 

The MSc in Global Health augments traditional approaches to public and international health by bringing together perspectives and insights from a range of health and social sciences in understanding and resolving the challenges of global health. These problems may arise, for example, in relief and development programmes in developing countries; in conflict and post-conflict situations; with refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants; with tourists and business travellers. All countries give rise to inequities in health, wealth, education and human rights, and the interconnectedness of these issues will be a major theme running throughout the course.

The course also lays emphasis on ‘local' experiences that resonate globally in the case of Ireland: . These include the influence of poverty and rapid social change on health and identity in Ireland; addressing health disparities of forced migrants, the consequences of ethnic conflict, the peace process and the challenges of reconciliation for creating inclusive health services. The strongest emphasis within the course is on low- and middle income-countries, the impact of globalisation and development interventions to support countries to address health challenges.

What is Global Health?

Global health is an area for study, research, and practice that places a priority on improving and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide. Global health emphasises transnational health issues, determinants, and solutions; involves many disciplines within and beyond the health sciences and promotes interdisciplinary collaboration; and is a synthesis of population-based prevention with individual-level clinical care.

Definition from Koplan JP et al. (2009) Towards a common definition of global health. The Lancet 373, 1993-1995.

Programme Learning Outcomes

The overall aim of the course is to equip students with the analytical and methodological skills to address the multifaceted challenges of global health whether they are in high-, middle- or low-income countries. On successful completion of this programme graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of current perspectives and insights from a range of health and social sciences to understand the broader and interconnecting causes of the world’s health problems and inequities and be able to propose viable solutions.
2. Apply a range of analytical and methodological skills to address the multifaceted challenges of global health in an ethically responsible manner and to contribute on a broader scale to the design, implementation and evaluation of health programmes.
3. Apply knowledge, handle complexity and exercise best judgements, individually and in groups, when faced with inevitable health challenges created by diverse settings by utilising leadership and other key skills.
4. Effectively communicate through appropriate media and audiences, and efficiently take responsibility to complete complex health-related activities individually and in groups.
5. Demonstrate the essential knowledge, skills and capacity for self-directed learning to advance professionally in the field of global health through further study or work.
6. Independently plan and conduct a global health-related research project in a domestic or international setting and disseminate research findings accordingly.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The programme adopts the following methods to facilitate teaching and learning among participants:

• Teaching based on evidence from current research.
• A learning methodology that stresses active participation of students and acknowledgement and utilization of the varied experience that each individual brings to the course.
• Team based learning and teaching that reflects the reality in which people work in the global health arena.
• An assessment strategy that allows students to direct both individual assignments and dissertations to their own career interests and professional development.
• An assessment strategy which encourages students to develop critical appraisal, analytical and methodological capabilities to address the challenges of global health.
• A range of strategies that encourages self-directed learning and individual ownership and utilization of learning opportunities.

Students are expected to be active in charting the direction of their learning and utilization of available learning opportunities. Based on the above, the teaching and learning methods include:

Self-Directed Study
Self-directed study is a major component of the course. With this method, participants are encouraged to utilize the wide range of learning resources at their disposal, some of which are introduced at the beginning of the course. Students are advised to set aside study time each week. Typically, Fridays which are lecture-free days during Term 1 and there are dedicated Reading Weeks in Terms 1 and 2. Study time allows students to source material in the libraries and work in study groups. As assessment is ongoing throughout the year, students need to be disciplined in organising time for writing assignments, studying for examinations and preparing group presentations.

Formal Lectures
These facilitate orientation to topics and issues and presentation of relevant updated information and specialized knowledge in an organized manner. At the Masters level, lectures provide useful background information that aid critical assessment of module materials and self-directed learning.

Interactive Lectures and Discussions
A module coordinator or a member of the class leads in the discussion of issues, which were raised during presentations. Students are encouraged to interact and share their knowledge with others in the group. This provides an opportunity to explore the varied experiences within the group.

Seminars and Presentations
Seminars and presentations give students the opportunity to investigate topics and present their findings to the rest of the group. They are useful in that they enable students to acquire investigatory experience, the sharing of knowledge gained and the justification to others of the conclusions reached.

Tutorials
This encourages participatory learning exercises where students are allocated to small groups to share knowledge and experiences and attempt to resolve problems arising from lectures and self-directed study.

Case Studies
Detailed case studies may be used as a teaching method to comprehensively describe a number of global health issues. Using real-life situations will help students consider a number of important lessons and appreciate the complexity of global health.

Admissions

Admission to the MSc in Global Health programme at Trinity College Dublin is competitive with a maximum of 25 students per year.  Applicants should possess a strong academic record, a demonstrated interest or experience in global health.

The online application system is available from late November in the year prior to entry, and applications will be reviewed following three rounds of admissions.  The three application deadlines are the first day of February, April and the last day of June.  Please note that Government of Ireland Scholarship applicants must apply to the course before the 1st February deadline. Your application and all supporting materials, including references, must be received by these deadlines.  It is advised to submit your complete application as early as possible prior to the deadline.  Late applications may be accepted after the final application deadline if places are still available, please e-mail global.health@tcd.ie to enquire.

For more information for prospective students to Trinity College Dublin, please visit the Graduate Studies Office website: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/faculty/

Application Procedure

Applicants for the MSc in Global Health must apply online through http://my.tcd.ie by the deadline.  To apply, go to Academic Registry.
Along with the online application, additional supporting documents are required as follows:

• Personal statement stating your interest in global health issues, why you wish to participate in the course, prior global health experience, and your career aspirations (not more than 500 words)
• Curriculum vitae/résumé outlining academic achievements, awards and relevant work/volunteer experience.
• Copies of degree certificates
• Copies of certificates of English language competence (for applicants whose native language is not English or whose language of previous university education is not English).
• Two letters of reference signed by referee, one of whom should be able to comment on your academic ability.
• Documents in support of EU fee paying status (for applicants from the European Union).
• Copy of passport photo page.

All of these documents are to be uploaded onto your online application

Please note that your application cannot be considered until you have submitted all of the required supplementary forms.
An online application processing fee of €55 is payable by debit or credit card at the time of application.  Please note that the online application processing fee is non-refundable.

Application Review

Submitted applications will be reviewed following the three rounds of admissions. 

A certain number of offers are available after each round of admissions and each applicant will receive notification from the Academic Registry.  If you have been successful, the Academic Registry will make you an offer and include a deadline to receive your decision.  If you choose to accept this offer, a deposit towards the tuition fee will be required.  If no additional places are available during a particular round of admissions, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for acceptance will be notified that their application will be considered as part of the next round of admissions.  If there are no further rounds of admissions or there are no additional places available, you will be placed on a waiting list in case any places become available. 

Entry Requirements

This programme is intended for individuals from a wide range of disciplines and professions who wish to develop an understanding of health issues that integrate health and social science perspectives in a global context. As global health is a multidisciplinary field, applicants can be graduates of any academic discipline. 

Trinity College Dublin has high academic entry requirements for postgraduate courses.  Applicants will need to hold:

• At least a 2.1 honours degree from an Irish university or equivalent result from a university in another country
• A fluent command of the English language (requirements below)

In addition to the general entry requirements for postgraduate study in Trinity College, applicants must have a demonstrated interest and/or experience in global health or health issues in low- and middle-income countries.

Further information for applicants from outside of Ireland is available from the Graduate Studies Office: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply/ and the International Office: https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/ 

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English, must provide supporting documentary evidence of their competence in English.

The following tests results are recognised:

• IELTS: Grade 6.5 with no individual band below 6
• TOEFL: 88 – internet-based, 230 – computer-based, 570 – paper-based
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: Grade C
• Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English: Grade C

Prospective applicants can get further clarification on entry requirements directly from the Graduate Studies Office: https://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/how-to-apply/requirements/international.php

Computer Competency

Although not an entry requirement, applicants are expected to be proficient users of a computer with the ability to perform the basic tasks needed to work efficiently (using e-mail, searching the internet, and creating documents). Computers are used throughout the programme and more advanced applications will be introduced such as SPSS (statistical analysis software) and NVivo (qualitative data analysis software). Successful applicants with a low computer competency will be encouraged to take an introduction to computers course prior to starting the programme.

Course Fees

The course fee for the MSc in Global Health is determined by residency.  Possession of a European Union passport or citizenship does not automatically grant entitlement to EU fees, as fee status is based on residency.  Only students who enrol on the full-time programmes can apply for a student visa.

Student fees can be obtained from the Financial Services Division (under Student Finance) Course Fees

In addition to the course fee, prospective students must also ensure available funds for living expenses and other costs while studying.  Students who decide to complete their research projects overseas will need additional funds of up to €1,500 to cover the costs involved.

Scholarships

Trinity College Dublin offers a number of scholarship opportunities for prospective and current students interested in study or research at Ireland's leading university. Since its foundation in 1592 Trinity College Dublin has sought to assist students of limited means and reward academic achievement. Specific scholarships exist for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students. Information on these scholarships can be found here: Scholarships & Funding - Study - Trinity College Dublin (tcd.ie)

Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme

Applicants from Irish Aid priority countries (Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia) are eligible for funding through the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme.  Each year, the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme funds a small number of suitably qualified candidates from Irish Aid priority countries to undertake postgraduate study in Ireland with the aim of supporting and enhancing the contribution recipients can make to development effort in their own countries. 

Application forms for the Fellowship Training Programme are available at Irish Embassies in partner countries.  The application deadline for the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme is 31 December prior to year of study.  You must make an application for both the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme and for the MSc in Global Health programme, as these are separate application processes. 

Further information about the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme, including eligibility, is available from the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) website: http://www.icosirl.ie/eng/irish_aid_fellowships/fellowship_training_programme.html

Other Funding Sources

Trinity College Dublin does not offer funding for students on taught courses.  The Graduate Studies Office provides information regarding funding available from external sources.

Most students will receive funding from their employers, governments, international agencies, trusts, charities, personal savings and loans from family and friends. Applicants are advised to seek funding early, preferably in the year before commencement. Most sponsors have information about application procedure and closing dates on their website.

There are many funding sources available, particularly for applicants from developing countries. These include the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme, the Ford Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Leverhulme Trust, etc. The most common source of funding for students on the programme is the Irish Council for International Students (see information above).

Most sponsors have a set of criteria against which decisions on award are made and it is important that applicants are aware of these. When making an application, you are advised to send in your CV and covering letter stating why you are worthy of an award and also the use to which you intend to put the potential qualification.

China Scholarship Council (CSC) – Trinity College Dublin Joint Scholarship Programme

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin and the China Scholarship Council affiliated with the Ministry of Education in China are offering a number of scholarships to Chinese students who wish to pursue a PhD at Trinity. Trinity is now inviting applications for the CSC-Trinity College Dublin Joint Scholarship Programme. The Global Relations Office are happy to support interested students and academic supervisors with their application. Each scholarship will include a full fee-waiver from Trinity, and a stipend for living costs, airfare and health insurance, provided by the CSC (bench fees are not included). If you are a visiting scholar or interested in hosting a visiting scholar, please see the bottom of the page for relevant information. For questions, please contact Dominique Luthringer, Regional Manager – Eastern Europe, Central and East Asia at Dominique.Luthringer@tcd.ie

爱尔兰都柏林圣三一大学
中国国家留学基金管理委员会与爱尔兰都柏林圣三一大学合作奖学金

根据中国国家留学基金管理委员会与爱尔兰都柏林圣三一大学签署的合作备忘录，双方共同设立了中国国家留学基金管理委员会与爱尔兰都柏林圣三一大学合作奖学金，拟共同资助中国优秀人员赴爱尔兰都柏林圣三一大学攻读博士学位或进行博士学位联合培养。 都柏林圣三一大学提供学费和研究费用；国家留学基金提供一次往返国际旅费和资助期限内的奖学金。

Programme Structure

The MSc in Global Health is a one-year, full-time programme. Students must complete the equivalent of 90 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits to graduate: 60 ECTS credits for the taught component and 30 ECTS credits for the dissertation. The academic year is divided into three terms: Michaelmas (Term 1), Hilary (Term 2) and Trinity (Term 3). The first two terms form the taught component of the course, and the last term is to finalise the research dissertation requirement.

Modules may change from year to year in order to reflect current thematic changes and remain relevant and responsive to international policy priorities for health.  

Modules include:

Conceptualisations of Global Health; Culture Health and Illness; Epidemiology; Health Economics and Finance; Health Environment and Climate; Health in Humanitarian Settings; Qualitative Research Methods; Quantitative Research Methods; Maternal and Child Health; Mental and Cognitive Health and Ageing; A Global Perspective, Project Cycle Management; Sexual and Reproductive Health; Software training; NVivo and SPSS.

Research Project Locations of Previous Students

Graduates of the MSc in Global Health programme have produced a diverse range of research dissertations.  Titles of these dissertations are available in the MSc in Global Health Alumni section:

Current Students

Current MSc in Global Health students can log on to the dedicated course website: TCD Blackboard

MSc Global Health 2023/24

Alumni

For further information about past graduates and their research projects please click on the link below.

Where are they now?

An MSc Global Health from the Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, can take you wherever you want to go. Our alumni can be found all over the world in a wide range of careers. We have graduates who have gone on to work within the United Nations system, including for the World Health Organisation. Some have returned to their country to work within national health authorities. Many graduates have gone on to work within, international development NGOs, either at programme level in-country, or in Ireland; Others are working in clinical settings in Ireland and internationally where their global health skills and learning have facilitated a change in direction of their career. In addition to these, we have a number of graduates who stay on to do a PhD, or to work as researchers in Global Health environments.

Publications

We encourage students to publish outputs of their MSc Global Health disserations. Select publications arising from recent MSc Global Health Dissertations uincluded:

Select publication arising from

Gender considerations for supportive supervision in humanitarian contexts: A qualitative study

O'Sullivan, E., Abujaber, N., Ryan, M., McBride, K. A., Blum, P. T., & Vallières, F. (2023). Gender considerations for supportive supervision in humanitarian contexts: A qualitative study. Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health, 10, e50.

Why and how is photovoice used as a decolonising method for health research with Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada? A scoping review

Vining, R., & Finn, M. (2023). Why and how is photovoice used as a decolonising method for health research with Indigenous communities in the United States and Canada? A scoping review. Nursing Inquiry, e12605

Exploring the beliefs, experiences and impacts of HIV-related self-stigma amongst adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Harare, Zimbabwe: A qualitative study

Rich, C., Mavhu, W., France, N. F., Munatsi, V., Byrne, E., Willis, N., & Nolan, A. (2022). Exploring the beliefs, experiences and impacts of HIV-related self-stigma amongst adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Harare, Zimbabwe: A qualitative study. PLoS One, 17(5), e0268498.



An evaluation of mental health capacity building among Community Rehabilitation Officers in Malawi: A mixed-methods case study

Jervase, R., Adams, B., Myaba, J., & Vallières, F. (2022). An evaluation of mental health capacity building among Community Rehabilitation Officers in Malawi: A mixed-methods case study. SSM-Mental Health, 2, 100108.



Factors influencing the performance of community health volunteers working within urban informal settlements in low-and middle-income countries: a qualitative meta-synthesis review

Ogutu, M., Muraya, K., Mockler, D., & Darker, C. (2021). Factors influencing the performance of community health volunteers working within urban informal settlements in low-and middle-income countries: a qualitative meta-synthesis review. Human resources for health, 19, 1-21.