Welcome to the home page of the MSc in Global Women's Health at the University of Oxford.
Study at the University of Oxford
MSc in
Global Women’s Health
Part-time two-year online study with two one-week residentials
Course overview
Introduction
The MSc in Global Women’s Health is an innovative, two-year, part-time postgraduate course delivered online with two one-week residentials in Oxford. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of women’s health from a global perspective.
The course is intended for clinicians and non-clinicians, including policymakers, researchers, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and programme managers from donor organisations working in the field of women’s health. With expert-led modules and a strong emphasis on advocacy, research, and leadership, the course empowers graduates to drive sustainable change and improve women’s health across diverse global settings.
Why choose this course?
The University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s top institution for clinical, pre-clinical, and health studies for 14 consecutive years.
Study part-time and online from anywhere in the world.
Learn from Oxford academics and international experts, offering a truly global perspective on women’s health challenges.
Build the practical skills needed to influence policy, lead programmes, and advocate for women’s rights worldwide.
Explore issues like maternal and neonatal health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate change, conflict and migration, mental health, women's cancers, infertility, and menstrual health. The goal is to understand how to create meaningful impact in research, policy, and practice within these fields.
Both academic years commence with an inspiring one-week residential at St Hilda's college, where you can connect with your peers and access outstanding resources including a 70,000-volume library.
from the COURSE director
"This course offers a unique opportunity to develop a truly global understanding of women’s health, grounded in academic rigour and real-world application.
Whether you are a clinician, researcher, policymaker, government worker or NGO professional, this MSc equips you with the knowledge and leadership skills to address urgent challenges facing women across the world.”
- Dr Anita Makins, Director of MSc in Global Women's Health, Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow
Programme Structure
Our MSc programme is designed to combine flexibility with rich, interactive learning. Delivered fully online over two years, the course allows you to study from anywhere in the world while benefiting from Oxford’s academic excellence.
The curriculum comprises five compulsory modules of varying length and six option modules. These are:
Year 1: Building foundations
In your first year, following the first residential, you will build a foundation across key themes including: sexual & reproductive health and rights, maternal & neonatal health, women’s health in climate, conflict & migration contexts, as well as advocacy, leadership, and policy & practice.
Year 2: Research and specialisation
Your second year focuses on integrated research skills and the opportunity to tailor the course to your particular interests. Option modules will include topics such as: women’s mental health, infertility, menstrual disorders, women and cancer, innovation in women’s health and practical obstetrics skills. The latter is a hands on face to face module in the John Radcliffe department of fetal medicine and will only be relevant to those in clinical practice.
The MSc concludes with a dissertation on a research topic of your choice.
By the end of the programme, you will have gained not only a global understanding of women’s health but also the research expertise and leadership skills to shape policy, guide practice, and drive change worldwide.
Attendance
Students should expect to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week to study during teaching periods.
Online Teaching
Our MSc combines Oxford’s academic excellence with flexible, innovative teaching designed for remote learners worldwide. You’ll learn through a mix of online lectures, small-group tutorials, live discussions, and collaborative projects.
Dedicated mentors, college tutors, and award-winning educators provide personalised guidance throughout your studies, while you also gain access to Oxford’s extensive digital learning platforms and library resources.
Studying part-time over two years, you’ll join a diverse international community and graduate with advanced skills in women’s and reproductive health.
St Hilda’s College
Alongside online lectures from leading global experts, you will engage in live weekly sessions, small-group tutorials, peer learning, and problem-based case discussions. Two intensive one-week residentials at St Hilda’s College, Oxford at the start of each year, will provide invaluable opportunities for face-to-face teaching, academic mentoring, and networking with your peers.
Set in beautiful riverside gardens along the River Cherwell, St Hilda’s offers a welcoming and inspiring environment that balances Oxford tradition with modern facilities. Its central location, just a short walk from Magdalen Bridge and the city’s historic centre, makes it an ideal base for both study and exploration.
During the residential weeks, you will stay on site and experience Oxford’s renowned college community first-hand. Teaching takes place in a mix of historic and contemporary spaces, from the elegant Kathleen Major Library to the award-winning Riverside Pavilion, with its panoramic views of the gardens and river. Evenings offer opportunities to connect with fellow students over dinner or informal gatherings in the College grounds, creating time to exchange ideas, build networks, and immerse yourself in academic life at Oxford.
Students will also have the opportunity to take part in a social programme tailored for the week, and get further opportunity to visit the city sights and engage in Oxford life.
Social media
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More information
Find out more about the MSc in Global Women's Health, or contact us for more information.
Course structure
View full module content and academic calendar.
Online Teaching
Our MSc programme is primarily delivered online, led by the senior education team within NDWRH and supported by world-leading external lecturers.
Fees & funding
Find out more about course fees and funding opportunities.
Alumni
Our alumni make meaningful contributions across research, policy, and global health leadership.
How to apply
Step-by-step guidance on eligibility and the application process.
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