MSc Public Health & Social Innovation
ApplyKey facts
- Start date: September
- Study mode and duration: On campus; 12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
New for September 2026 entry
Work placement: Optional placement-based dissertation
Study with us
Learn by doing:
Engage in interactive lectures, workshops, simulations, debates, and case studies that bring public health and social innovation to life
Make an impact:
Work directly with communities, policymakers, and practitioners, and learn from leading experts to see how your ideas can create real-world change
Shape your own path:
Choose the dissertation option that fits your goals - research-focused, guided data-analysis, or placement-based in a policy or third-sector organisation
Build future-ready skills:
Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership abilities to tackle global health challenges and lead transformative initiatives
The Place of Useful Learning
UK University of the Year
Daily Mail University of the Year Awards 2026
Scottish University of the Year
The Sunday Times' Good University Guide 2026
Why this course?
Be at the forefront of public health innovation with an MSc designed to equip tomorrow’s leaders to tackle major public health challenges and drive real-world impact.
Our MSc in Public Health & Social Innovation combines cutting-edge public health knowledge with social innovation, giving you the skills, experience, and confidence to tackle major health challenges, design transformative interventions, influence policy, and drive systemic change.
Through lectures, applied research, and real-world engagement, you’ll gain more than just public health knowledge - you’ll learn how to shape the future of health, equity, and social impact, developing solutions that transform communities both locally and globally.
Interested in postgraduate study?
At the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, our friendly and knowledgeable team will be available to provide you with all the information you need to kick-start your postgraduate journey at the University of Strathclyde. Register for upcoming events below:
What you’ll study
The programme is made up of 180 credits - six taught modules (120 credits) and a dissertation project (60 credits) from spring to summer.
You'll study two core modules - Foundations of Public Health in Semester 1 and Social Innovation in Public Health in Semester 2. You'll then select four modules from a suite of 20-credit optional modules, across two semesters. You must choose one research methods module and one social policy module.
During the MSc, you have the opportunity to choose either a:
- traditional research–focused dissertation, exploring a public health challenge and social innovation
- a placement-based dissertation in a policy or third-sector organisation
Work placement
This programme offers the opportunity to undertake a placement-based dissertation as an alternative to a traditional dissertation, with excellent potential to develop and apply highly transferable practical skills, build professional networks and enhance employability prospects.
Placements may take the form of:
- a placement with a governmental, intergovernmental, or non-governmental organisation
- a clearly defined placement contributing to an existing academic research project within the University of Strathclyde
- a guided data analysis and reflection, which simulates the experience a student would have on placement, but is guided by academic staff
You'd work with the placement organisation or research project lead to define a discrete, assessable piece of written work, for example, a policy briefing or scoping review.
Please note the availability of placement opportunities may vary each year and are not guaranteed. Students may be subject to a separate application process.
Guest lectures
The Department of Social Work & Social Policy regularly feature guest lectures in our teaching, making the most of our extensive policy and research networks. Guest lectures will include leading public health experts, creating a multi-disciplinary learning environment.
There will also be networking opportunities with partnership representatives from Glasgow City Council, NHS, and government bodies, alongside expertise from the Scottish Health Equity Research Unit, the Centre for Health Policy, Health & Care Futures, and the Fraser of Allander Institute.
Chat to a student ambassador
If you want to know more about what it’s like to be a Humanities & Social Sciences student at the University of Strathclyde, a selection of our current students are here to help!
Our Unibuddy ambassadors can answer all the questions you might have about courses and studying at Strathclyde, along with offering insight into their experiences of life in Glasgow and Scotland.
Core module
Foundations of Public Health
The Foundations of Public Health module is designed to introduce students to the core principles, concepts, and approaches that underpin the study and practice of public health. Its overall purpose is to provide learners with a broad understanding of the historical, social, and scientific foundations of the field, equipping them with the knowledge and critical perspective needed to explore how public health policies, practices, and interventions are developed and applied to improve population health and reduce inequalities.
Core module
Social Innovation in Public Health
The module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of how innovative ideas, practices, and partnerships can be developed and scaled to respond to complex public health challenges. Its overall purpose is to build the knowledge and skills needed to analyse and design socially innovative approaches, with emphasis on ethics, equity, power, and sustainability, thereby preparing students to contribute to transformative change in public health systems and practice.
Select four modules (worth 80 credits) across social science, methods, and social policy, tailored to your interests and career goals.
Please note, the options on offer vary from year-to-year, but an indicative list of optional modules is included below.
Semester 1
Choose one module (20 Credits)
Inequalities in Social Policy
Explore the crucial ways in which social and health policies interact and the consequences that decisions about social policies have for health outcomes. This module uses intersectionality as a core social science concept.
The module uses the UK, which has particularly high health inequalities and a wide-range of useful data sources, as a core case study. We focus on three exemplar inequalities: health, place and criminal justice inequalities. However, for each exemplar inequality, we will also examine international examples and, where possible, adapt these examples to the geo-political interests and experiences of those taking the module.
Health Systems Performance, Financing & Innovation
Run by Strathclyde Business School, this module provides students with knowledge of:
- health systems financing
- medical markets and policy innovation
- public-private governance objectives and policy levers
- health system performance assessment and monitoring
- the role of public financial management
- health systems needs assessment.
It is likely to appeal to students who are keen to develop analytic policy careers in the health sector.
Media & Health
Examine the inherent conflicts in health journalism and heath communication. The goal of this class is to examine the potential and limits of the media to accomplish health education of the public. We will examine how both information and entertainment media present and frame various health behaviours and how that affects media consumers. We will look at how theories, models, and assumptions of mass communication relate to public health issues. Topics to be covered include scientific inquiry, the media vs. science, framing illness, body image, stigma, entertainment education, mythologizing doctors, and others.
Becoming an Effective Health Analyst
Become familiar with a broad range of tools and techniques from across health analysis, policy, and management scholarship, applying these to real-world problems typical of policy settings. This module will particularly suit students interested in developing analytic skills in policy settings. It is based in the Strathclyde Business School and runs across Semester one and two.
Choose one module (20 Credits)
Perspectives on Social Research
We look at the ontological and epistemological foundations of contrasting methodological paradigms, encouraging students to consider the assumptions that underpin widely used quantitative and qualitative methods. We also look at the challenges in bringing qualitative and quantitative data and analysis together. This module is particularly suited to students with interests in research design, evidence synthesis and critical analysis of research.
Quantitative Methods I
This course introduces students to the use of quantitative methods in social research. Like qualitative methods, quantitative methods are tools in the social scientist’s toolkit. Learning when and how to use them will make you a better social researcher, open new scope for Masters or doctoral dissertation work, and improve your job prospects.
Semester 2
Choose one module (20 Credits)
Health Policy from an International Perspective
This module considers pressing health policy challenges comparatively across a range of international health systems. Examples of key topics include debates around healthcare funding, and the tensions between calls to address acute healthcare concerns and pressure to do more to address commercial and social determinants of health. The module also considers how we can compare the performance of distinctive health systems, noting the limitations of some commonly used indicators.
Health Systems Performance, Financing & Innovation
Run by Strathclyde Business School, this module provides students with knowledge of:
- health systems financing
- medical markets and policy innovation
- public-private governance objectives and policy levers
- health system performance assessment and monitoring
- the role of public financial management
- health systems needs assessment.
It is likely to appeal to students who are keen to develop analytic policy careers in the health sector.
Health Economics & Evaluation
This module will develop students’ understanding of principles of health economic evaluation. Economic evaluation is concerned with the allocation of scarce resources, which is particularly important in healthcare provision today. Students will learn the tools to assess the effects and economic efficiency of health policy and interventions. The theory and methodologies students learn will provide them with practical tools that can be applied to healthcare provision planning in the public and private sectors. These tools can also help developers of health technologies and services (e.g., biomedical engineers, digital technology developers, and pharmacists) understand where the greatest value lies.
Becoming an Effective Health Analyst
This module will provide the crucial opportunity for the students to apply their broad knowledge of tools and techniques from other health analysis, policy, and management classes to real-world problems that are typically presented to them by external clients.
Choose one module (20 Credits)
Quantitative Methods I
This course introduces students to the use of quantitative methods in social research. Like qualitative methods, quantitative methods are tools in the social scientist’s toolkit. Learning when and how to use them will make you a better social researcher, open new scope for Masters or doctoral dissertation work, and improve your job prospects.
Qualitative Methods
This class provides an overview of the ever-expanding field of qualitative methods in social science. This includes the examination of a wide variety of approaches, including case studies, small-N comparisons, ethnographies, historical research, and discourse analysis.
It also includes the study of a range of data collection and data analysis techniques such as observation, document analysis, elite interviews, and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).
You'll be supported to choose the dissertation route most appropriate to your interests and circumstances, and all students will have access to a standard dissertation or guided analysis option. Your dissertation is worth 60 credits.
- traditional research dissertation: investigate a public health challenge and design an innovative solution
- guided research-analysis dissertation: undertake qualitative or quantitative analysis of curated datasets, ideal for international students or those new to English academic writing
- placement-based dissertation: apply your learning in a real-world policy or third-sector placement
Please note that the availability of placement opportunities may vary each year and are not guaranteed. Students may be subject to a separate application process.
Learning & teaching
The programme fosters hands-on collaboration via interactive workshops, simulations, and networking with peers, faculty, and engagement with guest practitioners, enhancing the practical and social innovation aspects of public health/social innovation learning and supporting critical thinking, problem-solving and collaborative skills.
The programme uses a diverse range of learning activities, including:
- lectures with discussion and reading-based engagement
- informal debates and group exercises
- individual and group presentations
- case-study work and applied simulations
- structured reflective practice
- formative and summative writing exercises
- individual tuition and independent study
Assessment
We assess substantive topic knowledge, research skills and understanding in a range of ways. Forms of assessment include written assignments, group projects, presentations, case studies and reflective practice.
Both the standard dissertation and the placement-based dissertation are 12,000 words in length.
Entry requirements
| Academic requirements | First or second-class Honours degree, or overseas equivalent, in social sciences, health studies, or related fields. |
|---|---|
| English language requirements | You're required to have a suitable minimum level of competency in the English language if:
For postgraduate studies, the University of Strathclyde requires a minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 (with no score below 6.0) or equivalent. Tests are valid for two years. Pre-sessional courses in English are available. If you’re a national of an English speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration, or you've successfully completed an academic qualification (at least equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree) in any of these countries, then you do not need to present any additional evidence. Please view the knowledge of English guidance on the UK government website for more information. If you're from a country not recognised as an English-speaking country by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI), please check our English requirements before making your application. |
Pre-Masters preparation course
The Pre-Masters Programme is a preparation course held at the University of Strathclyde International Study Centre, for international students (non-UK/Ireland) who do not meet the academic entry requirements for a Masters degree at University of Strathclyde.
Upon successful completion, you'll be able to progress to this degree course at the University of Strathclyde.
Fees & funding
Fees may be subject to updates to maintain accuracy. Tuition fees will be notified in your offer letter.
All fees are in £ sterling, unless otherwise stated, and may be subject to revision.
Annual revision of fees
Students on programmes of study of more than one year (or studying standalone modules) should be aware that the majority of fees will increase annually.
The University will take a range of factors into account, including, but not limited to, UK inflation, changes in delivery costs and changes in Scottish and/or UK Government funding. Changes in fees will be published on the University website in October each year for the following year of study and any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 10% per year. This cap will apply to fees from 2026/27 onwards, which will not increase by more than 10% from the previous year for continuing students.
| Scotland | Full-time: £10,100 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | Full-time: £10,100 |
| Republic of Ireland |
If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status. For more information and advice on tuition fee status, you can visit the UKCISA - International student advice and guidance - Scotland: fee status webpage. Find out more about the University of Strathclyde's fee assessments process. |
| International | Full-time: £23,550 |
| Visa & immigration | International students may have associated visa and immigration costs. Please see student visa guidance for more information. |
How can I fund my course?
Scottish postgraduate students
Scottish postgraduate students may be able to apply for support from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The support is in the form of a tuition fee loan and for eligible students, a living cost loan. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from England
Students ordinarily resident in England may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance England. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Wales
Students ordinarily resident in Wales may be to apply for postgraduate support from Student Finance Wales. The support is a loan of up to £10,280 which can be used for both tuition fees and living costs. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Students coming from Northern Ireland
Postgraduate students who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland may be able to apply for support from Student Finance Northern Ireland. The support is a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500. Find out more about the support and how to apply.
Don’t forget to check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
International students
We've a large range of scholarships available to help you fund your studies. Check our scholarship search for more help with fees and funding.
Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Scholarships
EU Engagement Scholarships are available to EU applicants who would have previously been eligible for Home (Scottish/EU) fee status.
Careers
Graduates are prepared for a wide variety of leadership roles in public health, policy, research, NGOs, international organisations, and social enterprises, ready to create innovative solutions that reduce health inequalities and deliver lasting social impact.
Possible career routes
- policy organisations concerned with addressing public health challenges (such as local, devolved and national governments, health policy advisory bodies, and international policy organisations such as the World Health Organization and global health charities)
- organisations using research to influence the policies that impact on people’s health (such as large charities/NGOs/non-profit organisations and health policy think tanks)
- research careers within universities and research consultancies. Graduates can also use this qualification as a platform for undertaking PhD study
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 140 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Apply
Start date: Sep 2026
Public Health and Social Innovation
Start date: Sep 2026
Public Health and Social Innovation
Contact us
Prospective student enquiries
Contact a member of our team on LiveChat between 10am and 4pm (GMT)
Telephone: +44 (0) 141 444 8600
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