Global Health
Despite unprecedented medical advances, there continue to be vast inequalities in access to health and healthcare around the world. Communicable diseases travel rapidly across national borders, while chronic diseases are a serious threat to the health of populations in developed and developing countries. Conflict and natural disasters cause death and injury and limit access to healthcare in already impoverished regions. These global challenges necessitate global responses.
Course description
The intercalated BSc course at the Kings Centre for Global Health aims to equip medical students with the knowledge and skills to critically engage with global health issues. Students will benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, exploring social, political, economic and anthropological perspectives on key challenges faced in providing healthcare across the globe. The course will enable students to develop a broader knowledge base that will greatly benefit their future practice.
The course covers a wide range of highly relevant topics, including: the global burden of disease, health systems and policy, conflict, maternal and child health, and poverty and international development.
Sessions are taught by leading academics from across King’s, as well as external speakers with professional expertise. Students will develop an excellent understanding of healthcare around the world, as well as essay writing and critical analysis skills.
The course will be particularly useful for medics who wish to pursue a career with an international focus, or work in development, policy or humanitarian relief.
Opportunities to learn from our partnerships in Africa
A unique feature of the King’s iBSc is the Centre’s partnership with capacity-building projects in sub-Saharan Africa, which offer students an in-depth understanding of the realities of health work in low-income countries. Previous students have chosen to focus their research projects on our partnerships in Somaliland, Zambia and Sierra Leone, and there are opportunities to conduct voluntary placements with these established health organisations. Current projects include developing education for medical students in Sierra Leone, where students can use internet technology to share ideas between Sierra Leone and the UK.
Further information:
Administrative Contact
Sibylle Herzig van Wees
Email: sibylle.herzig@kcl.ac.uk