Overview
The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Global Health and Social Science is an interdisciplinary programme of study that welcomes students interested in understanding and addressing urgent questions about disparities in health and well-being around the world. You will study global health through an interdisciplinary curriculum that covers complex social, cultural, political, economic and ethical aspects, encouraging you to explore the field from a variety of perspectives, including sociology, anthropology, politics, history, policy, science and technology studies, and bioethics. The programme integrates theoretical approaches with real-life case studies to explore the conditions and the consequences of global health inequities and disparities. Topics include the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, mental health and psychiatric disorders, access to vaccines, trauma and war, the opioid crisis, HIV/AIDS, cancer, technological advances in medicine, and the intersections of race, colonialism, and health. Students will gain an understanding of how core debates within global health and the social sciences can shape our responses to pressing social and political questions. By bringing together theory and practice, students will be empowered to form their own ideas on how to make a difference in the world.
This undergraduate Global Health and Social Science degree will demonstrate how to think critically about the power of scientific and medical knowledge, and how healthcare practices and technologies are shaped. Students will be taught by internationally renowned social scientists with expertise in global public health and beyond.
Year 1 provides a foundation in key concepts and core debates in the field. In years 2 and 3, students build on this foundation by combining core and optional interdisciplinary modules to explore the social and political forces that shape global health outcomes. Topics may include the relationship between racism and mental distress, the global ethics and politics of access to medicines globally, the rise in addiction-related deaths in the UK and how gender-based violence limits access to healthcare worldwide.
The degree offers rigorous intellectual and empirical training, preparing students for careers in local and national government, policy think-tanks, third-sector organisations, academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and other roles at the intersection of health, politics, and society.
Students on the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Global Health and Social Science with a Year Abroad programme spend their third year studying abroad before returning to complete a final year at King’s. Studying abroad is dependent on levels of achievement in Year 2 modules and students must pass the equivalent of 120 KCL credits at the partner institution to be awarded the “Global Health and Social Science with a Year Abroad” degree. Otherwise, they are awarded the “Global Health and Social Science" title.
Key benefits
- 1st in the UK for Sociology and Social Policy (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields, including policy, national and international NGOs, local and national government, academia, and the private sector (e.g. start-ups, consultancy, private sector research organisations, etc.).
- Provides students with a breadth of social science theories and methods to address urgent contemporary problems of health, disease and medicine.
- Enable students to understand how healthcare systems around the world operate, and how policymaking in global, international, and national contexts works in practice, not just in theory.
- Enables students to gain transferable skills and expertise through a limited, non credit-bearing internship with partner organisations such as local councils, which may be available, and can be accessed via a separate application process. Note: places are limited, and this scheme is highly competitive.
- Gives students the opportunity to study abroad for a year and deepen their expertise in global health and related fields.
It’s intellectually stimulating, combining theory with practical application and is taught by leading members of the Global Health field in the heart of London.
Course essentials
In the first year of the Global Health and Social Science BA, students build their foundational knowledge of global health, social science and social theory, and begin to explore research practice and design.
In their second year, students deepen their understanding of key concepts in global health, explore the relationship between biomedicine, global health and society, and develop advanced research and analysis skills.
Students are offered a range of optional modules in their second and third years. If choosing to study abroad, students will complete their third year at a chosen partner university before returning to King’s for their final year.
In their final year, students will complete a dissertation, which will allow them to explore a topic of their choice in depth through independent research.
For further information about our BA Global Health & Social Science programme – including details about our teaching team, exclusive videos, and additional resources – please visit our dedicated hub page.
Special features
Optional study abroad
Key Information
Course type:
Single honours
Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Required A-Levels:
ABB
Duration:
Three years full-time or four years with a year abroad
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2026
Application deadline:
08 September 2025
Administrative bodies
Awarding body
King's College London and Affiliates
Regulating body
Base campuses
Strand Campus
Strand Campus feels like the heart of London—historic yet buzzing with energy. Nestled by the Thames, it offers world-class academics, vibrant student life, and endless inspiration from the city’s culture and diversity.
Waterloo Campus
Our Waterloo campus is home to the Florence Nightingale Faculty Nursing & Midwifery, and a vibrant hub for health, social science, and law students. Located moments from the iconic landmarks of South Bank and just a short walk to the Stand campus.