Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our undergraduate courses will be published from September 2025.
This Global Health and Social Science BA will teach you how to analyse and address issues of disparities in health and well-being around the world. You’ll 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. And by learning how to bring theory and practice together, you’ll be empowered to form your own ideas of how to make a difference. 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. You’ll be taught by internationally renowned social scientists with expertise in global public health and beyond. You’ll get to engage with social science research using real-world examples of how policymaking impacts life experience and explore how humanitarian strategies are used to reduce suffering and improve health and well-being around the globe. And you will investigate social science approaches to the most pressing global health challenges of our time, from HIV/AIDS epidemics, the Ebola crisis in West Africa and the opioid crisis in the United States and Britain, to the trauma of war, the apparent exposition of psychiatric disorders around the world, and access to medicines for all. You will also learn how to apply a broad range of social science theories and methods from the fields of anthropology and sociology, epidemiology and political science, philosophy and economics, history and bioethics. From your second year, you can choose from a mix of interdisciplinary modules to focus on the social issues you care most about. This might be how racism and mental distress are related, why addiction-related deaths in the UK continue to rise year on year, or how gender-based violence limits access to healthcare globally. You can use your career ambitions to shape your curriculum, too. For example, if you want to pursue a career creating policy that will promote health equity, work with AI and digital health, explore the relationship between mental health and the environment, or become a humanitarian health worker, there are modules to support this. It’s also possible to enhance your learning, and develop your skills by studying abroad for a year at a range of universities, and gain real-world experience with an internship at a partner organisation.
“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.”
In the first year of your Global Health and Social Science BA, you’ll build your foundational knowledge of global health, social science and social theory, and begin to explore research practice and design. Your second year will see you deepen your understanding of key concepts in global health, learn about biomedicine, global health and society, and gain more research and analysis skills. You’ll get to choose from a range of optional modules in your second and third years. If you choose to study abroad, you’ll complete the third year at your chosen partner university before returning to King’s for your fourth and final year. In your final year, you’re required to submit a dissertation in global health and social science, where you will explore a topic of your choice in detail. You’ll study Global Health & Social Science across two campuses – the Strand Campus and the Waterloo Campus. You can easily access the library, computing facilities and the University of London library at Senate House nearby, as well as the cultural attractions of the South Bank and Covent Garden.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels
Note: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels. Note: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Teaching
Check out further information about our Global Health & Social Science course including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
|
Course stage |
Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities |
Percentage of time in guided independent study |
Percentage of time on placements |
|
Year 1 |
13% |
87% |
- |
|
Year 2 |
13% |
87% |
- |
|
Final year |
11% |
89% |
- |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Location
The degree course is delivered across two campuses – the Strand Campus and the Waterloo Campus. Both are close to the River Thames, with facilities offered by the University easily available and also the cultural attractions of the South Bank and Covent Garden close by. The library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include examinations, coursework and tutorial participation.
| Course Stage | Percentage of assessment by written exams | Percentage of assessment by practical exams | Percentage of assessment by coursework |
| Year 1 | 8% | - | 92% |
| Year 2 | 8% | - | 92% |
| Final Year | 0% | - | 100% |
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits. The course consists of a mixture of required and optional modules, and a research-based dissertation in the final year. Required modules are all taught from within the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, which also offers optional modules in Years Two and Three.
You are required to take the following modules:
There are no optional modules in the first year of this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
This Global Health & Social Science BA will equip you with knowledge in a fast-growing field of research that’s expected to open up a range of exciting job opportunities in diverse careers at the intersection of research, policy and practice.
You’ll graduate from a university that boasts the best job prospects of any London or Russell Group university, with an employment rate of 95.2 per cent.
Destinations
This Global Health and Social Science degree provides a rigorous intellectual and empirical grounding for careers in public administration, NGOs and INGOs, charities, think tanks, academia, and social advocacy organisations. Our graduates enter a wide range of professions within health services, public health, government, and NGOs in the UK and beyond.
For example, Global Health & Social Science BA graduates could work in roles such as:
Policy (e.g., Nuffield Council on Bioethics, King’s Fund, UK Biobank Ethics & Governance Council, public health consultant at UN, policy analyst World Health Organization, membership organisations like the British Pharmaceutical Society).
National and international NGOs (e.g., Cancer Research UK, British Lung Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières, Gates Foundation, Malaria No More, Care UK, NCD Alliance, Prostate Cancer UK, International Longevity Centre (ILC), the Purpose Xchange).
Government (Department of Health & Social Care, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, public health officer in local government, Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, Health Research Authority, Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology)
Private sector (e.g., management consultancy, political affairs, pharmaceutical companies, market research, think tanks, health start-ups, independent research institutes, science communication).
Academia (postgraduate study, postdoctoral study, lecturing and other roles within universities).
Hear from some of our students about why they chose to study our BA programme.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). Please see the Study Abroad webpages for details of the relevant partner universities. and information about tuition fees: King's will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. At present these are as follows: • Home students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for £6,000 for King's tuition fees for the year. • Overseas students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for two thirds of the King's tuition fees for the year. The OfS cap for a compulsory or optional year abroad is £1,385. NB: EU students will be liable for the same study abroad tuition fees as overseas students in 2025/26. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
In the first year of your Global Health and Social Science BA, you’ll build your foundational knowledge of global health, social science and social theory, and begin to explore research practice and design. Your second year will see you deepen your understanding of key concepts in global health, learn about biomedicine, global health and society, and gain more research and analysis skills. You’ll get to choose from a range of optional modules in your second and third years. If you choose to study abroad, you’ll complete the third year at your chosen partner university before returning to King’s for your fourth and final year. In your final year, you’re required to submit a dissertation in global health and social science, where you will explore a topic of your choice in detail. You’ll study Global Health & Social Science across two campuses – the Strand Campus and the Waterloo Campus. You can easily access the library, computing facilities and the University of London library at Senate House nearby, as well as the cultural attractions of the South Bank and Covent Garden.
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
On this programme, you will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad, supported by the Study Abroad Tutor in your department and King’s Global Mobility Office. Together with partner organisations around the world, you will be supported in navigating your international, educational journey, developing new skills and competences and learning to apply different perspectives to your chosen discipline.
King's College London and Affiliates
King's is regulated by the Office for Students
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels.
Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
Please note that A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. Notes: If you are taking linear A-levels in England, you will be required to pass the practical endorsement in all Science subjects. This is with the exception of private candidates who are unable to take the practical component. We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.
35 points overall or an aggregate score of 17 from three Higher Levels
Note: The total point score of 35 includes TOK/EE.
32 points overall or an aggregate score of 15 from three Higher Levels. Note: The total point score of 32 includes TOK/EE.
Course specific subject requirements are indicated in subject requirements above
English language band: B
Please note that nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries (as defined by UKVI) who have successfully completed high school in the respective country, are not required to complete an English language test. For information on our English requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Contextual consideration
We make contextual offers for this programme, which can be found in the entry requirements. As part of the assessment process, we take into account contextual information to gain a more complete picture of each application. More information can be found on the Contextualised admissions website.
Deferrals
Applications can be submitted for deferred entry by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application.
If your circumstances change and, therefore, you need to request a deferral after an offer has been made, then we can generally permit these for this programme. However, each deferral request will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we reserve the right to decline any post-offer deferral request. Requests should be submitted via a message on King’s Apply with an explanation of the reason for making the request.
Please note, second deferral requests will only be considered where the request is due to extreme unforeseen extenuating circumstances, for example, health reasons. We are unable to permit deferral requests that go beyond two years and you would need to apply again. This is with the exception of deferrals which are due to military/national service.
Foundation courses
Applicants studying Foundation Year programmes in the UK are welcome to apply for this programme. Foundation programmes from other universities and further education providers in the UK are considered on a case-by-case basis. Whether or not we can consider a particular foundation year as suitable for study at King's depends on the content of the syllabus and modules studied. In the past we have accepted foundation programmes from a number of other institutions.
We are unable to accept Foundation programmes that are integrated as part of a main degree at another institution. These may be called Year 0 or Integrated Foundations. We are also unable to accept non-UK Foundation courses.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your qualification, such as a list of modules and course specifications.
The King's International Foundation Programme has guaranteed pathways available for progression onto our King's undergraduate degree programmes, and information can be found on the website.
Graduates
Our general entry requirements are based on A-level or equivalent. However, where an applicant is completing/has completed a degree, we are able to consider the degree study as part of the assessment of the application.
Generally, we would consider a minimum of a UK Bachelor degree with a 2:1 grade profile (or overseas equivalent) as meeting the entry requirements for our undergraduate degrees. However, those who have achieved/are predicted a high 2:1 or a First may be considered more competitive.
Once you have submitted an application, the Admissions Office may contact you via King's Apply to ask for further details on your degree study.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application, and is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the university and inform us of your commitment to the programme and how the programme fits into your career plans, as well as any work experience or extracurricular activities you have done.
Resits
We are able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications.
Transfers
We are able to consider applications for transfer into Year 2 of this programme. Please see our Transferring to King’s website for more information.
If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, we can help with our Foundation year courses.
If you have an offer from King's, but English isn't your first language, we have courses to help you.
Teaching
Check out further information about our Global Health & Social Science course including our teaching team, exclusive videos and more on our hub page.
We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
|
Course stage |
Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities |
Percentage of time in guided independent study |
Percentage of time on placements |
|
Year 1 |
13% |
87% |
- |
|
Year 2 |
13% |
87% |
- |
|
Final year |
11% |
89% |
- |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Location
The degree course is delivered across two campuses – the Strand Campus and the Waterloo Campus. Both are close to the River Thames, with facilities offered by the University easily available and also the cultural attractions of the South Bank and Covent Garden close by. The library and computing facilities are readily accessible together with the opportunity to use the University of London library at Senate House.
Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include examinations, coursework and tutorial participation.
| Course Stage | Percentage of assessment by written exams | Percentage of assessment by practical exams | Percentage of assessment by coursework |
| Year 1 | 8% | - | 92% |
| Year 2 | 8% | - | 92% |
| Final Year | 0% | - | 100% |
The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.
Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 360 credits. Each year you will normally take modules totalling 120 credits. The course consists of a mixture of required and optional modules, and a research-based dissertation in the final year. Required modules are all taught from within the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine, which also offers optional modules in Years Two and Three.
You are required to take the following modules:
There are no optional modules in the first year of this course.
King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.
Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.
This Global Health & Social Science BA will equip you with knowledge in a fast-growing field of research that’s expected to open up a range of exciting job opportunities in diverse careers at the intersection of research, policy and practice.
You’ll graduate from a university that boasts the best job prospects of any London or Russell Group university, with an employment rate of 95.2 per cent.
Destinations
This Global Health and Social Science degree provides a rigorous intellectual and empirical grounding for careers in public administration, NGOs and INGOs, charities, think tanks, academia, and social advocacy organisations. Our graduates enter a wide range of professions within health services, public health, government, and NGOs in the UK and beyond.
For example, Global Health & Social Science BA graduates could work in roles such as:
Policy (e.g., Nuffield Council on Bioethics, King’s Fund, UK Biobank Ethics & Governance Council, public health consultant at UN, policy analyst World Health Organization, membership organisations like the British Pharmaceutical Society).
National and international NGOs (e.g., Cancer Research UK, British Lung Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières, Gates Foundation, Malaria No More, Care UK, NCD Alliance, Prostate Cancer UK, International Longevity Centre (ILC), the Purpose Xchange).
Government (Department of Health & Social Care, Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, public health officer in local government, Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority, Health Research Authority, Parliamentary Office of Science & Technology)
Private sector (e.g., management consultancy, political affairs, pharmaceutical companies, market research, think tanks, health start-ups, independent research institutes, science communication).
Academia (postgraduate study, postdoctoral study, lecturing and other roles within universities).
Hear from some of our students about why they chose to study our BA programme.
Curious to find out more? Access on-demand content including taster lectures and talks, and meet our current staff and students on our subject hub page.
The UK tuition fee for the 2025-26 academic year is currently £9,535 per year. This is based on the UK Government's cap.
The International tuition fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is £27,100 per year.
Please note that the International tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
All International applicants to Undergraduate programmes are required to pay a deposit of £2000 against their first year's tuition fee. This deposit is payable when you firmly accept an unconditional offer to study with us, and will be offset against your tuition fees when you join King's.
If you choose the study abroad option with one of King’s partner universities, you will not be charged tuition fees by the host university (although some partners do charge a small administration fee for applying). Please see the Study Abroad webpages for details of the relevant partner universities. and information about tuition fees: King's will continue to invoice for a proportion of King's tuition fees. At present these are as follows: • Home students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for £6,000 for King's tuition fees for the year. • Overseas students studying for a semester abroad will receive an invoice for two thirds of the King's tuition fees for the year. The OfS cap for a compulsory or optional year abroad is £1,385. NB: EU students will be liable for the same study abroad tuition fees as overseas students in 2025/26. You should also budget to pay for the associated subsistence costs, such as travel, visas, accommodation and food as well as any vaccination/immunisations required by the country to which you are travelling.
Additional Costs
In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:
To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.
Chat with current students and King's staff to find out about the courses we offer, life at King's and ask any questions you may have.
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Take a look at our comfortable, safe residences to suit your budget, located close to King's teaching campuses.
Art, food, music, shopping – you'll never find yourself with nothing to do in the world's most vibrant city.
Information about living in London, including events, budgeting and expenses, travel and safety.
During your time at King's College London, a range of academic and personal support and guidance is available to you.
