MSc Sexual and Reproductive Health | Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Find out more about studying this course at either our online Postgraduate Open Day on 14 November 2024 or our on campus Postgraduate Open Evening on 21 November 2024.

Postgraduate Taught

Sexual and Reproductive Health - MSc

Do you want to make a difference to the health of people in low-resource settings? Are you passionate about social justice or looking for a qualification that will enable you to work at a senior level in health policy and practice in the UK or abroad, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings? Our MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health could be the perfect stepping stone for your career.

Our master's in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) will be attractive to those working in healthcare settings, health practitioners, community and development workers, in areas of gender, sexual and reproductive health both in low- and high-income settings.

You will be able to develop your theoretical knowledge and non-clinical practical skills, whilst also discussing some relevant sexual and reproductive health issues globally and locally. That should be attractive for those aiming to work in technical, advocacy and leadership positions with national and global programmes on sexual and reproductive health issues.

The course will equip you to work at a senior level to promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights through the development of effective, contextualised sexual and reproductive health policies, programmes and services.

The course can be studied full time or part time.

Please note that this course is going through a routine review process over the next year and that any changes to course content arising will be reflected on this web page.

Why QMU?

Unique academic institution: The Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at QMU offers a range of postgraduate courses aimed specifically at those who wish to work in health policy and practice, particularly in low-income and middle-income settings.
Make a difference to your career and to others' lives: Our courses put a strong focus on the social aspects of health, the importance of health rights for global health and on health systems strengthening from a community-based perspective. We have a long history of working in the critical interface of sexuality, sexual and reproductive health, and the relationships between these.
A course deisgned to equip you to assist in improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world, whether that be overseas or locally in Scotland. You will develop a strong understanding of a rights-based approach to the contested issues central to sexual and reproductive health, current global health and development issues and will equip yourself with the tools you need to forge positive change locally, nationally or internationally.
Access to expertise and industry connections: You will learn from experienced figures in the field and make connections that could last your whole working life. At IGHD we work directly with local, national and international organisations working in the field of sexual and reproductive health to develop real solutions to health and development problems. We have links with various bodies, including the following: International Planned Parenthood Federation, Women’s AID, national police forces working on gender-based violence such as specialists in gender-based violence and FGM, international organisations working on FGM, Sexual health clinics and the Rainbow Alliance, among others.
Join us on our compassion mission: Our work at IGHD addresses the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need, whether that be vulnerable populations in Scotland or those living in low-income or middle-income countries. In particular we work at the interactions of vulnerability on gender and sexual identities.
Wide ranging teaching and research expertise: Our teaching and research expertise spans multiple aspects of global health and development. These range from health financing, support to fragile and conflict-affected settings, to refugee integration and child protection. Specialists working in the area of gender and sexual health policy in practice contribute to teaching.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (MSc): More information and what you will achieve

On the MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health course you will study a rights-based approach to the social and political issues influencing sexual and reproductive health, with a focus on low-income and middle-income countries. You will work on integrating theory and practice, developing critical thinking skills and widening your perspective on current and historical sexual and reproductive health issues.

You will also be able to evaluate the importance of sexual health and sexual rights, developing critical thinking skills and widening your perspective on current and historical sexual and reproductive health issues.

How will I be taught?

Structure and exit awards

You can opt to study for the full MSc (180 credits), a PgDip (120 credits) or a PgCert (60 credits).

You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD. On completion of a single module, you may wish to complete further modules and progress your studies to a named award. A variety of modules can be studied, for example: Psychosocial Interventions for Displaced Populations and Forced Displacement and Integration Module. Contact IGHD for more information.

Teaching, learning and assessment

Teaching is comprised of a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case studies, simulation exercises and projects. Assessment is continuous and incorporates assignments, action plans, projects and presentations.

For your dissertation projects, you can chose to do a desk study involving a literature review or conduct primary data collection in collaboration with national or international organisations working in health and development.

Teaching hours and attendance

Your exact attendance requirements at QMU will depend on the module you are studying and whether you are studying full-time or part-time. In addition, for each module students spend approximately 10-12 hours of each week on preparatory class work independently and with colleagues, including readings and exercises available on dedicated web-based learning platforms.

Class sizes

We expect approximately 10-15 students to enroll for this course each year.

Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

Modules

PgCert

For the award of PgCert, you will complete the following modules:

Global Approaches to Gender and Health (15 credits): This module aims to provide participants with a critical approach to the analysis of gender and health in a global context whilst learning about gender sensitive analysis and planning tools. Theoretical approaches including feminism, masculinities and intersectionality will be explored along with the impact of gender as a social determinant of health.
Sexual and Reproductive Health (15 credits): The module provides an overview of historical and current issues and debates in the area of sexual and reproductive health. It also encourages students to examine social, political and economic determinants of sexual and reproductive health and use of rights-based approaches to sexual and reproductive health. It helps building necessary skills to contribute to the development of sexual and reproductive policies, programs, services and interventions.
Sexual Health Rights: Policy and Programming in Practice (15 credits): The module emphasizes the importance of sexual health and sexual rights for global health. Through practice-based learning, it aims to equip students with knowledge and practical skills in the interpretation and response to current contested issues in sexual health and rights programming and policy, enabling learners to critically engage with both theory and practice.
Plus, one elective 15-credit module available within the Institute, other QMU courses or other universities.

PgDip

For the award of PgDip, you will complete the modules listed for the PgCert, plus:

Global Public Health and Social Policy (20 credits)
Health Systems, Services and Communities (20 credits)
Global Health Research (20 credits)

MSc

If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a Dissertation (60 credits) involving desk study or fieldwork on an approved topic related to sexual and reproductive health and development.

NB The modules listed for this course are correct at time of posting (October 2024) but may be subject to substantial change pending revalidation. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please check back here for updates.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (MSc): Entry requirements and application information

Entry requirements

A UK honours degree or equivalent from a relevant subject area (arts, humanities, health or social sciences). Students without an honours degree may be considered if they have other relevant qualifications and/or appropriate work experience.

International students: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.0 with no individual component score less than 5.5.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

Home students: August for a September 2025 start and December for a January 2026 start.

International students: End of June for a September 2025 start and November for a January 2026 start.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).