Bursary application deadline: 30 June 2013
Application deadline: 30 August 2013
Start date: 16 September 2013
This post graduate certificate programme in global health is offered by the Red Cross Red Crescent Learning Network of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in partnership with the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at The University of Manchester.
About the course
This online programme covers issues related to the worldwide improvement of health, the reduction of disparities, and protection against global threats that disregard national borders and is unique in bringing together the study of emergency medicine, disaster management, community health, anthropology and the sociology of health and illness. As such it offers both a practical means of study and an inclusive approach which mirrors the reality of health interventions within a humanitarian context. The structure and content of the course was tailored to the specific needs and context of the Red Cross Red Crescent health and resilience programmes.
The programme will extend the knowledge base and develop the practical skills of current and future practitioners in global health. Upon completion of this programme, participants should be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of:
- Key issues and debates related to the practices of global health programming. Students will show familiarity with different theoretical approaches, practical problems and an appreciation of the diversity of policies at international and national levels.
- The range of social science topics which influence global health (including political, historical, and anthropological understandings). Students will become familiar with the methodological and normative underpinnings of these disciplines.
- The analytical and policy literature concerning the related issues of global health, including economics, governance structures and institutions, the role and perspectives of the State, multilateral and bilateral agencies, international and domestic NGOs and other civil institutions.
- An understanding of local approaches to global health, including an awareness of the problems and critiques associated with ‘bottom up’ approaches.
- The development of a range of academic and professional/transferrable skills through both independent and group-based work
Course outline
The curriculum will comprise 4 x 15 credit modules as detailed below.
Orientation to online learning
During this online induction, participants will be introduced to the online classroom and the tools for communication and interaction that they will use during the course. Participants will also be guided through practice exercises and will have the chance to ask questions and request assistance as needed.
Module 1 – Risk, vulnerability and resilience
This module will offer an introduction to public and global health, risk assessments and management, epidemiology, population ageing, the determinants of child survival, and pandemics.
Module 2 - Health systems and markets
This module will look at the social determinants of health, the work of civil society organisations, the interfaces between states and economies, organizational change, health financing, urban health, rural access, food security, agriculture, and eradication programming.
Module 3 - Community approaches to health
This module will examine issues of psycho-social care, behaviour change, aging, micro-insurance, advocacy, holistic health, HIV, nutrition, breast feeding, hygiene promotion and immunization.
Module 4 - Ethics, human rights and health
This module will consider the role of gender, health inequalities, dignity, legal frameworks, rights-based approaches to health, reproductive rights, Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6, child rights, and accessing illegal drug users and commercial sex workers.
Period of study: 1 year part-time via online fully supported distance learning.
Faculty for the course
HCRI at The University of Manchester is widely recognised as being a leading international research institute focussing on the study of humanitarianism and conflict response. Directed by Dr Rony Brauman, former President of MSF France and currently Director of HCRI, Associate Professor at L'Institut d'Études Politiques, Paris, and Director of Research at the MSF Foundation, Paris.
The Institute is inspired by the need to conduct rigorous research and to support postgraduate training on the impact and outcomes of contemporary and historical crises. HCRI embraces this opportunity to develop a scholarly and professional agenda for humanitarians around the world.
Students will have access to leading multi-disciplinary academics and practitioners including Dr Brauman and Professor Tony Redmond OBE (Deputy Director of HCRI) who has led medical teams to sudden onset disasters, complex emergencies, and conflicts for over twenty five years. Tony is also Director of the UK International Emergency Trauma Register which aims to improve training and accountability of those who respond to large scale emergencies overseas.
Dr Tim Jacoby, HCRI Director of Teaching
Dr Rubina Jasani, HCRI Lecturer in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response
Paul Kailiponi, HCRI Lecturer in Disaster Management
Dr Barni Nor, HCRI Director in Global Health
Professor Tony Redmond, HCRI Deputy Director
Structure and methodology
The programme will begin with an induction session that explains how the course will progress and how students can fully engage with the curriculum and the online classroom environment. It will set out the key contacts and what each student can expect. Academic & personal support will be offered with each student having a personal tutor who will be responsible for monitoring their progression through the programme. A dedicated programme administrator will be responsible for dealing with enquiries.
The course lasts for 12 months in total with each of the 4 modules comprising 8 weeks of teaching followed by 1 week of assessment. Students will complete each module in turn before progressing to the next. The format is designed to be adaptable to the needs of students and provides opportunity for reflection between modules.
The programme has been designed to recreate a classroom learning environment in an online format. Students will be able to engage fully with the programme content and with their peers, via lectures, discussion boards, group work, online chat, question and answer sessions with the tutor and through the provision of peer to peer feedback and assessment.
Course Assessment
All assessment will take place online. Each of the 4 modules will conclude with a selection of various multiple choice and/or prose-based assessments. Students will also receive feedback and guidance throughout the programme which will enable them to progress and develop their confidence and analytical skills.
Practical Information
Who can apply?
- Red Cross and Red Crescent National Society staff and volunteers working on health and resilience programmes.
- IFRC and ICRC staff.
- Other professionals who need to employ global health knowledge and expertise.
Please note that this course is quite demanding in terms of time and commitment. Before you apply, please consider carefully whether you can commit the necessary time in order to complete the course successfully. Where appropriate, please make sure you obtain the endorsement of your supervisor to participate in this programme.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction is English. Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to obtain an overall IELTS score of 7.0 to include a writing score of 7.0 and a spoken score of 6.5. Where an applicant has not taken IELTS, a clear statement from the employer (via their reference) will be accepted as evidence of the applicant having an appropriate standard of English Language. Among other things, this statement must confirm that the applicant’s job has involved working substantially through the medium of English.
Application deadline and timetable for 2013
The 3rd cohort starts 16th September: application deadline 31 July 2013 though candidates are encouraged to apply earlier to secure their place on this programme.
Fees
£2,100 per participant, due upon acceptance into the programme.
Bursaries
Full fee bursaries are available. Applicants must apply before 30 June to be considered. Please see HCRI website details (below) for further detail.
Qualification received
Successful completion of the programme (60 credits) will result in a Postgraduate Certificate issued by The University of Manchester. The credits earned will also be recognised by other academic institutions under the National Recognition Information Centre Scheme.
Following successful completion of the PG Cert, students may wish to progress on to the Postgraduate Diploma in Global Health, and from there on to the MA programme in Global Health.
Entry requirements
- Applicants should have a Lower Second Class Bachelor's degree or the overseas equivalent although each application is judged on its own merits and exceptions to this entry requirement may be made.
- Applicants who do not have a Bachelor’s degree or the overseas equivalent may apply if they can demonstrate (via a personal statement) that they can communicate clearly, are highly motivated, and have experience of prior learning.
- Applicants must have the use of a computer with unrestricted access to the Internet using Firefox or Internet Explorer web browsers (please contact us for more details if you are in doubt about your level of access).
Applicants need to nominate a referee who will be asked to comment upon their suitability for the programme and their capacity for combining part-time study with work related duties.
Selection process
The IFRC and HCRI at The University of Manchester will select up to 50 qualified participants to attend the third cohort. Preference will be given to applicants from developing states, and those currently working in the humanitarian field. Selected applicants will be notified after the application deadline.
How to apply
Applicants can find out more about the programme and how to apply by visiting http://www.hcri.ac.uk/study/pgcert/index.htm
Specific enquiries should be addressed to hcri@manchester.ac.uk where they will be routed to the most appropriate person.