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Globally, the life course of women from birth to puberty, motherhood, menopause and old age, is filled with opportunities to improve health and wellbeing. This unique programme covers the different aspects of women’s health (physical, mental, social, cultural, legal and ethical) whilst optional modules allow you to tailor your programme to your individual interests.
Key information
Programme starts
September 2021
Modes and duration
Application dates
Tuition fees (2021/22)
Note on fees:
The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees. Fees for flexible, modular study are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for registration, normally a candidate must have obtained an upper second-class Bachelor’s degree in a related scientific or social science discipline, or a professional health qualification (medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, social work) or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Professional experience in the field of women’s health is desirable.
English language requirements
If your education has not been conducted in the English language, you will be expected to demonstrate evidence of an adequate level of English proficiency.
The English language level for this programme is: Good
UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses
Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.
International students
Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.
International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below.
Select your country:
About this degree
The four compulsory modules will provide you with a broad understanding of the central themes in women's health. You can then shape your learning to reflect your career aspirations through the selection of four optional modules. These include topics such as sexual health, reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth, mental health, health psychology and gender and global health.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of four compulsory modules (60 credits), four optional modules (60 credits) and a research project (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years, flexible 2-5 years) is offered. Students take 60 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of optional modules.
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years) is offered. Students take 30-60 credits of compulsory modules and up to 30 credits of optional modules.
Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded a MSc in Women's Health. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Women's Health. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Women's Health.
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Compulsory modules
- Understanding Research in Women’s Health
- Female Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- Concepts and Controversies in Women’s Health
- Legal & Ethical Aspects of Women’s Health
Optional modules
Students will be guided in their optional module choice depending on their academic/employment background and future career aspirations.
- Current Research in Dementia
- Current Research in Depression and Anxiety
- Essentials of Global Child Health
- Fetal and Perinatal Medicine
- Gametogenesis, Preimplantation Development and Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Gender and Global Health
- Health Inequalities over the Lifecourse
- Health Related Behaviours and Cognitions
- Individual, Social and cultural perspectives in Health Psychology
- Mental Health Services
- Physical and Mental Health Stress and Ageing
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis and New Technologies
- Reproductive Health
- Science, Bodies and Health Technologies
- Sexual Health: Designing Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes in Low and Middle Income Countries
Optional modules are subject to availability and timetabling
Dissertation/report
All students will undertake a research project, culminating in a 10,000 word dissertation (60 credits). Students can choose from a large variety of topics, and each project will usually fall under one of the following five types: 1) laboratory-based projects; 2) clinical projects and practice audits; 3) analysis of existing data sets; 4) online surveys and/or interviews; and 5) projects focusing on reviewing the scholarship or evidence on a given subject.
Teaching and learning
Each module is taught and assessed differently but will most likely be delivered by lectures, tutorials and small group work, and may include some online learning. Assessment methods include: unseen exams, essays, group and individual seminars/presentations, critical reviews, clinical case studies and the dissertation.
Additional costs
For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.
Accessibility
Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.
Funding
For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.
Careers
This degree prepares students for progression to higher research degrees or more advanced work in their particular field. It will enhance knowledge and awareness of the many issues relevant to women's health.
There is a strong focus on the development of key skills in the programme. In addition, we offer a comprehensive careers programme involving our current staff and alumni; covering job applications, CV writing, general careers in science and specific advice on careers in women's health.
Employability
Throughout the MSc programme, you will acquire key skills through peer-led activities, such as evaluating and presenting orally on patient cases and media coverage of scientific papers.
You will learn key skills such as:
- Evaluating and reviewing data from a variety of sources (papers, case studies, media coverage etc.).
- Collecting, interpreting and presenting data using both written and oral methods.
- Intellectual curiosity and an ability to critically challenge current methods of research or ideological standpoints.
- Cross-disciplinary thinking from a multiplicity of perspectives (linking together the wide variety of optional modules).
You also have the opportunity to take part in debates and ethical discussions.
Why study this degree at UCL?
The UCL Institute for Women’s Health delivers excellence in research, clinical practice, education and training in order to make a real and sustainable difference to women's and babies' health worldwide.
The institute's collaboration with UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) provides an academic environment in which you can pursue graduate studies taught by world-class researchers and clinicians.
Blending taught and research elements allows students from diverse backgrounds to develop the skills necessary for a career in women's health.
Department: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health
Application and next steps
Applications
Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.
This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found in our How to apply section.
There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at: ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught/application.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications across a broad spectrum of women's health backgrounds; including recent graduates and those returning to education after a period of employment.
Application deadlines
- All applicants
- 31 May 2021
For more information see our Applications page.
Apply nowWhat are we looking for?
When we assess your application we would like to learn:
- why you want to study Women's Health at graduate level
- why you want to study Women's Health at UCL
- what particularly attracts you to the chosen programme
- how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
- where you would like to go professionally with your degree
Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.
UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.
Page last modified on 10 May 2021
