Health System Policy, Planning and Programming in Global Health 20 credits

This course builds upon foundational public health skills to develop a deeper understanding of key stakeholders and health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Through a practical assessment assignment aligned with core learning objectives, and collaborative group work focused on designing realistic project proposals, students will strengthen essential planning and implementation skills.

The course features lectures and interactive workshops led by expert faculty and professionals from a range of organizations, including United Nations agencies, international NGOs, and academic institutions, bringing real-world experience and insight into Global Health systems.

On completion, you should be able to:

• Understand and critically analyse health systems in low- and middle-income countries and the international players active in this field (for example, national governments and ministries of health; United Nations (UN) agencies; NGOs; commercial/private systems; and others such as independent providers, militaries and community organisations).
• Describe and critically analyse funding sources for health systems and services in LMICs (for example, bilateral arrangements; UN agencies and global banks; national governments; international programmes; business/commercial sector; independent, military and community approaches).
• Understand and apply relevant study designs to evaluate health systems interventions or new service interventions using implementation science approaches.
• Understand and apply the fundamental tenets of implementation science relevant to this field of work.

Course dates

Dates for 2025/26 are TBC. The course normally runs in February.

Assessment

• Group presentation of an implementation research project plus response to questions -up to 30 mins in total. (50% weighting)
• Individual poster assignment. (50% weighting)

Credits

20 credits

For further information, please contact the programme team at mph@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Fees for 2026 entry

Microcredential (Home): £1,211

Microcredential (International): £3,374

Non-credit: £1,011.20

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.

Non-credit short course

The microcredential and the non-credit short course follow the same course structure, the difference between them both is with the non-credit short course you do not take the assessment at the end therefore you will not receive credits but will receive a certificate of completion, this certificate cannot be converted to credits.

Please note if you apply for the non-credit short course, you cannot swap to the microcredential version once registered.

Places on the non-credit short course are limited so please enquire before if spaces are available.