One Health
The MSc One Health is an innovative, transdisciplinary programme that will equip and inspire you to work across disciplines to address complex health challenges.
A flagship programme for human, animal and ecosystem health.
One Health sits at the interface between human, animal and ecosystem health. As such, it is a fast-evolving subject area, well suited to preparing professionals looking to tackle the wide range of intractable and highly complex health challenges of the 21st Century. This programme is delivered fully online, making the most of the University’s pioneering, award-winning online learning environments.
The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a world leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice. We provide outstanding postgraduate education, drawing together the University of Edinburgh’s interdisciplinary expertise with a proven track record to deliver first-class teaching in One Health.
The video (below) illustrates some of the many interactions between humans, animals and the wider ecosystem. The potential impact of over-grazing, pollution, plastics, over-fishing, waste management, disease, food hygiene, market economies, transport, trade, politics, communication, anthropocentric and egocentric views of the world are all illustrated.
The interactions and inter-relationships referred to above are by their very nature complex, demonstrating dynamic, biological, ecological, sociological and emergent complexity. Any holistic understanding of health is therefore challenged to develop an appreciation of this complexity and how this can better inform decisions and actions for human, animal and ecosystem health. The University of Edinburgh's MSc One Health programme seeks to develop the potential for professionals to develop their career and contribute to the delivery of health for all.
- Video: MSc One Health video
- MSC One Health image promo video
Global Health Academy
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy
Careers and career development
Investing in your personal and professional development
The One Health MSc Programme places a strong emphasis on developing your Self-awareness as a reflective practitioner and future One Health professional. This is achieved through an emphasis on journaling, reflective writing and other awareness-based activities and assignments. Opportunities to work with experienced coaching professionals also exist. This means that over the course of the programme, students are able to develop a deeper awareness of their own potential and future “contribution”, their values, strengths and talents. This awareness can inform the career paths students then go on to develop, explore and pursue.
There are many and diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work. Graduates from this taught MSc will be prepared for employment in the following areas:
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Industry: Clinical research organisation, pharmaceutical companies, consultancy
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Research: Universities, research institutions; PhD
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Education: Universities, colleges
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Organisations: World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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Government departments
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Non-profit organisations
Read about what MSc One Health graduate Kelvin Momanyi went on to do after studying with us
The Programme is currently developing a blog to showcase how past and current students have benefited from the programme.
One Health and Conservation Medicine blog
Employment links
Links to online employment resources.
MSc, PGDip, PGCert, PPD
The programme is intended for high-calibre students with a scientific background.
A degree in the following would be advantageous:
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Veterinary Medicine
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Medicine
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Life Sciences
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Biological Sciences
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Biomedical Sciences
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Ecosystem Health
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Environmental Sciences
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Social Sciences
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Economics
Please contact us for further information if required.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place.
This exciting programme offers graduates a broad scientific training and the opportunity to advance One Health beyond the theoretical to the practical and bring much needed attention to the policy and operational issues that ultimately will be key determinants for success.
The aim of the One Health MSc is to provide veterinary and medical professionals, and graduates in other related disciplines, such as life sciences and ecosystem health, with the knowledge and skills to work in a One Health framework that recognises the importance of interdisciplinary working and the interrelatedness of human, animal and environmental health.
On completion of this MSc, graduates will enhance their ability to provide advice on policy development and implementation that is particularly relevant to governments and NGOs.
The main programme aims are to enable students to:
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Understand emerging disease dynamics
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Acquire knowledge about One Health and reduce negative effects of interactions between animal, human and ecosystem health.
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Understand how a One Health approach can be applied in a range of practical situations.
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Apply One Health principles to address and manage emerging disease threats.
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Learn from previous successes of One Health surveillance, particularly at the animal/human/ecosystem interface.
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Identify gaps or challenges in implementing One Health surveillance programmes at the national, regional and global level.
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Interpret and communicate the results of relevant research.
The educational outcomes of the programme are:
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To enhance knowledge and understanding of One Health from a global perspective in order to enable effective multi-sectoral participation in this complex interdisciplinary field.
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To enhance knowledge and skills relating to the emerging diseases of human and animals (domestic and wild).
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To assess, assimilate and apply scientific evidence, that may be limited or incomplete, to real life situations, and develop appropriate, timely and adaptable responses and solutions to One Health challenges.
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To understand the changing patterns of global health governance and its relevance to how global health policy is developed and executed.
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To provide a first-class learning experience that will enable graduates to continue independent continuing professional development throughout their careers.
The programme is delivered part-time over a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of six years.
The programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 1-6 years, depending on which award you choose to study.
It is structured to allow progression via Certificate, Diploma and MSc; however, it is also possible to finish at the Certificate or Diploma. The Certificate is usually studied over 1-2 years, the Diploma 2-4 years and the full Masters can take from between 3-6 years to complete depending on how much time you have to dedicate to studying per academic year.
Thus, the programme is very flexible and students can also opt to take time out for employment or family reasons. It is also possible to pay by separate courses to help spread the cost of your studies.
Delivered using a blend of online learning methods, the programme is supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.
Certificate
The Certificate comprises four compulsory courses. Each 20-credit course is taught over a period of ten weeks, whilst the 10-credit courses are taught over a five-week period. The courses in the Certificate are:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| An Introduction to One Health | 20 |
| Ecosystem Health | 10 |
| One Health Policy | 10 |
| and either Applied Veterinary Epidemiology or Applied Epidemiology and Public Health | 20 |
Diploma
For the diploma a selection of courses totalling 60 credits must be made from the following courses. Each 20-credit course is taught over a period of ten weeks, whilst the 10-credit courses are taught over a five-week period. Students are strongly recommended to take the Innovative Approaches to Health Challenges Across Disciplines course.
| Elective Courses (select 20-40 credits from the following list of courses) | Credits |
|---|---|
| Innovative Approaches to Health Challenges Across Disciplines | 10 |
| Socio-economic Principles of One Health | 20 |
| Zoonotic Disease | 10 |
| Zoonotic Diseases in a Global Setting | 10 |
| Scientific Paradigms, Research Approaches and Study Design Across Disciplines * | 10 |
*This course is compulsory for students progressing to the dissertation. It is elective for all other Diploma students.
Masters
The dissertation may be submitted in either in a traditional dissertation format (10-15,000 words) or in the format of a scientific publication. The assessment for this will be 80% Dissertation, 10% Reflective Account and 10% Presentation.
Supervision for this element of the programme will be provided by existing research staff and subject experts currently employed by the University of Edinburgh. Candidates will also be encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at their home institutions.
Students will be required to submit a proposal that demonstrates an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection, depending on the choice made, prior to progression to the Master’s year.
Tuition fees
Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course (module) basis. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits.
Tuition fees for online learning
Tuition fee discount for some of our former graduates
Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies. The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online
Scholarship information
It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships.
Online distance learning scholarships
Funding for Commonwealth students
A small number of scholarships are available to Commonwealth students studying One Health at the University of Edinburgh.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships – information for candidates
Please note that you will need to apply to the University of Edinburgh and receive an unconditional offer of a place on the One Health MSc in order to be eligible for funding through this scholarship. You will also need to complete an application for the scholarship through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website. Please let the programme team know if you are going to apply for this scholarship by emailing OneHealth@ed.ac.uk
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
There are up to 15 Mastercard Scholars Foundation scholarships available for postgraduate study for selected programmes (including MSc One Health) at the University of Edinburgh. These online scholarships are only available to students who have been a previous Mastercard Foundation Scholar in a Mastercard Foundation partner institution.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program - information for candidates
ITA Scotland
Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA).
You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer.
UK government postgraduate loans
If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply)
This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK.
Learn more about postgraduate loans and submit your application
The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.
Online application form
Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application.
Register interest
If you would like more information about this programme, please complete a webform to register your interest.
Poster download