External summary

The Certificate in Global Health Studies offers a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied.  It aims to provide a multidisciplinary programme of study for all those having a professional, academic or personal interest in the challenges of global health.

Although potential students with a specific professional or academic interest in one of the more specialised Certificate/Diploma/Masters programmes will be encouraged to apply to that programme, it is anticipated that those having either a more general interest in the subject or no desire to commit to a full PG degree programme, will be attracted to this new Certificate.

Students who study courses as part of the Certificate in Global Health Studies will accumulate level 11 credits from the University of Edinburgh. These credits, in addition to being of value in their own right, may also enable students to transfer to other courses of interest in the global education market. This model of providing postgraduate education is an innovative response to the requirement for flexible, transferable study-units and credits.

In summary, this initiative seeks to enhance the quality of the student learning experience through the use of online learning media, while both alleviating difficulties of access experienced by the traditional developing world student body and opening up new markets in the developed world. We aspire to developing a world wide ecommunity through which discourse and ideas can be exchanged, enriching the study and understanding of global health, thus enhancing the careers of those involved.

Educational aims of programme

This programme is designed to enable those with a personal, academic or professional interest in 'global health' to study a variety of related subjects and join colleagues and fellow students in a global community. The courses studied are selected by students (subject to minimum numbers and schedules) and the successful completion of 60 credit points within a 36 month period entitles the student to the award of the certificate.

The breadth of content is unique (drawn as it is from at least four current Masters programmes) and the programme offers an opportunity to discuss the issues with colleagues in a genuinely global forum. Within this programme students can study subjects including biodiversity, global heath, infectious and non-communicable diseases, animal health, sanitation and water issues, conservation and global citizenship. Some courses benefit from a scientific background although this is not a requirement.

The programme is structured to equip students with a comprehensive knowledge base in various aspects of Global Health. The emphasis is on the interdisciplinary nature of the subject and this is reflected by the wide range of courses it is possible to study within the programme. We value interdisciplinary debate on our courses and effective, professional communication skills form an important part of the outcomes of the programme.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

The programme is structured to equip students with a comprehensive knowledge base in global health while ensuring the outputs of contemporary scientific research are appropriately deployed.  A wide portfolio of courses will allow the student to tailor their earning to both their personal and professional needs.

Students are in day to day contact with their tutors such is the design and structure of our courses. Engagement is continuous through direct engagement with the course tutor, the programme director, members of the course team and peer-to-peer. This is through the numerous online discussions and joined up course working.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding

• To be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge by keeping abreast of current developments as part of a regular routine of self motivated continuing professional development

• They will have been taught the skills to know where to search for up to date information that is relevant to their working environment and academic interests.

• To have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these

• On graduating our students will be able to recognise the importance of reflecting on their learning experiences and be aware of their own learning style

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking.  This is encourage by the diverse portfolio of programmes that the graduate may have chosen to include in their learning experience, challenging themselves both within their current sphere and also outside their normal comfort zone.

• To be creative and imaginative thinkers, a feature that will have been enhanced by the variety of assessment methods though which they have been challenges to present, re-imagine, or discuss their learning materials.

• Part time, online learners will have learnt to be able to identify processes and strategies for learning.  There is no rigid structure to their learning environment, beyond the established deadlines for the continuous assessment.  It is for the student to adapt their own circumstances to meet the challenges for this programme, continuous reflection; self-evaluation and self-improvement are fundamental skills in this process.  This ensures an independent approach to assimilating knowledge and the knowledge of where to find relevant, additional resources and information.

• The self selective student cohort, are all working professionals with a clear vision of where this qualification will place them within their own career pathways.  The pace of learning and the support of a similarly minded cohort help ensure that these goals are achieved in a sustainable manner.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• To make effective use of written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding.  While oral skills are encouraged, until we are certain that the use of these technologies in our online programmes will not prohibit the contribution of any student due to their geographical circumstances, this suite of technologies has not been fully implemented.

• The use of communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others is vital in these online programmes, the vast majority of information is text based and students must be able to clearly present their thoughts, ideas and the logical progression of a discussion to one another.

• Seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness.  While on programme students are also encourage to participate in peer review, providing open and honest feedback in a clear and supportive manner.  This open dialogue is vital in furthering the understanding of how their own performance might be improved.

• Recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
• Use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates from this programme will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate.

This may be understood in terms of, but not limited to, the following:

• The development of confidence in ones own skill set, and to appreciate and use their talents constructively, this is taken to include the ability to make decisions based on their understandings and their personal and intellectual autonomy

• To create and harness collaborative opportunities through the development of professional networks, and knowledge of potential funding streams and other financial opportunities

• To be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another

• To understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues though membership of a global community of practise.   This community encourages students to work together to capitalise on their different thinking, experience and skills in order to progress their knowledge and understanding.

• To work with, manage, and lead others in ways that value their diversity and equality and that encourage their contribution to the organisation and the wider community

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

In terms of the technical and practical skills that have not been addressed elsewhere, students can expect to have the confidence to:

Programme structure and features

Course delivery and content

As a postgraduate scholar at Edinburgh University our students have access to excellent resources and are able to take advantage of the University’s academic tradition which values and promotes individuality and independence of thought within research.

The vehicle of programme delivery is currently WebCT, soon to be migrated onto BlackBoard9.  Students access courses in Blackboard 9 using the MyEd student portal – the gateway to web based services for students including access to the library, email and their online courses. Course materials are protected by secure username and password access.

A 20 credit course carries a notional time commitment of 200 hours; this includes the time that students would spend reflecting on or applying knowledge to, real life situations. In reality students will need to spend between 14 and 20 hours each week participating with the programme; this may be in the form of a discussion activity, recommended reading, preparation of written work etc.

Students are expected to log on to the programme a minimum of twice a week during term time; at present most students log in early in the week to access the week's core materials (released every Friday afternoon - GMT) and then again later on in the week as time allows. There is often activity on the discussion board over the weekend as many people find this a convenient time to reflect on the task they have been asked to consider and work on during the week. 

This offers a far more flexible learning environment to the strict structure of a face-to-face programme, as students can involve themselves within a discussion through any point in the week.  For example, the student may wish to comment on a particular aspect of the week’s lectures, this wish to exchange information is not then delayed until a scheduled tutorial or lecture but can be shared immediately with their peers.  Given the very dynamic environment of global health, this encourages a dialogue of both current affairs as well as a wider reflection on programme content.

These programmes are open to applicants from around the globe but hosted in Edinburgh, UK; there will therefore be an element of “time shifting”. The course team will have an online presence on most days, and students can reasonably expect a response to direct questions within 48 hours (Monday to Friday). Students can also contact a member of their programme team directly via Blackboard 9 mail, via SMS or their University of Edinburgh email address.

Assessment

Students are continuously assessed and all submitted work is double marked; feedback is given within 6 weeks of the receipt of the final piece of work for that assignment. Assessment is based upon written and online work.

Formal summative written assessment will constitute 60% of the student’s grade for both core and elective courses. These written assessments will not only test the understanding and assimilation of the taught course content but will also focus on supporting and furthering a variety of translational skills such as presentation and scientific writing.

Online assessment will incorporate a variety of activities; including discussions in both a synchronous and asynchronous environment of set assignments such as a journal club, group work or real time simulation exercises.  The performance in these activities constitute 40% of the overall course grade and is taken to represent a formative assessment of learning throughout the programme.

Student progression

Students will be required to complete 60 credits of elective courses within a 36 month period in order to be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Health Studies.

Although this proposal is intended to offer the student a wider selection of courses than might be required by the individual Diploma and Masters programmes, it is feasible that if a student has studied (and successfully completed at the appropriate level) the compulsory courses relevant to another programme then that student should be permitted to transfer to a Diploma or Masters programme at the discretion of the relevant programme director. Such progression would be subject to the University's progression regulation for the time being in force.

Summary

The programme is structured to equip students with a comprehensive knowledge base in various aspects of Global Health. The emphasis is on the interdisciplinary nature of the subject and this is reflected by the wide range of courses it is possible to study within the programme. We value interdisciplinary debate on our courses and effective, professional communication skills form an important part of the outcomes of the programme.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

Teaching and Learning Activities

• Lectures
• Online discussion
• Peer group learning
• Problem based learning
• Dissertation

Constructive feedback is provided to every assignment around six weeks after submission.

As a student of the University of Edinburgh our online learners have full access to all online resources offered, this includes IT support and the e-journals held within the Edinburgh University Library. 

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses taken in the first two years on programme require the student to submit written assignments and take part in online discussion boards. Written assignments make up 60% of the mark for each course with the remaining 40% coming from online assessment. Written assessments are generally essays on a relevant topic but could also be the production of a poster or presentation. Online discussions that are assessed involve students discussing relevant issues related to course work.

Career opportunities

Global Health Studies programme is a part time programme with most students already in full time employment. Those enrolled in the programme often highlight their studies to their employer and use it as an opportunity to advance their career.

Other items

This programme is part of the Global Health Academy portfolio of online postgraduate opportunities. 

• Online conference discussing a global topic are open to students.

• All new students are enrolled onto a community forum where they can share and exchange ideas

• Overseas summer schools are run with the support of sponsorship and are open to all students who wish to attend.

• Across this suite of programmes are the opportunity for shared electives and resources.

In addition this we aim to promote internationalisation of education and awareness of global health issues in accordance with the University’s ‘Edinburgh Global’ strategy.

Students who study courses as part of the Certificate in Global Health Studies will accumulate level 11 credits from the University of Edinburgh. These credits, in addition to being of value in their own right, may also enable students to transfer to other courses of interest in the global education market. This model of providing postgraduate education is an innovative response to the requirement for flexible, transferable study-units and credits.