Postgraduate Taught

Health and Climate Change

What's the difference?

A partially logged forest
A group of students from different health courses standing in uniform outside the Allam Medical Building
A photo of planet earth looking down from space
The sun sets behind a cluster of trees
A group of people wading through flood water in protective footwear
A student testimonial from 23/24 student Victory Williams
Explore how to mitigate the health impacts of climate change – one of the greatest threats facing human health – with our Masters degree.
You’ll study the impact of climate change on public health along with strategies to mitigate them.
Our research-led teaching and strong relationships in the sector give you the chance to work on real-world case studies and carry out research with partners.
Taught by a diverse range of experts from across Hull York Medical School, you’ll study the complex nature of the interactions between climate change and health.
You’ll graduate with the specialist skills and expertise you need to become a leader in your chosen field of health and climate change.
Student of the MSc Health and Climate Change
A partially logged forest
A group of students from different health courses standing in uniform outside the Allam Medical Building
A photo of planet earth looking down from space
The sun sets behind a cluster of trees
A group of people wading through flood water in protective footwear

The climate emergency is one of the greatest threats facing human health. Our MSc in Health and Climate Change is for current and future health leaders who are prepared to meet that challenge head on.

You’ll study under academics with a broad range of specialisms from across the University and Hull York Medical School to develop the skills and expertise you need to become a leader in your chosen field of health and climate change.

Then graduate with the specialist knowledge to research, produce and implement strategies and policies to mitigate the impact of changing climates on public health.

  • Work on real-world research

    and make a difference

  • Taught by experts

    from across the University and Hull York Medical School

  • Recognised

    for delivering CPD for a Greener NHS

  • Guest speakers

    from organisations like WHO, YHCC & NHS

  • Outstanding testimonials

    from previous students

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Course overview
Module options

About this course

You’ll study the current and predicted consequences of climate change on nutrition and health inequalities, illnesses, and infections and immunity. And explore strategies to lessen the impacts of climate change on public health, including sustainability of healthcare.

Taking a “think globally, act locally” stand, we teach you the impacts of environmental change on public health as well as local, place-based mitigation and adaptation strategies.

You’ll benefit from our strong relationships within the sector. Our research-led teaching gives you the chance to work on real-world case studies. And the chance to hear from guest speakers from organisations such as the World Health Organisation (Prof. Dr. Emine Didem Evci Kiraz, an academician, climate and health expert with positions in WHO and UNDP), Yorkshire and Humber and Climate Commission (YHCC), the National Health Service (NHS) and universities located in the Global South.

Your research skills will be enhanced carrying out a project in an area of your choice selected from a broad range of topics such as sustainability, decarbonisation or supply chain in response to climate change. You could also get the chance to carry out research with one of our partners for your project including East Riding of Yorkshire Council and ACA, the designers of the new, award-winning Allam Diabetes Centre in the hospital.

"MSc Health and Climate Change has broadened my knowledge on the impact of human activities on the climate and their effect on human health".

Choose your modules

For a full Masters degree, you'll study 180 credits over the duration of your course. Some programmes offer a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) qualification or a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) qualification. For a PGDip, you'll study 120 credits, and for a PGCert, you'll study 60 credits.

Research Skills in Environmental Sciences

It is more important than ever that future environmental scientists are well-equipped with the skills needed to critically assess environmental research. This module will provide you with the key skills required to assess and integrate contemporary literature and to analyse and interpret complex data to become an independent researcher.

Core•20 credits

Environmental Change in the Anthropocene

We are seeing unprecedented levels of change across the planet as a result of direct impacts due to human activity and resultant global changes. This has resulted in the designation of a new epoch – The Anthropocene.

An understanding of the effects of these impacts and how humanity is responding (or not) to them is an essential component for the development of graduate environmental scientists. This module with its broad range of topics delivered by expert staff will illustrate how global change permeates every aspect of our existence.

Core•20 credits

Environmental Change and Health 1

Learn about current and predicted impacts of climate change on health at the global scale, together with mitigation and adaptation strategies. Assessment will comprise of a written report and an oral presentation on a given health impact.

Core•20 credits

Environmental Change and Health 2

Learn about current and predicted impacts of climate change on health at the global scale, together with mitigation and adaptation strategies. Assessment will comprise of a written report and an oral presentation on a given health impact.

Core•20 credits

Infection and Immunity

Infections cause substantial disease, accounting for over a quarter of deaths around the world. Through this module, you will gain advanced knowledge of microbiology and immunology, exploring pathogen-host interactions, the immune response to infection, pathogenesis, and the mechanisms involved in protection against infection and vaccination. You will additionally gain understanding of how ageing populations, climate change, sprawling urbanization, migration, and ease of travel impact the infection burden and the emergence of new infectious diseases.

Core•20 credits

Frontiers in Planetary Health

Gain critical reading and scientific thinking and writing skills and help you prepare for your dissertation project. You will select from a broad range of projects offered by academics in the Faculty of Health Sciences, and contribute your own ideas. Assessment will comprise of a project plan, in preparation for your dissertation

Core•20 credits

Dissertation (Health and Climate Change)

Enhance your research skills by applying them to the investigation of a particular problem or issue within the broad area of health or the environment. You will select from a broad range of research topics offered by academics. Assessment will comprise of an original written piece of work and an oral presentation.

Core•60 credits
7 Modules

Our academics

You'll benefit from the expertise of academics with a wide range of specialisms from across the University and Hull York Medical School, helping you appreciate the complex nature of the interactions between climate change and health.

See more academics for this subject
Lesley Smith
Featured academic

Professor Lesley Smith

Professor of Women's Public Health, Lesley is widely published on alcohol research including alcohol and pregnancy and maternal health. She co-founded a social enterprise offering antenatal exercise and support in Oxford and has a nursing background.
Pedro Beltran Alvarez
Featured academic

Dr Pedro Beltran-Alvarez

Pedro researches health and biological responses to environmental changes. His research in this area has been funded by the British Heart Foundation, NERC, Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity and Hull and East Riding Cardiac Trust Fund.

Entry requirements

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree or international equivalent in a programme related to health sciences, for example: health sciences, medicine, public health, biomedical science and biomedical sciences.

Additional entry requirements for this course

Applicants should have some (any, paid or unpaid) experience in a health setting, for example in a healthcare provider, a public health department in local, regional or national authorities, a clinical setting, a pharmacy, a vaccination centre, ambulance services, a clinical or (bio)medical research laboratory, a national health system, a public health data/bioinformatics analysis group, a (bio)medical charity.

If you hold a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area and have Professional experience, will consider this on a case-by-case basis. 

If you’re an undergraduate student at Hull, you’re guaranteed a fast-track route to this postgraduate degree, as long as you meet the entry requirements.

In order to ensure our students have a rich learning and student experience, most of our programmes have a mix of domestic and international students. We reserve the right to close applications early to either group if application volumes suggest that this blend cannot be achieved.

What do I need?

Typical offer
2:2 in relevant subject area

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree or international equivalent in a programme related to health sciences, for example: health sciences, medicine, public health, biomedical science and biomedical sciences.

Additional entry requirements for this course

Applicants should have some (any, paid or unpaid) experience in a health setting, for example in a healthcare provider, a public health department in local, regional or national authorities, a clinical setting, a pharmacy, a vaccination centre, ambulance services, a clinical or (bio)medical research laboratory, a national health system, a public health data/bioinformatics analysis group, a (bio)medical charity.

If you hold a 2.2 Honours degree in another subject area and have Professional experience, will consider this on a case-by-case basis. 

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by the University of Hull.

If your English currently does not reach the University’s required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Fees & funding

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

How much is it?

Additional costs you may have to pay

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme. There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make:

  • Books (you can borrow books on your reading lists from the library, but you may buy your own)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (incl. travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (incl. travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PCs on campus, but you may want your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel, food and more.

How do I pay for it?

Our scholarships

We offer a number of awards, bursaries and scholarships for eligible students. They’re awarded for a variety of reasons including academic achievement and/or to help those on lower incomes.

Scholarships and bursaries are separate to student loans. And the best bit is, you don’t pay a penny back.

Find out more about our scholarships

International Scholarships and Bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students.

To find out more and see if you're eligible, please visit the International Scholarships and Bursaries page.

See more Scholarships

We offer a range of scholarships and awards to students at the university to help with their financial load.

To view all of our scholarships and determine whether you're eligible, please visit our Scholarships and Awards page

Take a look at our facilities

Brynmor Jones Library

Our 7-storey library is home to 1 million+ books, extensive digital resources drawn from libraries and archives across the world, and stunning panoramic views of the city from the 7th floor.

Study Rooms

You'll find over 1,000 work spaces in our library. From boardroom-style meeting venues with big-screen PCs, to informal group-study areas and interactive whiteboards.

Reading Room

A comfortable space with bookable seats with and without PCs, the library’s Reading Room offers an area for silent study, away from the hustle and bustle of the campus.

Seminar Rooms

You’ll take part in small group-teaching sessions, with a student-led learning approach.

See more in our virtual tour

Look around

Look around

Look around

Look around

Brynmor Jones Library
Brynmor Jones Library Group Study Room
Brynmor Jones Library Reading Room
Nidd Seminar Room
Allam medical building

Future prospects

You'll graduate with the specialist knowledge you need for a range of professions in environment and human health or to progress to a PhD in the field.

You could go on to work in a variety of sectors including local and regional authorities and organisations, contributing to mitigation and adaptation policies. Or within the private sector, working for businesses that need to comply with environmental and health policies and regulations. As well as national organisations with a remit of environment and health such as the Environment Agency, Greener NHS, UKHSA, and charities such as The Wellcome Trust.

You could also go on to roles within international organisations that lead on public health and climate change response, such as the UN and the WHO.

University of Hull Open Day

Your next steps

Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.

Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.

How to apply

Not ready to apply?

We regularly deliver virtual and on-campus events to help you discover your perfect postgraduate course, whether it’s a subject you already love or something completely different. Our events are an opportunity for you to chat to tutors and current students and find out about the career options a postgraduate degree could lead to.

Discover more

All modules presented on this course page are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

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