Reproductive & Sexual Health Research – (M.Sc.)

This course aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and methods used in reproductive and sexual health research and to equip students with the principles, methods and research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research. It provides a non-clinical foundation in the main aspects of reproductive and sexual health: family planning, obstetric health and AIDS/STIs (not including laboratory-based studies). The MSc is Europe's only graduate course in reproductive health research, and is designed mainly for those interested in the developing world, but developed world issues are also accomodated.

This course is recognized by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the School scholarships information.

Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.

A prize is awarded each year to the student who has submitted the best project of the year for examination.

Objectives

By the end of this course students should be able to: demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues; critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes; demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health; identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines; carry out research activities to identify effective components of reproductive and sexual health services within programmes.