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.

Man herding animals on a sandy and rocky landscape

One Health sits at the interface between human, animal and ecosystem health. This fast-evolving subject area is well suited to preparing professionals looking to tackle the wide range of complex health challenges of the 21st Century. 

One Health has become widely established as an effective approach to managing the health of humans, animals, plants and the ecosystems on which they depend.  The covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for this more holistic and integrated approach to health across all species, addressing the ecological, environmental, sociological and economic determinants of health.

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. 

 This programme seeks to develop the career potential for professionals and contribute to the delivery of health for all.   Studying this programme will provide you with a strong theoretical foundation to pursue a career in this emerging field of study.  You will acquire many transferable skills and the opportunity to develop a network of like-minded professionals.

Watch the MSc One Health Video (Media Hopper)

This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy 

Careers

We place a strong emphasis on developing your self-awareness as a reflective practitioner and future One Health professional.  We work to achieve this through journaling, reflective writing and other awareness-based activities alongside opportunities to work with experienced coaching professionals. Students are able to explore their potential and future contribution, their values, strengths and talents. 

There are many and diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work. Graduates will be prepared for employment in the following areas: 

  • Industry: Clinical research organisation, pharmaceutical companies, consultancy 
  • Research: Universities, research institutions; PhD 
  • Education: Universities, colleges 
  • Organisations: World Health Organization (WHO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 
  • Government departments 
  • 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 online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

This programme is supported by an experienced team including a programme director, a co-ordinator, an administrator and course organisers. Each student is provided with a cohort lead and student adviser.

Key features of the programme are pre-recorded lectures that you can view at any time, study guides, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.

How online learning works at the University of Edinburgh

Watch "How does online learning work?" (Media Hopper video)


The MSc programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 3-6 years. The programme is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

Students enrolling onto standalone short courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.

The programme is structured to allow sequential progression from short courses* to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases however, there are several earlier exit points.

Programme structure diagram

Students can opt to take time out from learning if work or family life are impacted too much. It is also possible to pay per course** to help spread the cost of your studies.

*also referred to as the Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme

**The University uses the terminology 'course', and sometimes 'module', to refer to the individual components that make up a degree programme

Certificate and Diploma

The Certificate phase comprises four compulsory courses from within the programme (see Content tab). 

The Diploma phase comprises a selection of courses totaling 60 credits from within the programme (see Content tab).

Masters (MSc)

The dissertation element gives students the opportunity to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment. 

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team.  You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution. 


20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

10 credit courses are delivered over a period of 5 weeks. The majority of the lecture material is pre-recorded so that it can be watched at any time.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20hrs per week.

Certificate 

 

CourseCredits
An Introduction to One Health 20 
Ecosystem Health 10 
One Health Policy 10 

and either Applied Veterinary Epidemiology or

Applied Epidemiology and Public Health or 

Applied Epidemiology and Surveillance for Conservation Medicine

20 

Diploma 

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 Disciplines10 
Socio-economic Principles of One Health20 
Zoonotic Disease 10 
Zoonotic Diseases in a Global Setting10 
Scientific Paradigms, Research Approaches and Study Design Across Disciplines *10

 *This course is compulsory for students progressing to the dissertation.

Elective Courses (select 20-40 credits from the following list of courses)Credits
One Health risk communication and preparedness10
Connecting Environment and Society 10 
Emerging Infectious Diseases 10 
An introduction to transboundary diseases and their impact on trade and wildlife populations 10 
Communication and Public Engagement of Conservation 10 
Introduction to GIS and spatial data analysis 10 
Surveillance and Control of Trans-boundary Disease affecting International Trade10 
Wildlife Disease Management 10 
Captive and Free-ranging Wild Animal Welfare 20 
Understanding Environmental Law 10 
Ecosystem Resilience and Extreme Events 10 
Pastoralism and herd health 10
Water and Sanitation 10 
Managing and Leading Conservation Projects 10 

Masters 

The dissertation may be submitted in either in a traditional dissertation format (10-14,000 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. 


The Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.

You can also choose to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters degree.  Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.

To view the short courses available within the PPD scheme and details on how to apply, please visit the credit-bearing standalone short courses page. 


We have a number of internationally recognised experts in their field contributing to the teaching of many aspects of the programme.

Staff list


Graduates with a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a relevant subject area such as medicine, biomedical science, veterinary medicine, biological or life science, environmental or social science, ecosystem health or economics.

We may also consider candidates below a 2:1 or a degree in another discipline where they can demonstrate significant relevant experience.  Candidates are encouraged to contact the Programme Team for further guidance.

To discuss your eligibility for the programme, please contact onehealth@ed.ac.uk 

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. 

English language requirements


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 

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.  

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. 

ITA Scotland 

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 


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. 

Apply for this degree

Register interest 

If you would like more information about this programme, please complete a webform to register your interest. 

Register interest 

Poster download

Download a copy of the programme poster


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.


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