MSc One Health: ecosystems, humans and animals

The concept of One Health has never been more important than now. Influenza outbreaks increasing, the re-emergence of zoonotic diseases like Ebola, the global Covid pandemic, the environmental degradation triggered by livestock and human activities, the climatic changes impacting food chains and disease transmission – and the increasing risk of emerging epidemic outbreaks and food insecurity across the globe. 

Over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), you’ll unravel the multidimensional connection between humans, animals and environments. Explore the principles of the One Health approach, and diseases in the context of socio-ecological systems, global health and food safety. Acquire perspective on global health, disease emergence and control from diverse biological and social science disciplines, and learn how to study and tackle complex health problems. Gain the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to outbreaks. And develop system thinking and innovative approaches to ensure fairness of health interventions across interface of humans, animals and the environment.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), you’ll benefit from a holistic approach to problem solving from academics with a wide range of specialist experience in the field.

What you will learn

• Build knowledge in how to interpret the One Health concept and what it means in different contexts
• Find out how to apply a One Health approach to complex disease issues using systems thinking, a trans-disciplinary approach, and apply concepts in order to address multi-faceted problems
• Understand disease ecology, evolution and emergence, including the drivers, impact and control of them (social, economic, biological, demographic, ecological)
• Develop cognitive and scientific skills, including how to critically review scientific literature, and design and analysis of laboratory and/or field studies
• Discover how to apply scientific knowledge to real world issues in One Health, information gathering, statistical numeracy, problem solving and integration of knowledge, ethics and values

More than just theory and medicine – you’ll be given the tools you need to bring transformation to your field. Understanding the dynamics and multidimensional issues arising at the nexus between the disciplines of ecosystems, humans and animals will be key. As well as developing a collaborative system way of thinking and progressive attitude to predict what health challenges could be to come.

Our academics have carried out work in countries across the globe, including for the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other world leading organisations. You’ll learn from their first-hand experience of projects and crises they have dealt with. We also welcome external lecturers from institutions such as Chatham House, London Zoo, and the UK Animal Health and Plant Agency.

Being a trans-disciplinary course, you’ll be encouraged to generate discussions between medical, animal and environmental scientists, as you learn to collaborate and build system thinking.

With support available, you’ll also complete a four-month independent research project, where you’ll be able to examine your area of interest and ambition in more depth.