Before you apply: Reflections on my MSc in GHSE journey

Hello prospective applicants to the MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology (GHSE).

My name is Sara Compaoré, and I completed the MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology in 2023/2024. Two years ago, when I was considering applying for the course, I remember reading through the student blogs section of this website to gain a sense of the student experience and find answers to the many questions that I had about the programme.

If, like me, you have been considering the MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology, but are still unsure whether the course aligns with your future goals and aspirations, how to convey this through your personal statement, or wondering about funding opportunities, I hope reading about my experience with the course will be helpful. 

Does my profile fit the target audience for the course?

Prior to attending Oxford, I worked as a research assistant in a breast cancer clinic, supporting studies on topics ranging from late recurrence in survivors to the diagnosis of metastatic disease. Through this experience and my undergraduate coursework, I gained an appreciation for epidemiology and its potential for impacting clinical care, and ultimately, for shaping healthcare priorities. The MSc in GHSE presented as a great opportunity to gain rigorous training in statistical methods and acquire tools that would qualify me for conducting large-scale, population-level epidemiological research. 

Being from Burkina Faso, I would particularly encourage applicants from similar backgrounds in sub-Saharan Africa who are passionate about using statistical methods to understand the factors associated with sickness and disease to consider applying for the MSc. Equipping young researchers to undertake high-quality population-health research in their communities of practice is one of the core missions of the course; and if this resonates with you, I would highly encourage you to submit your application for the next cohort.

Don't just take it from me; Dr Josephine Gondwe’s blog post also provides excellent advice on the added value of the course for upcoming African researchers, and you should definitely read it. 

This resonates with me but how do I convey this in my personal statement?

If you found yourself on this page, you most likely already know your motivation for pursuing an MSc in epidemiology, whether you have a background in biomedical sciences, statistics, mathematics, policy, or sociology. You may have already familiarised yourself with the course page, its overall curriculum, and the different topics and modules offered, and determined the value you would receive from this programme. In your application, it is important that this motivation be adequately reflected in your personal statement.

The greatest piece of advice I received when I was applying was to structure my personal statement along the following questions: (1) ‘why this MSc’, (2) ‘why now’, and (3) ‘what next’? The ‘why this’ piece would represent your motivation for the programme, and describe its fit with your professional profile. The ‘why now’ would explain why the MSc would be necessary at this point in your career. ‘What next’ would clearly define how you aim to use the training in your future career aspirations. A pro tip would be to consider referees that know you well enough to answer these three questions convincingly on your behalf.

If you have not yet consulted the course page, it would be a great place to start to determine whether the course would be compatible with your career aspirations. As an aside, if you are not interested in a career as a researcher, and are looking for more traditional public health training with a strong emphasis on public policy, or advocacy, the course may not be a good fit.

What financial support opportunities would I qualify for?

One of the greatest considerations for most students is funding, especially for international applicants. I will echo most other blogs and state that you may qualify for one of many scholarship opportunities at Oxford. If you have not done so already, please consult the Funding and Costs page on the University website to determine which scholarships you may be eligible for, and the application process.

For example, I completed my studies under the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship & Leadership Programme, which was a great platform for leadership development and networking.

What level of support would be available to me during the course?

The teaching team is very involved in student learning and organises multiple opportunities for students to consolidate their learning throughout the course. Furthermore, the course director, course leads, tutors and even the administrative team are all very supportive and generous with their time if you have questions or need additional support. You will also have an advisor in the department with whom you will connect regularly during your MSc.

Who will my classmates be, and will I have many opportunities to network?

The course fosters a collaborative learning environment, and you will get many opportunities to network and learn from your fellow course mates. Tutorials are designed to be collaborative and encourage peer learning. The cohort size is also very small and multidisciplinary, so there will be many opportunities to get to know your peers, and learn from their diverse life experiences.

How many statistical principles and coding languages should I cram before applying or enrolling?

I will be the first to admit that the course is intensive, and has a fast pace, requiring a high-level of commitment and engagement with the course material. However, if you are a perfectionist, and are already looking for ways to learn multiple coding languages before the start of the course (or even before applying), you can relax. You will not need to master Stata or R before October. While a strong undergraduate background in statistics is a helpful foundation for understanding basic statistical principles, the Principles of Statistics module will cover everything that you need to know. The module and tutorial leads are very helpful if you have any questions during the lectures or tutorials.

What next?

Ultimately, what comes next after the course depends on your goals and aspirations. If your goal is to complete doctoral studies in epidemiology, the course will rigorously prepare you to undertake a DPhil after programme completion. If you are planning to work outside academia, the skills you gained during the MSc will be useful for a diversity of roles, from informing clinical care to conducting high-quality research studies. The diversity of post-graduation destinations for MSc in GHSE graduates has been commented on by Dr Lilian Hartman in the course’s 10-year anniversary blog, which I would highly encourage you to read.