Global Health, Social Justice and Public Policy MSc

MSc Medicine, Science & Society

My previous higher education was in Biology. It became obvious to me as I was pursuing my education in that field that I didn’t enjoy laboratory work and I became gradually less interested in the ‘scientific side’ of scientific discoveries and more interested in their social fate after their scientific closure. I also became confident I didn’t want to pursue a career in biology but wanted, instead, to move to the social and ethical side of scientific inquiry because that is an area which appeals to me and interests me greatly.

I applied for the Medicine, Science and Society MSc programme at King’s College because its topic and focus fall perfectly in my area of interest and because it represented a great opportunity for me to further my knowledge in the field which will hopefully allow me to pursue a research career in it in the future.

My previous qualifications and experience in biological research have served me very well so far as we have been studying the effects and social, political and ethical implications of developments in a field I know and am familiar with its procedures, practices and concepts. I have also learnt a lot from the course. I have acquired new skills and perspectives I did not get previously while studying biology. I have learnt to be more critical of science and medicine and scientific evidence and to place them in their wider social and cultural contexts.

The course helped me understand the social limits of the seemingly limitless scientific discoveries and the potential impact of advancements in the medical and scientific field on society as a well as how such advancements and discoveries affect public policy and the perception of society to these fields. I am also learning how to conduct social science research and the different methods used. The teaching staff in the department are very helpful, supportive and approachable.

I recommend this course to anyone hoping to develop their skills in Social Sciences and to understand the relation of science and medicine with society and the potential impacts and effects they have on each other which professionals in the scientific field might tend to overlook.

"I would recommend this course to anyone who has a passion for change and also wants to be challenged to develop their skills and expand their knowledge in global health. At King’s, you will be getting a chance to learn from some of the most amazing, supportive and academically relevant minds behind the teaching and research staff of the entire department of social science and public policy."