Postgraduate study

Source: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/one-health-infectious-disease/ Parent: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/

Postgraduate taught

One Health & Infectious Disease MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Watch our latest webinar to find out more about this programme.

This MSc programme in One Health & Infectious Disease seeks to explore an integrative approach to human, veterinary and ecological health, with a special focus on infectious disease. This programme recognises the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health for all. Economic considerations and policy making to translate One Health research into practice are also considered. Furthermore, the programme aims to raise awareness of cultural and societal factors that influence how One Health interventions are planned, developed, and evaluated.

Online distance learning
Academic contact: Christina Naula
Teaching start: September
Online
MSc: 36 months part‑time
PgDip: 24 months part‑time
PgCert: 12 months part‑time

Apply now

Why this programme

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the global threat of infectious disease. Other global crises that amplify this threat are increasing antimicrobial resistance and climate change. These are predicted to increase the emergence, incidence and difficulty treating infectious diseases in the future. These, and many other interacting factors, are examined in our MSc programme in One Health & Infectious Disease to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to the study of infectious diseases.

As an online learner, you will be able to experience outstanding, inclusive, and accessible education without the need for relocation.

Our online MSc One Health & Infectious Disease programme seeks to explore an integrative approach to human, veterinary and ecological health, recognising the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations and the interconnectedness of public health, environmental issues and veterinary and human medicine.
One Health is endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), as outlined in the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022-26).
The University of Glasgow is renowned for its world-changing research and teaching in One Health. Examples include the world-leading research into eliminating rabies, the surveillance of anthrax in Africa, and ecological factors of Lyme disease in the Outer Hebrides. It is this ongoing research that inspires the innovative, multinational ideas running throughout our multidisciplinary programme.
By enrolling in the One Health & Infectious Disease programme at Glasgow, you’ll build an understanding of the interconnectedness of public health, medicine, veterinary medicine and ecology. You’ll find out about disease threats and how One Health approaches can be applied to surveillance, prevention and control of infectious diseases, including emerging/re-emerging infections.
Throughout the Master’s in One Health & Infectious Disease online programme, we also raise awareness of cultural and societal factors that influence how One Health approaches are translated into practice.
We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds, including medical and veterinary professions, biosciences, environmental sciences and economics.
Fuelled by the latest research-led knowledge, this programme is perfect for busy professionals looking to diversify or expand into careers where understanding the bigger picture is key.

Video: One Health and Infectious Disease at University of Glasgow

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Why study online?

Visit our MSc in One Health & Infectious Disease taster course to experience our virtual learning environment and enjoy a short introduction to the subject.
Online learning at the University of Glasgow allows you to experience the outstanding education we are known for without the need for relocation.
Flexible learning can be done at any time to fit in with other commitments. Speak to us about flexible learning options.
Most communication is via discussion boards on our virtual learning environment, so you can reply at a time that suits you, fitting in with time zones and work commitments.
Our learning resources are presented asynchronously.
Occasionally, we organise live sessions. These are recorded in case you can’t make it.
Your learning can be accessed on your computer, laptop, tablet or phone via the internet.
We provide software to assist you, such as Office 365.
Your MVLS Digital Education Team provides support with technology issues by email or video chat.
Flexible payment options are available. You don't have to pay everything upfront.
Be part of a global community of learners.
You do not need to have experience of studying online, you will be guided on how to access and use all of our online resources.
Access Library e-resources remotely at any time. This includes an extensive catalogue of e-books and journals, searchable from the library homepage.

Programme structure

This programme is online and flexible and is offered on a part-time basis only. This degree is structured to allow sequential progression via PG Certificate (PgCert), PG Diploma (PgDip) and MSc phases. It is also possible to undertake the PgCert or PgDip as exit qualifications. Provided you meet academic requirements, you can initially enrol on to the PgCert and progress on to the PgDip and/or the MSc. Taken on a part-time basis, the duration of this programme is 2.5 to 6 years depending on the credential obtained.

The first year of study will explore and examine the value of the One Health framework, introduce policy making in a One Health and global context and introduce zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases. During the second year, you will be able to choose courses in an area of special interest. The third year will allow you to gain in-depth knowledge in your area of special interest through a research or dissertation project.

The One Health & Infectious Disease programme comprises:

PgCert - Year 1: four 10 credit compulsory courses and one 20 credit compulsory course.
PgDip - Year 2: one 20 credit compulsory courses plus two 20 credit optional courses
MSc - Year 3: one 60 credit dissertation / project

Courses

Year 1

Year 2

One core course in semester one:

Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Approach

A choice of four optional courses in semester two:

A choice of two optional courses in the Summer:

Epidemiology, Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases - A One Health Approach
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Year 3

One Health: Dissertation

The programme is delivered fully online using a range of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, asynchronous discussion boards, tutorials, and team-based work.

You will have the flexibility to tailor the subject of many of your assessments and final dissertation to disciplines or specialisms that are relevant and of interest to you and/or your future career.

The online and part-time nature of this programme, and the flexibility this route offers, makes it ideally suited to individuals in full-time employment.

Although the programme is flexible, there is an expectation that students will contribute 20 hours weekly to discussion fora, activities, etc.

"Content covered in modules such as zoonotic disease, epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance has already begun to inform my approach to practicing veterinary medicine, and I am currently exploring how I might grow on the foundations provided by the course further." James Carrier, Online MSc One Health student

Programme alteration or discontinuation\ The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

This programme supports individuals to develop knowledge, skills and graduate attributes that will help them to prepare for specialised or leadership roles in academia, private industry, and international organisations, such as the WHO, WOAH or UNEP.

The programme provides a platform for students to move into the field of research, with the potential for individuals to continue studying towards a PhD in One Health and associated subjects such as zoonotic diseases, public health, antimicrobial resistance, and health economics.

We have a dedicated team in our careers service waiting to help you when you graduate. Learn more about our career's service.

Graduates may also be employed by:

International organisations (such as the WHO, FAO, WOAH)
Local agencies
Government agencies (such as APHA or the public health sector)
Non-governmental organisations

Other career paths include science communication and education.

"It has been refreshing to think outside the confines of daily professional experiences. The academic focus has stimulated me to strengthen my critical thinking and reasoning, and the breadth of the study has changed and broadened my perspectives – I think this is very important." Judith Taggart, Online One Health student

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2026-27

MSc

UK / EU / International:

£15,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgDip

UK / EU / International:

£10,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgCert

UK / EU / International:

£5,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

£11,943 (total cost for MSc)
£7,962 (total cost for PgDip)
£3,981 (total cost for PgCert)
£1,327 per 20 credits

Fee status

Fee status guidance

Additional fees

Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

UK Study Online Scholarship

Little Helpers Scholarship

We’re proud to support the next generation of scientists and health leaders with the Little Helpers €1000 Scholarship.

If you’re studying nutrition, food science, chemistry, biology, public health, dietetics, or any field related to digestive health or gluten research, this opportunity is for you.

For full scholarship details please visit Scholarship - Little Helpers

Little Helpers Scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Biomedical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Ecosystem Health, Environmental Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine, Public Health, Veterinary Biosciences, or Veterinary Medicine.

We may also accept degrees in other disciplines.

We may also accept applicants with significant relevant work experience in addition to lower qualifications.

English language requirements

For applicants from non-English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Government, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Tests taken up to 20 January 2026

90 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Tests taken from 21 January 2026

92 Overall, no subtest lower than Reading 22; Listening 20; Speaking 23; Writing 21
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

65 overall with no subtest less than Reading 60; Listening 60; Speaking 65; Writing 60
Online PTE not accepted for entry
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

176 overall with no subtest less than 169
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

7 overall with no subtest less than 6
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online

70 overall with no subtest less than 65
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

Two subtests at 96 or higher, and two subtests at 80 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Kaplan Test of English

Any two subtests at 480 or higher, and any two subtests at 450 or higher
Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of programme start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have studied for a minimum of their final year at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
Undergraduate 2+2 and 3+1 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
students must have completed their final year of study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS);
essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University;
flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

More information on our Pre-sessional courses.

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

Heriot Watt
Kingston Upon Thames
Middlesex University
Manchester University
Reading University
Edinburgh University
ST Andrews University
UCL
Durham

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

Chrome
Firefox
Safari
Edge
Internet Explorer

Mobile:

MobileSafari
Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date.

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

Internet Explorer 10 and below
Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

Processor: 2GHz**
Operating system (minimum):
Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
Windows 7
Mac OS X v10.4.11+
Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
Hard disk: 300GB
Sound card and microphone
Speakers or headphones
Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

Microsoft Office 2010
Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
Webcam

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
One reference letter on headed paper
An English language certificate/evidence of your English language ability may be required
Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
A copy of the photo page of your passport (non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, please see our guide How to apply for a postgraduate taught degree.

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

Please ensure all documents are correctly named and are uploaded before you submit your application to prevent any delays with your file.

All documentation must be attached to your online application, but please remember your student recruitment coordinator is here to support you by reviewing it before you upload it, so feel free to send them over to your student recruitment coordinator before you submit your application.

Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Online taught masters degrees begin in January, April and September.
Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript. It is important to upload official copies of your transcripts and certificates for your full academic history, from Undergraduate onwards. For example, if you have a bachelors and a masters degree, you must send documents from both degrees.
English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Postgraduate study

One Health & Infectious Disease MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Why this programme

Why study online?

Programme structure

Courses

Career prospects

Fees & funding

MSc

PgDip

PgCert

Fees for students funded by the NHS or UK social care organisations or UK health and social care partnership (HSCP)

Fee status

Additional fees

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

Little Helpers Scholarship

Entry requirements

English language requirements

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

Pearsons PTE Academic

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

Oxford English Test

LanguageCert Academic/ Academic Online

Password Skills Plus

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English II

Kaplan Test of English

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

Alternatives to English Language qualification

Pre-sessional courses

Computer requirements for studying online

How to apply

Documents

Guidance notes for using the online application

Application deadlines

More information about this programme

Watch our webinar:

Related programmes

Online postgraduate

Biodiversity

Health & Wellbeing

One Health

Veterinary Medicine

Related links

Postgraduate events

Keep in touch