Global Health Systems

What is this Structured Elective About?

This structured elective brings together modules that will give you an understanding of the importance of thinking about health using a systems lens and recognising the interconnected and global nature of many of the challenges we face in healthcare.

These modules will provide students with an overview of key concepts in global health, including the sustainable development goals, gender and equity and resource challenges faced globally, particularly in low- and middle-income counties. The structured elective will consider the meaning and importance of health systems in developing health for all, and the implications of various health systems frameworks in enabling access to healthcare as a human right. Also addressed are the key psychological concepts related to healthcare, including culture and health, communication, stress, burnout and joy and meaning in work, as well as the critical nature of team working in healthcare. This structured elective will using innovative teaching approaches and groupwork to understand how we can prepare for the realities of thinking about healthcare in a globalised world.

Why should I take this Structured Elective?

This Structured Elective is aimed a general audience within UCD, for students with an interest in health systems, global health and the realities of working in diverse interprofessional teams to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well Being for All. This elective will be of interest to those who want to make a meaningful contribution to promoting health in your future practice/career. This elective may complement your ongoing studies or enable you to explore some of your own personal interests outside of your degree.

How would this Structure Elective Benefit me?

Whether you are taking this for academic or personal reasons the information you will learn in this module will benefit you by providing you with a more rounded and systems lens in exploring some of the ‘wicked’ and complex problems we face in healthcare. Evidence will be presented both from the Irish and the international context to ensure students gain insight into how different contexts can influence health and wellbeing.

How do I take the modules in this Structured Elective?

• The structured electives are available to undergraduate students only.
• To earn this structured elective, you must take the specific modules during or after the 2025/2025 academic year.
• To be awarded this Structured Elective you must take 15 credits from the list of modules.
• It is recommended that the level 1 module is taken before the level 2 modules, and that at least one of the level 2 modules is taken before any of the level 3 modules.
• Students who successfully complete 15 credits in Development Studies will have this automatically noted on their final UCD degree transcript. The transcript will state that you have completed 'Structured Elective in ‘Global Health Systems’, in addition to your main degree subjects.

Recommendation that the Level 1 module (Introduction to Global Health), is taken before the level 2 and 3 modules.  However, it is not a prerequisite.