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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.  

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for independent thinkers, problem solvers, holistic workers, those willing to challenge conventions. You must show a keen interest in how everything interacts together and how diseases pass between humans, animals and environments.

Most of our students have a biological understanding and knowledge at undergraduate level. We also welcome students with backgrounds in social science and the humanities, health policy and economics. And you will already have experience in human, animal or environmental disciplines. You might also consider joining us for intercalated study.

This course is perfect for opening doors to variable careers. You could apply your new joined-up system thinking to research projects in academic environments. Inform national or international policies for organisations such as local government, the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency or Ministry of Health. Support with the coordination of the One Health concept with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Or perhaps you’re interested in bringing understanding to complex problems and creating strategies as a control programme manager.

Soon, you’ll be leading on the important area of One Health across the globe.

Duration

One year full time; part-time over two years. Ways to study explained.

Intercalating study

Find out about intercalating this programme.