Critical Social Sciences in Health Care



Overview

This module has been designed for MSc-level or early PhD students who seek an academic introduction to the critical social sciences as applied to health and social care, perhaps with a view to going on to study for a doctorate. The module will introduce students to relevant critical theories from across the social sciences and philosophy which pertain to the study of innovation, technological change and research translation in a healthcare (or health-related social care) context. During the course, students will interrogate and discuss taken-for-granted assumptions in health, care and innovation, and learn to apply suitable social theoretical lenses to critique issues of injustice, harm and inequalities. On completion of the course, students will be able to give an account of key academic traditions that inform the critical study of translational health sciences; apply theoretical insights from these traditions to empirical case studies; and develop their own scholarly ideas using critical theories.

The last date for receipt of complete applications is 5pm Friday 6th June 2025. Regrettably, late applications cannot be accepted.

Course Content

Key topics will include (but not be limited to):

  • The nature of knowledge and the link between knowledge and power, including how scientific capital is produced and reproduced, and the changing place of science in society;
  • The role of language and discourse in shaping and constraining how we think about research, innovation and change;
  • The production, use and reification of biomedical and social categories (e.g. race, gender) in health, care and biomedicine, including through data-driven technologies;
  • Feminist and postcolonial perspectives on technology and health including the ‘ontological turn’ (how health comes to matter);
  • Critical sociological studies of risk, governmentality, and biocitizenship.

Fees

Description Costs
Short Course in Health Sciences £3175.00

Funding

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Discounts

If you are an employee of the University of Oxford and have a valid University staff card you may be eligible to receive a 10% discount on the full stand-alone fee. To take advantage of this offer please submit a scan/photocopy of your staff card along with your application. Your card should be valid for a further six months after attending the course.

Tutors

Dr Natassia Brenman

Co-Module Coordinator

Dr Natassia Brenman is a senior researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford.

Prof Trish Greenhalgh

Co-Module Coordinator

Prof Trish Greenhalgh is Director of Studies for the Translational Health Sciences Programme, an internationally recognised academic in primary health care,  and trained as a GP.

Dr Jackie van Dael

Co-Module Coordinator

Dr Jackie van Dael is a Health Services Researcher at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Oxford.

Teaching methods

The first two weeks of this module are spent working on introductory activities using a Virtual Learning Environment. A week is then spent in Oxford for face-to-face teaching and group work (on the dates advertised on this web page). There are then a series of extended Post-Oxford activities (delivered through the VLE) over the following 4-6 weeks which are designed to support you in the preparation and delivery of the practical elements of your assignment. You will be required to submit your written assignment electronically (usually on a Tuesday at 14:00 UK Local Time).

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module we expect students to be able to:

  • Give an account of key academic traditions that inform the critical study of translation in healthcare and health sciences

  • Produce scholarly critiques of these key traditions in both verbal discussions and written essays

  • Apply critical philosophical and theoretical perspectives to empirical case studies of translational science

Assessment methods

Assessment will be based on participation in a group presentation and submission of a written assignment which should not exceed 4,000 words.

Academic Credit

Applicants may take this course for academic credit. The University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education offers Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS) points for this course. Participants attending at least 80% of the taught course and successfully completing assessed assignments are eligible to earn credit equivalent to 20 CATS points which may be counted towards a postgraduate qualification.

Applicants can choose not to take the course for academic credit and will therefore not be eligible to undertake the academic assignment offered to students taking the course for credit. Applicants cannot receive CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points or equivalence. Credit cannot be attributed retrospectively. CATS accreditation is required if you wish for the course to count towards a further qualification in the future.

A Certificate of Completion is issued at the end of the course.

Applicants registered to attend ‘not for credit’ who subsequently wish to register for academic credit and complete the assignment are required to submit additional information, which must be received one calendar month in advance of the course start date. Please contact us for more details.

Please contact ths@conted.ox.ac.uk if you have any questions.

Application

This course requires you to complete the application form and to attach a copy of your CV. If you are applying to take this course for academic credit you will also be required to provide a reference. Please note that if you are not applying to take the course for academic credit then you do not need to submit a reference.

Please ensure you read the guidance notes which appear when you click on the symbols as you progress through the application form, as any errors resulting from failure to do so may delay your application.

Selection criteria

Admissions Criteria:
To apply for the course you should:

  • Be a graduate or have successfully completed a professional training course
  • Have professional work experience in the health service or a health-related field
  • Be able to combine intensive classroom learning with the application of the principles and practices of translational health sciences within the work place
  • Have a good working knowledge of email, internet, word processing and Windows applications (for communications with course members, course team and administration)
  • Show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and an employer's commitment to make time available to study, complete course work and attend course and university events and modules.
  • Be able to demonstrate English Language proficiency at the University’s higher level. 

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms have been rated as 4-Star Campus accommodation under the Quality In Tourism scheme, and come with tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi access and Freeview TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

IT requirements

Please ensure that you have access to a computer that meets the specifications detailed on our technical support page.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support