The Health Policy MSc at Imperial College London is led by the Institute of Global Health Innovation. Adriana Lopez is a Health Policy Master’s student and part of the Imperial College London Sports Scholarship Programme. She shares her experience of the programme, which she manages alongside high-level sport and a full-time job.
What’s your background? What did you study for your undergraduate degree?
Adriana Lopez (AL): I studied for a BSc in Biomedical Sciences with a Placement Year at the University of Warwick. As part of my degree, I was a Medical Operations Industrial Placement student at ViiV Healthcare within GlaxoSmithKline.
Why did you apply for the Health Policy MSc at Imperial?
AL: During my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences, I realised that I was more interested in the health, community, and public health modules rather than the research-focused ones. Attending university during the COVID-19 pandemic also made me think about how different countries handled the pandemic and the science and economics behind their decisions. This inspired me to gain hands-on experience to help improve health outcomes through effective policies.
I completed a placement year at GSK, working in medical operations, global health, and international congress strategy. After a successful year, I was referred to an internship with the Government Affairs team at Haleon, where I worked on tasks such as a Health and Social Care Select Committee pharmacy inquiry. These experiences confirmed my passion for the field and motivated me to enrol in a course that would equip me with the tools to become a qualified professional.
“After graduating, I hope to work as a health policy analyst or professional, supporting global organisations in engaging with key policymakers and stakeholders.”
– Adriana Lopez, Health Policy MSc student
What do you enjoy most about the course?
AL: One key aspect is the flexibility it offers as a part-time, online course, which is crucial for someone engaged in high-level sports and also working a 9-5 full-time job.
What course topic has been most interesting to you so far, and why?
AL: Behavioural Economics has been the most interesting because we had the opportunity to address a real public health issue and propose our own intervention to target a specific behaviour.
What has been most challenging about the course?
AL: The most challenging aspect for me is spending additional time behind a screen after an 8-hour workday. To manage this, I focus my study time on the weekends.
How do you balance your work and activities with the programme?
AL: I have always balanced sport, life, and studies, so I am disciplined and organised. Effective communication with those around me helps manage expectations. For example, I inform my team at work about university deadlines in advance and notify the scholarship team when I have intense games and training sessions, so we can adjust the workload accordingly.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
AL: I am passionate about shaping health policies that truly make a difference in people’s lives. After graduating, I hope to work as a health policy analyst or professional, supporting global organisations in engaging with key policymakers and stakeholders.
My experience with ViiV Healthcare has deepened my commitment to HIV prevention, and I would love to contribute to global programmes that expand access to care and education. At the same time, my work with Haleon has reinforced my belief in the power of self-care, health literacy, and inclusivity in empowering individuals and alleviating pressure on healthcare systems.
While I have a strong interest in these areas, I am still in the early stages of my career and eager to explore different therapeutic fields before finding my true specialism.
What do you wish you had known before you started the programme?
AL: I wish I had known that, despite being an online programme, you still have full access to the Imperial campus, societies, facilities, and sports clubs – so it’s up to you to make the most of it!
Find out more about the MSc Health Policy at Imperial College London