Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health

The Master of Science in Public Health (MPH) is a 60 ECTS international programme with a clear focus on health systems strengthening and improved disease prevention and control. We define health of people living in vulnerable situations and in resource-constrained settings as the scope of the programme.

The aim of the MPH is enhancing the student’s capacity to address the challenges related to Universal Health Coverage, person-centered health care, disease control programmes, responsive health systems and health policies. These challenges include the concurrent epidemiological and demographic transitions due to global warming, urbanization and the fragility of many contexts, sociopolitical challenges and persisting health inequities, but also sustainable control and elimination of emerging infectious diseases and increasing sexual and reproductive health needs, especially among adolescents.

The programme applies a systems approach to health system strengthening, and disease prevention and control. Students will develop research and management skills and translate evidence-informed insights from multidisciplinary perspectives to real-life applications in diverse contexts. The programme encourages the students to critically engage with values like the right to health, equity, gender equality, solidarity, integrity and social justice.

The MPH has an experience of more than 60 years in adapting its content and teaching methods to evolving needs in a changing world. The MPH aims at motivating our students to become effective agents of change . In an impact evaluation among ITM graduates more than 90% of the former students state that they are very satisfied with the competencies they gained to contribute to health worldwide. The majority took up positions at senior management or strategic/policy level in the years following their graduation. The MPH was recently re-accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO).

For whom? The MPH targets experienced health professionals and researchers with an academic (university) degree in health sciences (medicine, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery), biomedical sciences or other health-related domains, such as medical sociology, medical anthropology or health economics. Also candidates from a non-health-related discipline, can apply to the programme and be admitted depending on the extent and relevance of their professional experience in the health sector. Historically, the programme was directed towards students from the South, but increasingly it attracts students from the North. The student selection aims at creating a student body that is diverse in origins, educational profile and professional background.

How? The learning methods focus on self-reflection, peer exchange and application of concepts, methods and tools to the experience of students (experiential learning). The multidisciplinary teaching staff of ITM is involved in research, education and capacity strengthening in a wide range of LMIC and HIC countries. We engage alumni and academics from the North and South as lecturers, allowing for role-modelling and keeping our curriculum up to date.

Course Language: The course is taught in English but we provide ample language support for admitted non-native English speakers both before and during the course. A comprehensive English Language Training Programme is offered to students from non-English speaking countries in case they would fail to comply with the language proficiency criterion (see below under Admission Requirements).