Master of Science (MSc) in Public Health

Focusing on health of people in vulnerable situations and in resource-constrained settings, this master's programme looks at strengthening health systems and improving disease prevention and control.

COURSES AND PROGRAMMES CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The Master of Science in Public Health (MSc PH) is a 60 ECTS international programme to train the future generation of agents of change in public health and health sciences. We define health and well-being of people living in vulnerable situations and in resource-constrained settings as the scope of the programme.

The aim of the MSc PH is to strengthen students’ capacity to address current and emerging public health challenges. These include concurrent epidemiological and demographic transitions driven by climate change, urbanization and fragility, as well as sociocultural and political challenges and persisting health inequities. In addition, key challenges relate to late detection and control of emerging infectious disease outbreaks, growing need for sustainable control and elimination of diseases, challenges for development of an integrated approach of chronic and infectious diseases, and sexual and reproductive health.

We apply a systems approach to health system strengthening, and disease prevention and control. Students will develop research and strategic programme 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 MSc PH builds on an experience of more than 60 years in adapting its content and teaching methods to evolving needs in a changing world. We aim at motivating our students to become effective agents of change. In a recent 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 MSc PH is accredited by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) until September 2030.

For whom? The MSc PH 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. Candidates from a non-health related discipline can apply to the programme and be admitted depending on their professional experience in the public health sector, and their research and analytical skills. Our student selection process 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 South and North as lecturers, allowing for a diversity of case studies and real-life illustrations and promoting critical reflection from different perspectives while keeping our curriculum up to date.

Course Language: The course is taught in English, but we provide 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).