نظرة عامة على البرنامج

---

Master's Programme in Public Health

The Master's Programme in Public Health is a 2-year, 120-credit programme that provides students with the skills required to understand, improve, and promote public health in the population. The programme is designed for those already working as, or planning to become, public health practitioners.

About the Programme

In today's globalised world, we are increasingly facing new public health challenges, and there is a need for qualified expertise in this contemporary field. This programme has attracted students from more than 70 countries, creating an exciting study environment where people with different educational and cultural backgrounds meet. Our teachers are from all over the world, and we have a shared vision of equitable health for all, and a shared mission of transformative education.

While Studying

The programme is multidisciplinary, drawing on social sciences and medicine, using quantitative and qualitative methods to identify and assess specific health risks before designing and implementing effective population-based strategies. Students will learn about:

• How to promote health
• Global Health
• The connection between social conditions and health
• How to organize health systems that allocate resources effectively while promoting equity
• Advanced methods for understanding and advancing public health in different contexts
• Courses regarding equity, sustainability, and other topics related to Agenda 2030

Description of the Programme

The programme comprises 120 credits (two years) and includes courses on:

• Global health conditions
• Health systems analysis
• Health economy
• The relations between social conditions and health
• Methods for carrying out public health work In the second year, students will take courses on:
• Advanced qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Equity, social epidemiology, sustainability, and evaluation in public health There is an opportunity to graduate after one year, i.e., after 60 credits.

Active, Collaborative, and Reflective Learning

Our Pedagogical Vision of the Educational Environment is based on core principles and didactic strategies, including active, collaborative, and reflective learning. Studying on the programme means an active search for knowledge, problem-solving, and critical analyses based on a scientific approach. The working methods vary between individual study work, group work, seminars, lectures, and practical sessions.

Master's Thesis

The master's thesis work is an important part of the studies in this programme and gives students a possibility to apply the knowledge they have gained to develop a deeper understanding and specialization within a chosen area. The thesis work comprises 30 credits within the programme's main field of study and takes the form of two separate theses that are examined during semester 2 and semester 4 respectively.

Programme Overview

First year:

• Global Public Health
• Biostatistics
• Epidemiology
• Qualitative methodology for public health
• Health Systems: Organization and Financing
• Health Economic Evaluation Methods
• Theory and Management in Health Promotion
• Master thesis, first year Second year:
• Evidence-based public health
• Equity and health
• Qualitative data analysis
• Advanced biostatistics and epidemiology
• Health, Environment, and Sustainability
• Leading change and development in welfare organizations
• Evaluation in public health
• Master thesis, second year

Eligibility

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) or an equivalent higher education of a minimum 180 higher education credits (ECTS), from an internationally recognised University, in Public Health, Healthcare, Health education, Pharmacy, or a relevant field in Social or Behavioural Science. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Selection

Priority is given to students with at least two years of work experience within a field relevant to Public Health. Following this, applicants are ranked according to the number of academic credits completed by the last application date (in the range of 30-285 credits equivalent to ECTS).

Degree

After completing the programme, a student may apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in Public Health, in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor.

Application and Tuition Fees

As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University. The application fee is SEK 900, and the tuition fee for the first instalment is SEK 80,050, with a total fee of SEK 320,200.

Future and Career Opportunities

This programme gives knowledge that can be used in NGO's, public organisations, and private companies. Many graduates will work in the public sector in local and state institutions, from e.g., hospitals to the Ministry of Health. They may work with public health policies, health advocacy, legislation, management, evaluation of interventions, or to analyse the effect of decisions on different levels. Graduates can find jobs in non-profit organizations or in the private sector, working e.g., for pharmaceutical companies or for health insurance companies. Others will work for the health minister or at WHO. A future university career in research is another path since the programme is designed for those already working as, or planning to become, public health practitioners. Further studies can lead to a PhD degree.

Research Excellence at Umeå University

Be a part of a world-class environment for teaching and research – where the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing began, and where innovation continues to shape the future. Umeå University is known for its research excellence, with a strong focus on public health, epidemiology, and global health. The university's research environments and infrastructure provide students with the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and collaborate with renowned researchers in the field.

Similar Programmes

• Master's Programme in Public Health (one-year)
• Master's Programme in Public Health with a Specialization in Health Economics
• Second year of Master's Programme in Public Health
• Second year of Master's Programme in Public Health with a Specialization in Health Economics

Programme is Given By

Department of Epidemiology and Global Health

Good to Know

• How to apply: A step-by-step guide to apply for studies at Umeå University.
• Chat with our students: Are you wondering what it's really like to study at Umeå University?
• Experience Umeå: Northern Sweden’s largest city – diverse, dynamic, and student-friendly.