Master's Programme in Global Health
Academic year 2023/2024
- 120 credits
- Autumn 2023, Uppsala, 100%, Campus
- Programme syllabus
The Master's Programme in Global Health prepares you to play a leading role in promoting global health at both a national and international level. You will be equipped with skills to appreciate and analyse global health problems and to develop and evaluate actions to improve public health. The programme includes planning, performing, analysing and reporting an independent research project in the field of global health. You will gain a good foundation to pursue a career in research or the labour market.
Why this programme?
The overall aim of the Master's Programme in Global Health is to provide a deeper understanding of the current challenges and solutions in global health. The programme will prepare the students to take an active part in Agenda 2030 and beyond as implementers and/or researchers.
Building on scientific research and the diverse experiences and backgrounds of students and teachers the programme will provide a transdisciplinary perspective to the field of global health. Departing from a focus on women's and children's health the programme strives to incorporate multiple topics relevant to global health, including nutrition, migration, and health systems strengthening.
During the programme you can expect to:
- be able to analyse global health challenges
- develop and evaluate interventions to improve global health and public health
- study with course participants from different parts of the world.
You will gain knowledge in global health, and pave the way for courses focusing on women's and children's health, global nutrition and migration. You will have the opportunity to choose different topics within global health or to conduct a field study or an internship at a relevant organisation. Throughout the programme you will receive teaching and training in research methods for global health, preparing you for the Master's thesis you will undertake during the last semester.
Student profile
You have a strong interest in global health. You possess education in health, medicine or nutrition and probably work experience within one of the above-mentioned areas. You might also have a background in development work connected to global health. Because of your experience, you are expected to contribute as much to the educational experience of others as you expect to learn from their previous experiences and knowledge.
Your social skills are good and you are capable to communicate your ideas and thoughts very well in written and spoken English. You can critically analyse and reflect on problems and are creative and innovative enough to come up with your own ideas and present them.
A future PhD education is a possibility you might have thought about, but working right after graduation is also something you are considering. You like to keep your options open for now.
Degree
The programme leads to a Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with Global Health as the main field of study.
Nam: Lord Tadesse Mekonnen
Comes from: Ethiopia
What is your background?
– I graduated in medicine in Ethiopia in 2019. Before joining Upsala University, I was working as a general practitioner in different hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2020, I worked as a Covid-19 emergency responder in a quarantine centre as a medical screener at Addis Ababa Bole international airport, and in a government hospital on severe case patients. During my medical school internship, my friends and I co-founded a local NGO called Kalkidan Charity which focuses on delivering free healthcare services for the vulnerable in different parts of Ethiopia.
What made you choose to study global health at Uppsala University?
– It has always been my dream to study at Uppsala University, one of the best universities focusing on public health research. I have always been interested in studying global health, focusing on women’s and children’s health. This is directly linked to the work of my NGO back in Ethiopia. It would bring impact to my society hence I could apply the knowledge and skills I will develop from experienced teachers studying at Uppsala University.
What are your goals for the future in global health?
– I would like to work on research and guidelines and work with researchers and policymakers to close the gap for achieving the Sustainable Developmental Goals on time.
What has been the most interesting part of the programme this far?
– There has been great teaching and learning experience here. Coming from the medical field, our ways of thinking were wired in a way to memorise class notes and books. After starting this programme, the idea of critical thinking has been recreating the way am perceiving how things and how they will turn out.
What is the best part of studying at an international programme?
– Studying in an international programme is having the privilege of cultural exchange, widening my perspective of life, and sharing knowledge and experiences that I had no clue of its existence.
Favourite things to do in Uppsala?
– I call Uppsala the city that doesn’t sleep. People are very welcoming and the landscape is blessed with recreational activities that make it possible to explore. You can find yourself going on hiking in the daytime and swimming in the lake, in the afternoon with a cup of coffee in one of the beautiful cafes and by the evening so many activities with the student nations beyond midnight which makes you realise that 24 hours is not enough.
Våren 2023
Programme
The Master's Programme in Global Health consists of four semesters. During the first semester, you will get an overview of the field of global health, and touch upon areas such as global nutrition, child health, global health systems, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and migration. For part of the semester, you will also focus on research methods, both qualitative and quantitative.
During the second semester, you will have time to focus on, and deepen your knowledge of child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, global nutrition and migration and health. The semester ends with a focus on applied research methods.
During the third semester, you have the opportunity to choose your own focus within the programme. You can choose from the in-depth courses offered by the master's programme, or by other institutions, or you can do a field study in global health if you want to collect new data for your Master's thesis, or do an internship at an organisation in global health. During this part of the third semester, there is a possibility for international exchange with Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich.
During the fourth semester, you will focus entirely on your Master's thesis. This includes in-depth studies within a chosen area, report writing and a presentation of the report at a seminar. During the semester you will have several group supervisions in the form of seminars.
Courses within the programme
Year 1
Year 2
Master's Thesis in Global Health, 30 credits
Learning experience
Teaching in the Master's Programme in Global Health is based on international research in global health and will be presented by researchers from our department and visiting Swedish and international researchers. Our lecturers have extensive experience in global health work.
Teaching consists of a mixture of lectures, seminars, group work and assignments. You will get the opportunity to develop your ability to understand, interpret and critically evaluate scientific literature and you practice this by discussing the results and methodology and summarising facts and hypotheses.
The examination consists of written exams, assignments and active participation in seminars and presentations. The programme is given in Uppsala and the language of instruction is English.
Career
The Master's Programme in Global Health enhances your career opportunities in fields such as child health, maternal health, global nutrition, migration and health, research and project management within the global health arena. There are job opportunities within governmental, non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations, nationally and internationally. Once you receive your Master's degree you have a good foundation to pursue a career, including PhD-studies, in the field of global health.
Based on the recent alumni survey, the majority of our students found employment within six months after finishing the programme within the field of global health. Many of our alumni have either completed or are currently doing their PhD studies. Following graduation, our alumni have found employment at organisations such as:
- University of Gothenburg
- Region Uppsala
- Karolinska Institutet
- University of Cambridge
- University of Cologne
- University Hospital of Cologne
- Queen Mary University of London
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- World Bank
- World Health Organisation
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- Health Poverty Action
- Heartland International Health Centers
- African Population and Health Centre
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career. Learn more about UU Careers.
Admissions
Below you will find details about eligibility requirements, selection criteria and tuition fees. For information on how to apply and what general documents you need to submit, check the application guide. Besides the general supporting documents, including documents certifying your previous work experience and courses taken, you also need to submit one programme-specific document: an Application Summary Sheet.
Master's Programme in Global Health
120 credits
Autumn 2023, 100%, Campus
Location: Uppsala
Application deadline: 16 January 2023
Application code: UU-M3450 Application
Language of instruction: English
Requirements:
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be in medicine, nursing, nutrition, or similar fields relevant for global health.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
Selection: Students are selected based on:
- an overall appraisal of previous university studies;
- a statement of purpose; and
- professional experience and engagement in global health.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
Fees:
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees. Fees cover application and tuition only and do not cover accommodation, academic literature or the general cost of living. Read more about fees.
Application fee: SEK 900
Tuition fee, first semester: SEK 72,500
Tuition fee, total: SEK 290,000
Contact and further resources
Is this programme right for you?
Contact
For programme specific information, please contact the course administration:
global.health.education-kbh@uu.se
For general information about Master's studies in Medicine at Uppsala University, please send an email to:
For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
Department of Women's and Children's Health
MTC-house, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 14 B
Uppsala University Hospital, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
www.uu.se/education