Master in Health Sciences

How can we control infectious diseases in the Netherlands and abroad?

What is the role of nutrition in chronic disorders like obesity or type 2 diabetes? What causes healthcare costs to rise?

If you want to master the skills needed to analyse complex health or healthcare issues, then the Health Sciences Master’s is for you.

The programme will enable you to contribute to the development and implementation of interventions that solve major health problems. You also have the unique chance to choose from five specialisations. This enables you to focus on a specific domain:

• Health Policy
• Infectious Disease & Public Health
• International Public Health
• Nutrition & Health
• Prevention & Public Health

Discover your Health Sciences programme

Become an interdisciplinary Health Sciences professional, strongly rooted in methods. Master analytical thinking and choose a substantive specialisation. The five options enable you to focus on a specific domain and develop expertise in methodology (e.g. qualitative or quantitative methods), content (e.g. nutrition or infectious diseases), context (Dutch or International) or application (intervention, prevention and policy).

Contribute to the development and implementation of interventions that solve major health problems.

The full-time Health Sciences Master’s is offered in English, with the exception of four courses specifically focused on the Dutch context. The programme has a workload of 60 EC.

The full-time schedule starts with five courses, some of which must be completed before you start your internship. The full-time course schedule includes:

• Two eight-week, part-time courses in September and October.
• Two eight-week, part-time courses in November and December.
• One four-week, full-time course starting in January.

This schedule, known as 8-8-4, represents a full workload of five courses of 6 EC each.

In February, after meeting the course requirements for specialisation, you will start your five-month internship (27 ECTS), which is taken together with a scientific writing course (3 ECTS).

Depending on your specialisation, some specific courses are required. Additionally, you have a choice of elective courses. Electives enable you to deepen your understanding of a specific field or area. They consist of both theoretical and practical aspects of health science research.

After completing the Health Sciences Master’s programme, you will be able to identify and collect health-related information from different sources and use this information to analyse health (care) problems

You will be skilled at suggesting relevant interventions based on evidence from empirical epidemiologic population studies. You will also be able to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in the field of Health Sciences. Finally, you will contribute to a multi- or interdisciplinary approach to health problems, health promotion and healthcare in a national or international context.

What can you do after your Master's degree?

Find a challenging job in a Health Sciences field

The qualities you have developed during the Health Sciences Master’s programme are relevant for a wide variety of positions.

Your career prospects after graduation depend on your personal preferences and acquired skills and experience.

With excellent analytical skills, a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system and specialised knowledge and skills, you will be a valuable asset to many employers in the healthcare sector.

Become a researcher at a university, applied research institute, governmental institute, or the (food) industry.

You may choose to pursue a career as a health insurance policy officer with a health insurer, a disease prevention policy officer at a branch of the Municipal Health Services, a communication advisor on health issues, and more.

You can also put your skills to work as a teacher, epidemiologist, health advisor or consultant.

Pursue your PhD

With a Master’s degree in Health Sciences, you will have the relevant knowledge and skills to pursue a career in a wide variety of positions. Or, you can decide to continue expanding your knowledge and apply for a Ph.D. position.