MSc in Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology

Are you inspired to conduct high-quality innovative research with a strong focus on mental and physical health? And do you aspire to work alongside world-renowned researchers who are absolute leaders in their field? Join our research master!

Mental and physical health and the reciprocal relationship between these two form the basis of the program. The central idea is that psychological, biological, and social aspects all play a role in any physical or mental condition. The CPE program trains students to solve current health issues by applying innovative research designs and statistical techniques while making use of state-of-the-art facilities in a truly multidisciplinary setting. There is a strong focus on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of physical and mental health conditions, taking clinical, public health, and psychosocial factors into consideration. Our students work with existing large databases or collect their own data among people with or without a chronic disease, across the whole age range.

There are four research departments involved within CPE: epidemiology, public health, health psychology, and psychiatry. Top researchers from these four departments teach the courses, giving students the opportunity to fully acquaint themselves with different fields of research. In the second semester, students will get to choose in which department they would like to conduct their research for their master thesis project, becoming part of the department’s research group. Students will learn to design their own Ph.D. projects as part of the program, which makes them well-qualified to attain a Ph.D. position anywhere in the world. The best students will be offered the opportunity to continue with a Ph.D. at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG).

We pride ourselves on the fact that there is a lot of personal attention for our students. The program is built in a way that strongly encourages students to focus on their individual development as a researcher, in a unique and multidisciplinary setting. Because CPE is a small-scale program, every student is known by their name and has ample opportunity for interactions and discussions with the teaching staff.

The program also offers a track called Health Systems and Prevention. This track bridges the research focus of CPE with that of health systems, health policy, and prevention. HSP Track students follow the basic CPE program, but with a focus on health systems and prevention. This focus is mainly incorporated in the Master Thesis project, which for HSP students also includes an internship at a non-academic (Health) organization, the elective courses, and the research meetings.

So, do you imagine yourself becoming part of our research community? Apply now!

Why study this program in Groningen?

• Hybrid classes: both online and on-site
• Pioneering in research side by side top-researchers of the UMCG
• A unique program that connects clinical, public health, and psychosocial theory with methodological knowledge
• Learn to use innovative techniques to resolve contemporary health issues
• The small-scale program focused on your individual development
• The opportunity to fully immerse yourself in a research topic of your own choice
• Possibility to obtain a Ph.D. position

Research

Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology is characterized by its problem-based research; our research groups focus on the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and prevention of mental health problems. As a student, you will study and work side by side with leading scientists. You will be considered a member of one of these cutting-edge research groups and in that way gather invaluable hands-on research experience.

Fields of research

Within CPE 4 departments with different fields of research take part:

1. Public Health
2. Epidemiology
3. Psychiatry
4. Health Psychology

Examples of research questions:

• How do people function at work having survived cancer?
• What is the effectiveness of a family-centered approach in preventive child health care?
• What is the impact of mental health on the school-to-work transition of young adults?
• Can mindfulness support people in dealing with chronic disease?
• How can patients learn to become more resilient (how can they break out of a negative mental loop)?
• Do patients and their partners experience less depressive symptoms when they are able to share their worries?
• How do partners deal with one of them having a chronic or life-threatening disease?
  
  

Year 1

The first year starts with solidifying your basis in psychology, medicine, and epidemiology. Strong attention is also given to epidemiological research methods and statistics.

• Basics Courses (8 EC)
• Clinical Epidemiology (10 EC)
• Master Thesis project proposal (13 EC)
• Psychosocial Epidemiology (12 EC)

Year 2

• Coaching Groups (5 EC)
  • Master Thesis Project (39 EC)
  • Research Tools (7 EC)
• Seminar and Research Meeting (2 EC)
• Specialization Courses (11 EC)
  • Writing a successful research proposal (8 EC)

Study load

40 hours of class and self-study per week on average

Curriculum

Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology consists of both mandatory and elective courses.

Depending on your knowledge, you will learn about the basics of medicine or the basics in psychology and psychosocial factors. Apart from broadening your knowledge in the field of health and the determinants of health, you will explore the fields of Public Health, Health Psychology, Community and Occupational Medicine, and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Strong attention is given to epidemiological research methods and statistics. You will be able to choose additional courses to suit your particular interests. Your individual development as a researcher is central to the program and therefore you will be conducting research side by side with scientists who are leading experts in their field. Moreover, CPE is situated in the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), which means that you can benefit from a unique and interesting clinical setting and a unique availability of large data cohorts.

During the second year, you will write your master thesis, which can function as the basis of your own Ph.D. proposal. High-ranking students will be offered a full scholarship to continue with a fully funded three-year Ph.D. program!

Study abroad

Study abroad is optional

An internship (abroad) is among the possibilities. Our international network stretches across Europe, and from Latin America to Asia!

Your master thesis can function as the basis of your own Ph.D. proposal. High-ranking students will be offered a full scholarship to continue with a three-year Ph.D. program at the UMCG!

If you do not wish to continue as a researcher, there are plenty of other opportunities. Alumni currently work as consultants for the World Health Organization (WHO), policy officers in the government, consultants for pharmaceutical or biotechnological companies, or as university teachers.

For those students interested, you can choose to take courses to become a registered Epidemiologist.