Health Sciences: VU University Amsterdam

Course Description

Since 1900, life expectancy has increased by 30 years. Only 5 of those years can be attributed to curative medicine; the remaining 25 years are due to public health and prevention measures. On the Master’s programme in Health Sciences, you will learn to analyse the various complex factors that contribute to health and disease.

The Master’s in Health Sciences is an academic programme, it is aimed at professional careers inside and outside university research. It comprises 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits.

The five specializations are:

• Policy & Organization of Health Care
• Prevention & Public Health
• Infectious Diseases & Public Health
• Nutrition & Health
• International Public Health

Optional courses enable students to deepen their understanding of a specific field. They consist of both theoretical and practical aspects of health science research. The choice is determined by personal interest and specialization.

Career prospects

Health Sciences touches on many aspects of society, so you can pursue a career in lots of different areas. With excellent analytical skills, a comprehensive overview of the healthcare system and specialized knowledge and skills, you will be a valuable asset to many employers in the healthcare sector.

Your job prospects after your Master’s include:

• Researcher at a university, TNO (Applied Research Institute) or RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment)
• Health insurance policy officer with a health insurer
• Sickness prevention policy officer at a branch of the Municipal Health Services
• Communication advisor on health issues
• Manager at a work activity centre or healthcare institution
• Epidemiologist
• Health advisor for an NGO

Once you have completed your Master’s in Health Sciences, you may also decide to continue your studies at a more advanced level. The options include post-doctorate courses at the Netherlands School of Primary Care Research (CaRe) or the Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences (NIHES). You can also apply to a PhD programme at a university or research institute.

Admission Requirements

All students with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from VU University Amsterdam, Twente University, Wageningen University and Maastricht University will be admitted to the Master’s programme.

If your university Bachelor’s degree is not entirely relevant to the Master’s programme, you may still obtain admission via a pre-Master’s programme. This programme will be drawn up on an individual basis and will take up to one year, depending on the relevance of your prior education. The examination board will make the final decision on your admission.

Students holding a university bachelor’s degree in Science of Movement, Biomedical Sciences and Psychology are allowed to enter the programme if they follow the course in Epidemiology and the required course preceding the chosen specialization (Health economy, Infectious diseases, Nutrition and health, International Public health, Health Communication).