Master of Global Health
KU Leuven
Key Information
Campus location
Leuven, Belgium
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 4,537 / per year
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
Introduction
Practical information
The Advanced Master of Global Health is jointly organized by the five Flemish Universities in Belgium: Ghent University, Antwerp University, University of Leuven, University of Brussels, and Hasselt University. Classes will be taught in Ghent, Antwerp, and Leuven. All places are easily accessible by public transport and students will be given access to student facilities on the three campuses.
Please consult our website for recent information on this program.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Global Health is a two-year advanced Master’s program (120 ECTS) comprising three components: 1) theoretical courses; 2) a Master’s thesis; and 3) an internship.
The theoretical courses are largely based on three aspects of global health:
- Global concepts, problems, and frameworks concerning health (Global – Year 1)
- Local and context-specific organization and interventions concerning health (Local – Year 1)
- Extensive focus on a specific aspect of global health (Focal – Year 2)
The theoretical courses also include:
- Courses on transferable skills, including complexity theory, systems thinking, and evidence synthesis
- Research methods and tools, including key methodological insights relevant to global health
Master’s dissertation: The Master’s dissertation is a paper in which the student independently develops a research project.
Year 1
Global (semester 1)
These modules are taken by all students.
The first semester of the course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge about global health problems, their determinants at different levels, and the inter/supranational frameworks within which action can be taken. Two courses are offered:
Global Health Challenges
This course is the first module of the program and aims to offer students advanced insights into global health issues and their determinants at various levels.
- In Part I the health priorities from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are discussed.
- Part II focuses on environmental factors that determine health and illness.
- Part III focuses on social processes that are fundamental causes of health and illness.
Global Health Governance and Leadership
In this course, students acquire advanced insights into the most important international legislative and legal frameworks, as well as into the leading international global health stakeholders (international organizations, networks, foundations) and the main frameworks relating to global health. This course will teach students about the frameworks within which solutions to global health challenges can be thought about and acted on.
- Part I deals with ethical principles and concepts related to health policy and practice. Because global health uses a population-based approach that aims to protect and promote health, it has a number of intrinsic dilemmas with regard to the extent to which health policy limits personal liberties. Students will gain insight into these dilemmas and study cases in which policy or practice conflicts with personal liberties.
- Part II deals with the various key actors and stakeholders (including the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), civil society, multilateral networks, etc.), international agreements, frameworks and perspectives. We are working on a series of case studies in which national and international health policy in specific countries/regions will be discussed, as well as global health policy on specific themes.
- Part III deals with a selection of legal topics related to global health. The topics discussed include, for example, the legal organization of social security, health aspects of environmental law, health aspects of the employment relationship, and health and insurance law.
Local (Semester 2)
These modules are taken by all students.
In the second semester, the instruments available to governments to provide a local response to the abovementioned global issues will be discussed further. This consists of the organization of health systems, and health promotion and disease prevention, for which two courses are offered:
- Health Care Systems
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Transversal Skills Courses
Throughout semesters 1 and 2, there will be transversal skills courses:
Research Methods in Global Health IA
This course aims to provide students with insights into the most important methodologies needed to conduct and understand global health research.
- Part I: Epidemiology. This section gives students insights into the basic terminology and basic principles used in epidemiology.
- Part II: Introduction to statistics. This section provides a basis for knowledge statistics.
Research Methods in Global Health IB
- Part III: Classic and modern data analysis. (Bio)statistical training for public health experts. Basic applications of biostatistics methodology for analysis of data from medical and public health research.
- Part IV: Evidence synthesis. This section introduces important concepts related to the review and synthesis of existing scientific literature.
Essential Skills in Global Health I
This course aims to familiarize students with important skills needed to function professionally in the field of global health. Theoretical frameworks on complexity and complexity theory (Part I) are discussed, as are aspects of multiperspectivist thinking and acting (Part II). These perspectives are applied to global health problems by means of case studies.
Integrated Country Project
The program pays particular attention to the practical application of the theory from Year 1 courses through the ‘integrated country project’. Each year, one specific focus country will be selected. Students will be divided into interdisciplinary groups and will be assigned a specific global health challenge in that country. For each theoretical course in the first year, students will need to apply the theory to that country-specific health problem. At the end of year 1, the combined papers will make up a comprehensive global health analysis of a particular country, that will be presented during a seminar in Ghent.
Year 2
Focal (semesters 3 and 4)
In year 2, students will have the opportunity to opt for an in-depth major program in either Global Health Policy and Programmes or Advanced Research Methods and Tools, which they can compose themselves through elective courses. The elective courses for these majors will preferably focus on topics that are relevant to their internship and Master’s thesis. Students will already have been assigned a mentor in year 1 (their Master’s thesis supervisor), who will oversee the coherence of the curriculum. Particular attention will be paid to coordinating the elective courses chosen, the Master’s thesis, and the internship.
In addition to the Master’s thesis and internship, there are two compulsory courses in year 2.
Research Methods in Global Health II:
The aim of this course is to provide students an insight into the most important methodologies of Qualitative Research and Monitoring and Evaluation required to perform and understand Global Health research.
Essential Skills in Global Health II: leadership skills
This course focuses on leadership skills and aims to familiarize students with important skills needed to function professionally in the field of global health. It will deal with the following topics: theories in leadership research, different leadership styles, understanding your own leadership style, communication skills, and networking skills.
Ideal Students
Student Profile
Complex health problems require interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international solutions. We welcome students with a recognized Master's degree from any background discipline.
Career Opportunities
In the second year, the Master's Program offers two tracks. Students graduating from our Global Health Policy and Programs option will be more oriented towards government institutions, international organizations, development agencies, non-governmental organizations or lobbying and advocacy. Those graduating from our Research Methods in Global Health option will focus more on national and international research institutions working in fields related to global health.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits:120 ECTS
- Degree Type: Advanced Master
- Specifications: Master of Science.
Students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitude to face the complexity of Global Health problems, and to formulate holistic, transnational, interdisciplinary solutions, taking into account a multitude of actors. After successfully completing the Master of Science in Global Health, a student will have acquired the following competencies:
- Having an advanced understanding of the theory, analysis, and decision-making in Global Health
- Making critical and creative use of the international research and policy on Global Health in analyzing complex challenges in the field of Global Health
- Applying analytical and methodological skills in a holistic manner in the study of diverse and transnational Global Health challenges
- Designing, planning, and executing a Global Health research project independently in a national or international multidisciplinary setting
- Critically evaluating various stances towards complex transnational and interdependent Global Health challenges and developing a personal opinion
- Independently and critically reflecting on their personal role and that of others in a Global Health context.
Applying insights from different interrelated disciplines to Global Health challenges - Having a long-term vision, that aims to eliminate avoidable morbidity and mortality and promote well-being, social equity, and justice on a global scale
- Taking up a catalytic role in promoting a transnational and interdisciplinary approach to Global Health challenges in countries at all stages of development
- Obtaining the knowledge, skills, and attitude to continue to evolve professionally through self-directed learning
- Communicating effectively and efficiently, both orally and in writing, on Global Health research and solutions with scientists from different disciplines and other stakeholders (including policymakers and interest groups)
- Collaborating and taking on leadership in a multidisciplinary environment with a variety of actors from diverse cultural and social backgrounds
- Integrating social implications of new developments in the complex Global Health context into scientific, policy, and practical work
- Integrating ethical, normative, and cultural aspects of Global Health into scientific, policy, and practical work
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.