Global Health
Vrije University - Summer & Winter graduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 735 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
21 Jul 2024
* VU students
Introduction
This course will provide you with in-depth insights into the growing complexity of the burden of disease.
In a globalizing world, health challenges transcend national boundaries and are becoming more complex. To face these challenges, including those posed by pandemics like COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, we need a two-way flow of resources, expertise and know-how between the Global North and Global South, involving stakeholders from different scientific disciplines. Only a combined learning process of this kind has the potential to generate effective, innovative solutions to global health issues and to create equitable health systems around the world.
This course will provide you with in-depth insights into the growing complexity of the burden of disease, particularly in low and middle-income countries, as well as the main challenges surrounding health systems, infectious and non-communicable conditions, and child and reproductive health. It will equip you with a critical and holistic view of these challenges, as well as potential solutions.
Thanks to our association with the Amsterdam Institute of Global Health and Development (AIGHD), we can offer students access to an extensive network of partners and experts in health and related domains. In group discussions and debates, we will invite you to think critically about these global issues. Your learning experience will be further enriched through thought-provoking interviews with key local and international actors in the field.
Gallery
Ideal Students
Students and professionals with a science background and an interest in complex health problems in an international context. This course is multi-disciplinary and is therefore open to learners from a wide variety of backgrounds. The level of assessment in on Advanced Bachelor's level.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Equal Access Scholarship
Application procedure
The application deadline has expired. It is no longer possible to apply for the Equal Access Scholarship.
Great that you are interested in applying for the Equal Access Scholarship. You can apply via this link (expired) for the scholarship from 1 February and 1 April. Please be aware that it is only possible to select one course.
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced in mid-May. Since we have a limited number of scholarships available for a large number of applicants, we suggest - if possible! - to complete your payment at the time of your course application to guarantee your place in the course. However, if you are not able to come without the scholarship, you can just wait until the announcement. If you would like to come, regardless of whether you will be granted the scholarship, it is best to secure your place in the course by completing your payment via our regular application form. If the scholarship is granted to you, the tuition and accommodation fees will be reimbursed.
Deadline to submit your Equal Access Scholarship application: 31 March (23:59 CET).
Photographer Scholarship
Do you love to capture moments, people, and surroundings on your smartphone/camera? Do you have good editing skills and a passion for social media? Become our summer school photographer! This photographer scholarship is only offered to those participating in a 2-week course or in case you join us for both sessions.
What do we offer:
- €500 discount on tuition fee
- A number of social activities for free (allocated by summer team, requirement: must take photos)
What do we expect from you:
- Photos of your time at VU Amsterdam Summer School (photos of fellow students, Amsterdam, excursions, and social program)
- Creating content/story takeover on the VU Amsterdam Instagram account
- Participation in the social program (free of charge and based on availability)
- Attending the photographer kick-off meeting
Application procedure*
Please send a short video where you introduce yourself (approx. 30 seconds-1 minute) and some examples of your photo work to [email protected], please use 'Photographer Scholarship' as the subject line. It is important to use your own smartphone or camera. Deadline for applications: 14 May 23:59 (CET).
As the Photographer application deadline is after the course registration deadline, it is important that you apply and pay for the course you are interested in before the application deadline of 1 May. If you end up winning the scholarship, then you will be reimbursed the €500 that the scholarship grants. If you are not granted the scholarship and are not able to join the course without the partial grant, then you can still receive a full refund until 16 May. If you are not able to join without the grant then you can also decide to wait until the winners are announced - and thus not apply for the course beforehand - however, this could mean that the course you are interested in is not available anymore. We, therefore. highly recommend, if possible, to apply via our application page before the official course registration deadline.
*If you are a summer Exchange student or a university partner nominee (course fee and/or housing is funded by your university), then you are, unfortunately, not applicable for this scholarship.
Curriculum
- Welcome and introduction to course and assignments
- Health Systems
- Non-communicable Diseases & Mental Health
- Disability and Development
- Preparation for debate
- Welcome and introduction to course and assignments
- Communicable Diseases: Epidemics, Pandemics and Managing Global Health Responses
- Interview skills training
- Careers in Global Health
- VU social program
- Preparation for debate (self-study group work)
- Excursion – Amsterdam Underground Tour
- VU Welcome and pub quiz
- Child and Reproductive Health
- Humanitarian Aid
- Portfolio (self-study group work)
- Portfolio presentations
- Debate
- Careers in Global Health – Interviews
- VU social program
Program Outcome
By the end of this course you will:
- Gain critical knowledge of local and global health issues.
- Be able to take an interdisciplinary approach to health and disease-related problems around the world.
- Possess the necessary skills to collaborate with peers from different disciplines.
- Know how to obtain reliable and critical data to develop a topic for discussion.
- Possess the skills needed to discuss topics related to global health.