Health Sciences

Why study Health Sciences at VU Amsterdam?
Since 1900, life expectancy in Western Europe has increased by 30 years. Only five of those years can be attributed to curative medicine; the remaining 25 years are due to improvements in public health, hygiene and prevention. In the Master’s in Health Sciences, you will explore and analyse the various complex factors that contribute to health and disease. Your excellent analytical ability, comprehensive overview of the healthcare system and specialized knowledge and skills will make you a valuable asset to healthcare employers.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME
In this one-year programme you will choose one specialization, complete a five-month internship, resulting in a Master thesis. The specialization comprises five one-month courses. The specialization in Health Policy focuses on health technology assessment and health economics. If you choose to specialize in Prevention and Public Health, you will study human behaviour in the living and working environment. Infectious Diseases and Health examines pathogenic micro-organisms and parasites from the perspective of disease prevention and treatment. If you take the Nutrition and Health specialization, you will explore the role of diet in maintaining good health and in disease treatment and recovery. Opting for International Public Health gives you insight into international developments in health intervention strategies and the impact of globalization.

In the Master’s programme in Health Sciences, you will learn to analyse the various complex factors that contribute to health. You will go beyond individual health issues to tackle health problems in different ways.

5 SPECIALIZATIONS:
• Health Policy
• Prevention & Public Health
• Infectious Diseases & Public Health
• Nutrition & Health
• International Public Health

English