The Master of Science in Public Health (MPH) at ITM is a 60-credit international programme that equips you with the analytical insight and strategic skills to respond to today’s most urgent global health challenges. From emerging diseases and climate change to urban health, noncommunicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health, the programme prepares you to design equitable, responsive systems and policies that improve health outcomes where they are needed most.
With over 60 years of experience, the MPH has a proven track record: more than 90% of graduates report that the programme gave them the competencies they needed to contribute to global health, and the majority moved into senior management or policy roles within a few years of graduating.
You can follow the programme full-time in one year at ITM's campus in Antwerp, or part-time over up to five years, giving you the flexibility to combine study with your professional life.
Target audience
This programme is designed for experienced health professionals and researchers with an academic background in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, midwifery, biomedical sciences or a related field such as medical sociology, anthropology or health economics. Professionals from non-health disciplines with relevant field experience in the health sector are also welcome to apply. The MPH actively seeks a diverse student body in terms of geographic origin, educational profile and professional experience, to foster rich peer-to-peer learning.
Programme
Learning at the MPH is built on interaction and experience. Through a combination of interactive lectures, small group work, case studies, debates and individual assignments, you will apply concepts and methods directly to real-world challenges from your own professional context. You will be part of a diverse international cohort, learning alongside fellow health professionals from both the Global South and North, guided by ITM's multidisciplinary teaching staff and partner institutions who are all actively involved in research and capacity strengthening across low, middle and high income countries.
The programme includes a core course (20 ECTS), advanced course components (25 ECTS) that you choose in function of your interests and career goals, and a master's thesis (15 ECTS).
By the end of this programme, you will be able to:
Demonstrate insight and knowledge in public health related disciplines such as epidemiology, demography and bio-statistics, management and political sciences, social and behavioural sciences, and environmental sciences
Apply theoretical frameworks and appropriate research methods to analyse health and health systems at local, national and international levels taking into account all stakeholders’ perspectives
Master quantitative and qualitative research methods relevant for public health practice
Provide policy advice for health systems’ management and strengthening
Formulate evidence-based and context-specific health programmes/interventions and plan their implementation, taking into account the resources, perspectives and priorities of providers and beneficiaries
Retrieve, assess, summarise and report scientific and other evidence for public health decision-making in a systematic and reproducible manner
Function responsibly and independently in a professional and multidisciplinary team, demonstrating analytical and problem-solving skills as well as communication and negotiation skills
60 ECTS credits
