Global Health University of Bonn

Courses are exclusively held in English. The Master's thesis has to be written in English, too.

The Master of Science in Global Health is a study programme at the medical faculty of the University of Bonn, involving the faculty of agriculture, nutrition and engineering and the Center for Development Research (ZEF). This modular course is offered to post-graduate students from around the world and is taught in English. Upon completing the MSc, students are well equipped for a career path in health-related management, policy making or policy advise, health and social advocacy at international, national or regional levels. Preparation for a PhD and research career only play a subordinate role.

Examples of the fields of study include the following:

a) Global Clinical Care and Non-Communicable Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Prevention and Control
b) Health Systems Management and Policies
c) Food and Nutrition Security in the Framework of Global Health
d) Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation in Health
e) Spatial Health Assessment
f) One Health and Climate Change
g) Sustainable Development as Guiding Principle for Health

This Master's programme can also be studied part-time (with a maximum of ten semesters as regular length of studies). Part-time studies include a high portion of asynchronous elements, online or hybrid seminars.

• Prospective scholarship holders (particularly DAAD-EPOS): 15 October for the following winter semester
• Non-EU applicants: 15 March for the following winter semester
• EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

For the full-time students, the first semester kicks off with a core course (20 ECTS) that equips students with in-depth understanding of global health and refreshes academic and research skills.

On this basis, students can choose elective modules that take place between January and July in Bonn. Four electives (with 5 ECTS each) must be taken to successfully complete this part of the studies. Besides the electives offered at the University of Bonn, and if fitting the overall study schedule, students may also choose from courses offered within the tropEd network. Part-time students and students who do not come on a scholarship and/or student visa are more flexible in the choice of tropEd modules.

The last three months are completely dedicated to the Master's thesis. Students are asked to work on a topic that is clearly linked to the content of Global Health and that is of interdisciplinary or intersectoral nature. Given the overall direction of the Master's programme, the practical relevance of the thesis must be demonstrated.

All modules are taught in small groups. They mainly consist of seminars and tutorials. Active participation in the group work and beyond as well as attendance in the courses are a must. Excursions (e.g. to the university farm) and first-hand exchange with global health practitioners (in NGOs, at UN, etc.) are an integral part of the studies in Bonn.

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4,850 EUR

115 EUR per semester

Having first professional experience already, you will be enrolled as a post-graduate student in continuous education with this lower registration fee. At the University of Bonn, these students have the same status as guest students and hence are not eligible for some benefits such as the student transit pass ("Semester Ticket"), which is, however, comparable in costs and benefits to the Deutschland Ticket available to all. 

Compared to the rest of Europe, living in Germany is not very expensive; in fact, it is only slightly above the EU average. The cost of living for students in Bonn is around 950 EUR to 1,100 EUR, with rent accounting for the largest share.

Applicants must have a first academic degree of 240 ECTS in the areas of health, human medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, other academic health professions (public health/health sciences, psychology/psychotherapy, nursing/sciences, midwifery, medical laboratory sciences), international relations or other relevant social sciences. Additionally, applicants must have at least one year working experience in relevant areas, for instance, the regulation of health protection, health management and planning of health care, infrastructure, etc. The work experience of one year must be fully collected before applying.

More information: https://master-globalhealth.de/admission/

For non-native English speakers: A sufficient proficiency in the English language (at least at the level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is required.

A proof of English language proficiency is not required by native speakers from the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, United States.

• Prospective scholarship holders (particularly DAAD-EPOS): 15 October for the following winter semester
• Non-EU applicants: 15 March for the following winter semester
• EU applicants: 15 July for the following winter semester

No

Students of the University of Bonn can apply for a room in a dormitory of the Studierendenwerk Bonn (further information: https://www.studierendenwerk-bonn.de/en/accommodation/). The number of rooms is very limited.

For further information on housing in Bonn, please visit our website: www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university-life/living-in-bonn.

The career advisory service includes individual career counselling with the study programme coordinator and/or with global health lecturers having professional experience in LIC (low income countries) and LMIC (low and middle income countries) as well as international organisations is part of the programme.

Furthermore, the University of Bonn has a central career service, which provides a range of advice and support about choosing a career and applying for jobs.

The University of Bonn offers a range of different support programmes for international students. The Welcome Days before the start of every semester are an opportunity for new students from abroad to gather information on the most important issues, such as enrolment, registration with the local authorities, and opening a bank account. Getting to know fellow international and German students during recreational activities is another benefit of the Welcome Days.

The Study Buddy programme matches newly arrived international students (mentees) with a University of Bonn student (buddy) who helps them as they start their studies and adjust to life in Bonn. The buddies give tips, advice and assistance that make it easier for their mentees to become familiar with the university and get settled in Bonn.