Health is a sector that is always in need of capable human resources and experts. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that sectors such as Public Health are among some of the most popular courses across the world. This is especially true for nations like Germany, which highly prioritises health. Because of these reasons, courses such as Masters in Public Health in Germany for international students are highly popular. And, if you are among those who wish to study in Germany for a Master of Public Health (MPH), then you have come to the right place.
In this blog, we provide you with an overview of the Masters of Public Health (MPH). So, with this in mind, let's get started!
General Overview
According to a page by Daad.de, a Master of Public Health is a course that aims to equip participants with scientific and practical skills. These skills are developed to provide students with adequate skills to bring policy changes that positively affect the population's health. The core concept behind this course is to preserve and enhance the well-being of the overall population by integrating scientific knowledge, practical skills, and data research analysis.
As per Daad.de, this course comprises 10 modules. These modules focus on the determinants of health and major health problems from global perspectives. During this course, you can gain knowledge regarding the following:
- Conceptualization
- Planning
- Implementation and evaluation of public health interventions
- Study designs
- Research methods
By the end of this course, you should be able to get a comprehensive understanding of ethics and ongoing developments in public health. This program ends with writing a Master's thesis. The aim of this thesis is to develop and analyse a problem using a suitable study design and study methods.
Masters of Public Health (MPH) lasts for three semesters and has two starting points. These starting points include winter and summer semesters.
Program Structure of Master's of Public Health
As per a page by the Berlin School of Public Health, the program consists of four core modules, four advanced-level electives, a research project, and a master's thesis. Some of the core modules are taught in English. Besides this, you should note that the advanced-level modules are typically taught in German. There are many courses to choose from in the advanced-level electives.
You are expected to complete the required 10 modules for the program over the course of two years. This includes spending an average of 20 hours per week in class or reviewing the coursework.
Basic Modules
The Master of Public Health program is designed to impart essential core competencies in Public Health through four basic modules, each worth 5 ECTS. These modules serve as prerequisites for advanced specialisation modules. Below is an overview of the core modules:
Module 1: Fundamentals of Health Sciences
- Social science theories and concepts for public health
- Determinants of health and disease
- Disease burden of populations
- Public health-relevant disease patterns and their care in various stages
- Aims and structure of health care systems, illustrated by the German system
- System triangle: population, cost unit, service provider
- Insurance protection and resource procurement
Module 2: Epidemiology I
- Principles of epidemiological research
- Epidemiological working methods (descriptive, analytical, experimental)
- Criteria of causality and measures
- Epidemiological study types
- Introduction to sources of error and strategies to control confounding in studies
Module 3: Biostatistics I
- Descriptive statistics and estimators
- Confidence intervals and probability calculation
- Discrete and continuous distributions
- Statistical testing and test theory
- Basics of context analysis: correlation and regression analysis
- Analysis of variance, sampling, case number estimation
- Methods and techniques of data presentation
- Introduction to data processing with appropriate software
Module 4: Fundamentals of Public Health Research
- Quantitative and qualitative research methods in social sciences and public health
- Phases of the research process
- Development of quantitative and qualitative questions
- Conceptualization and operationalization
- Survey instruments and study designs
- Sampling and field phase
- Ethics and data protection
- Data management in studies
- Data quality, presentation, and exploitation of results
Advanced Modules
The Master of Public Health program includes four advanced modules, each worth 5 ECTS, which build on core competencies by offering specialised knowledge in various public health fields. One of these modules is a compulsory elective that allows you to study at other universities or abroad with approval. Below is an overview of the advanced modules:
Module 5: Advanced Public Health Methods
- Deepening methodological knowledge on evaluation, quality assurance, and the economic efficiency of interventions and healthcare structures
- Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
- Statistical analysis with SPSS
Module 6: Health Care and Systems
- In-depth knowledge of health care systems, including structures, processes, and actors at micro, meso, and macro levels
- Health care research
- Health promotion and prevention
Module 7: Determinants of Health
- Understanding social and environmental determinants in health sciences and the implications of public health decisions
- Environment, health, and sustainability
- Social epidemiology
Module 8: Free Choice From the BSPH Course Offerings
- Opportunity to develop individual health science interests through selected courses totalling 5 ECTS. Courses from BSPH and other public health-relevant Master's programs (e.g., Swiss School of Public Health, University Bielefeld, University Munich, University Mainz) are available. Modules taken at other institutions must be recognized by the BSPH admission and examination board.
- Tuberculosis in Eastern Europe (also applicable to Module 6/7)
- Health reporting (also applicable to Module 5/6/7)
- Health monitoring (also applicable to Module 5/7)
- Modules from the MSE
Project and Master's Thesis
As mentioned previously, the Master of Public Health program ends with a Master's thesis; the project and thesis together earn 20 ECTS credits. Below is an overview of these final modules:
Module 9: Work Project
- Application of theoretical knowledge to a practical research project
- Introduction to future professional fields through collaboration with scientific and practical institutions in the Berlin and Brandenburg health sectors
- Jour Fixe event for project introduction, where providers present facilities and potential research topics
- Opportunity to explore research projects for the Master's thesis without obligation
Module 10: Master Thesis
- Further implementation and elaboration of practical research projects from the work project
- Development of a research question using health scientific research methods
- Combination with theoretical background, analysis, and independent documentation
- Oral defence of the Master's thesis at the end of the course
Do note that this is just the program structure at the Berlin School of Public Health. The specifics of the program structure can and often do vary depending on the university.
Additionally, as per the information from Daad.de, the course details for Masters of Public Health are as follows:
Program Overview
- Maximum of 24 students for personalised attention and interactive learning.
- Three-semester program leading to a Master of Public Health degree.
- Divided into two parts: the first two semesters focus on determinants of health and major health issues globally, while the third semester involves completing a Master's thesis.
First Semester: Five Modules, Each Worth 6 Credit Points (CP)
- Public Health Principles
- Statistical Methods
- Epidemiology
- Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
- Evidence-Based Public Health
Second Semester: Five Modules, Each Worth 6 (CP)
- Environmental and Occupational Health
- Health Promotion and Prevention
- Leadership and Programme Planning
- Health Policy and Management
- Health Economics
Third Semester: Dedicated to Completing the Master's Thesis, Worth 30 (CP)
Cost to Study Master of Public Health in Germany
As per the website of the Berlin School of Public Health, the cost to study Master of Public Health is €10,200.
At the same time, Daad.de states that the tuition fee per semester is €2,400, with the total cost for the degree program being €7,200, not including semester contribution. You need to pay a semester contribution of €345. This amounts to a total of €9,945.
From these two data, we can roughly estimate that the cost of studying for a Master of Public Health is roughly around €10,000, give or take a few hundred.
Requirements to Study Master of Public Health
The requirements to study Master of Public Health, as per Daad.de, are as follows:
- Hold a first degree in health sciences/public health or a related field like medicine, social sciences, nursing, economics, or a closely related discipline, with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits.
- Provide proof of at least one year of professional experience in public health or relevant scientific work with an attestation from the employer.
- Submit a language certificate if English is not your first language, adhering to language requirements.
- For students who completed their education outside Germany, obtain preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying to HAW Hamburg. The VPD must be uploaded as part of the application process. Note: The uni-assist VPD process may take six to eight weeks, so it's recommended to apply early.
This is the general overview of Masters in Public Health in Germany for International Students. Now do note that the data information from Daad.de is based on the requirements and details from the MPH course at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. Therefore, the specifics may vary depending on the university you apply to.
Conclusion
Masters of Public Health in Germany is a popular course regarding health in Germany. Needless to say, many Nepalese students dream of studying this course. However, before studying this course, you need to have a general overview of this course.
In this blog, we provide you with a general overview of this course. We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights into various other aspects of studying in Germany, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best service regarding your education in Germany, look no further than Edu Zeit, a German language consultancy in Nepal. Thank you for reading till the end.
FAQs On Master's Of Public Health In Germany
What is the scope of a Master in Public Health in Germany?
After graduating from this course, you can enrol in the following sectors:
- Government agencies
- Non-profit organisations
- Research institutions
- Healthcare consulting firms
Who is eligible for MPH in Germany?
In Germany, eligibility for a Master of Public Health (MPH) program typically requires applicants to meet certain criteria:
- Hold a first degree in health sciences/public health or a related field such as medicine, social sciences, nursing, economics, or a closely related discipline, with a minimum of 210 ECTS credits.
- Provide proof of at least one year of professional experience in public health or relevant scientific work, supported by an attestation from the employer.
- If English is not the applicant's first language, provide a language certificate demonstrating proficiency and meeting the program's language requirements.
- For students who completed their education outside Germany, obtain preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying, as it's usually required by German universities. This process may take several weeks, so it's advisable to start early.
- The program typically has limited spots, often accepting a maximum of 24 students, allowing for seminars and small group work in all modules.
- The MPH program is usually three semesters long, with the first two semesters comprising coursework focusing on determinants of health and major health issues globally, while the third semester is dedicated to completing a Master's thesis.
Is public health demand in Germany?
Yes, public health graduates are in high demand in Germany.
Is it difficult to get admission to public universities in Germany?
Admission to public universities in Germany can vary depending on several factors, but it's generally not difficult.
Who is eligible for a Master's in Germany?
Those who are eligible for Master's programs in Germany typically include those who hold a relevant bachelor's degree with a minimum number of ECTS credits, possess professional experience in certain fields, demonstrate language proficiency (usually German or English), and fulfil any additional requirements, such as a VPD for international applicants.
How much does an MPH in Germany cost for international students?
The tuition fees for MPH programs can vary across universities but generally range between €7,000 to €10,000 for the entire program, excluding living expenses. Some universities also charge a semester contribution fee on top of the tuition fee.
What are the core modules in an MPH program?
Common core modules include Public Health Principles, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Qualitative Research Methods, Evidence-Based Public Health, Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Policy and Management, and Health Economics.
What are the career prospects after an MPH in Germany?
Graduates with an MPH degree can find opportunities in government agencies, non-profit organisations, research institutions, healthcare consulting firms, and various other public health-related sectors.
