International Programmes 2023/2024

Master of Science in International Health (MScIH) Master of Science in International Health (MScIH)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin • Berlin

Degree
Master of Science in International Health (MScIH)
Teaching language
  • English
Languages

Courses are held in English. The thesis needs to be written in English.

Programme duration
4 semesters
Beginning
Winter semester
Application deadline

31 March for the following winter semester

Tuition fees per semester in EUR
Yes
Additional information on tuition fees
  • Core course: 6,000 EUR, additional costs (e.g. software, conference) may apply (approx. 150 EUR)
  • Advanced modules: approx. 7,000 EUR if all taken at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (please note that tropEd institutes have different fee scales)
  • Relevant professional experience (essay): 400 EUR
  • Master's thesis: 3,000 EUR
Combined Master's degree / PhD programme
No
Joint degree / double degree programme
No
Description/content

Taking on a multidisciplinary approach, the Master of Science in International Health (MScIH) programme combines Tropical Medicine, Public Health, Social Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Economics, and Health Management Sciences, among other topics. The programme raises awareness of global health concerns, allows students to identify and analyse key factors shaping the health and well-being of populations, and provides participants with the principles, concepts, skills, and tools related to promotion of health, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases as well as health system strengthening and informing policy. The programme offers a wide variety of subjects: Medical Anthropology, Social Sciences Research, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Major Endemic Diseases in LMIC (Low and Low Middle Income Countries) with a focus on infectious diseases such as HIV, TB, Malaria, and so-called Neglected Tropical Diseases as well as Chronic/Non-Communicable Diseases, Parasitology, Vaccinology, Reproductive and Child Health, Mental Health, Primary Health Care, Social Determinants of Health, Urban Health, Environmental Health, Nutrition, Health Project Management, Health Economics, Health Policies, Health Systems Strengthening, Universal Health Coverage, etc. 

Course organisation

The Master of Science in International Health (MScIH) is a flexible modular programme that can be studied on a part-time basis. If studied on a full-time basis, it may be completed in one year, provided that students have gained the relevant professional experience before enrolling in the programme (i.e. professional experience in a low or middle income country). It consists of a Core Course, Advanced Modules, a Master's thesis, and one year of professional experience in LMIC.

1. Core course
The programme starts with the core course which has a duration of 15 weeks of full-time study. The core course provides knowledge and skills based on the basic principles and concepts of International Health. It consists of three major blocks: (1) Concepts and Research Methods in International Health, (2) Health Problems with a special focus on Tropical Medicine, and (3) Health Systems and Management. The successful completion of the core course yields 20 ECTS credit points and allows to proceed with advanced modules.

2. Advanced modules
Advanced modules deepen the knowledge on selected topics and facilitate specialisation. Advanced modules must yield 20 ECTS credit points, which equals three to four months full-time study. More than 120 advanced modules from which to choose are offered by the institutions of the tropEd Network (https://www.troped.org/courses/SPT--Advanced.php). A minimum of 10 ECTS credit points must be obtained at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.

3. Master's thesis
The Master's thesis is based on a research project supported by a designated supervisor. The research project may cover a wide variety of topics related to International Health. Formats may range from experimental design, diagnostic research, quantitative/qualitative assessments, and policy analyses to literature review. The research can also be done at one of the tropEd partner institutions in Asia, Africa, and Central America or through any organisation or institution in LMIC. The Master's thesis yields 30 ECTS credit points. The duration is four months.

4. Relevant professional experience
A further requirement for the Master of Science in International Health is proof of at least one year of full-time health-related ("relevant") professional experience in LMIC. The work experience must have been obtained after completion of the student's first academic degree or first professional qualification. Those students who do not have relevant professional experience yet when admitted to the Master's programme have to acquire relevant professional experience during their enrolment in the programme.

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A Diploma supplement will be issued
Yes
International elements
  • International guest lecturers
  • Training in intercultural skills
  • Courses are led with foreign partners
  • Content-related regional focus
  • International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context
Description of other international elements

Approx. 80% international students, student mobility within the tropEd network

Special promotion / funding of the programme
  • DAAD development-related postgraduate course
Course-specific, integrated German language courses
No
Course-specific, integrated English language courses
No
Tuition fees per semester in EUR
Yes
Additional information on tuition fees
  • Core course: 6,000 EUR, additional costs (e.g. software, conference) may apply (approx. 150 EUR)
  • Advanced modules: approx. 7,000 EUR if all taken at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (please note that tropEd institutes have different fee scales)
  • Relevant professional experience (essay): 400 EUR
  • Master's thesis: 3,000 EUR
Semester contribution

Approx. 315 EUR including the Berlin Transport Company "BVG" ticket (zone AB) or approx. 115 EUR excluding the Berlin Transport Company "BVG" ticket per semester.

Funding opportunities within the university
No
Academic admission requirements
  • Academic admission requirements include the completion of a three-and-a-half-year Bachelor's programme (210 ECTS credit points) in a health-related field. Graduates of a three-year Bachelor's programme can also apply but need to obtain additional 30 ECTS credit points through advanced modules (15 ECTS credit points) and a critical literature review (15 ECTS credit points).
  • One year of professional experience after the first qualifying degree
  • Applicants with health-related professional experience in low- or middle-income countries will be given preference for admission.
Language requirements

Internationally recognised English proficiency certificate equivalent to a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) / 213 (computer-based) / 80 (Internet-based) or IELTS score 6

Application deadline

31 March for the following winter semester

Submit application to

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Institute of International Health, Charité Center for Global Health
Master's Programme in International Health
Campus Virchow-Klinikum
Augustenburger Platz 1
Interne Geländeadresse: Südring 3B
13353 Berlin
Germany

Accommodation

Options for accommodation, including designated student housing, apartments for rent, shared accommodation, or hostels, can be obtained from the office of the Master's programme.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates
  • Welcome event
  • Buddy programme
  • Support with registration procedures
General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

Orientation week, Charité International Cooperation (ChIC) (https://www.charite.de/international/)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

University location

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