The course provides a broad introduction to Sámi and Indigenous health, with a focus on both the regional situation in Sápmi and Indigenous health globally. The course is suited for anyone with an interest in Sámi and Indigenous peoples' health. It is particularly suitable for those who work within health and medical care systems, with public health, or in other related areas.
The course is constructed around thematic blocks. These include Sámi and Indigenous peoples' perspectives on identity, health rights, health, and health models; Sámi and Indigenous peoples' health situation today; methods and ethics in Sámi and Indigenous health research; health and healthcare systems for Sámi and Indigenous peoples; and personal treatment and power relations in healthcare encounters. Within each block, key concepts are introduced, related to empirical data, and discussed.
To conclude the course, students apply their knowledge through the development of a proposal for change with the potential to improve the health of Sámi or Indigenous peoples, within the students' own area of interest or activity.
The course is taught as online distance education. The study pace is 25%. Teaching methods are adapted to enable course participation alongside employment in health and healthcare.
The teaching consists of online lectures, pre-recorded lectures, literature studies, individual writing assignments and online group seminars. The course is taught in English. Individual course participation in Swedish may be possible to some extent.
Since the teaching takes place online, participation in the course requires access to a computer with a camera, headset with a microphone and an internet connection.
Submission of written assignments and attendance and active participation in online group seminars is mandatory.
Required Knowledge
90 ECTS in Public Health, Health and Healthcare, sami or indigenous Studies or other discipline within social or behavioural sciences, or equivalent foreign higher education. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 from Swedish upper-secondary education.
The online application opens 15 September 2025 at 09:00 CET.
Application deadline is
15 October 2025. How to apply
Application and tuition fees
As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
