Master's Programme in Public Health, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) or an equivalent higher education of a minimum 180 higher education credits (ECTS), from an internationally recognised University, in Public Health, Healthcare, Health education, Pharmacy or a relevant field in Social or Behavioural Science. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Degree

After completing the programme, a student may apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) Main Field of Study Public Health in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see the Umeå University website).

Description of the education for current education cycle

The programme is comprised of second-cycle studies. The intended learning outcomes can be found in Chapter 1, Section 9 of the Higher Education Act.

National goals for current degree

Knowledge and understanding
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• Demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

 
Competence and skills
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

 
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

 
Independent project (degree project)
A requirement for the award of a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) is completion by the student of an independent project (degree project) for at least 30 credits in the main field of study. The degree project may comprise less than 30 credits, however no less than 15 credits, if the student has already completed an independent project in the second cycle for at least 15 credits in the main field of study or the equivalent from a programme of study outside Sweden.

Examination format

Each syllabus contains information about the forms of examination used on that particular course.

Grades

Each syllabus contains information about which grading scales are used for that particular course.

Transfer of Credits

A student who believes that they have knowledge from previous studies or professional experience equivalent to a course or course element in the programme may apply for credit transfer. An approved credit transfer means that the student does not have to take the element or elements covered by the decision. Information about credit transfer can be found on the Umeå University website.

General

The studies in the Master's Programme in Public Health comprise a total of 4 semesters (2 years), which corresponds to courses of a total 120 higher education credits. 

The studies are characterised by a high degree of independence, actively seeking knowledge, problem solving, critical analysis and evaluation based on a scientific approach. The work formats vary between individual work, work in study groups, seminars and lectures.  The course syllabi present the entry requirements applicable for each course. All teaching will be in English. The degree project comprises of 30 credits within the programme's main field of study and takes the form of two separate theses that are examined during semester 2 and semester 4 respectively.

It is possible to complete the programme after 2 semesters (1 year), i.e. 60 credits. A student may then apply for and obtain a Degree of Master of Science (60 credits) Main Field of Study: Public Health in accordance with the local degree description established by the Vice-Chancellor (see the Umeå University website). 

Compulsory courses are the courses all programme students normally take. A student who has been  admitted to the programme is guaranteed a place in all compulsory courses, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the course in question. The eligibility requirements are stated in each respective course syllabus.

Elective courses
Elective courses are a selection of courses offered by Umeå University within the scope of the programme and where the student chooses which courses they want to register for. The student is guaranteed a place in any of these courses, provided they meet the eligibility requirements for the course in question. However, the student is not guaranteed a place on the course that was their first choice. The eligibility requirements are stated in each respective course syllabus. 

The courses included in the programme and the order in which they are taken can be found under the heading "Outline".

Deferment of studies

Information about deferment of the start of studies can be found on the Umeå University website.

Approved leave from studies

Information about leave from studies can be found on the Umeå University website.

Discontinuation

Information about non-completion of studies can be found on the Umeå University website.

Other

Course roll-call
All course roll-calls are compulsory. Exemption from roll-calls can only be granted by the course coordinator. Absence without a valid excuse can lead to the loss of the student's place on the course.

Plagiarism policy
Umeå University has a plagiarism policy which can be found on the Umeå University website.

Transitional rules
This programme syllabus replaces the syllabus from 02/02/2017. Students who began their studies under the syllabus from 02/02/2017 have the right to apply for a degree in accordance with this previous plan.

Outline

Semester 1

To find out what compulsory and elective courses are, see the heading "General" above. All courses in the programme's 4 semesters are compulsory, except for two. Furthermore, some courses given during the second year have eligibility requirements that involve passing courses from the first year (stated in each course syllabus). During the second year, the students have the opportunity to choose between two courses, both taught by the Department of Epidemiology and Global Health.
 

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4