Entry requirements

University degree, minimum of 180 credits in medicine, nursing, nutrition or another area relevant to global health. All applicants need to verify English language proficiency. This is normally attested by means of an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants must have passed Global Health 1 and Global Health 3, or equivalent.

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is that the students will learn from practical experience how to design and carry out research projects in health and will gain the knowledge and skills needed for entrance into research training within the field of international health.

At the end of the course students will be able to:

• Plan and design research projects independently
• Have knowledge and experience regarding a variety of research methods appropriate to International health
• Implement research projects
• Analyse and evaluate research results and write a scientific report
• Design health research projects under conditions of limited recourses, such as in low- and middle income countries or in humanitarian crises
• Have knowledge and sensitivity to do such research successfully in other countries and in transcultural situations
• Have developed capacity to write and communicate on a high academic level

Content

The course consists of an individual degree thesis project. Under the guidance of a supervisor and during seminars, the student identifies and reads relevant literature, designs the thesis project, and selects appropriate methods. In particular, they develop further their ability to find and store information from printed and electronic sources. Critique and argumentation will be trained especially within the scheduled seminars.

Every thesis outline must be cleared by the supervisor, and where applicable the research ethics committee, before the research is begun.

In most cases studies aim at analysing secondary data or of policy documents. In some cases, the project involves data collection conducted in the field.

Degree projects in international health are expected to focus on a health issue in a low- or middle-income country, in a humanitarian crisis, or in a marginalised population. Alternatives for the specialisation study include public health in humanitarian assistance, international nutrition, child health, and sexual and reproductive health.

The completed work is presented in a written Master's thesis. The work is also presented at a seminar.

Instruction

The learning process is based on seminars where fellow students work are discussed, the execution of an independent thesis project, and the presentation of that project in written and verbal form.

Assessment

To receive a final grade for the course, the student need to pass a written thesis, a seminar presentation and carry out an opposition of another thesis.

All examinations are in English.