Global Urban Health

The Master of Science in Global Urban Health at the University of Freiburg is a comprehensive interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students for addressing the complex health challenges emerging in urban environments worldwide. As urbanization continues at an unprecedented pace, cities face multifaceted issues including environmental pollution, overcrowding, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, social inequalities, and the spread of infectious diseases. This program aims to equip students with the knowledge, analytical skills, and practical expertise necessary to develop innovative solutions for promoting health and well-being in urban populations.

The curriculum integrates perspectives from public health, environmental sciences, urban planning, sociology, and policy analysis to provide a holistic understanding of the factors influencing health in urban settings. Core modules cover topics such as epidemiology, health systems, environmental health, urban planning, and social determinants of health. Students will also have the opportunity to choose specialized electives in areas like climate change adaptation, health communication, and mobility in cities.

Apart from theoretical foundations, the program emphasizes practical experience through case studies, field work, internships, and collaboration with local and international organizations. The interdisciplinary approach encourages critical thinking and fosters skills in research, data analysis, and project management. Students are guided by expert faculty members with extensive experience in global health, urban development, and policy-making.

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for careers in international health organizations, governmental agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and urban planning departments. They will be capable of designing, implementing, and evaluating health initiatives tailored to the needs of diverse urban populations. The program also provides a solid basis for students intending to pursue doctoral studies or careers in academia.

The University of Freiburg's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility ensures that students are engaged with current global health issues and solutions. The program is delivered in a dynamic learning environment that encourages collaboration, intercultural exchange, and community engagement. By studying at Freiburg, students become part of a vibrant academic community dedicated to advancing health equity and creating healthier, more sustainable cities worldwide.

Educational organisation

The MSc in Global Urban Health is organised through an interdisciplinary effort using participatory learning techniques. Theoretical teaching, which will mainly take place in the morning, consists of interactive lectures, plenary discussions, in-class practical exercises and workshops in small groups.
In the afternoon, mainly self directed study as well as field trips and excursions will take place. Excursions include study tours to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Environmental Program (UNEP) in Geneva, to the National History Museum in Basel and to Freiburg-Vauban. Personal study consists of reading, carrying out small research projects and preparing presentations of results for the group.
All teaching material is distributed online. This includes theme-specific reading.

Study abroad unit(s)

The participants can take the Master's as a full time year. This requires the student to be present in Freiburg for a minimum of 30 weeks. Core module and three advance modules will be covered. The thesis can be implemented in developing countries or as a desk study.

Internships

This is a very intensive course. Therefore, internships are not recommended.

Forms of assessment

There will be an assessment after each individual module. This may be an extensive presentation, written examination or homework assignment (Hausarbeit). Additionally, there will be a student evaluation of each module.
The assessment will follow a grading system (A-E).
For the final assessment, an external examiner will be invited to screen the participants' documents, their achievements, a sample of the thesis from each grade and will take - if necessary for the decision on pass or failure - an oral examination together with the course convener and members of the steering committee.

Course objectives

The objective is a full MSc degree upon the participant's successful completion of the whole programme, including the module assessments and the Master's thesis.
A Certificate Degree will be awarded if participants successfully completes the modules and passes the module assessments but does not write the Master's thesis.
A certificate of participation (Anwesenheitsbescheinigung) with the number of ECTS will be awarded to participants of individual modules.

The modular MSc course aims to:

• Provide professionals with previous experience in health services, urban planning and disease control in LMICs (low and middle income countries) with research and management skills relevant to the challenges of urban health
• Develop participants' knowledge and skills of prevention, control and evaluation of health and health services strategies that promote urban health in developing countries
• Enable participants to design and conduct urban health related research
• Create graduates who are informed, committed, proactive and effective health professionals, capable of leadership according to their professional roles
• Facilitate high quality learning that is informed by critical analysis of current research
• Develop independent and reflective approaches to study that will enable participants to continue to learn in the future

Language requirements

Proficiency in the English language is required. Students for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence by one of the following test with minimum scores of:
5+ IELTS band
TOEFL paper-based 550
TOEFL computer-based 213
TOEFL Internet-based 72-94
DAAD (a, b or c in all categories)
GER-Level B2 or more

Academic requirements

a) Graduates of a relevant field holding a higher academic degree (minimum four years of academic full time studies)
b) Proof of proficiency in English, if not a native speaker, e.g. TOEFL (550 paper / 213 computer / 72 - 94 online), IELTS (5+), DAAD (a, b or c in all categories), GER-Level B2 or more
c) Working experience in a relevant field

Costs of living

Participants must make sure in good time that sufficient funds are available to finance their participation in a course of study. The average cost of living in Freiburg for one month is currently approx. 800-900 EUR. Some details:

• Student accommodation costs approx. 280-450 EUR (monthly).
• Private expenses amount to around 350 EUR (monthly).
• Health insurance is available for approx. 45-90 EUR (monthly).
• Transport: A special student fare for regional transport costs approx. 89 EUR (per semester).

Job opportunities

This is a very intensive course. Therefore, working during the course is not recommended.

Arrival support

In addition to services and support offered by each coordinator of a course of study, the International Office organises a special four-day orientation session which generally takes place two weeks before the beginning of the semester. This orientation session includes information about various aspects of everyday life (e.g. accommodation, work opportunities, etc.), presentations and visits to important institutions (e.g. the university library) and opportunities for socialising with other international students.

Services and support for international students

During the semester, the "International Club" (coordinated by the Studentenwerk, the Student Social Services) offers a great variety of events, trips and services for international students in cooperation with the International Office. Furthermore, the UNIKOS team, a group of international students who have been studying at Freiburg University for some time, give practical advice and can be approached for help in several languages.

Accommodation

As Freiburg is an attractive city, finding a suitable place to live can take a little time. Only a small proportion of students can be offered a room in a student dormitory. The Studentenwerk (Student Social Services) is in charge of the student dormitories. Applicants must expect a waiting period. In addition to these dormitories, several independent dormitories are listed on the university website. The Studentenwerk also offers a list of available private rooms. The International Office can be contacted for further assistance in finding accommodation (http://www.international.uni-freiburg.de).