International Health

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International Health focuses on poverty-related health problems and health systems in low and middle income societies. A broad range of issues are included in research and training, with specific emphasis on analysis of the most widespread and serious diseases, as well as regional and local differences in health conditions; on the relationship between health systems and society, international health programmes and their effects, as well as disaster management and prevention. In recent years it has become clear that studies on health policy, health management, health economics, the blend of public and private health services, as well as user perspectives, must be given priority as important prerequisites for health development.

A number of disciplines relate to International Health: medical anthropology, biomedicine, epidemiology, tropical medicine, parasitology, public health, clinical and nursing sciences, biology, entomology, nutrition, demography, health economics, political science, sociology, etc. Resource persons from other departments and from various Danish and international institutions, are involved in the teaching. Teaching and research related to International Health are based on longitudinal studies, intervention studies, international comparative studies, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Master of International Health is offered by the University of Copenhagen's Copenhagen School of Global Health.

The Master of International Health consists of 60 ECTS earned through four courses, a field trip, and a thesis. The programme starts in September and ends in August the following year.

You can also enrol in one or more modules as part of the Troped Masters Programme or the European Master of Science in International Health (Erasmus Mundus). For people who do not wish to do the whole degree, we also offer a selection of intensive short courses.

The Master of International Health consists of 60 ECTS earned through four courses, a field trip, and a thesis. The programme starts in September and ends in August the following year.

Courses from September through mid April are mandatory.

Courses from mid April through June are electives.

Mandatory courses
The mandatory courses on the Master of International Health take place between August and mid April.

Intro-week with short field trip to Sweden

First week of the core module is a mandatory intro-week. It includes team building exercises and introductions to campus, it-systems, University of Copenhagen and a few thematic lectures. The first days take place on campus in Copenhagen. The last days consist of a short field trip to Revinge in Sweden.

Theory in Copenhagen, Denmark

The central mandatory course on the Master in International Health is called Health and Disease in Low and Middle Income Communities. The objectives of this eight week course in Copenhagen is to provide an introduction to the field of international health, including theories and methods for disease control and research with a focus on low-income societies, as well as providing the student with knowledge about the major diseases threatening public health.

Practice in Low- or Middle-Income Country

During the stay, the International Health students will conduct qualitative field studies in a low-resource setting and thereby get a chance to use the theories they learned during the course in Copenhagen.

Kick-starting the thesis writing

During the last two weeks of January the course Research Design will help you get started on your thesis writing process. The course takes place in Copenhagen and is shared with the students of the Master of Disaster Management programme.

Building blocks of health systems

From February to mid April the students follow the mandatory specialization course on Health Care Systems in Low and Middle Income Societies. This course is organized around the WHOs six building blocks for health care systems: service delivery, health workforce, information, medicines, financing and governance. The course is a full-time 10 ECTS course, that takes place on campus in Copenhagen.

From mid April to June the students follow a specialized elective course while working on their master's thesis.

Elective courses
All students must choose an elective course of at least 5 ECTS. This elective course may be chosen among those listed below, or among courses offered by other accredited academic international institutions (subject to review by the study board).

Plan for elective courses in 2013

22 April - 22 May 2013:

Full-time course on campus Water Supply and Sanitation in Emergencies (5 ECTS)

22 April - 21 June 2013:

Online part-time courses Health in Emergencies and Refugee Health (5 ECTS)
Non-Communicable Diseases (5 ECTS)

Thesis writing
As a student of the Master of International Health programme, you are required to submit a final thesis in order to be awarded a Masters degree. The thesis will be graded by your supervisor and an external examiner.

The thesis process consists of the following components:

1. Draft Thesis Proposal (submitted before the programme starts)
2. Synopsis
3. Research Proposal
4. Data Collection
5. Thesis

To apply to the Master of International Health, students must meet the following admission criteria: * A Bachelors degree in a relevant field (e.g. health sciences, social sciences, etc.) or an equivalent qualification from a recognized higher education institution An applicant must submit certified copies of the degree certificates/diplomas and transcript of records. If the document is not in English, it must be accompanied by a certified English translation. A certified copy is a copy of the academic document with an original stamp from the higher education institution or any other recognized legal/public body. Only copies of academic documents bearing original stamps are accepted. * At least two years of relevant work experience This may be a paid or unpaid employment (regular employment, internship, volunteer work, practicum, job placement, etc) relevant to International Health. Work experience obtained before or during your studies may be taken into consideration. * Proof of English proficiency Applicants for whom English is not the first language must submit results of either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS/Academic) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score for the IELTS is 6; the minimum acceptable score for the TOEFL is 550 on the paper test, 213 on the computerized test, or 79-80 on the internet-based test. * Basic IT/computer Skills The applicant must be able to use word processor, e-mail, use programmes such as PowerPoint, Excel, etc., save files in various formats (pdf, rtf, doc, etc.); download files, explore the internet, multi-task on the computer, and do research online. * A draft thesis proposalApplicants with other backgrounds may be considered on an individual basis.Admission to intensive coursesSince all courses are followed by both students pursuing the Master of International Health degree and student just enrolled for that particular course, it is required that the students applying for intensive courses also live up to the criteria listed above, with exception of the draft thesis proposal.NB! Applicants to the core course Health and Disease in Low- and Middle-Income Communities must also submit a draft thesis proposal.Citizens of Danida Programme CountriesSome applicants for the Master of International Health programme from Danida supported health and water sector programmes may be sponsored by Danida (Danish International Development Agency) through the Danida Fellowship Programme according to current guidelines.Applicants must get inormation and apply through the relevant Danida chief adviser and programme officer at the Danish Embassy in their home country. Danida programme countries include at the moment: Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6 TOEFL paper-based test score : 550 TOEFL iBT® test: 79 Work Experience At least 2 year(s) of work experience is required.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships and student grants
The Copenhagen School of Global Health does not offer any grants or scholarships. Nor can we answer inquiries regarding funding.

If you are looking for grants/scholarships and have any questions, please contact the grant givers directly. Below we have collected some general information and links, that might help you on your way.

Danida Scholarships
Applicants from Danida Priority Countries can contact their local Danish Embassy to get information about the Danida Scholarships which are usually administered by national ministries of health, environment or education depending on which activities Danida supports in that specific country.

Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Applicants interested in taking the Master of International Health under the framework of the European MSc in International Health can find useful information on their Erasmus Mundus website.

Tax-exemption for Danish citizens
If certain criteria are met, it is possible for Danish citizens, whose employer pays for the full Master programme, to apply for tax exemption. In order to be eligible for tax exemption, the employee must accept a salary reduction amounting to the total course fee paid by the employer. For further information, refer to the guidelines stated in "Ligningsloven" §31, or contact The Danish Ministry of Taxation.

Danish Adult Study Grant (Statens Voksenuddannelsestøtte - SVU)
Please visit the SVU-website for more information:
Federal Student Aid
Unfortunately the University of Copenhagen has not yet been approved for Federal Student Aid.

Useful place to start
On Study in Denmark's website they have some useful information about scholarships for foreign students who wish to study in Denmark.
Visit studyindenmark.dk