Public Health

Public Health at Tsinghua University offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students for addressing complex health challenges in modern societies. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical skills necessary to improve health outcomes, prevent disease, and promote well-being across populations. Students will gain a solid understanding of epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, behavioral sciences, and health management. The curriculum integrates cutting-edge research with real-world applications, encouraging students to develop innovative solutions to pressing public health issues such as infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, health disparities, and environmental health threats.

Throughout the program, students have opportunities to engage in rigorous coursework, collaborative projects, and field research, often in partnership with local health authorities, international organizations, and community-based organizations. The program also fosters international perspectives, ensuring graduates are equipped with a global outlook and cultural competence necessary for working in diverse settings. Specializations may include maternal and child health, infectious disease control, health economics, and health technology assessment. Additionally, students are encouraged to develop strong leadership skills, ethical standards, and a commitment to social responsibility.

The faculty members are renowned experts in their fields, providing mentorship and guiding students through the latest advancements in public health sciences. Graduates of the program will be prepared for careers in government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, hospitals, and international health bodies. They will possess the analytical tools and strategic vision necessary to design, implement, and evaluate effective public health interventions, contribute to policy development, and drive innovations in health promotion and disease prevention. With its strong emphasis on research, practice, and policy, the Public Health program at Tsinghua University aims to cultivate a new generation of public health leaders dedicated to fostering healthier communities locally and globally.

During one-year study, students are requested to obtain at least 30 credits in total for the master's degree, e.g. 12 credits for required courses, 10 credits for elective
courses, 4 credits for Public Required Courses, 3 credits for field study and 1credit for thesis writing. The program is designed as following:

Required Courses (12 credits)

• Epidemiology
• Healthcare Management 
• Global Health Governance
• Health Communication

Elective Courses (10 credits)

• Environmental Health 
• Biostatistics
• Health Law and Economics 
• Nutrition and Food Science
• Globalization and Governance
• China in the Developing World 

Public Required Courses (4 credits)                    

• Learning Chinese 
• Chinese Society and Culture Studies 

Field Study and Thesis Writing (Required, 4 credits)

• Public Health Practice
• Thesis Writing and Presentation

Requirements for Thesis Writing

• Students are required to write a research thesis in English with no less than 10,000 words.
• Students are required to utilize knowledge and methodologies learnt from course study to analyze real health issues in their own countries

Applicants should be government health officials, professionals in the field of disease control and prevention, and managers of medical service originations. Applicants should be healthy, well-behaved and with the appropriate qualifications.

1. The equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in Chinese universities
2. Three years full-time working experience in public health or relevant areas
3. Excellent command of English
4. Less than 45 years old

The application will be considered only once applicants submit the following documents:

1. The completed Foreigner’s Application Form for Admission to Graduate Programs of Tsinghua University with 2-inch current photo uploaded, signed by the applicant.
2. Personal statement of purpose.
3. Copies of bachelor’s degree certificate(s) and academic transcript(s).Hard copies or scanned copies of the above documents are acceptable during application stage. The original or the notarial copies are required to submit during enrollment and kept by the school as a student archives. These documents will not be returned to students.
4. Two original recommendation letters from your employer or/and associate professor/professor. The telephone and email address of referees must be included in these letters. (Uploaded into the system)
5. Employment Certification
6. Copy of the page with personal information in your ordinary passport.

Note: The certificates and documents provided should be Chinese or English originals or notarized copies. The original degree certificates and transcripts must be officially sealed by your university or academic institute. The notarized copies sealed by the notary department. None of the above application documents will be returned.

The financing of the Public Health program at Tsinghua University is primarily supported through a combination of government funding, university resources, and external sponsorships. The Chinese government allocates substantial funds to support higher education, emphasizing the development of healthcare and public health disciplines, which ensures the program benefits from national academic and research grants. Tsinghua University, as one of China's leading institutions, also invests significantly in its faculties and infrastructure dedicated to health sciences, providing financial stability for the program's operations, research projects, and faculty development.

Student financing options include scholarships, grants, and fellowships offered by both the university and external organizations. Tsinghua University provides various merit-based scholarships for outstanding students, including national awards and university-specific stipends aimed at attracting talented individuals to its public health disciplines. These scholarships often cover tuition fees partially or entirely and sometimes include stipends for living expenses.

Besides scholarships, students may also pursue part-time work opportunities within the university or through partnerships with government agencies and hospitals associated with Tsinghua University. Internships and collaborative research projects often include stipends or financial compensation, further supporting students financially during their studies.

Research funding for the Public Health program is secured through national initiatives such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), which offers financial support for significant research projects. The university encourages students and faculty to participate in research activities funded through these mechanisms, promoting both academic excellence and financial sustainability. Additionally, public health projects often attract funding from international organizations, philanthropic foundations, and industry collaborations, supplementing the program’s resources.

International students enrolling in the program may have access to specific scholarships designed for foreign students, aimed at fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange. These scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit or financial need and may cover tuition and living expenses, easing the financial burden on international students.

Tsinghua University also offers financial aid packages to ensure that qualified students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds can access the program. These may include need-based grants, loans, or flexible payment options. Furthermore, the university actively seeks partnerships with health-related companies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to secure sponsorship opportunities that can be utilized in funding student projects, research, and fieldwork.

Overall, the financing of the Public Health program at Tsinghua University is a comprehensive framework involving domestic and international funding streams, scholarships, research grants, and external sponsorships. This multi-faceted financial structure aims to support high-quality education, facilitate cutting-edge research, and promote equitable access for students from various backgrounds, ensuring the continued growth and excellence of the program within the evolving landscape of global public health.

The program takes an innovative approach of combining lectures, seminars, group discussions, tutorials and student presentations. Meanwhile, according to one’s own interest, students have opportunity to take other English-taught graduate courses as elective courses from Tsinghua School of Economics and Management, School of Public Policy and Management, and School of Law. During the study period, students will have routine interaction with Chinese MPH students and be able to discuss global health issues and learn advanced research methodologies with invited public health officials and experts from China and other countries.