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Master’s Programme in Public Health Science - Social Sustainable Development from a Global Perspective

Education level CreditsSecond cycle 120 credits

Time2 years full time

Study locationMultiple locations

Gain the expertise to analyse and address public health challenges locally and globally. With a focus on social sustainability, global responsibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration, this programme prepares you for impactful careers in public health and sustainable development - as a strategist, analyst, or project leader in the public, private, or non-profit sectors worldwide.

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Credits

120 credits

Education level

Second cycle

Study pace

full time

Study location

Västerås

Start

2026-08-31

Length

2 years

Teaching form

Normal teaching

Tutoring language

English

Application code

MDU-49014

Selection

University credits

Specific requirements

A completed Bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to at least 180 ECTS credits with a major in Public Health Science, Caring Science, Medical Science, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Political Science, or an equivalent academic field. In addition, at least 5 ECTS credits in public health science, either as part of or outside the degree, and English course 6 or English level 2, are required. A TOEFL test result [with a minimum score 575 and a TWE score of at least 4.5 (PBT) or 90 with a TWE score of at least 20 (iBT), or an IELTS test result with an overall band score of at least 6.5 and no band score below 5.5, or equivalent, is required.

Syllabus

View syllabus (AMM21)

Tuition fee

For students outside EU/EEAPer installment prior to each semester: 67500 SEKAnnual tuition fee: 135000 SEKTotal programme fee: 270000 SEK

Apply autumn semester 2026, Västerås

Apply on universityadmissions.se

About the Master's Programme in Public Health

This two-year Master’s programme provides an in-depth understanding of how public health can be promoted through socially sustainable development. You will explore and analyse the conditions for improved public health from a global perspective.

The programme is suitable for both recent graduates and professionals who wish to strengthen their expertise and advance their careers in public health. You will gain knowledge of social, economic, political, and environmental factors affecting health, as well as of global change, health systems, and policy processes. The curriculum includes methods for planning, implementing, and evaluating complex public health initiatives.

Teaching is research-based, with lecturers actively engaged in current public health research. This ensures that you develop analytical skills and can apply the latest evidence to real-world challenges.

The interdisciplinary structure prepares you for leadership roles in public health and for further doctoral studies. You may tailor your studies through elective courses or a placement in Sweden or abroad.

All teaching is conducted in English. When applying, you can choose whether to study on campus in Västerås or via distance learning.

Upon completion of the programme, you will be awarded a Master’s degree in Public Health Science.

Future and career

In today’s increasingly interconnected world, where diseases and health challenges do not stop at national borders, public health has become an ever more important field. In your future career, you will encounter issues relating to pandemics, chronic diseases, climate change, and other environmental challenges, as well as growing health inequalities – challenges that demand international collaboration, scientific expertise, and innovative solutions.

By studying this Master’s in Public Health Science, you will equip yourself to become one of the next generation of public health experts. You will gain advanced competence in qualified analysis and development work, and the education opens doors to a broad labour market with career opportunities across multiple sectors, both nationally and internationally.

The programme prepares you for roles such as strategist, analyst, project manager, or manager within the public sector, business, and non-profit organisations – in Sweden and abroad.

The programme also provides eligibility for doctoral studies, either at MDU or at another university anywhere in the world.

Programme structure and content

Here you can see how the program’s content is divided into different subjects and which courses you will take each year of the program. If you study full-time, you will take 30 credits (hp) per semester. Some courses within a program may be mandatory, while others may be elective.

This is a preliminary content of the program. Courses and subjects may be subject to change.

Courses within the programme

Courses within year 1

Theme 1: Global public health and social sustainable development

Courses in Public Health Science:

Global public health and sustainable development, 5 hp
Socioeconomic and political health determinants, 5 hp
Public and planetary health, 5 hp
Global transitions, 5 hp
Health systems and global governance, 5 hp
Societal challenges and health, 5 hp

Theme 2: Public health research methods

Courses in Public Health Science:

Scientific theory and ethics, 2 credits
Epidemiological methods to investigate health, 3 credits
Quantitative methods in public health, 5 credits
Qualitative methods in public health, 5 credits

Elective courses (at Swedish or international higher education institutions), 15 credits, for example: Internship in public health, 15 credits
or Degree project in public health science, one-year Master’s, 15 credits