The Master of Public Health and Health Equity (MPH-HE) is a mid-career Master of Science programme, organised by KIT Royal Tropical Institute and the VU University Amsterdam. It is meant for professionals working in health service delivery or health management, in national health systems or international organisations.

IMPORTANT: This new Master programme is a merger of the former Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master in International Health (MIH) and as from September 2024 it replaces both programmes.

The new set-up of the Master in Public Health and Health Equity means a more integral approach of our education programmes to respond better to current developments and needs of our participants. The new Master in Public Health and Health Equity offers five different specalisation tracks. Read below the extensive information.

Public Health and Health Equity in a Changing Environment

Health systems in low- and middle-income countries face a wide range of complex challenges. These include, among others, the inequalities in health and healthcare; the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; the unfolding demographic transition; and the health needs in fragile and conflict-affected settings. These challenges disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Addressing these issues requires well-trained professionals, capable of solving complex public health problems systematically, in either a public or private sector organisation responsible for public health. To this end, the MPH-HE programme specifically focusses on health equity in low-resource settings and in high-resource settings with disadvantaged populations, using a gender and inclusive approach.

The MPH-HE has five tracks. Four tracks are offered only as full-time, 12-month programmes. These four tracks include three specialisation tracks with predefined modules (Epidemiology, Health Systems and Policy, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), and one tailor-made track.

A fifth track, the specialisation on Selected Challenges and Solutions in Public Health, is offered part-time (1-5 years) and allows students to follow modules both at KIT and at member institutions of the tropEd network.

The entire MPH-HE programme encompasses three parts of 20 credits (EC) each:
Core Course, Specialisation Courses, and Thesis.

Course Objectives

The MPH-HE is designed to enable mid-career professionals, working at any level (subnational, national, international, global) within the health system, to use an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to address public health issues. In all programme components, participants are encouraged to interact with participants from other backgrounds and countries, who may face similar issues but with alternative solutions.

The MPH-HE has five tracks. Four tracks are offered only as full-time, 12-month programmes. These four tracks include three specialisation tracks with predefined modules (Epidemiology, Health Systems and Policy, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), and one tailor-made track.
A fifth track, the specialisation on Selected Challenges and Solutions in Public Health, is offered part-time (1-5 years) and allows students to follow modules both at KIT and at member institutions of the tropEd network.

Track 3: Epidemiology

The epidemiology track offers a comprehensive curriculum, designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively analyse, evaluate, and address public health challenges from an epidemiological perspective. The track focuses on utilising geographic information systems to understand the spatial distribution of diseases, identify high-risk areas, and inform targeted interventions. It also provides you with the tools to design and analyse epidemiological studies, generate evidence for public health responses, and assess the effectiveness of interventions. Finally, it explores methodologies to assess the impact of health interventions, policies, and programmes to promote health equity and strengthen health systems. Through this track, you will develop a solid foundation in epidemiology and gain practical skills to contribute to evidence-based public health strategies and policies, aimed at achieving health equity on a global scale.

First trimester

Core Course in Public Health and Health Equity

Second trimester

After the Core Course, you can choose between several options. You will follow three ‘specialisation courses’ followed by three ‘advanced specialisation courses’. The tailor-made track (full-time) and the Selected Challenges and Solutions in Public Health track (part-time) allow for a flexible choice of specialisation courses.

The three initial specialisation courses are the same for all full-time specialisation tracks (Epidemiology, Health Systems and Policy, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights):

• Health Planning and Programming
• Qualitative Health Systems Research
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Advanced specialisation courses Track 3:

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Health and Epidemiology
• Evidence for Public Health Responses: Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
• Impact Evaluations for Health Systems Strengthening

Third trimester

The third trimester consist of the following three parts:

• Study tour
• Thesis
• Oral examination

The thesis is focused on a topic relevant to the track chosen, and to the current or envisaged work environment. Guided by a thesis advisor, you write a thesis on an important health issue you identified in your country or another geographical scope of your choice.

The purpose is for you to learn how to critically analyse and discuss public health issues at an academic level. You systematically analyse the core problem and make suggestions for its solution or focus on evidence for potential solutions entirely; based on qualitative and quantitative data, literature review, or both.