Public Health
Overview
Degree:
Master of Science
Duration:
4 semesters
Course Start:
Winter semester
Restrictions:
With NC
1
Apply now!
Contents of the subject Public Health
What our students say
The degree programme as a whole covers a range of subject areas, which makes it incredibly exciting as it provides a wide variety of insights. I find the fields of epidemiology and health promotion particularly interesting, as I can well imagine working in this field later on. I can highly recommend this degree programme to anyone interested in health at a population level.
Franzi, student
Contact persons
Advantages of the subject Public Health at Bielefeld University
An interdisciplinary perspective on health
The programme combines different academic approaches, thereby enabling an in-depth understanding of health, illness and healthcare. Building on this foundation, you will learn to analyse complex issues in health sciences in a nuanced way and to develop evidence-based solutions.
Profile building through two specialisations
In the compulsory elective module, you can choose between two specialisations, allowing you to tailor your studies specifically to your interests. The specialisation ‘In-depth interdisciplinary content and approaches to public health’ enables you to gain specialist knowledge in public health tailored to your individual interests. The ‘International Perspectives of Public Health’ profile places an emphasis on international aspects and enhances engagement with English-language and global public health topics, as well as the global labour market.
Integration of research and practice
The programme is strongly oriented towards current public health issues and, within the compulsory elective module, consistently combines scientific analysis with applied approaches. As a result, students learn not only to understand and contextualise research findings, but also to apply them to specific health challenges in healthcare provision, infrastructure and policy. Furthermore, project work, compulsory-elective modules and optional practical placements ensure that you can apply your knowledge directly to current issues in research and professional practice.
Focus on health equity
The academic examination of equity in health as an overarching theme is an integral part of the programme. You will analyse how health inequalities arise, the social, economic and political determinants underlying them, and which approaches are suitable for sustainably strengthening health equity.
Enhancing your personal profile through the individual subsidiary subjects
The individual subsidiary subjects offer you the opportunity to supplement your academic profile in a targeted manner and to set your own priorities beyond the compulsory and compulsory-elective modules. This allows you to tailor the programme to your interests and career goals and to deepen your expertise in a subject area of your choice.
Prospects for an academic career
Following completion of the Master’s programme, you have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the School of Public Health in the Public Health (DrPH) doctoral programme.
The programme combines different academic approaches, thereby enabling an in-depth understanding of health, illness and healthcare. Building on this foundation, you will learn to analyse complex issues in health sciences in a nuanced way and to develop evidence-based solutions.
Profile building through two specialisations
In the compulsory elective module, you can choose between two specialisations, allowing you to tailor your studies specifically to your interests. The specialisation ‘In-depth interdisciplinary content and approaches to public health’ enables you to gain specialist knowledge in public health tailored to your individual interests. The ‘International Perspectives of Public Health’ profile places an emphasis on international aspects and enhances engagement with English-language and global public health topics, as well as the global labour market.
Integration of research and practice
The programme is strongly oriented towards current public health issues and, within the compulsory elective module, consistently combines scientific analysis with applied approaches. As a result, students learn not only to understand and contextualise research findings, but also to apply them to specific health challenges in healthcare provision, infrastructure and policy. Furthermore, project work, compulsory-elective modules and optional practical placements ensure that you can apply your knowledge directly to current issues in research and professional practice.
Focus on health equity
The academic examination of equity in health as an overarching theme is an integral part of the programme. You will analyse how health inequalities arise, the social, economic and political determinants underlying them, and which approaches are suitable for sustainably strengthening health equity.
Enhancing your personal profile through the individual subsidiary subjects
The individual subsidiary subjects offer you the opportunity to supplement your academic profile in a targeted manner and to set your own priorities beyond the compulsory and compulsory-elective modules. This allows you to tailor the programme to your interests and career goals and to deepen your expertise in a subject area of your choice.
Prospects for an academic career
Following completion of the Master’s programme, you have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the School of Public Health in the Public Health (DrPH) doctoral programme.
Career prospects
The master course in Public Health equips you for roles at the interface between science, the healthcare system and society. Thanks to the programme’s interdisciplinary focus, you will acquire a sound grounding in health sciences as well as analytical and methodological skills, enabling you to address health-related issues in an evidence-based manner and apply them to a variety of professional contexts.
Potential career paths include research and teaching, public health administration, social insurance, occupational health management and international organisations. Project work and scientific consultancy are also typical areas of responsibility.
By choosing between the specialisations ‘In-depth Interdisciplinary Content and Approaches to Public Health’ and ‘International Perspectives on Public Health’, students can tailor their studies specifically to their academic interests and career goals. Whilst one specialisation offers a broad in-depth study of key public health disciplines, the other focuses on an international perspective with English-language content, specifically designed to prepare students for the international labour market.
Following completion of the Master’s degree, students have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the School of Public Health in the Public Health (DrPH) doctoral programme.
Potential career paths include research and teaching, public health administration, social insurance, occupational health management and international organisations. Project work and scientific consultancy are also typical areas of responsibility.
By choosing between the specialisations ‘In-depth Interdisciplinary Content and Approaches to Public Health’ and ‘International Perspectives on Public Health’, students can tailor their studies specifically to their academic interests and career goals. Whilst one specialisation offers a broad in-depth study of key public health disciplines, the other focuses on an international perspective with English-language content, specifically designed to prepare students for the international labour market.
Following completion of the Master’s degree, students have the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the School of Public Health in the Public Health (DrPH) doctoral programme.
What are the access requirements?
Access to the Master programme is granted to those who can provide evidence that they have a first university degree which has a standard period of study of at least six semesters, qualifies for exercising a profession and is in accordance with the subject-specific regulations.
In any case, please read the specific Admission requirements for this Masters programme in the Subject-specific regulations (PDF).
Degrees from accredited Bachelor programmes at German ‘Berufsakademien’ are equivalent to Bachelor degrees from universities.
Applicants with a university degree obtained abroad are granted access provided that the degree they have acquired is deemed sufficient for this purpose and they can provide evidence of the required language skills.
Further information on the application process for prospective international students and the language requirements.
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
What formalities are important?
Course start
Studies can be commenced only in winter semester.
Length and scope of studies
The standard period of studies is 4 semesters. Information on studying part time.
The studies Public Health comprise 120 credit points.
Application, admission, and enrolment
The study places for this degree programme are subject to local admission restrictions (numerus clausus). You need to apply within the currently applicable application deadlines.
As soon as you receive a positive response in the application and status portal (notice of access from the faculty) and receive your admission notice from the Student Office, you can submit your application for enrolment within the set deadline.
Step by step to a Master programme with NC
Special conditions apply to applicants with a foreign certificate of education.
The courses
You will find the programme of lectures for this course in the eKVV.
An overview of the introductory and information events is provided by the central student counselling services.
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The information on admission restrictions / numerus clausus (NC) refers to applications for the winter semester 2026/27 and summer semester 2027.
Information on NC values from previous years
Sidebar
Overview
Degree:
Master of Science
Duration:
4 semesters
Course Start:
Winter semester
Restrictions:
With NC
1
Apply now!
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