Maastricht University, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences
Bachelor in European Public Health
Maastricht, Netherlands
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 18,300 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU applicants | May 1 for EU applicants
Key Summary
About: European Public Health (EPH) offers a bachelor-level education on health status, healthcare systems, EU institutions and law. It covers disease prevention, health promotion, policy, administration, communication and management in a European context. You’ll study in an international cohort, complete a minor and internship abroad, and may join an honors programme. The 3-year, full-time programme is taught in English and starts in September.
Career Outcomes: Graduates progress to master's study or enter public health roles. Careers include policy advisor, health officer, prevention specialist, analyst or programme manager in government, NGOs, insurers, pharmaceutical firms, international organizations, universities, hospitals and research institutions.
European Public Health
Many of the most important determinants of health fall outside of the reach of medicine. Identifying and influencing these factors to protect and promote health is the goal of public health. European Public Health (EPH) starts by giving students a high-quality public health education at bachelor level. Learn all about the health status and healthcare systems of European countries, as well as the authorities, institutions, and laws of the European Union.
EPH is for those who are interested in sustainable public health and healthcare systems, but also in national and international politics, administration and management, policy and strategy, communication and media. You’ll learn to bridge the gap between public health and national and European public health policy. You’ll also develop the skills you need to work in governmental or healthcare-related organisations, or in EU or WHO units, in positions such as a policy advisor, health officer or prevention specialist.
Fast facts
- Unique bachelor's programme in Europe.
- Public health & healthcare in a European context.
- International study experience: international classmates, minor and internship abroad.
- Honors program for further deepening.
- For a career at a government or health-related organization.
- 3-year, full-time bachelor's, taught in English.
- Starts in September.
Why this programme?
How do we prevent a virus (e.g. Corona, SARS) from becoming an epidemic? How do we formulate a policy on patients receiving treatments abroad? The role of the EU is only going to grow in the coming years, also in the healthcare sector. This affects the way we approach the themes within public health and healthcare. National policy is only effective if it’s also coordinated with international authorities.
European Public Health (EPH) is about preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles for all Europeans with clear European policy - because diseases, pathogens and other factors that influence health aren’t stopped by borders.
This programme is the only programme of its kind in Europe. It is also very internationally oriented. From the first day, you’re part of an international study environment in which you work with students from all over the world (at least 20 different nationalities).
Why this program?
How do we prevent a virus from becoming an epidemic? How do we formulate a policy on patients receiving treatments abroad? The role of the EU is only going to grow in the coming years, also in the healthcare sector. This affects the way we approach the themes within public health and healthcare. National policy is only effective if it’s also coordinated with international authorities.
European Public Health (EPH) is about preventing disease and promoting healthy lifestyles for all Europeans with clear European policy - because diseases, pathogens and other factors that influence health aren’t stopped by borders.
This program is the only program of its kind in Europe. It is also very internationally oriented. From the first day, you’re part of an international study environment in which you work with students from all over the world (at least 20 different nationalities).
Public health and healthcare in a European context
During the bachelor's in European Public Health, you’ll study regional, national and international developments in public health and healthcare within the EU. You’ll learn about the various aspects of public health policy and the steps that are taken toward a "New Public Health" across Europe. The study is practice-oriented and involves topics such as:
- The organization of healthcare in Europe: the form, function, and location of national healthcare-related programs and institutions within the EU and beyond.
- European public health objectives: health for all; equal healthcare for all; the European patient; good governance; free movement of goods, services, and capital; cross-border healthcare.
- towards an effective European public health policy: how and where we need to intervene in order to achieve our goal.
International study experience
The international collaboration, organization, and management in the areas of public health and healthcare are important for the future of Europe and her inhabitants. The program is therefore internationally oriented. It is also the only program of its kind in Europe. From the start, your education will resemble an international working environment, where you’ll come into contact with a diverse range of students and instructors from all over the world.
You’ll also be encouraged to go abroad yourself. For example, you can do your minor period abroad. You’ll also finish your bachelor’s degree with a practical research internship or assignment and a thesis, and this internship can be done abroad. Of course, it is also possible to spend these periods at UM or elsewhere in the Netherlands.
You direct your education, development, and growth
As an EPH student, you're responsible for your education, your development, and your personal growth. This is called Active and Self-Directed Learning (ASDL). ADSL is a practical method that encourages you to work critically, independently and autonomously.
You decide what needs to happen. This could be writing an essay, organizing a symposium, conducting interviews or taking courses at other faculties - as long as it helps you on the way to becoming a professional.
ASDL employs a variety of educational methods, including:
- Project-based tutorial groups
- Lectures and seminars
- Skills training
- Role-playing
- Excursions
- Presentations
Collaborating on real problems
Collaboration is as important as independence. You will often work in tutorial groups of 10-14 students, seeking practical solutions to real-world problems. Instructors act as facilitators, giving help when and where it is needed. You’ll work in many different areas and will take on various roles in your group. Together, you’ll work to find solutions to problems that healthcare professionals are facing today.
Example of an EPH challenge
The Public Health Service in Aachen (Germany) informs the Public Health Service in South Limburg of a case of open tuberculosis relating to a 39-year-old electrician from Lithuania. The electrician works for a highly-specialized electrical engineering company and has recently completed jobs at hospitals in Aachen, Maastricht, and Liege.
Further investigation reveals that he frequently travels by train and bus to his work. Three days later, the second notification of a case of open tuberculosis is received, this time in a train commuter from Maastricht.
Within this challenge, you'll look at a number of questions to help you analyze the complexity of the spread of disease:
- How does TB spread?
- What are the risk factors?
- What national and international measures can and should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease?
- What does the curriculum look like?
Honors programs for further deepening
There are two types of honors programs, especially for talented and motivated UM bachelor students. It is an education next to your regular courses, also called 'extracurricular'.
Such as the faculty Honors program that is only for second- and third-year bachelor's students of the FHML. As an FHML honors student, you do electives, workshops, and lectures on recent developments in healthcare, medicine, and life sciences. In addition, other disciplines are also covered, such as sociology, history, and philosophy. And you work on a research project that is linked to a request from a healthcare company or institution.
In addition to the faculty Honors program, you also have the university-wide honors program MaRBLe. This program focuses primarily on research and is a good preparation for a career as a scientific researcher or a research position in business.
It is Maastricht University’s (UM) mission to offer students from all over the world the opportunity to develop into active, globally oriented thinkers that are ready to make a positive contribution to their societies.
UM’s high-quality, innovative education based on small-scale Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in an international and intercultural setting prepares students for this purpose.
As an open and accessible academic community, UM offers several scholarships to support top-performing undergraduate and graduate students with personal development potential that are experiencing financial difficulties to pursue a degree at UM. UM scholarship students function as important ambassadors of the university during and after their studies.UM scholarship students are selected on the basis of their academic excellence, extracurricular engagement, active citizenship and financial need. As the number of scholarships is limited, the selection process is highly competitive.
Before applying for a UM scholarship, please take into account the factors summed up below. Read these carefully, to make sure that the valuable time you invest in applying pays off:
- You will have to apply for a study program at UM before applying for a scholarship;
- You are only allowed to apply for one UM scholarship, multiple applications will be disqualified;
- Verify if your nationality is eligible for the scholarship;
- Verify whether your study program is participating in the scholarship;
- Ensure that if the scholarship covers only the tuition fees, you are able to finance your own living expenses (rent, food and insurances) for the complete duration of your studies.
Is European Public Health for you?
European Public Health is a great fit for you if:
- You're interested in national & international politics, governance & management, policy & strategy.
- You wish to operate at the borders of health sciences, political science, public administration, economics, sociology, ethics, and law.
- You're inventive and socially involved.
- You wish to collaborate with international students and professors and spend time abroad.
Your future
As a European Public Health graduate from Maastricht University, you'll have many options open to you. After finishing the bachelor's degree in European Public Health, most of our graduates immediately enroll in a master's program. Though some graduates decide to explore the job market before continuing with their education.
Master's programs
The Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences of Maastricht University offers the following master’s programs for European Public Health graduates:
- Epidemiology
- Governance and Leadership in European Public Health
- Global Health
- Healthcare Policy, Innovation, and Management
- Health Education and Promotion
- Research Master in Health Sciences
- Work, Health and Career
With a bachelor’s degree from Maastricht University, you can also continue with a master’s program at another university in the Netherlands or abroad. However, additional admissions requirements may apply.
Where can you work?
Graduates work for a variety of organizations, including:
- Local, regional, national, and European governments
- Non-governmental organizations
- Insurance companies
- Pharmaceutical companies
- International organizations
- Universities
- Hospitals