Maastricht University, Faculty of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences

Bachelor in European Public Health

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.

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