Why this programme
Sound health policies and plans as well as effective health services contribute to the health and wellbeing of people. In Europe and beyond, there is a need for public health professionals who can advise on public health outcomes and strategies. With Governance and Leadership in European Public Health, you learn how to create and use evidence to advise on effective health policies. You are taught to include political, legal, ethical, and social determinants. All to become a future health leader.
Our student population is as diverse as the curriculum, allowing for multicultural and multidisciplinary collaborations. You practice your leadership capabilities during training sessions with public health experts and alumni to grow as a future leader in the health domain.
This programme is for you if:
- you seek to understand health policy processes and the role of evidence therein;
- you are looking to lead societal transformations for health and well-being;
- you want to pursue a career in research, policy, advocacy, consulting, or regulatory affairs.
Public health policies throughout Europe
The Master Governance and Leadership in European Public Health in Maastricht is unique: nowhere else in Europe will you find a programme like this. We provide you with the analytical tools, innovative research methods and change-management instruments to lead the transformations of public health systems. You learn how to prepare, support and monitor health policy decision-making processes in public health and government institutions. You also learn to take social determinants of health into account, with an emphasis on how decisions affect diverse groups in society.
Leadership skills and how to grow as a public health leader
You participate in an international classroom with students from different backgrounds. This helps you to build a network and learn from each other and it simulates the public health work environment, where you will collaborate with people from different disciplines. Learn more about yourself and your leadership capabilities during leadership training sessions, media training, writing policy briefs, project work, and mentoring/coaching sessions. You are guided by public health experts and alumni.
Governance structures and EU processes
Health system reforms in Europe are now focusing more on enhancing governance processes and capabilities to produce well-designed policies. At the same time, health systems globally increasingly use a mix of private and public providers of services and financing methods. You will be equipped with a toolbox of measures to guide stakeholders in the health system towards desired health and well-being outcomes.
For example, the governance toolbox enables you explore measures to direct networks of care providers towards integrated care. You learn how to develop strategies for collaborating with experts from environmental, veterinary and public health sciences under the roof of “OneHealth”. You gain an understanding of how processes of science advice and good governance can become integral to health policymaking.
The strengths of our faculty
Employability
In addition to the scientific and core public health skills, frequent small-scale tutorial sessions and group assignments train your ability to function effectively and communicate clearly within working groups, enhancing your project management skills. The programme faculty’s network allows for the contribution of eminent scientific experts and practitioners from the field as guest lecturers. Each year in March, we offer an annual career event with workshops, alumni meets and a networking session with potential employers.
Placement opportunities
The programme hosts a network of 40 external organisations across Europe and beyond that offers unique research placement opportunities that are of practical relevance to these organisations. Placements provide insights into the “way of working” of different types of public health organisations and opportunities to network. Organisations include universities, public health agencies, ministries of health, consultancies, public health advocates in Brussels, non-governmental organisations and the pharmaceutical and med-tech industry. There is also the possibility for the placements at Maastricht University or suggest an organisation outside the programme’s network.
Specialise in public health issues
While you are trained to improve your leadership skills and understand governance processes in public health, the programme allows you to apply these insights to a specific public health topic or a field of your interest. Individual course assignments, presentations and papers can focus on a single relevant domain throughout the program. By this, you can demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the field to future employers. Examples of fields that past students focused on include European medicines policy, rare diseases, digital health or female leadership in public health.
PREMIUM honours programme
Want to gain that extra edge by getting real world experience during your studies? The PREMIUM honours programme will help you gain the experience and develop the skills employers are looking for. As part of a team of students and under the guidance of our academic staff, you will spend about three months working on a real-world assignment for a company, NGO or educational institution. You will also work on a personal development plan, receive intensive individual coaching and attend master classes and workshops. All of this will take about 250 hours, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits.