Skip to ContentSkip to Navigation
Education Master's and PhD degree programmes CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention - Research
Header image CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention

CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention

Do you want to learn how health systems influence prevention and health outcomes at the population level? Then the Health Systems and Prevention (HSP) track is the right choice for you!

HSP is one of the two specialized tracks from the research master's in Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology .

--------------------

Save the date for Master's Week!

Join us for a series of engaging events on March 19th, 20th, and April 9th & 12th. Connect with teachers, track coordinators, students and alumni. Discover the MSc CPE programme and its two tracks through a blend of in-person and online activities. Check the full programme

--------------------

Responding to current health issues

This track combines cutting-edge interdisciplinary research with practical policy questions, aiming to solve complex public health problems related to societal issues like an ageing population, increasing levels of chronic diseases, widening health inequalities, migration and urbanization.

An interdisciplinary approach

In this track, you learn to tackle issues like these from various academic disciplines, as you are taught and supervised by experts in economics, spatial sciences, psychology, sociology, and medicine. The track is a small-scale selective programme and is an initiative of the University Medical Center Groningen and the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health .

Applying research to real-world situations

A unique element of the programme is the internship, a learning period during which students can collaborate with a national and/or international societal partner such as the Ministry of Health, health insurers, municipal health services, occupational health services, and social security institutes. In this setting, you will develop skills for putting research into practice, in order to make a measurable impact on public health.

Questions? Reach out at cpe umcg.nl or via WhatsApp . For news and updates on CPE follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn . We look forward to connecting with you!

Facts & Figures
Degree
MSc in Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology (research)
Course type
Research master
Duration
24 months (120 ECTS)
Croho code
60399
Language of instruction
English
Start
September
Faculty
Medical Sciences
Why study this programme in Groningen?

When selecting the Health and Prevention track of you can look forward to:

  • Focusing on future public health challenges
  • Combining cutting-edge research with real-world policy issues to develop evidence-based prevention strategies
  • Being involved in pioneering research alongside leading researchers
  • Taking part in and contributing to projects of a non-academic (health) organization through an internship
  • Becoming part of a close-knit international cohort of a maximum of 35 students
  • Engaging in a stimulating multidisciplinary and intercultural approach to problem-solving
  • Receiving ongoing individual guidance and mentorship for your personal and professional growth
Programme

The first year starts with solidifying your bases in psychology, medicine, and epidemiology through various courses and projects. Strong attention is also given to epidemiological research methods and statistics.

Next to the core CPE courses (60%) you will follow Health Systems and Prevention specific courses (40%). You will learn about the role of health systems in disease prevention and health promotion, and the added value of interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. You will also learn about the use of big data and open data sources, and innovative statistical techniques, like causal inferences and modeling studies, needed to conduct evaluations on population and health system level.

The programme is set up in such a way that every student will either have or develop a basic foundation of both medicine and psychology, making sure that students of all backgrounds are fully equipped to proceed with the programme.

Please note that we are currently updating the programme. As a result, the ocasys courses system may not be fully up-to-date. However, you can find the available courses for the 2024/2025 academic year in this PDF document: msc-cpe-courses-description.pdf (rug.nl)
CoursesCourse Catalog >
Advanced statistics

In this course, you learn to tell a compelling story with data. You will refresh and deepen your knowledge of statistics. You learn to apply sophisticated statistical techniques such as multiple linear least square regression or survival analysis. You will be introduced to problem-solving practices in biostatistics and epidemiology in a data-driven manner.

Chronic disease epidemiology

During this course, you learn about the development, progression and burden of common chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia or mental health disorders. You acquire (or strengthen) medical knowledge, including etiology, pathophysiology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, as well as their epidemiology, covering incidence and prevalence, risk factors, and trends. The potential influence of large range of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors will be addressed.

Complex health interventions

In this course, the development, adaptation, feasibility, evaluation and implementation of complex interventions will be introduced. Complex interventions are delivered and evaluated on different levels (e.g. patients, healthcare professionals, organisation). Understanding how interventions work, where it works and for whom are key elements of this course. You learn about co-creation methods and how diverse stakeholder perspectives can be included in intervention research. You learn about the methods to adapt interventions to to a new context, and the evaluation of effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and implementation processes.

Development and evaluation of health measurement instruments

In this course, you will delve into the fundamentals of creating and assessing measurement instruments. The focus will encompass key themes, including understanding various types of measurements and the process of operationalizing them. Additionally, attention will be given to crucial aspects such as validity and factor analyses, reliability, responsiveness, and interpretability. Various challenges will be addressed such as measurement of mental health disorders and cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires.

Health behavior change

Using topics in health psychology and psychiatric epidemiology, this course will delve into the dynamics of behavior change, considering diverse perspectives such as those of patients and healthcare professionals. It will incorporate concepts and models from psychology to comprehensively address the complexities of behavior change within prevention and healthcare contexts.

Health Systems and policy evaluation (HSP2)

In this course, students learn about conducting prevention and public health research at population and health system level using practical approaches. They learn about using open data sources and register data in population research and applying various quantitative methods in policy evaluations. Next to this attention is paid to translating research results into practical information for policy makers. In the final assignment, a written policy brief, all aspects learned in this course come together.

Health Systems and population health (HSP1)

This course gives an overview of major theories and concepts of health and prevention on a systems level. You will learn to apply interdisciplinary and intersectoral research to practical policy questions, aiming to solve complex public health problems related to societal issues like pandemics, ageing, increasing levels of chronic diseases, widening health inequalities, migration and urbanization. Key to tackling these issues is the application of a systems approach to health.

Interdisciplinary research

In this course, you explore health challenges in society through the lens of different disciplines such as medicine, public health, psychology, sociology, demography and health economics. The aim is to enhance your interdisciplinary thinking by closely examining and analysing a specific health issue through the perspectives of various relevant disciplines. The course covers key concepts, theories, and research methods from different fields, shedding light on the strengths and challenges unique to each discipline. Examples of novel interdisciplinary research will be discussed.

Professional Skills training

Leadership, communication, collaboration and creative problem solving skills may influence the quality and impact of research. During this course you will strengthen and acquire valuable professional skills. A variation of strategies are used to strengthen skills, such as lectures, self-assessment tools, workshops, assignments and pizza-meetings. The skills training is complemented by mentor meetings in small groups (6-8 students) and individual coaching.

Project-based learning

In the project-based learning you use research methods, knowledge, models and frameworks from separate disciplines to address a complex health challenge. In each project, you start with a challenging problem or question connected to a real-world challenge. You will take part in 4 projects during the first year. Policy makers, healthcare professionals, patients and other experts play an important role in this project-based learning. In these projects, you will try to solve challenging research problems by learning about and applying the key concepts introduced in the courses. The project-based learning provides you with relevant practical experiences as a researcher.

Study design

In this course the principles and practice of epidemiological research are taught. Different study designs will be introduced and different sources of bias in epidemiological studies will be assessed. By the end of this course, you will have gained the essential scientific and methodological knowledge to effectively engage in epidemiological studies.

The second year consists in applying the knowledge acquired during the first year to your own research projects, mainly the Master Thesis project.

In your second year, you will primarily engage in an academic-oriented internship and a master's thesis research project. The internship allows you to actively participate and contribute to the goals of a non-academic societal partner, such as the Ministry of Health, health insurers, municipal health services, occupational health services, and social security institutes. The master's thesis project offers ample opportunities to delve into a research topic related to Health Systems and Prevention, and to experience the daily challenges faced by researchers in Public Health. Throughout the master's thesis project, you can choose elective courses tailored to your interests, background knowledge, and the topic of your research project.

Please note that we are currently updating the programme. As a result, the ocasys courses system may not be fully up-to-date. However, you can find the available courses for the 2024/2025 academic year in this PDF document: msc-cpe-courses-description.pdf (rug.nl)
CoursesCourse Catalog >
Elective courses

The aim of the elective courses is to broaden and deepen your knowledge and skills in the field of clinical and psychosocial epidemiology. Students can choose courses that match their own learning goals and contribute to their development as a researcher in this field. Ideally, the elective courses support the master thesis project, but this is not a strict requirement.

Introduction into R

First you will learn the basics of R through short lectures and many computer exercises. The following topics will be treated: the R language, R variables (objects), R data structures, reading and writing data files, manipulating datasets, making graphs, performing basic statistics (only one day!), simulations, and creating functions.

In week 3, students work on a case study, in pairs. This case study is an integrated set of exercises in R that build on the knowledge that they gained during the first eight days of the course. The goal of the exercises is to determine whether students are able to use R without hands on instructions in order to answer a scientific research question and visualize results.

The final result of the case study will be the R-script that performs all assignments and answers all questions.

Master Thesis Project

The aim of the Master Thesis project is to conduct a research project and to analyze, describe and interpret the results in the master thesis. During the conduction and writing of the results, students will gain experience in the full research cycle by (a) carrying out the master thesis project, (b) describing the results in a scientific way, and (c) presenting and defending the results during a scientific symposium.

Writing a research proposal

The academic knowledge and research skills acquired during the CPE programme culminate in the final phase of the programme, during which students design and write their own PhD research proposal. Most often, the PhD research proposal builds on the Master's thesis project.

The primary aim of the PhD research proposal is to set up a PhD research project that can be carried out in a period of three years. Specific aims are (a) to set up and describe the PhD research project, taking into account current developments in the area of research and at least one other different discipline and taking into account relevant methodologies, (b) to write this as a scientific research proposal, and (c) to present, discuss and defend the proposal during a scientific symposium.

Study load

40 hours of class and self-study per week on average

Curriculum

The MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology consists of both mandatory and elective courses. When choosing for the Health Systems and Prevention track you will follow specific courses (40%) next tot he MSc CPE core courses (60%).

The first year starts with solidifying your bases in psychology, medicine, and epidemiology through various courses and projects. Strong attention is also given to epidemiological research methods and statistics. The programme is set up in such a way that every student will either have or develop a basic foundation of both medicine and psychology, making sure that students of all backgrounds are fully equipped to proceed with the programme.

Next to the core CPE courses (60%) you will follow Health Systems and Prevention specific courses (40%). You will learn about the role of health systems in disease prevention and health promotion, and the added value of interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. You will also learn about the use of big data and open data sources, and innovative statistical techniques, like causal inferences and modeling studies, needed to conduct evaluations on population and health system level.

The second year consists in applying the knowledge acquired during the first year to your own research projects, mainly the Master Thesis project. In your second year, you will primarily engage in an academic-oriented internship and a master's thesis research project. The internship allows you to actively participate and contribute to the goals of a non-academic societal partner, such as the Ministry of Health, health insurers, municipal health services, occupational health services, and social security institutes. The master's thesis project offers ample opportunities to delve into a research topic related to Health Systems and Prevention, and to experience the daily challenges faced by researchers in Public Health. Throughout the master's thesis project, you can choose elective courses tailored to your interests, background knowledge, and the topic of your research project.

Study abroad

  • Study abroad is optional
Entry requirements

Transfer options

Transferring from...

Study programmeOrganizationTransition
Biomedische WetenschappenAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
BiologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Human Movement SciencesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Pharmaceutical SciencesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
MedicineAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
GezondheidswetenschappenAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Psychology (EN)All Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Life Science and TechnologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
SociologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Human Geography and Urban and Regional PlanningAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Data ScienceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
EconomicsAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Economics and GovernanceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Academic training primary school teacherAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Geography, Spatial Planning and EnvironmentAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Artificial IntelligenceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
BiologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Biomedical SciencesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Biomedical EngineeringAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
BiotechnologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Data Science (joint degree)All Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Data Science and SocietyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
PharmacyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Health and Life SciencesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and Sciences (joint degree)All Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global ChallengesAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Life Science and Technology (joint degree)All Research universitiesNo additional requirements
PsychobiologyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Bio-Farmaceutische WetenschappenAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Health and SocietyAll Research universitiesNo additional requirements
Study programmeOrganizationTransition
MedicineUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
BiologyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Econometrics and Operations ResearchUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Economics and Business EconomicsUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
PharmacyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
PsychologyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Psychology (EN)University of GroningenNo additional requirements
Human Movement SciencesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Life Science and TechnologyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
SociologyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Spatial Planning and DesignUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Pedagogical SciencesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Academic training primary school teacherUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Data Science and SocietyUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Human Geography and PlanningUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Global Responsibility & LeadershipUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements
Liberal Arts and SciencesUniversity of GroningenNo additional requirements

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

You are admissible with a bachelors degree in bio(medical) sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, Human Movement Sciences, Life Sciences, Biology, Sociology, Econometrics, Pedagogy, Economics, Demographical Sciences. If you have another degree background the selection committee will determine whether your background meets the admission requirements. Feel free to contact us for advice.

grade list

You will need to provide your official university transcript. It should include a list of all the courses you've taken, with the credit hours for each, the final grades you received, an explanation of the grading system used, and your class rank if available. Make sure to include the grades for courses you didn't pass as well.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You will need to send us an up-to-date CV

assessment interview

During the interview you'll be asked to give a short presentation on a research project you undertook as part of your previous studies and to elaborate on your motivation to apply for the CPE programme and HSP track.

entry test

The entrance examination will be a test of your statistical knowledge. In preparation of this exam, a mock version and several teaching videos will be made available. If you pass the entrance exam, you will be invited for an interview. More details here: www.rug.nl/applycpe

language test

Please make sure to visit www.rug.nl/applycpe for more information about the accepted language tests and the required minimum scores.

reference letter

You will need to submit one letter of recommendation by an academic or previous supervisor

(motivation-) letter

The motivation letter is an opportunity for you to convey your enthusiasm, goals, and suitability for the MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology programme. Make sure to describe your expectations for the programme and the MSc CPE-HSP track and how it aligns with your future career plans. Additionally, emphasize the qualities and experiences that make you the right fit for CPE.

other admission requirements

We prioritize high-quality education and provide a small-scale learning environment to ensure personal attention and the growth of our students. In order to maintain an engaging learning experience, our programme has a limited number of spots available each year, accepting a maximum of 35 students. To ensure the best fit and experience for our students, we have a thorough  selection procedure as part of the admission process .

Registration procedure

You will find below a quick overview of the application and selection procedure. Make sure to visit our "How to Apply" page for more detailed information .

  1. If you have a Dutch bachelor's degree, you will first need to apply via Studielink.
  2. You will then need to send an email to cpe umcg.nl and request further instructions about the application procedure.
  3. Your application will then be evaluated by the CPE admissions board.
  4. If you are selected, you will be invited to take the entrance examination
  5. If you pass the entrance examination, you will be invited for an interview, which can be conducted online or in-person.
  6. After all the interviews are completed the CPE admissions board will review each applications and inform you of the results. You should expect to hear from us within 2 to 3 weeks after the interview.

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025

Applications for 2024-2025 will open in October 2023, the application deadlines are as follow:

  • Early bird deadline for all students: Monday 15 January 2024
  • Deadline for non-EU/EEA students: Friday 1 March 2024
  • Deadline for EU/EEA students: Wednesday 1 May 2024

Please note: All applicants with a non-Dutch bachelor qualification will have to pay an application fee. More information about the application fee can be found on this page: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/application-fee

Admission requirements

Specific requirementsMore information
previous education

You are admissible with a bachelors degree in bio(medical) sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, Human Movement Sciences, Life Sciences, Biology, Sociology, Econometrics, Pedagogy, Economics, Demographical Sciences. If you have another degree background the selection committee will determine whether your background meets the admission requirements. Feel free to contact us for advice.

grade list

You will need to provide your official university transcript. It should include a list of all the courses you've taken, with the credit hours for each, the final grades you received, an explanation of the grading system used, and your class rank if available. Make sure to include the grades for courses you didn't pass as well.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

You will need to send us an up-to-date CV

assessment interview

During the interview you'll be asked to give a short presentation on a research project you undertook as part of your previous studies and to elaborate on your motivation to apply for the CPE programme and HSP track.

entry test

The entrance examination will be a test of your statistical knowledge. In preparation of this exam, a mock version and several teaching videos will be made available. If you pass the entrance exam, you will be invited for an interview. More details here: https://www.rug.nl/research/gradschool-medical-sciences/master-programmes/how-to-apply/clinical-psychosocial-epidemiology

language test

Please make sure to consult https://www.rug.nl/research/gradschool-medical-sciences/master-programmes/how-to-apply/language-requirements for more information about the accepted language tests and the required minimum scores.

reference letter

You will need to submit one letter of recommendation by an academic or previous supervisor

(motivation-) letter

The motivation letter is an opportunity for you to convey your enthusiasm, goals, and suitability for the MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology programme. Make sure to describe your expectations for the programme and the MSc CPE-HSP track and how it aligns with your future career plans. Additionally, emphasize the qualities and experiences that make you the right fit for CPE.

other admission requirements

We prioritize high-quality education and provide a small-scale learning environment to ensure personal attention and the growth of our students. In order to maintain an engaging learning experience, our programme has a limited number of spots available each year. To ensure the best fit and experience for our students, we have a thorough  selection procedure as part of the admission process .

Language requirements

ExamMinimum score
C1 Advanced (formerly CAE)C1
C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE)C2
IELTS overall band6.5
IELTS listening6
IELTS reading6
IELTS writing6
IELTS speaking6
TOEFL internet based90

Registration procedure

You will find below a quick overview of the application and selection procedure. Make sure to visit our "How to Apply" page for more detailed information .

  1. If you have a non-Dutch degree, you will first need to register on Studielink, then you will be invited to finalize your application in the online Progress Portal of the University of Groningen.
  2. Once you've completed the registration process, the Admissions Office will conduct an initial review to ensure that all required documentation is complete and verify your educational background.
  3. The CPE admissions board will then review your application.
  4. If you are selected, you will be invited to take the entrance examination.
  5. If you pass the entrance examination, you will be invited for an interview, which can be conducted online or in-person.
  6. After all the interviews are completed the Selection Committee will review each applications and inform you of the results. You should expect to hear from us within 2 to 3 weeks after the interview.

Selection procedure

Application deadlines

Type of studentDeadlineStart course
Dutch students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
EU/EEA students01 May 202401 September 2024
01 May 202501 September 2025
non-EU/EEA students01 March 202501 September 2025

Applications for 2024-2025 will open in October 2023, the application deadlines are as follow:

  • Early bird deadline for all students: Monday 15 January 2024
  • Deadline for non-EU/EEA students: Friday 1 March 2024
  • Deadline for EU/EEA students: Wednesday 1 May 2024

Please note: All applicants with a non-Dutch bachelor qualification will have to pay an application fee. More information about the application fee can be found on this page: https://www.rug.nl/education/application-enrolment-tuition-fees/admission/procedures/application-informatie/with-non-dutch-diploma/application-fee

Tuition fees
NationalityYearFeeProgramme form
EU/EEA2023-2024€ 2314full-time
non-EU/EEA2023-2024€ 20700full-time
EU/EEA2024-2025€ 2530full-time
non-EU/EEA2024-2025€ 24200full-time

Practical information for:

After your studies

Job prospects

Your master thesis can function as the basis of your own PhD proposal. High-ranking students will be offered a full scholarship to continue with a three-year PhD programme at the UMCG!

If you do not wish to continue in academia, you can work as a researcher at a non-academic organization, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), health insurers, (international) hospitals, or municipal health services.

Job examples

  • Find scientific evidence for practical problems
  • Advise organizations on interventions or future policy
  • Contribute to the design of health systems of the future
  • Working as a researcher within health care care organization
Research

Research within the HSP track aims to contribute to strengthening the organization of health systems including capacities of health care professionals, to deal with the demographic and societal changes, and to protect populations at risk for adverse outcomes. In this track we focus our research in particular on the future public health challenges, for example ageing population, increasing levels of chronic disease, widening inequalities, migration and urbanization.

About the Master Thesis

The Master Thesis project provides ample opportunity to get deeply involved in a research topic, and to experience what is it like to be a researcher in the area of Health Systems and Prevention. You will choose a topic in you preferred specific discipline, and write a research proposal for your Master Thesis project.

Students in the HSP track are guided by an interdisciplinary team of researchers. The first supervisor is from the faculty of Medical Sciences, from one of the four UMCG research groups involved in CPE (Epidemiology, Public Health Research, Health Psychology Research, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation). The second supervisor is from one of the three other faculties participating in the HSP track, i.e. Economics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Spatial Sciences.

Emphasis is on hands-on experience in undertaking translational research, resulting in a thesis and a product for knowledge transfer as outcome of the internship. This way, you will gain expertise and experience in the full process of the translational research cycle. Students report about the results by writing a master thesis of a level that is comparable with the level of a scientific paper, and by developing a product (e.g. factsheet, short video, infographic) that presents the findings to the stakeholders. Although not explicitly required, it is highly recommended to submit a (shortened) version of the thesis as an article to an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Examples of research questions from previous HSP students:

  • Physical Accessibility to Public Healthcare Facilities and Undernutrition in Children Under-5 in Uganda
  • Towards a stratified approach of population colorectal cancer screening: An analysis of literature and family history in a high-risk population and general population (Lifelines)
  • A long-term prediction of multidimensional social inclusion in patients with schizophrenia-spectrum disorder
  • Country score tool for readiness assessment and evidence generation of immunization programs in ageing adults in Europe
  • Labour Market Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Examining the Prevalence and Determinants of Poor Labour Market Outcomes Using the Lifelines COVID-19 Cohort




Apply nowBrochureEventsContact

Contact

  • 
						Testimonial of Guilherme Monteiro Sanchez

    One of the most fascinating things for me was the broad array of career paths it opens.

    – Guilherme Monteiro Sanchez
    Read more

    My research project focused on examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on labour market outcomes of workers in the Netherlands. As are all projects in the CPE-HSP track, it was an inherently interdisciplinary endeavour, combining insights and supervisors from Public Health and Economics.

    This blend of disciplines and insights is one of the strongest aspects of the programme, as it allows each student to bring in their own expertise and grow in a multitude of ways to become a fully realized researcher. One of the most fascinating things about CPE for me was the broad array of career paths it opens. The structure of the programme and its supporting workshops and activities encourages students to think actively about their career paths and aspirations inside and outside of academia. Just as I chose to continue to a PhD, plenty of colleagues opted for positions in other types of institutions. The internship included in the HSP track was also a very good opportunity to learn how it is to conduct research outside the university.

    Close

I look back on the programme as one of the best career choices I have made thus far!

As a recent graduate of the HSP track, I look back on the programme as one of the best career choices I have made thus far! It all started with an interest in public health and evidence-based policymaking. It therefore felt natural to apply to the HSP track, where I became a better researcher and learned how to create and improve health policies through research.

Over the course of the 2 years, I particularly enjoyed the variety of disciplines and countries represented by the students and the small scale of the programme, which created the opportunity to look at issues from numerous perspectives and to interact with the other students and faculty on a personal level.

It was during my thesis project and the internship that I really found my passion for continuing in research and that I felt motivated and prepared to pursue this in the form of a PhD. This is something that I was hesitant about before starting the programme. We received a list of projects, each proposed by two supervisors (one from the UMCG and one from another RUG faculty (e.g., economics or spatial sciences)), who we could then interview about the project before deciding on our preferred topic. I enjoyed that there was room within the projects for your own ideas and creativity. In my experience, this led to a collaboration where I could learn different things from my supervisors and find my own way towards finding my research question and becoming an expert in this field.

For my internship, I went to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, during which I experienced how my own research is valuable to both future research and policies.


Marieke de Sévaux

Read more

It went beyond my expectation of a research master

Following the master's programme in Clinical & Psychosocial Epidemiology – Track Health Systems & Prevention (CPE-HSP) is the best decision that I have ever made. It went beyond my expectations of a research master's by providing me with not only well-designed courses but also a supportive environment where I could develop myself in my own way with guidance from lecturers and supervisors.

My mindset was uplifted to a higher level when I started working on my master's thesis project focusing on immunization programs for ageing adults in Europe. As the advantages of a global health project, I had a chance to work with various stakeholders from different countries and got an amazing internship at a vaccine company based in Belgium. That helped to improve my research skills in different fields, especially in health economics which was my interest. Moreover, that also helped to expand my network and build strong professional relationships within and outside the university.

Playing a crucial role in my development process, my supervisors dedicated enormous time and effort to giving me invaluable lessons. All knowledge and experience that I got during the 2 years of the programme have prepared me well for my next step to be a PhD student and also to work outside academia.


Hao Pham

Read more

Study associations

VIP

VIP is the study association for the Psychology students at the University of Groningen.
VIP organizes study-related and social activities. As a VIP-member, you receive a discount on study books as well as a discount on VIP activities. On this website, you can find more information about VIP, our events, committees, and the book sale.
https://www.vipsite.nl/
Read more
Student profile

Do you have a background in medicine, behavioural and social sciences, economics, spatial sciences or are you in a health-related track at a university college? Do you want to expand and deepen your knowledge of Health Systems and Prevention while working at the interface between science and practice? Do you want to contribute to more healthy years locally, regionally and globally? Then the track Health Systems and Prevention is the right choice for you!

Study support

Each student is assigned to a mentor who is responsible for the evaluation of the student's progress, abilities, and limitations. The mentor and student have at least one scheduled meeting every three months.