Participants must start with Module 1 and should complete all 5 introductory units before embarking on Module 2. In Module 2, theme 1 “Core Methods” is mandatory. At least one other theme (theme 2 to 4) must be chosen. Inside each theme there are mandatory and elective courses. If they wish, students can choose up to 3 additional themes and attain more than 8 ECTS in Module 2.
Through Module 1, participants get a comprehensive overview of the foundations of Public Health, definitions of key concepts, its different disciplines, its history and ethics, and an introduction to the 4 themes. Through Module 2, participants acquire specific skills across the 4 themes:
- Core methods
- Epidemiology and demography
- Social Sciences research methods
- Statistical and computational methods
- Evaluation and implementation
- Population health and its determinants
- Socio-economic determinants
- Environmental and biological hazards
- Nutrition
- Life course
- Global and One Health
- Genetics
- Health care systems and policy
- Health policy
- Health law
- Health care systems
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Participatory research
- Behavior change
- Knowledge transfer tools
The minimum workload for the entire program is approximately 300 hours (1 credit ≈25-30h) over 3 years, with Module 1 contributing about 50 hours. Participants have the flexibility to earn credits with the courses that are most helpful to them. In addition to the minimum credits' requirements, participants may take additional courses at their discretion. These will be recognized as additional learning achievements in the Diploma Supplement.
The courses will be taught in English, held face-to-face at participating institutions or offered online. Courses designed specifically for the PHS program and courses offered at participating institutions that fit the program will be offered. The latter include online courses at the University of Bristol and courses given in Rotterdam at the Erasmus Summer Programme.