Have you considered a master’s in healthcare as the next step in your career? This type of degree can help put you on track for a job in healthcare management, a quickly expanding industry, as well as for work in other non-medical roles within the sector. In this article, EDUopinions will discuss the benefits of the programme as well as list the top 9 masters in healthcare in Europe.
What is the best masters degree to get in healthcare?
For years, graduates of degrees in healthcare management have been in high demand. Healthcare providers across Europe rely on organised, well-versed professionals to manage the many moving parts of delivering medical services. That said, the recent Covid-19 pandemic has brought attention to the need for experts in global/public health and epidemiology. As such, this is another highly sought-after degree in recent months.
What will I learn?
Depending on what specific programme you enrol in, the content of your degree will change. Those studying healthcare management will learn more of the business side of the industry, such as how to coordinate suppliers, distributors and consumers of certain products. Modules in this type of degree often include health economics, health system management and healthcare-oriented marketing. If you undertake a degree in public health, the content of your modules is likely to be more science-based. For example, common modules in this type of degree focus on epidemiology, statistics, and different types of disease. In addition, these programmes often contain a research component.
What career options will this programme give me?
Again, depending on whether you pursue a business or STEM-orientated track, your career options will differ. For those having undertaken a master’s in healthcare administration, common careers include hospital administrator, health sector supply chain management, or various positions within health insurance companies. If you pursue the public health path, you can expect to find work in academia, the government, research institutes or major health organisations like the WHO.
EDUopinions’ list of the 9 best masters in healthcare in Europe:
MSc in Global Health Science and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
The University of Oxford offers an MSc in global health science and epidemiology, which is easily one of the best masters in healthcare in Europe at the moment. This course begins with a few general modules in global health topics, then broadens, allowing students to specialise in a topic of their interest. Finally, students are required to write a dissertation based on research they conduct in the third term of the course. Given the extremely high quality of both teaching and research at the University of Oxford, students can expect the best of the best from this degree.
MSc in Clinical and Public Health Nutrition at University College London (United Kingdom)
The second on EDUopinions’ list of the best masters in healthcare is an M.Sc. offered by University College London (UCL). Their clinical and public health nutrition course specifically focuses on nutrition in the UK and around the world as a matter of concern. Like many of the degrees on this list, this master’s requires students to undertake an independent research project. Part of what sets this programme apart from the rest is the university’s affiliation with UCL Hospital, a world-renowned medical and research institution. For these reasons and many more, this M.Sc. at UCL is truly a top-notch programme.
Health Care Management MBA at IUBH University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
IUBH University of Applied Sciences in Berlin offers an MBA programme which includes a healthcare management specialisation track. This degree trains students to be specialists in the field of health management, focusing both on industry-specific knowledge as well as transferable soft skills. Compared to the two masters programmes discussed above, this degree is far more business-oriented, launching graduates into management careers within hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, care homes and other medical institutions. Without a doubt, this specialised MBA at IUBH University of Applied Sciences is one of the best masters in healthcare.
M.Sc. in Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University (United Kingdom)
Next on our list of the best masters in healthcare is the M.Sc. in public health offered at Anglia Ruskin University. This course covers a wide variety of important topics in public health, including epidemiology, addiction, disease, policy-making and service commission. Lasting one year full-time or two years part-time, this M.Sc. has two start dates (September and January) and two locations (Chelmsford and Cambridge). These options make the degree flexible and accessible to those with other responsibilities like work or family. In sum, this degree is ideal for those looking to bring their career in public health to the next level.
M.Sc. in Health Education and Promotion at Maastricht University (The Netherlands)
At Maastricht University in the Netherlands, students can study an M.Sc. in health education and promotion. For those motivated to promote healthy behaviour in society, this programme may be perfect for you. Students learn strategies for health promotion and the theories underpinning them, equipping graduates for work in policy-making, research, community outreach or the like. Finally, studying at the University of Maastricht means small class sizes, an international student body and one-on-one support from staff and faculty. Students at the university have great things to say about it. Check out this review from a liberal arts student at University of Maastricht:
The University College Maastricht (UCM), a particularly high workload, open curriculum bachelor’s course at Maastricht University was by far the best academic decision I have ever made. The class sizes are very small which means you get lots of personal interaction with the world-leading professors. The method of teaching at Maastricht University is Problem-based-learning, this is particularly beneficial for the courses available at UCM as it leads to in-depth and fruitful conversations about the curriculum materials, which in turn leads to a deeper and more interdisciplinary understanding. This course has led me to discover where exactly my place in this world is and how to address problems from a truly multi-disciplinary way, analysing each element of a problem and finding the best possible solution and way forward. I thank UCM not only for the eye-opening experiences and opportunities that it gave me, but for the way it helped in shaping me into the person that I am today. I cannot recommend enough.
Master in Health Management at RISEBA University and Riga StradinS University (Latvia)
Next up, the master’s in health management at RISEBA University in Latvia is another excellent programme to consider. Broadly, this programme helps students to develop their economic and management skills with a specific focus on the healthcare sector. Uniquely, this course is carried out jointly by Riga Stradinš University and RISEBA, with lecturers from universities from across Europe invited to teach certain modules. Learning from a diverse group of professors and industry professionals, students gain international experience and insights into what the healthcare sector looks like in multiple different countries. What’s more, this course is relatively affordable, with tuition fees set at only €3000 per year. Offering such high quality for such a low price, it is no wonder why this programme is one of the best masters in healthcare in Europe.
MBA in Hospital and Health Services Management at the University of Bedfordshire (United Kingdom)
Located in Luton, England, University of Bedfordshire’s MBA in hospital and health services management is another one of the best masters in healthcare. This course focuses on cutting-edge strategies within healthcare management to optimise efficiency and care for patients. This means that students learn practical knowledge about administration which they can apply to their work after graduation. In addition, professors and students work side by side on consultancy projects with well-known employers in the healthcare industry, ensuring graduates are prepared for their careers the moment they finish their degree. All in all, this programme at the University of Bedfordshire is a top-notch option for anyone looking to advance within the healthcare management sector.
M.Sc. in Public Health and Health Promotion at Bangor University (United Kingdom)
Also located in the United Kingdom, Bangor University offers an M.Sc. in public health and health promotion. In this course, students can expect to learn key concepts of public health, such as epidemiology, research ethics, health behaviour promotion and health economics. A unique benefit of studying at Bangor University is that teaching is designed to accommodate students from a wide variety of occupational backgrounds. This means that students in this programme learn not only from their professors but also from their diverse network of classmates, whose experiences may span a number of different career paths and industries. As such, this degree at Bangor University is easily one of the best masters in healthcare.
M.Sc. in Health Promotion at University of Brighton (United Kingdom)
Finally, the M.Sc. in health promotion at the University of Brighton is another great option to consider. The University of Brighton is ranked in the top ten in the world for research in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy. Students in this course all complete a core section of modules on the key concepts of health promotion. Afterwards, this programme provides four specialisation tracks to choose from, including health promotion, international health promotion, health promotion and management and health promotion and education. No other course on this list allows for this degree of specialisation, which is part of what makes this one of the best masters in health care.
Conclusion About The 9 Best Masters in Healthcare in Europe
We at EDUopinions hope this article on the best masters in healthcare has been helpful for you and your career journey. Whichever route you choose to pursue, EDUopinions can help. Don’t hesitate to reach out for free personalised advice and anything university-related!
Check out these articles on the best health management MBA programmes in Europe and the best degrees in business psychology.
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