Master's Programme in Global Health

120 credits
2 years
Start of programme: Introductory week late August. Lectures begin 1 September, 2025.
Degree: Master of Medical Science (120 credits) with a Major in Global Health

The Master's Programme in Global Health focuses on the multifaceted health challenges that transcend national borders and impact both current and future generations. Ethics, systems-thinking, sustainable development and interdisciplinarity are core principles of the programme. You will be studying close to leading researchers and research groups in the field. Graduates will be prepared for careers in academia, government, civil society organizations, and the private sector alike.

Programme presentation

Are you ready to tackle global health challenges impacting both current and future generations and our planet? The Master's Programme in Global Health will give you a robust foundation of skills and methods that can be used in leading global health research, implementation and policy work across academia, government, civil society organisations and the private sector.

You will study in an interdisciplinary environment integrating education, research, and practice. Access to Karolinska Institutet's global health network, with leading researchers and research groups, will enrich your educational experience and support your professional development. 

From the start, you will explore key concepts of global health, including sustainable development and the global burden of disease. You will get a solid understanding of health systems and policy while developing both qualitative and quantitative skills and methods for research and practice. Ethics is a core theme throughout the programme, highlighting its importance in all aspects of global health. 

Throughout the programme, you will learn how to put your theoretical and conceptual foundations into practice. By applied courses and real-world projects, you will develop, implement, and evaluate health interventions. You can choose between specialised courses in evidence synthesis and emergency preparedness or an internship with a company, organisation, or research group in Sweden or abroad.

In your final semester, you will focus on a degree project, allowing you to explore a specific area of global health in depth. This project enables you to apply the theories, methods and skills you have learned. You can choose between qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, or literature review designs for your research. Like the internship, the degree project can also be completed in Sweden or abroad.

Programme syllabus - read more about the learning objectives, content and structure of the programme

Programme web - for current students on the programme or if you are interested in learning more

Career opportunities

Graduates of the programme have diverse career opportunities. If you are interested in an academic career, the programme gives a solid foundation for continuing studies at the doctoral level (PhD). If you are looking for a career beyond the academic setting, potential roles in the public or private sector include environmental or health scientists, global health consultants, policy analysts, educators, and programme managers. 

Application Autumn 2025

Full time (100%), Lecturing in daytime
Study location: Stockholm
Language: English
Application deadline: 15 January 2025
Documentation deadline: 3 February 2025
Application code: KI-D1002

Specific entry requirements

A bachelor's degree or a professional degree equivalent to a Swedish bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits. Check the country specific requirements for information on how to meet the requirement of a degree equivalent to at least 180 credits. Applicants who are in their final year may be conditionally admitted.

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary school course English 6/English B. You must prove that you meet the English language requirement either through an internationally recognised test, previous university studies or upper secondary school studies. Instructions on how to document your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se

Selection

The selection is based on an overall assessment of the applicant's qualifications such as previous education, relevant work and/or research experience and statement of intent. Letters of recommendation are not required.

Applicants to Karolinska Institutet's global master's programmes are asked to complete a CV form that will be used in the selection process. In the CV form you will find instructions on how to certify your experiences. Only experiences which have been certified according to the instructions in the CV form, will be considered in the selection.

All documents must have reached University Admissions by the deadline for supporting documents 3 February 2025.

Documentation requirements

The application deadline at universityadmissions.se is 15 January 2025. The deadline for the supporting documentation is 3 February 2025.

Applicants with foreign academic credentials should follow the documentation requirements for master's applicants at universityadmissions.se

Applicants with Swedish academic credentials should follow the documentation requirements at antagning.se

All documents must have reached University Admissions by the deadline for supporting documents 3 February 2025.

Application

The application is made through University Admissions in Sweden.
Apply at universityadmissions.se

Fees

If you have citizenship within the EU/EEA, or Switzerland, you are not required to pay application or tuition fees. For further details: universityadmissions.se.