International Health Sciences
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International Health Sciences B.Sc. -
Fulda University of Applied Sciences awards DAAD Prize 2022
International Health Sciences B.Sc.
Health risks are not confined to individual countries, and health chances are not always fairly distributed within a single country and between countries. Obtain the training required to help address these international and global health challenges.
What is this programme about?
Borders don't stop diseases – neither influenza, nor AIDS or COVID-19, nor the typical diseases associated with poverty, such as tuberculosis and malaria but also non-communicable diseases. Likewise, the social, political, and economic causes of disease are not confined to individual countries. Rather, all countries and, thus, the entire world population are affected by social megatrends such as urbanisation, climate change, flexibilisation of work, demographic change, and digitisation, as well as the impact of these megatrends on individual and public health. For emerging and developing countries, these effects result in a double burden of disease. Health opportunities are unevenly distributed within and between countries. This situation implies a growing need for the regional and global coordination and enforcement of health policy decisions and measures.
The study programme “International Health Sciences” provided by the Fulda University of Applied Science is the first basic study course in Germany addressing the health challenges in the globalised world, now providing an opportunity to complete undergraduate studies with a focus on international or global health in this country.
This programme is for you if...
- You have earned your university entrance qualification.
- You are proficient in English (at least at the B2 level) and in German (at least at the B1 level), you want to further increase your language proficiency and you are interested in learning more languages.
- You are interested in intercultural exchange and like to know different countries.
- You want to make a difference in society.
- You are interested in health as well as in national and international political processes and the institutions involved.
Study schedule
Study schedule for international students
The timetable below is for non-native German speaking students with a B1 German language level at the beginning of their studies. Students with sufficient fluency in German can opt for the study programme designed for national students or participate in alternative courses offered by other degree programmes or the language centre.
Study schedule for primarily German speaking students
The timetable below is primarily for German students. However, international students with sufficient fluency in German can opt for this study schedule designed for national students or participate in alternative courses offered by other degree programmes or the language centre.
What expects you during the course of study?
The programme is bilingual (English, German) and structured differently for students whose primary language is German and for students with other native languages.
For all students, analysing Challenges, Structures and Strategies in Global Health (80 ECTS credits) is in the centre of their studies. You will learn about the global burden of disease, the variety of health systems, and about global health policy institutions. Participatory study projects will offer teamwork opportunities for investigating specific issues in international health in an exemplary and practical manner. These projects are planned to be conducted in collaboration with international organisations relevant to international health.
In addition, the course equips you with basic health-sciences skills (40 ECTS credits), with the corresponding modules being offered in English or German. There is a bonus system providing an incentive for expanding your language proficiency: If you choose the language that is more challenging to you, your examination grade will be rounded up by one third of a grade point.
Over the course of your studies, you will be able to choose a focus area or specialisation, in which you will deepen your understanding of a particular aspect of health sciences (30 to 40 ETCS credits, depending on your choice of modules). The relevant modules are generally offered in German, with some of them available in English as well. The three specialisations available to you are:
- Health Promotion
- Health Economics and Health Policy
- Health Management
If you already graduated from a study programme that qualifies you for a health profession, and you are entitled to practising this profession in Germany, you may apply to have this completed programme accepted as a substitute for your specialisation. It would then be recorded as such in your graduation certificate.
Your studies will be complemented by a targeted, field-specific broadening of your intercultural and foreign language skills (60 to 70 ECTS credits, depending on your choice of modules). For students whose first language is German, this part of the programme includes a compulsory semester of study abroad (30 ECTS credits). Students whose first language is not German will obtain equivalent ECTS credits by taking relevant modules at a German university.
What are my professional options after graduation?
Global health issues require adequately trained experts. Organisations operating at an international, European, or global level are becoming increasingly important in all health-related areas. Within Germany, there is a growing need for experts with an international orientation and training who can help prepare the institutions of the health system for the developments and requirements that come with globalisation. Increasingly, workplace health promotion affects globally operating companies and, therefore, has to address international requirements.
Potential field of work either at an international level or with reference to international activities of our graduates might exist at:
- Multilateral organisations related to health topics such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Union (EU), the World Bank (WB), the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), or UNICEF
- Governmental institutions in Germany and abroad
- Institutions of the German health and social systems
- German and other public bilateral and multilateral development organisations
- Faith-based and charitable development organisations
- Non-government organisations in Germany and other countries
- The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
- German and international consultancy companies
- Internationally operating companies.
A bachelor's degree in “International Health Sciences” will open up a broad set of opportunities to graduates in international development organisations, in the health sector in Germany and other countries, and in globally operating organisations and companies. Alternatively, they may pursue a subsequent Master’s degree in a related field, such as Public Health.
How to prove your language skills as an international candidate with a foreign university entrance qualification ?
German language proficiency of at least B1 level must be provided.
This can be done, for example, with the following language certificates:
- GOETHE B1
- TELC B1
In addition, language certificates from language courses at universities and adult education centers are valid.
A proof of at least 500 hours of German lessons at secondary school level is also possible.
In addition, proof of English language proficiency must be provided at least at B2 level.
This can be done, for example, by the following language certificates:
- TOEFL paper-based (ITP) with a minimum score of 543
- TOEFL internet-based (ibt) with a minimum score of 76
- IELTS with a minimum score of 6.0
- DAAD language certificate with a minimum score of 4 x c)
Those who claim to have German and / or English as their native language must have obtained their university entrance qualification in the respective language.
It is possible to hand in the proof of language proficiency until the beginning of the programme (1st day of the introductory week which will be mid October) in the student office.
Ask and meet a student!
Are you interested in the International Health Sciences degree programme
at the Fulda University of Applied Sciences but still wondering whether
it suits you?
Would you like to ask current students questions and hear about their
experiences?
Ask Danielle!
Hello, I am Danielle. I am a 5th-semester student from Israel in the International Health Sciences (IHS) B.Sc program. I chose IHS because it is very multidisciplinary. Studying it, I get to improve my awareness of the complex connections between social conditions and the health of people and populations and develop competence to work in the global health field. When searching for a study offer for myself, what was especially important for me was the freedom to choose interesting and relevant modules within the study program and specializations for my future career. Another priority I had was to be surrounded by a diverse and accepting study environment. What I especially love about the Fulda University for Applied Sciences is how liberal and friendly the University staff and professors are and the new
and advanced facilities on campus.
What about you? Are you still in the decision process? If you want to learn about the study program and student life from a student perspective, feel free to contact me; I am happy to answer all of your questions!
Looking forward to chatting with you! :)
Contact: E-Mail
Experiences of our students in their semester abroad!
Insta- Takeover Seoul
Insta- Takeover Amman
Insta-Takeover San José
Insta- Takeover Newcastle
Insta-Takeover Amsterdam
Insta- Takeover Oslo
Insta- Takeover Boston
Podcast International Health Sciences B.Sc.
International Health Sciences - Fascination as far as New Zealand
Saskia Jaenecke came across the Bachelor's programme "International Health Sciences" in Fulda from New Zealand. Read more about her and her experience. Have fun reading!
