tropEd is an international network of member institutions for higher education in international and global health. These institutions offer degree programmes that are characterised by a unique synergy of experience and expertise. It prepares people to work more effectively in a multicultural environment by exposing them to multiple perspectives and offers a flexible structure with the world-wide recognition of education. The programme is open to students world-wide.

The Masters Programme in International Health is offered by tropEd individual member institutions and not the network itself. The modular programme for full-time or part-time study consists of an introductory core course, specialised optional modules and a research project submitted as a thesis. It is intended for completion within a minimum of one year (full-time) up to a maximum of five years (part-time). Studies comprise a number of public health-related disciplines including anthropology, biology, economics, education, environmental health, epidemiology and statistics, management studies, nutrition, population sciences and reproductive health, psychology, social sciences research, sociology, travel and migrant health and tropical medicine with a focus on infectious diseases, parasitology, virology, bacteriology and laboratory practice.

The professional profile of our student is an international/global health expert who engages in health-related challenges in inter-sectoral environments across multiple levels, ranging from the community to the international and global stage, with a special focus on disadvantaged populations. The expert formulates and implements sustainable actions guided by principles of equity and by scientific evidence.

Students normally carry out their studies as follows:

• Registration at one of tropEd home institutions, which will provide tutorship for students throughout the programme.
• Completion of the core course at the home institution, which is equivalent to three months of full-time study.
• After successful completion of the core course, students select optional modules, which may be taken at various partner institutions and are collectively equivalent to 3-6 months of full-time study. Modules are selected from a list of tropEd-accredited courses according to the interests and experience of participants.
• Students carry out a research project submitted as a thesis, equivalent to a further 3-6 months of full-time study, usually at their home institution.
• Students obtain a Masters degree from their home institution when: 1) all three stages and an oral examination have been successfully completed; 2) studies have taken place at a minimum of two tropEd member institutions in different countries; 3) students have gained at least two years of professional experience by the time the degree is awarded, including field experience in low- or middle-income countries.

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) facilitates transfer of course credits between institutions at the same academic level. A total of 60 ECTS credit points must be accumulated for successful completion of the programme. A student work load of 30 hours formal teaching and private study (student investment time) is equivalent to one ECTS credit point.

tropEd, as an international network, is not responsible of students admission. Its member home instutions that are offering Master programmes and/or individual advanced modules do that based on their own admission requirements, where each application is individually assessed. Nonetheless, the selection of participants is guided by an emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach to international health. Students are recruited from a variety of backgrounds including medical doctors, nurses, social scientists, health educators, and health managers. Applicants must hold a first degree – at least equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree – in a relevant field.

The major programmes’ language is English; however some courses are offered in other languages such ad French, Spanish and Portuguese. A sound knowledge of the English language is considered necessary for the successful completion of the programme. In most institutions, proficiency in English is required and must be demonstrated by a TOEFL score of at least 550 points paper-based or 213 points computer-based, or an equivalent approved test.

Master of Science (M.Sc.) in International Health or a similar degree is awarded by one of tropEd member home institutions. tropEd recognition of the Masters-level training is provided to each successful participant who fulfiled tropEd requirements. That recognition is granted by the tropEd co-ordinating centre as a statement about standards in education and training in the tropEd member institutions, since all provision is subject to external quality assurance.

Tuition fees are decided by the tropEd member home institution, whether it is offering a full Master programme or individual advanced modules. Please visit the website of the chosen home institution to have an overview of the tuition fees. 

Participating institutions may assist tropEd students in obtaining total or partial financial support. A limited number of scholarships is available to students from developing countries with an outstanding academic or professional record. Requests should be addressed directly to the individual home institutions. Students are also encouraged to apply for financial support in their home countries when possible.