Contribute to making health equity a reality
- Dates
- September - July
- Location
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona
- Tuition
- 11.400 Euros plus university taxes (academic year 2024-25)
- Schedule
- Full time
- Timetable
- 9:00-13:30
- Mode
- Face-to-face
- Language
- English
- Length
- 1 academic year
- Credits
- 60 ECTS
The ISGlobal-University of Barcelona (UB) Master of Global Health is a multi- and interdisciplinary UB-specific programme designed for students and professionals seeking to develop a career in health, from a global perspective. The programme offers the knowledge necessary to face current challenges in global health and prepares students to join organisations that work for health equity around the world.
ISGlobal-University of Barcelona is also a home institution of tropEd and candidates may choose to apply for the tropEd Master of Global Health programme.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
- Analyse the factors that affect the health of the global population, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable groups
- Evaluate the complex relationship between health and other areas, such as economics, politics, anthropology, and social and environmental sciences
- Design effective and sustainable solutions to address health equity in a globalised world
Opportunities
Designed for students and diverse backgrounds (health and life sciences, social sciences, law and economics, etc.) who want to develop a career in the field of global health in:
- International organisations
- NGOs
- Ministries of health
- Cooperation and development agencies
- Public-private partnerships
- Other stakeholders of the global health international community
The Master of Global Health is intended for professionals who wish to work in their field of study and does not offer access to PhD studies.
Organisation
The ISGlobal-University of Barcelona Master of Global Health is carried out in collaboration with academic institutions, research centres and NGOs in the health sector.
Our faculty come from diverse disciplines and have extensive experience working in global health with internationally recognised universities and research centres; public and private international organisations; NGOs and public-private partnerships, amongst others. Professors bring their real world experience, as professionals and leaders in the field, to our classrooms.
The first two modules of the Master's degree are also offered as an independent Diploma of Global Health Fundamentals.
Collaborators
Given the circumstances surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, and in anticipation of any developments that may arise during the academic year, our team is committed to ensuring that our educational programmes can be successfully delivered in either face-to-face or distance formats, adapting to the context in which our students, faculty, and staff find themselves.
The Master of Global Health consists of 60 ECTS or one full-time academic year, which runs from September to July. All courses take place at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona.
The programme combines lectures with active and participatory learning methods. Students learn by doing and by solving problems, using a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.
Programme of Studies
I. Global Health Fundamentals I · 20 ECTS · required courses
- Global Health Challenges
- Health Systems and Policies
- Research Methods for Global Health:
- Fundamentals of Epidemiology
- Biostatistics for Global Health
- Fundamentals of Qualitative Health Research
II. Global Health Fundamentals II · 10 ECTS · required courses
- Determinants of Global Health
- International Governance and Politics of Global Health
- Health Economics
III. Advanced Topics in Global Health · 18 ECTS
Students select six courses from the following (3 ECTS each):
- Anthropology of Global Health
- Development and Application of Vaccines in Global Health
- Extended Epidemiology
- Global Environmental Health
- Global Health Management
- Global Health Responses to Emergencies and Humanitarian Crises
- Global Mental Health and Psychosocial Service Development
- Infectious Diseases and Global Health
- Maternal and Reproductive Health in Global Health
- Non-Communicable Diseases and Global Health
- Undernutrition and Food Security
IV. Final Master's Degree Project · 12 ECTS
Master of Global Health students must develop and present a 12-credit capstone project (including mandatory attendance at methodological seminars) and defend it before a Faculty Tribunal (representing approximately 300 hours of student investment time).
Full-time vs. part-time studies
Candidates can complete the Master’s requirements (60 ECTS) in one year of full-time studies (recommended), but have up to five years to finish the programme. Those who elect to complete the programme in more than one year must enroll in a minimum of 20 ECTS in their first year of studies.
These are some examples of recent Master Final Projects (MFPs) from the Master of Global Health:
Arnau Guasch Girbau (Master Global Health, 2020-21)
Read an article related to Arnau's MFP:
Review of the Current Landscape of the Potential of Nanotechnology for Future Malaria Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccination Strategies
Cristina Pujol (Master Salud Global, 2020-21)
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on harm reduction services in Spain
Neus Rosell (Master Global Healh, 2019-20)
Scoping review on food security policies in Brazil
Sarah Williams (Master Global Health, 2019-20)
Legal access of migrants to U.S. Health and Social Welfare policies in response to Covid-19
Darla Berkefeld (Master Global Health, 2018-19)
Lukas Siefert (Master Global Health, 2018-19)
Consequences of the discontinuation of GAVI support for countries' immunization systems.
Daniel Kwakye Nomah (Master Global Health, 2018-19)
Gabriella-Hanna Kontorovich (Master Global Health, 2018-19)
A gamified training tool for Ebola public health emergency preparedness
Welcome to the Master of Global Health
Eva Iraizoz, Student of the 2015-2016 Class
Francesca Russo, Student of the tropEd Master in International Health, Class 2015-2016 Class
Luis Gerardo Castillo, Student of the 2014-2015 Class
Sofia Bandomia, Student of the 2014-2015 Class
Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO Global Malaria Program and former director of ISGlobal
Quique Bassat, Assistant Research Professor
Nina Wine, Student of the 2013-2014 Class
María Fernanda Díaz, Student of the 2013-2014 Class
Barcelona, the capital city of Catalonia (one of Spain’s 17 autonomous provinces), is a vibrant coastal city on the Mediterranean Sea. Students will find many cultural activities, events, museums, and opportunities for sport available to them during their stay.
Barcelona.cat offers updates on events around the city and a Barcelona app.
Housing
Some students choose to find shared flats or rent their own individual housing during their Master course. There are many websites that provide rental listings for flats and shared flats in the city. In addition, ISGlobal maintains a relationship with the Barcelona Centre Universitari (BCU), which can provide information and advice on housing and activities, among other things, to our Master’s and Diploma candidates.
Public Transportation
Barcelona has an excellent integrated network of public transportation, including metro, tramvia, buses and regional trains. Various types of multi-trip metro cards are available for purchase from machines in metro stations. One option for getting around the city is Bicing, a public bicycle rental service that runs on an annual membership basis. There is also the possibility of hourly or daily car rental with various services. And, since Barcelona is a fairly dense city, it is also often possible to reach your destination on foot.
Weather
Barcelona enjoys a generally temperate weather. Although in the summer months the heat can sometimes rise to the 40s Celcius, it is a generally moderate climate without extreme temperatures or weather.
Languages
Although the Master and Diploma of Global Health are offered entirely in English, Catalonia’s two official languages are Catalan and Spanish. For students who are interested, the University of Barcelona’s Institute of Hispanic Studies offers courses in Spanish as a foreign language from beginner to advanced levels. You can also join Catalan courses offered through the UB and tailored to university students. Many other language schools and centres, including some sponsored by the government, also offer courses.
Special Events
Throughout the year, Master’s degree and Diploma students are invited to attend special events and activities in addition to classes and seminars, beginning with the annual Global Health Programme Inaugural Lecture, which is given by an invited speaker each year in October.
In late December, we invite students to join a special End of Year celebration and, of course, we gather to celebrate the End of Course in June.
Other events from past years have included a special guest lecture on “The Books that Changed My Life” in celebration of Sant Jordi’s Day (St. George’s Day).
Entry requirements
- Undergraduate degree, preferably in health or life sciences or social sciences.
- At least one year of professional experience, preferably related to global health (internship and volunteer experience will be considered).
- Advanced level of English (if not a native English speaker, candidates need to provide an Internationally recognized English proficiency certificate equivalent to a TOEFL score of 550 paper/213 internet/80 online, or IELTS score 6.).
We also value:
- Previous professional or voluntary experience in low- and middle-income countries or settings and/ or with vulnerable populations / communities
- Exposure to multicultural environments
Application
Interested candidates for the Master of Global Health must complete the application form and attach the following documentation:
- A current C.V. clearly stating academic qualifications and work experience.
- A letter of motivation explaining their interest in Global Health, including past or current experience (academic and/or professional) and highlighting specific areas of professional interest.
Candidates who meet entry requirements will be invited to an admissions interview.
Academic Year 2025-26 Admissions Calendar
First Application Period: From 16 September to 22 November 2024
Notification of the admission: 20 December 2024
Second Application Period: From 23 November 2024 to 17 January 2025
Notification of the admission: 21 February 2025
Third Application Period: From 18 January to 21 March 2025
Notification of the admission: 25 April 2025
Applications received after 21 March 2025 will be reviewed on a rolling basis depending on the places available in the programme.
Global Health Scholarship Programme
The 2025-26 programme will accept applications from 23 December 2024 - 3 March 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to apply for the Global Health Scholarship programme, candidates must be previously accepted to the Master of Global Health in one of the first two admissions periods (--the Master’s programme application must be submitted on or before 17 January 2025–).
What does the scholarship cover?
The global health scholarship covers the total tuition fee and the University taxes when registering for the Master’s degree programme. The scholarship does not cover any other expenses related to participation in the Master’s degree programme. The scholarship awardee is responsible for all other expenses, including, but not restricted to, visa application fees, travel, accommodation, local transportation, living expenses, and insurance. The awardee is also expected to have their own laptop computer and to be responsible for any other materials necessary for participation in the programme.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must:
1. Be accepted to the Master’s degree programme.
2. Have a minimum average undergraduate grade equivalent to a 7 (“notable”) in the Spanish grading system (verified via the official university transcript / academic record).
3. Be nationals of and reside in one of the following sub-Saharan African countries:
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Comoros Congo (Brazzaville)
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Réunion
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Uganda
- Western Sahara
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What is the selection process?
PLEASE NOTE: In order to apply for the Global Health Scholarship Programme, candidates must be previously accepted to the Master of Global Health in one of the first two admissions periods (Master’s programme application submitted on or before 17 January 2025).
The selection process has three phases:
Phase I: Global Health Scholarship Application
From 23 December 2024 - 3 March 2025, interested candidates who have already been accepted into the Master’s degree programme may apply for the scholarship using 🔗 this application form and submitting the following items to the Scholarship Selection Committee:
1. Scholarship 🔗programme application form
2. A video of no more than 03:00 minutes in which the candidate addresses the following questions:
- Why are you applying for the Global Health Scholarship?
- How will attending the Master’s degree contribute to the development of your career?
- How do you see yourself contributing to addressing the most pressing issues related to health equity in your community (local, national, regional, or global)?
3. Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic), focused on the candidate’s work or studies in global health or closely related fields. Letters must be sent directly by referees to formacion@isglobal.org and must include the full name, title, institution, email and telephone contact of the referee.
Videos will be evaluated according to a rubric that includes the following criteria:
- Oral presentation
- Argument(s)
- Supporting evidence
Deadline to apply is 3 March 2025, 23.59h CET. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be considered.
Phase II: Finalist Interviews
Finalist candidates for the Global Health Scholarship will be invited to participate in a 30 minute interview prior to final selection.
Phase III: Announcement of Scholarship Awardees and Confirmation of Acceptance
The candidates selected for the scholarship will be informed on or before 30 April 2025.
Given the high level of demand for the Global Health Scholarship and the limited resources available, we require Scholarship Awardees to demonstrate their ability to attend the Master’s degree programme by 30 May 2025. In the case that they are not able to attend the programme, the scholarship will be transferred to the first candidate on the waiting list.
By 30 May 2025 Scholarship awardees must:
- Have their official academic documents submitted to and accepted by the University of Barcelona Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; and
- Have proof of a student visa for study in Spain. (Important: Accepted candidates who have applied for the scholarship should follow the standard procedure for presentation of academic documents and application for a student visa, in parallel with the scholarship application process and should not wait for the scholarship award decision to proceed).
- If either of these conditions is not met by 30 May 2025 the scholarship may be revoked and passed to the first person on the waiting list.
