Improve global health through outstanding research
- Dates
- September - July
- Tuition
- 1.660 EUR + fees (EU); 4.920 EUR + fees (Non EU) (academic year 2023-24)
- Schedule
- Full time
- Timetable
- 9:00-13:30 h
- Mode
- Face-to-face
- Language
- English
- Length
- 1 academic year
- Credits
- 60 ECTS
This University of Barcelona university master’s programme opens the door to a research career in global health, preparing graduates for PhD studies. It provides a balanced mix of theoretical and hands-on training and opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects led by ISGlobal researchers and partners.
Upon successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
- Critically analyse scientific evidence and generate new hypotheses and research questions addressing the health challenges facing vulnerable populations around the world
- Apply key competences to designing, carrying out and evaluating research into health systems and the prevention, control and treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Assess research results from a multidisciplinary perspective and suggest how to translate them to innovative solutions at the local, national and international level.
ISGlobal coordinates the International Health track of the Master of Clinical Research. Accepted candidates who meet eligibility requirements may apply for a Global Health Scholarship.
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 Clinical Research: International Health track programme consists of 60 ECTS or one year of full-time study, which runs from September to July. All courses take place at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona. Students complete 18 core course credits, 24 credits in the International Health track and 18 credits in the form of a Master’s Final Project (thesis).
The International Health track combines lectures and active and participatory teaching methods. Students learn by doing and by solving problems, using a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach.
Programme of Studies
Core Course (18 ECTS)
The core courses of the Master of Clinical Research are organised by the Master of Clinical Research directorate (University of Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences). International Health track students will take the core courses alongside colleagues from other Master of Clinical Research specialities. The core course is offered in both face-to-face and online formats.
- Systems Medicine (6 ECTS)
- Research Tools and Methodologies (6 ECTS)
- Instruments of Design and Analysis for Research (6 ECTS)
International Health Track (24 ECTS)
Required (12 ECTS)
- Bioethics (3 ECTS - organised by the Master of Clinical Research Directorate)
- Health Systems and International Organisms in International Health (3 ECTS)
- International Health Determinants (3 ECTS)
- Principal Health Problems and Responses (3 ECTS)
Elective (12 ECTS to be chosen from the courses offered)
- Applied Epidemiology in International Health (3 ECTS)
- Clinical Trials (3 ECTS - organised by the Master of Clinical Research Directorate)
- Development and Application of Vaccines in International Health (3 ECTS)
- Environmental Epidemiology (3 ECTS)
- Maternal and Reproductive Health in International Health (3 ECTS)
- Non-Communicable Diseases in a Globalised World (3 ECTS)
- Qualitative Research Methods (3 ECTS)
- Strategies for the Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases (3 ECTS)
Master’s Final Project (thesis) (18 ECTS)
Candidates for the Master of Clinical Research: International Health track must develop and present an 18-credit thesis (representing 450 hours of student investment time) and defend it before a Faculty Tribunal.
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.
Final Master Projects
These are some examples of master final projects or published articles based on the final master projects from our graduates:
Gemma Rovira (Master Clinical Research - International Health, 2018-19)
Agnès Montoya M-Rimbau (Master Clinical Research - International Health, 2018-19)
Horacio Vicioso (Master Clinical Research - International Health, 2017-18)
Urban transport and health indicators: a literature review (PDF)
Lucía Gutierrez (Master Clinical Research - International Health, 2016-17)
Development of chitosan/heparin nanoparticles for targeted antimalarial drug delivery (PDF)
April Buazón & Alberto Ayllón, Students of the 2017-2018 Class
Borja García, Student of the 2016-2017 Class
Irene Jimeno, Student of the 2016-2017 Class
Tatiana García, Student of the 2015-2016 Class
Ramón Díaz-Regañón, Student of the 2014-2015 Class
Lucía Fernández, Student of the 2013-2014 Class
Sozinho Acacio, 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
The Master of Clinical Research: International Health track is open to candidates with undergraduate studies in health or life sciences or anthropology.
- An undergraduate degree in one of the following disciplines:
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychology
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Anthropology
- 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:
- Familiarity with international / global health issues
- Previous research experience
- Exposure to multicultural environments
Application
Interested candidates for the Master of Clinical Research: International Health track 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 International / Global Health, including past or current experience (academic and/or professional) and highlighting specific areas of research interest.
Candidates who meet entry requirements will be invited to an admissions interview.
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 Clinical Research: International Health track 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 Clinical Research: International Health track 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.
