Epidemiology

Students will acquire extensive knowledge and practical skills in epidemiology and statistics. You will become familiar with methods for quantitative analysis and evaluating occurrence relations in human or veterinary medicine and public health. You will gain expert knowledge in research design and analysis and its application to clinical practice. The knowledge and skills gained form a solid basis for health research and disease control programmes, including applications in developing countries. With graduation, students are eligible for registration as Epidemiologist A (Dutch registration system).

Epidemiology is characterised by a well-established set of principles and methods for applied research. At the same time, the context in which these methods are applied can be quite diverse. The unique combination of epidemiological research groups in medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical sciences and risk assessment science in Utrecht University offers the possibility for education over the full spectrum: from animal to human, and from population to patient.

Epidemiology has grown to be an indispensable asset for researchers, clinicians, and practitioners. Far-reaching in its impact, it is the foundation of evidence-based medicine for the individual patient and the cornerstone of public health policy for societies.

The aim of the Epidemiology Master's programme is to provide you with extensive knowledge and practical skills in patient-oriented research design, implementation, quantitative analysis and its application to human or veterinary medicine and public health. The knowledge and skills gained form a solid basis for health research and disease control programmes.

Epidemiologists may enter positions in local, regional, and state health agencies where they address public health issues and are involved in research on the distribution and determinants of disease and disabilities. They can also obtain positions in health sciences research programmes in hospitals, academic medical centres, or pharmaceutical companies. Students that have successfully completed the Epidemiology Master’s degree stand a good chance of acquiring a PhD position either in the Netherlands or abroad. Along with gaining an internationally accredited diploma, many students will have made valuable career contacts during their studies.

Our programme is directly linked to the PhD programme Epidemiology of the Graduate School of Life Sciences. For more information about the Master’s programme, visit our website.

To learn more about this Master's programme, listen to episode 2 of the Radio Life Sciences podcast in which student Trisja Boom tells you more.