CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen

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Deze opleiding

Do you want to learn how health systems influence prevention and health outcomes at the population level? Then the Health Systems and Prevention (HSP) track is the right choice for you!

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locatieGroningen
diplomaMSc
typeonderzoek, 120 EC
start1 september
taalvolledig English
opleidingsduur2 jaar voltijd
accreditatiesNVAO
croho-code60399
numerus fixusnee
honoursnee

HSP is one of two tracks from the MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology (CPE).

  • Combines cutting-edge interdisciplinary research with practical policy questions to work on complex societal health issues
  • Tackle complex public health issues from various academic angles
  • Become a part of a small, close-knit cohort where every student receives personal guidance to reach their personal and professional goals
  • Gain practical experience during an internship with one of our societal partners
Want to learn more?
- Get in touch with our study advisor

The CPE progamme is currently being expanded and will continue under the name MSc Interdisciplinary Research in Health Dynamics as of the 2026/2027 academic year. More information about the curriculum and tracks will follow soon.

Waarom aan de University of Groningen?

  • Focus on future public health challenges
  • Combine cutting-edge research with real-world policy issues to develop evidence-based prevention strategies
  • Be involved in pioneering research alongside leading researchers
  • Take part in and contributing to projects of a non-academic (health) organization during an internship
  • Become part of a close-knit international cohort
  • Engage in a stimulating multidisciplinary and intercultural approach to problem-solving
  • Receive ongoing individual guidance and mentorship for your personal and professional growth


Studieprogramma

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opbouw
The MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology consists of both mandatory and elective courses. When choosing for the Health Systems and Prevention track you will follow specific courses (40%) next tot he MSc CPE core courses (60%).
The first year starts with solidifying your bases in psychology, medicine, and epidemiology through various courses and projects. Strong attention is also given to epidemiological research methods and statistics. The programme is set up in such a way that every student will either have or develop a basic foundation of both medicine and psychology, making sure that students of all backgrounds are fully equipped to proceed with the programme.

Next to the core CPE courses (60%) you will follow Health Systems and Prevention specific courses (40%). You will learn about the role of health systems in disease prevention and health promotion, and the added value of interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement. You will also learn about the use of big data and open data sources, and innovative statistical techniques, like causal inferences and modeling studies, needed to conduct evaluations on population and health system level.

The second year consists in applying the knowledge acquired during the first year to your own research projects, mainly the Master Thesis project.
In your second year, you will primarily engage in an academic-oriented internship and a master's thesis research project. The internship allows you to actively participate and contribute to the goals of a non-academic societal partner, such as the Ministry of Health, health insurers, municipal health services, occupational health services, and social security institutes. The master's thesis project offers ample opportunities to delve into a research topic related to Health Systems and Prevention, and to experience the daily challenges faced by researchers in Public Health. Throughout the master's thesis project, you can choose elective courses tailored to your interests, background knowledge, and the topic of your research project.

1e jaar The first year starts with solidifying your bases in psychology, medicine, and epidemiology through various courses and projects. Strong attention is also given to epidemiological research methods and statistics.
periode
Chronic disease epidemiology
Interdisciplinary research
Study design
Development and evaluation of health measurement instruments
Advanced statistics
Health behavior change
Complex health interventions
Professional Skills training
Project-based learning
Health Systems and population health (HSP1)
Health Systems and policy evaluation (HSP2)
2e jaar The second year consists in applying the knowledge acquired during the first year to your own research projects, mainly the Master Thesis project.
periode
Master Thesis Project
Introduction into R
Writing a research proposal
Elective courses

Onderwijs

taal van onderwijs100% en
avondonderwijsn.v.t.
afstandsonderwijsn.v.t.
onderwijsvormen
coaching, colloquium, computer exercise, group assignment, group discussion, individual assignment, internship, lecture, literature study, research, research project, research proposal, oral presentation, portfolio, project, self study, seminar, tutorial, working group
study guidance
Each student is assigned to a mentor who is responsible for the evaluation of the student's progress, abilities, and limitations. The mentor and student have at least one scheduled meeting every three months.
objectives
The CPE track Health Systems and Prevention consists of both mandatory and elective courses.

In addition to broadening your knowledge in the field of health and the determinants of health, you will explore the fields of Public Health, Health Psychology, Community and Occupational Medicine, and Psychiatric Epidemiology. Strong attention is given to epidemiological research methods and statistics. You will be able to choose additional courses to suit your particular interests within the field of health systems and prevention. Your individual development as a researcher is central to the programme and therefore you will be conducting research side by side with scientists who are leading experts in their field. Moreover, the track Health Systems and Prevention is mainly situated in the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), which means that you can benefit from a unique and interesting clinical setting and a unique availability of large data cohorts.

During the second year you will write your master thesis, which can function as the basis of your own PhD proposal. You will have the opportunity to compete for a scholarship to continue with a fully funded three-year PhD programme at the UMCG!

Please note that we are currently updating the programme. As a result, the ocasys courses system may not be fully up-to-date. However, you can find the available courses for the 2024/2025 academic year in this PDF document: msc-cpe-courses-description.pdf (rug.nl)


Toelating en kosten

startmomenten

1 september 2025

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2025
wettelijk tarief : € 2601 (€1301 in het eerste jaar)
instellingstarief : € 20500
niet-EU/EER studenten : € 24900

1 september 2026

aanmelding deadline : 1 mei 2026
collegegeld nog niet bekend

You will find below a quick overview of the application and selection procedure. Make sure to visit our "How to Apply" page for more detailed information.

  1. If you have a Dutch bachelor's degree, you will first need to apply via Studielink.
  2. You will then need to send an email to cpe@umcg.nl and request further instructions about the application procedure.
  3. Your application will then be evaluated by the CPE admissions board.
  4. If you are selected, you will be invited to take the entrance examination
  5. If you pass the entrance examination, you will be invited for an interview, which can be conducted online or in-person.
  6. After all the interviews are completed the CPE admissions board will review each applications and inform you of the results. You should expect to hear from us within 2 to 3 weeks after the interview.



toelatingseisen

vooropleiding
You are admissible with a bachelors degree in bio(medical) sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, Human Movement Sciences, Life Sciences, Biology, Sociology, Econometrics, Pedagogy, Economics, Demographical Sciences. If you have another degree background the selection committee will determine whether your background meets the admission requirements. Feel free to contact us for advice.

cijferlijst
You will need to provide your official university transcript. It should include a list of all the courses you've taken, with the credit hours for each, the final grades you received, an explanation of the grading system used, and your class rank if available.

resumee
You will need to send us an up-to-date CV

toelatingsgesprek
During the interview you'll be asked to give a short presentation on a research project you undertook as part of your previous studies and to elaborate on your motivation to apply for the CPE programme and HSP track.

instaptoets
The entrance examination will be a test of your statistical knowledge. In preparation of this exam, a mock version and several teaching videos will be made available. If you pass the entrance exam, you will be invited for an interview. More details here: www.rug.nl/applycpe

taaltoets
Please make sure to visit www.rug.nl/applycpe for more information about the accepted language tests and the required minimum scores.

reference letter
You will need to submit one letter of recommendation by an academic or previous supervisor

motivatiebrief
The motivation letter is an opportunity for you to convey your enthusiasm, goals, and suitability for the MSc Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology programme. Make sure to describe your expectations for the programme and the MSc CPE-HSP track and how it aligns with your future career plans. Additionally, emphasize the qualities and experiences that make you the right fit for CPE.

inbegrepen in collegegeld
registration fee

De stad

studievereniging

VIP
VIP is the study association for the Psychology students at the University of Groningen.
VIP organizes study-related and social activities. As a VIP-member, you receive a discount on study books as well as a discount on VIP activities. On this website, you can find more information about VIP, our events, committees, and the book sale.

aan het woord: studenten en docenten

Guilherme Monteiro Sanchez
One of the most fascinating things for me was the broad array of career paths it opens.

My research project focused on examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on labour market outcomes of workers in the Netherlands. As are all projects in the CPE-HSP track, it was an inherently interdisciplinary endeavour, combining insights and supervisors from Public Health and Economics.

This blend of disciplines and insights is one of the strongest aspects of the programme, as it allows each student to bring in their own expertise and grow in a multitude of ways to become a fully realized researcher...
The structure of the programme and its supporting workshops and activities encourages students to think actively about their career paths and aspirations inside and outside of academia. Just as I chose to continue to a PhD, plenty of colleagues opted for positions in other types of institutions. The internship included in the HSP track was also a very good opportunity to learn how it is to conduct research outside the university.


lees verder ...

Keuzehulp

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Studievergelijker

1/3 University of Groningen
CPE Track Health Systems and Prevention
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur
? eerstejaars
NAN% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
> bekijk opleiding
2/3 University of Groningen
CPE Track Lifecourse Health Development
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur
? eerstejaars
NAN% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
> bekijk opleiding
3/3 University of Groningen
Clinical and Psychosocial Epidemiology
€ 303 gemiddelde kamerhuur
4 eerstejaars
25% vrouw
? uur contacttijd/week
> bekijk opleiding
disclaimer: bovenstaande cijfers en beoordelingen zijn aangeleverd door de opleidingen zelf. Wij kunnen de juistheid niet garanderen.
> uitgebreide vergelijking

Na de studie

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Beroepsperspectief / arbeidsmarkt

Job market
About 60% of our students stay within academia after their studies and 40% pursue a career in the industry. During our Career Perspective Series, we will introduce students to a wide array of possible career ventures to help them navigate their professional futures.

Potential careers
You have a wide range of possibilities for a career both inside and outside academia:

  • PhD
  • Post Doc
  • Data Analyst
  • Teacher
  • Biostatician
  • Healthcare researcher
  • Strategic advisor
  • Healthcare consultant
  • Policy advisor
  • Prevention strategist
  • .. and more!



Potentiële beroepen

beleidsmedewerker volksgezondheid (wetenschappelijk)
gezondheidsvoorlichtings- en opvoedings-(gvo)consulent (wetenschappelijk)
hoofd gezondheidheidsvoorlichting en -opvoeding
hoofd volksgezondheid
inspecteur volksgezondheid
manager instelling gezondheids- en (op)voedingsvoorlichting
secretaris gezondheidsraad
sportfysioloog
wetenschappelijk onderzoeker bewegingswetenschappen, gezondheidswetenschappen
bron: CBS

Contact

Chat With Us On Whatsapp
W: Chat With Us On Whatsapp
Cpe Office
E: cpe@umcg.nl
Cpe Study Advisor
E: f.velthuis@umcg.nl
Ask Our Students!
W: Ask Our Students!
Meer informatie?
Bezoek de website van deze opleiding.

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