5 Best Countries to Study Master’s in Public Health
As much as getting into modern times brought so much advancement and convenience to most people, this era is also the bane of humanity’s existence. The world has been in a constant battle against infectious diseases. Lifestyles tend to get controlled by consumerism, thus the popularity of unhealthy foods, misconceptions about nutrition, and overall physical and mental health decline. These are just some of the world’s problems regarding public health, and studying them has become much-needed.
Knowing the best countries to go to for a Master’s in public health can help prepare me for a future career in this field. The demand for public health professionals will increase in the near future, and choosing to start in a country specializing in this field is a significant factor for success. This article will cover the top countries to study a master’s in public health.
What are the main reasons for studying in a foreign country?
While studying for a Master’s degree in Public Health without leaving the country makes much sense, it is equally important to know the global perspectives in this field. Since it is a science that deals with protecting and improving people’s health in communities, students taking a master’s degree have several things to consider when choosing to study abroad. Before taking a giant leap towards that track on graduate studies, it is crucial to be well-prepared in many aspects, not only financially. After all, a Master’s degree in Public Health requires a minimum of two years, and for international students, that means two years or more staying abroad.
Things to Keep in Mind While Studying a Master’s in Public Health Abroad
Access to Academic Resources
What differentiates a Master’s in Public Health from its bachelor’s degree is the scope of learning students can gain from it. While the undergraduate level is more generalized in its presentation of different Public Health facets, the Master’s degree allows students to focus on a specific area. The distinct areas they can choose from are epidemiology, environmental health and administration, and social and behavioral sciences.
It will be beneficial for international students to find academic resources related to their chosen specialization. While university libraries are expected to provide such help, students may acquire the public health field’s dynamics and the information on various community factors through other sources like public records and databases. Also, international students that may need to access public health information for their research might need to be aware of the country’s privacy and confidentiality laws.
Transportation
Another thing that differentiates a Master’s in Public Health from its undergraduate counterpart is its demand for students to undergo practicum training, conduct original research, or provide community health teaching. These are usually done during the second half of the Master’s studies. With a more hands-on approach, students are expected to go out of their universities and visit their target communities.
This part of the Master’s studies is indeed advantageous for local students due to their familiarity with the locale. International students can keep up by getting more information about geography, traffic conditions, and means to commute in their destination country. It is undeniable that transportation plays an essential role in this part of their training. Knowing the best routes to take, available public transportation, and private vehicle alternatives can tremendously help.
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Language and Communication
Language and communication are relevant considerations when studying a Master’s in Public Health abroad. Most graduate programs are taught in English, and international students are expected to have no qualms or challenges. They are also likely to do community research or provide public health education as part of their program completion.
These require international students to communicate with the local personalities in their chosen country. As international students and, technically, guests in their host country, the importance of knowing the communication nuances can never be overemphasized for the success of their studies.
Top Countries to Study Master’s in Public Health in
1. United States
One of the top countries for a Master’s degree in Public Health is the United States of America. The quality of education in its schools is its main selling factor for international students. Some of the world’s top universities in providing public health programs are in the United States, too. Among those are John Hopkins University, Harvard University, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Aside from its schools, the country offers an ideal research field, with its diversity in the population and numerous communities in its vast land area. International students also have access to information on public health. One of the key players in this field, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, has its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The government’s attention and investment in public health and other contributing factors such as the high quality of life, the support to international students, and a promising professional career genuinely make the U.S. deserve the top spot in Public Health education.
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2. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is another excellent country to study Master’s in public health in. The beautiful country boasts of countrysides preserved from the old world while its cities are recognized as one of the world’s most modern. The numerous schools in the United Kingdom, some dating back to the 1600s, give pioneering education a whole new meaning to international students. Its public health program from its top schools are also consistently aligned with the World Health Organizations’ global advocacies. International students looking to complete their Master’s in Public Health in the United Kingdom have doors opened wide to explore a global career.
Some of the universities that offer the best Public Health master’s program are the University of Oxford and the University College London. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is another school in the U.K. renowned for its research and continued global health education.
3. The Netherlands
One of the many reasons why the Netherlands is another top destination for a Master’s in Public Health is its multicultural and international society. It makes international students conveniently mingle while gaining an in-depth understanding of people from different nationalities, a significant part of learning about public health. Also, the costs of studying in the Netherlands is relatively lower than other top destination countries globally. If the international student is working thus required to pay taxes, the government offers a tax refund for some of their expenses. Financially speaking and with its accessible transport system and breathtaking tourist spots, the Netherlands is an excellent place to start a career in Public Health.
Of course, universities in the country are also globally competitive when providing quality education and research. The top schools in the state include the Utrecht University and the University of Amsterdam.
4. Canada
As one of the countries with a high quality of life, Canada is generally a favorite destination for international students. In terms of public health, Canada shows a holistic strategy, ensuring that government policies target people’s health, thus providing enviable healthcare programs to its citizens. It makes studying public health in Canada an attractive choice for international students.
The universities in Canada are also more than capable of providing quality education. Some of the schools in the top-tier producers of public health professionals are McGill University, University of Victoria, and the University of Toronto.
5. Australia
Australia is indeed one of the countries to go to for a master’s in public health. The country offers first-class teaching and diverse specializations. The flexibility of its education system also entices international students since they can work and study at the same time.
Along with other top countries in Public Health education, Australia also has its competitive universities for international students. These include the University of Sydney, Monash University, and the University of New South Wales. Apart from these schools, Australia’s beautiful landscapes and stunning sceneries inviting an outdoor adventure, overall quality of life, and many career opportunities, make it an excellent place for international students to feel at home while accomplishing their academic goals.
In conclusion, the master’s in public health is a very good direction for students that can be followed in various countries and well-developed universities, where the choice of which country to study in falls under the student’s preference for the reason that there are multiple good universities available. If this is of interest to you, you can also look into possible Master’s in Public Health careers for students.
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