Global Health Fulda University of Applied Sciences

The "Global Health" study programme at Fulda University of Applied Sciences is the first of its kind in Germany to offer the opportunity to complete undergraduate studies with a focus on global health.

Our programme responds to the growing demand for professionals who can navigate the complexities of global health by offering multidisciplinary perspectives on complex health issues, drawing on diverse academic fields and practical approaches. Small class sizes and opportunities for international engagement, including a semester abroad and an (international) internship, enable students to gain valuable insights and practical experience.

The programme emphasises the reduction of health disparities and the promotion of health equity worldwide. It examines the structural, political, social, economic, and environmental factors that shape patterns of health and illness across the globe. The curriculum addresses the complexity of health by engaging with health systems, societal determinants of health, and planetary health, while also analysing the power dynamics that shape global health inequities. Students develop the ability to think critically about the many dimensions that influence global health, including government policies and the actions of other stakeholders, migration and population growth, social and economic inequities, and climate change.

We offer online info sessions on a regular basis. Current dates can be found on the programme website.

This is a full-time, on-campus study programme. The language of instruction is English.

It is important to note that attendance of at least 80% is mandatory during Welcome Week (held the week prior to the start of classes in April). Students will receive all necessary information upon admission.

Analysing challenges, structures, and strategies in global health is at the centre of the study programme. The broad scope of the course includes subjects such as the global burden of disease, health systems in the global context, planetary health, and global health policy architecture.

In the fourth semester, students with a German university entrance qualification and German citizenship are required to complete a semester abroad. Students with non-German university entrance qualifications have the option to complete a semester abroad or to choose from a variety of modules offered at Fulda University or another university in Germany.

In semesters five and six, all students participate in a study project that spans both semesters, providing an opportunity to apply their knowledge to practice.

All students complete an internship of 480 hours (= three months) in the seventh semester.

An internship of 480 hours (= three months) is to be completed during the seventh semester.

The internship must be with an organisation or institution outside of Germany, working in a health-related field.

Programme advisers will assist students with finding an appropriate internship.

To be eligible for admission, candidates need a university entrance qualification ("Hochschulzugangsberechtigung", "HZB") for German universities.

Prospective international students of Global Health can prepare themselves linguistically and academically for their studies through our pre-study programme. All relevant information about the Global Health programme and the pre-study programme can be found on our website.

If you do not have a direct university entrance qualification to study in Germany, you can acquire one through our university's pre-college Fulda programme. See this link for more information.

A semester contribution of around 400 EUR is charged to cover the cost of student services, the student government, and an administrative fee as well as the "Deutschland semester ticket" (a student bus and rail pass for local and regional public transport all over Germany).

Approx. 900 to 950 EUR per month, including food, rent and health insurance (approx. 140 EUR per month), depending on one's living standard
https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/costs-and-funding 

From tutoring jobs and student assistantships at Fulda University to typical student jobs in restaurants, shops, and many other industries in the city of Fulda and its surrounding area, a wide range of job opportunities is available. Please note that proficiency in German significantly increases employability.

International students may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship.

The university offers a dedicated career service. For more information, see here.

The International Office offers an accommodation service for international students coming directly from abroad. The cost of accommodation amounts to approx. 400 to 500 EUR per month. There are excellent, newly built student residences within walking distance of the university.

For more information on housing, see: https://www.hs-fulda.de/en/international/international-students/housing.

Fulda University of Applied Sciences is a practice-oriented university with an international profile and a strong focus on applied research. Fulda University is the first university of applied sciences in Germany with the independent right to confer doctoral degrees. Founded in 1974, the university currently encompasses eight departments with over 60 study programmes and approx. 9,700 students, including over 3,200 international students from more than 90 countries. The university offers a broad range of academic and professional education. Numerous research and development projects are undertaken in cooperation with private business and industry. Fulda University cooperates with more than 100 universities around the world. The number of international programmes is growing continuously. These programmes are partly or entirely taught in English.
At the Bachelor's level, we currently offer six international Bachelor's programmes: Industrial Biotechnology, Industrial Engineering Life Sciences, Social Sciences for Intercultural Relations, Food Technology, Global Health, and International Business & Management. At the Master's level, we offer seven programmes: International Management; Intercultural Communication and European Studies; International Food Business and Consumer Studies; Global Software Development; Data Science; Nutrition, Health and Food Systems as well as Human Rights Studies in Politics, Law, and Society.

Further programmes designed for international students include the following:

1. Pre-College Fulda, a preparatory year for applicants with and without a higher education entrance qualification for Germany
2. Pre-Study Fulda, a preparatory semester for international applicants that includes German language training
3. Career service for international students and graduates
4. Preparatory intensive German courses
5. German courses (accompanying studies)
6. Support services, e.g. for housing and visa as well as a buddy programme and orientation week
7. International Summer University (ISU), International Winter University (IWU), International Course in Business (ICB), and International Course in Social Work (ICSW)

A historic city founded in 744, Fulda today has a population of 71,000 with approx. 100,000 people living in the region. Fulda's Baroque quarter is one of the most beautiful in Germany and attracts visitors from all over the world. The picturesque Old Town has many cafés, bars, and pubs, with numerous shops and boutiques. The city's cultural life has something to offer for everyone. The high quality of life makes Fulda a great place to live and an ideal place to study. Fulda enjoys ideal public transport connections. One of Europe's principal international airports, Frankfurt International, is just one hour away by car or direct train. Other major cities in Germany, like Berlin, Munich, Cologne, or Hamburg, are within easy reach and only two to three hours away by train. Even famous European capitals like Paris and Brussels are reachable within five hours by train.