Postgraduate Master of Science in Epidemiology Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

The Master of Science in Epidemiology is a postgraduate Master’s programme that offers students an advanced interdisciplinary education to focus their methodological knowledge and expand their competencies in epidemiologic research.

The programme is designed for inspired mid-career professionals from the fields of medical and natural sciences, social sciences, IT, or mathematics who want to make a difference in clinical and population health.

The extensive collaborations with public health and health policy institutions ensure that coursework reflects current developments in research and scientific professional practice. Classes are taught by experienced faculty from the Charité and partnering institutions such as the Robert Koch Institute, the Max Delbrück Center, the Berlin Institute of Health, Bayer AG, and the Hasso Plattner Institute.

Graduates will be qualified to pursue careers as research scientists in clinical trials, outbreak investigation, infection control, or disease monitoring in academia or with government agencies.

The MSc Epidemiology consists of five core methods modules, three advanced elective modules, a research project, and a Master's thesis.

The aim of the five core methods modules is to ensure that all students have a comprehensive set of theoretical and applied skills in epidemiologic research methods. The core modules comprise five credits each for a total of 25 credits. Both full-time and part-time students should complete them in the first and second semesters of the programme.

The programme also offers a variety of elective courses that students can choose from to fulfil the requirements in the advanced elective modules.

The advanced elective modules provide room for students to pursue individual interests in 15 credits worth of coursework. The areas of study are roughly grouped under the following headings: applied methods, disease monitoring, and applied epidemiology. The intent of the electives is to impart specialised methodological skills in various fields of application.

The Master's thesis is an independent scientific research project and makes up one third of the MSc Epidemiology degree. Students receive 20 credits for the completion of the two connected courses, Module 9 – Master's project and Module 10 – Master's thesis. Module 9 is designed to provide room for finding and preparing an independent research project that is suitable for completion in the final Module 10 – Master's thesis. Each student will work with two academic advisers from the programme's faculty or related research institutions. The Master's thesis gives students the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained throughout the programme to a practical research project. It is also a chance to get to know potential employers!

All courses have the character of a seminar. In addition to imparting knowledge, they are designed to promote interaction and exchange between students so that the knowledge they bring from their original discipline or work experience can be built upon and shared.

Full-time students complete the programme in one year (12 months) and part-time students complete the programme in two years (four semesters). The programme’s flexible structure makes it possible for students to create individual course plans should they need more time to complete the programme.

Berlin School of Public Health

A mandatory internship is not required.
Research internships that meet specific criteria can be credited as an elective.

(1) Early admissions deadline: Mid-November to 31 January
For international applicants who require a visa to enter Germany
Please note: we are unable to process applications from students who require a visa to enter Germany after the early admissions deadline.

(2) Regular admissions deadline: 1 February to 15 May

(3) Rolling admissions until 30 September
Applications received after 15 May are processed in the order they are received, as long as spots are available.

1. University Degree:
In order to ensure a high level of scientific quality in the continuing Master's programmes, we require the completion of a university degree and at least one year of qualified, professional work experience. The university degree must encompass a minimum of 240 ECTS or equivalent (four years of regular course work). Since the different academic backgrounds of our students and their respective work experience greatly shape the quality of the discussions in our seminars, we look forward to receiving applications from applicants in the fields of social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and medicine.

2. Professional Experience:
The programme is aimed at students with professional experience (mid-career professionals). At least one year of qualified work experience is required for admission.

3. Knowledge of English:
Courses are taught in English.

4. Mathematical Knowledge and Aptitude:
The programme offers advanced students an interdisciplinary modern educational environment to focus their methodological knowledge in the fields of epidemiology, biostatistics, medical informatics, and health data science, expanding their competencies in research. Students are encouraged to have a basic mathematical aptitude and good knowledge of statistics. Students should be willing and interested in learning how to use and using statistical software to analyse health data.

University enrolment fees: about 350 EUR per semester (including a public transport ticket)

We advertise various student assistant positions and other job opportunities via our "bsph-vernetzt" mailing list. You are welcome to subscribe: https://bsph.charite.de/en/networking_1.

• Annual Career Day in cooperation with the Berlin School of Public Health
• Alumni network
• Counselling on opportunities for doctoral studies