Gesundheitswissenschaften
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The M.Sc. in Health Sciences is a four-semester, research-oriented master’s programme at HAW Hamburg focused on Public Health, healthcare research, epidemiology, and health policy. You are prepared for research as well as managerial positions in public and private healthcare and public-health settings.
The programme is taught in English and German, and admission is for the winter semester only, using an online application submitted during the published application period. International applicants must complete the international application process and obtain a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) through uni assist before applying.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build core competencies in qualitative and quantitative research methods for health sciences.
- Study concepts and dimensions in Public Health and related research areas.
- Develop skills in statistics, biostatistics, and epidemiology for health research.
- Learn research methods, ethics, and epistemology for evidence-based health science work.
- Cover health policy and health economics research as well as health promotion and health behaviour research.
- Apply and practice the competencies acquired in the first two semesters in a research-focused semester.
- Join a research project in Hamburg or another relevant institution focused on public health and healthcare.
- Work on real-world, application-oriented research and project management tasks.
- Complete the Master’s thesis with a meaningful research hypothesis and research question.
- Choose a study design and conduct analyses according to rigorous scientific standards.
- Formulate recommendations for practice based on research findings.
Curriculum
120 CP Master's (Health Sciences) with compulsory modules, an internship (compulsory), elective compulsory modules (each 6 CP), and a Master thesis (30 CP). Credits are taken from the official module handbook.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules plus elective compulsory modules | Concepts and Dimensions of Health Sciences and Public Health and Basic Statistics and Basic Epidemiology | 6 | 30 |
| Research Methods | 6 | |||
| Ethics and Epistemology | 6 | |||
| Non-Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Research Interests | 6 | |||
| Diversity and Health and Family and Community Health Research | 6 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules plus elective compulsory modules | Advanced Biostatistics | 6 | 30 |
| Digital Health and Communication in Health Sciences | 6 | |||
| Research and Project Management | 6 | |||
| Health Policy and Health Economics Research | 6 | |||
| Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Pandemic Control | 6 | |||
| Semester 3 | Compulsory internship (research project) | Research Project / Forschungsprojekt im Pflichtpraktikum | 30 | 30 |
| Semester 4 | Master thesis | Master thesis / Masterarbeit | 30 | 30 |
| Total | Compulsory modules, compulsory internship/research project, elective compulsory modules, and Master thesis (Masterarbeit) | 120 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with research-oriented skills for public health and healthcare, supporting roles in surveillance, evaluation, and health-system improvement.
- You are prepared for managerial positions that require data-based decision-making, supporting careers in health systems and health policy work.
- You gain competence to work with healthcare researchers and practitioners, policymakers, public administrators, funders, NGOs, and industry partners in evidence-based planning and coordination.
- You develop practical project experience through a research-focused third semester that helps you enter organisations with field-ready capabilities.
- You position yourself for roles across public and private settings, including public health organisations, administration, insurance companies, industry, consulting, and NGOs.
Employability rate
Health sciences graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 85% and an unemployment rate of about 15%, reflecting continued demand for qualified professionals in public health and healthcare-related organisations.
Together, these figures point to a generally stable career outlook with reliable opportunities in research, health policy, and healthcare management paths.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree and subject relevance | Applicants must have successfully completed a first professionally qualifying university degree (normally a bachelor’s degree), and the subject area must meet the programme’s regulated subject requirements in the course-specific examination and study regulations. Applicants are selected based on a ranking using criteria such as final grade and specialised knowledge aligned with the Master’s course objectives. |
| International credential review (VPD) | International applicants must have their certificates checked in advance by uni assist and request a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) before submitting their application to HAW Hamburg. The VPD result must be included with the application so that prior certificates can be assessed for suitability. |
Language requirements
Lectures are held in English and German. International applicants applying from abroad must submit proof of English proficiency (and may be required to provide German proof depending on the admission decision and the role language requirements play in your learning plan). The third semester research project is undertaken in Germany and requires very good German skills.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee (semester contribution) | EUR 397 / per semester | For winter semester 2026/27, the semester contribution is €397.00 and includes components such as Studierendenwerk, AStA, the semester transport ticket, and an administrative fee. |
Proof of financial resources
For your residence permit and enrolment, you must show you can cover your living costs in Germany. HAW Hamburg provides guidance for international students on financing and scholarships, and you can also use standard German immigration guidance for what is accepted as proof of funds.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | June 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your international eligibility documents (VPD)
Before applying, international applicants must have their certificates checked in advance by uni assist and request a VPD for their HAW Hamburg application. After you receive a positive VPD result, include it in your HAW Hamburg application. This step is time-critical because the application system is only activated during the published period.
Submit your online application during the official window
Apply online during the published application period for the Master’s programme. Outside the application period, the online application system is not activated, and you cannot apply. Complete the application form at myHAW and upload the required documents to submit your application.
Complete any selection-related items
Places are awarded via a ranking list based on criteria including your final grade for the first degree, specialised knowledge aligned with the Master’s objectives, and a written explanation of why you want to attend the course. Submitting additional documents (such as proof of relevant experience or qualifications and a letter of motivation) can increase your chances of being selected. Ensure your written motivation is prepared according to the programme’s expectations.
After admission: enrol and submit any requested documents by the enrolment deadline
If you are admitted, HAW Hamburg sends you an offer and you must follow the instructions to accept the offer. You will need to send the signed registration form and the accompanying documents listed in your admission package by the deadline stated there. You also need to pay the semester contribution as instructed for successful enrolment.