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- tuition fee & scholarships
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The international summer course in Global Health Challenges is an introduction to the greatest global health challenges of our time.
The course relates to key Sustainable Development Goals and will cover topics of importance to global health including:
You can expect course participation by a truly international group of students and young professionals from a range of professional backgrounds, and an introduction to the key concepts, determinants, opportunities and challenges in global public health.
Through a mix of lectures, case studies, group work and workshops, this summer course will explore, explain and analyse many of the greatest challenges to current and future health. The summer course aims to serve as a platform for networking, capacity building and inspiration, thus empowering participants to become more effective health leaders, thinkers and change-makers.
Online module | 22 July - 1 August 2024 |
On-campus module | 5 - 16 August 2024 |
Exam (80% course participation) |
16 August 2024 |
Credit points: 5 ECTS
You can apply, if you have completed your bachelor's degree or at least 3 years full time studies within a relevant academic field, for instance:
UCPH medical students enrolled in the 2015 master's curriculum can only participate in the course as part of the 5th semester perspective: Internationalt perspektiv - global sundhed.
Students must have an adequate level of English as all lessons, group discussions, etc. are carried out in English.
After the application deadline the admissions committee will go through all the applications and select the course participants. Applicants are encouraged to put energy and care into the motivation-section of the online application, as this is the main selection criteria. You should include how this course might benefit you in your future work or studies, and list any former experience with global health or health issues, both nationally and internationally.
The course consists of 9-days of e-learning and two-weeks class-based learning.
The e-learning module will consist of literature, tasks and writing a policy brief. The e-learning module requires 27.5 hours work, which can be spread out over over a longer period of time, although there will be deadlines to follow during the time period of 23 – 31 July. Online activity will be monitored, and a policy brief must be handed in in order to participate in the on-campus program.
You must complete and hand in a policy brief in order to attend the on-campus program. Since attendance is the requirement for passing the course, you must have no more than two days of absence due to illness during the on-campus module if you wish to pass the course and receive the course certificate.
Lectures form the majority of the mandatory program and take place between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m daily. One mandatory evening event will take place during the first on-campus week as well as a social event called National Food & Drinks Party. Workshops may be offered for selected afternoons from 4.00-5.30 p.m. These workshops are optional, as are any social activities in the evening. Additional social activities are usually arranged during the summer course, depending on the interest and initiative of participants.
Lecturers
Reflecting its global focus, this summer course is taught by an international group of renowned lecturers and practitioners from the University of Copenhagen as well as other universities, private companies, civil society organisations and the UN system.
For more details, please read the course description in UCPH's course database
The application deadline was 1 April 23:59 (CEST). Please note, that we do not accept late applications.
Upon submitting your application, you receive an e-mail receipt. Please keep this for future reference. Make sure to check your spam filter, if you do not receive the receipt.
You will receive the result of your application 3 - 4 weeks after the application deadline.
Note: If you have problems with the application form, please try a different browser, and make sure your files are not too large or the file names does not contain special characters.
You are exempted from payment, if:
You are enrolled at a Danish university and the course is part of your master's programme. Danish students must provide a pre-approval of credit transfer from their home institution upon application.
You are a student at UCPH enrolled in one of the following programmes, you do not need to apply for pre-approval of credit transfer:
You are an exchange student and attend the course as part of the autumn exchange semester (min. 3 months stay).
You are an exchange student nominated through Nordplus express or Nordlys.
Fee-paying participants:
All other participants (students, working professionals, etc.) must pay tuition fee according to the information below.
EU/EEA citizens: 5,000 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens: 9,000 DKK
The fee covers participation in the course. It does not cover course materials, travel, accommodation and living expenses during the course.
Full payment of course fees must be transferred in May. Payment details will be forwarded upon acceptance.
You can only get a refund of your tuition fee, if you cancel at least two month prior to the beginning of the course including e-learning modules.
If you have questions about the course content, please write to Summercourse-GHC@sund.ku.dk
Course director: Lena Skovgaard Andersen
Course administration: Sille Amalie Aagaard Kristensen
Accommodation: Please note that the summer courses are non-residential. Participants are responsible for finding and funding accommodation during their stay in Copenhagen.
You can use different online portals to search for accommodation, such as:
Copenhagen has an international airport, and the city centre can be reached within 30 minutes. If you want additional information read Arriving in Copenhagen.
Please study our websites for more information about Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the University of Copenhagen.
”Exploring the diverse topics within Global Health alongside inspirational teachers and a cohort of passionate students allowed for a professional insight into a global health career pathway. Working within multidisciplinary groups enabled us to break down silo thinking and systematically address pressing global challenges. I was left with invaluable knowledge and lifelong friendships with people from all over the world.”
- Kamara Pather, Melbourne, Australia, course participant in 2018
"What does global health really mean? And how do you build a career in it? The best way to answer these questions is to first understand the health challenges faced by people around the world - and some of the approaches that practitioners and academics alike are using to solve them. This course in Global Health Challenges will give you a foundation to explore more, whatever your academic or professional background. The lecturers are inspiring, the topics are fascinating, and I am still in touch with my classmates a few years on!"
- Nick Bennett, Australia, course participant in 2019
Attending this summer course gave me the exceptional possibility of understanding the most pressing challenges the world is facing in terms of Public Health. It also allowed me to study how to collaborate towards achieving more resilient and sustainable health systems. Furthermore, it helped me start an international network of distinguished researchers, admirable friends, and future global health leaders.
- Alejandro Sanders, Mexico, course participant in 2018