Master's programme in public health sciences: societal perspectives
Do you want to know more about what influences people's health? Public health sciences encompass many different perspectives. Our courses on public health and its determinants are firmly rooted in the social sciences.
If you study with us, you will learn about the distribution of (poor) health across different groups in society; what it looks like today but also what it looked like in the past. You will learn more about social and societal structures and how these, through the interplay with individual characteristics, may influence people's habits and living conditions. We go deeper into the ways in which health and disease develop throughout the life course, from childhood to old age. You will also get to know more about how public health policy and practice has developed over time, at both the regional and global levels, as well as gain insights into different measures taken to prevent disease and promote health.
Societal perspectives on public health
The programme offers two tracks during the third term. The track "Societal perspectives on public health" includes courses that reflect sociological and demographic topics such as population development, social change, welfare states, social and public health policy, as well as global health.
You will find information on the track "Individual perspectives on public health" here:
Master's programme in Public Health Sciences: Individual perspectives
The subject of public health sciences is the perfect choice for those wanting a social science education in order to work with, for example, investigations and preventive measures in municipalities and regions, strategic public health work in governmental agencies and the private sector, issues related to health and health care, as well as international aid.
As a public health scientist, you can work with municipalities, regions, governmental agencies, organisations, and companies, both in Sweden and internationally.
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Programme overview
A seminar series runs throughout the programme, with the purpose of enhancing the theoretical and methodological knowledge within public health sciences, strengthening abilities to apply this knowledge to solve complex problems, issues, and situations, as well as offering the opportunity to identify and reflect on the need for own knowledge and competence development.
All courses are mandatory and offered by the Department of Public Health Sciences unless otherwise specified. All courses are at the advanced level and conducted in English.
Our "Master's programme in public health sciences: Societal and individual perspectives" (PHSAN) offers two tracks; Societal perspectives on public health (PHSAN-PSOC), and Individual perspectives on public health (PHSAN-PIND). The courses within blocks A-D and F are the same for both tracks, whereas block E differs depending on the track.
The programme consists of six blocks (A-F), and each term is divided into four periods (A, B, C and D).
Year 1
Autumn term
Block A: Introduction to theory and method
Period A:
An introduction to public health sciences (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Sol JuarezPeriod B:
Research methodology (7.5 credits)
Course managers: Anders LedbergBlock B: Public health: Distributions and explanations
Period C:
Social inequalities in health (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Jonas LandbergPeriod D:
Embodiment of the social world (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Bitte ModinSpring term
Block C: Qualitative and quantitative analytical methods
Period A:
Qualitative data sampling, materials, and collection (2.5 credits)
Coding and analysing qualitative materials (2.5 credits)
Narrative analysis: Thematic, structural, and performative (2.5 credits)
Course managers: Jessica Storbjörk and Jukka TörrönenPeriod B:
Management and description of quantitative data (2.5 credits)
Basic statistical analysis (2.5 credits)
Statistical data modelling (2.5 credits)
Course managers: Ylva B. AlmquistBlock D: Development of (poor) health across life
Period C:
Early life conditions, health development, and child public health (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Ilona GrünbergerPeriod D:
Life-course perspectives on ageing and health (7.5 credits)*
Course managers: Jonas Wastesson and Malin Ericsson* Given in collaboration with Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, within the main field of public health sciences
Year 2
Autumn term
Block E: Social perspectives on public health
Period A:
Population development and social change (7.5 credits)**
Course managers: Gunnar Andersson and Eleonora MussinoPeriod B:
Health and policy in the welfare state (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Jessica StorbjörkPeriod C:
Global health in a changing world (7.5 credits)
Course managers: Andrea Dunlavy and Karl Gauffin
Block F: Practical work in public health sciencesPeriod D:
Individual in-depth course in public health sciences (7.5 credits) or Traineeship in public health sciences (7.5 credits)
Course manager: Jonas LandbergSpring term
Period A-D:
Master thesis in public health sciences (30 credits)
Course managers: Ylva B. Almquist and Sol Juarez** Given by the Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, within the main field of demography
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How to apply
Applications must be submitted through www.universityadmissions.se (English) or www.antagning.se (Swedish).
Required supporting documentation
CV form required
You will need to fill in a CV form to to assist our assessment. The form should be uploaded together with the application:
CV form (63 Kb)
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Career opportunities
After completion of the programme, you will obtain a Master of Science in Public Health Sciences.
As a public health scientist, you can work with municipalities, regions, governmental agencies, organisations, and companies, both in Sweden and internationally.
The programme will prepare for postgraduate education and also provide qualification to work with e.g. investigations and policy measures at the national, regional, and local levels, practical public health work within governmental agencies and in the private sector, as well as issues relating to health care international aid.
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Contact
If you have questions concerning the Master's programme in Public Health Sciences, please send an email to:
Study councellor:
studievagledare.publichealth@su.seDirector of Studies, Basic and advanced levels / Coordinator, master's programme:
master.publichealth@su.se
