Futurs étudiants

Registration to the Master of Science in Global Health

Information's concerning the Master of Science in Global Health

You can visit the following page for more information :
https://www.unige.ch/gsi/fr/formations/masters/master-in-global-health/

Delay

Admissions for the 2024-2025 period are now closed, admissions for 2025-2026 will open from January 15th, 2025, to February 28th, 2025.

Registration is online only.

Admission file

Important communications

Registration will only be considered if the student fulfils the registration requirements of the University of Geneva. Applicants must register with the University of Geneva between 15 January and 28 February 2024. Registration is online on the Admissions Service website.

Former UNIGE students

We invite you to visit the matriculations office website to find out how to re-register.

No applications will be examined before the deadline of 28 February 2024. You will receive a reply in the weeks following this deadline.

Documents for the registration :

  • A motivation letter
  • University diplomas (Bachelor, Master, Licence, diplomas…)
  • 1 Curriculum Vitae
  • A detailed official transcript of grades (University)
  • 2 reference letters from your University teachers* or employers
  • 1 proof of English proficiency**

If you have any questions about registration, please contact the matriculations office.

Candidates who complete their training after the dates indicated submit their file subject to obtaining the result.

Documents that are not in French, German, Italian, Spanish or English must be accompanied by an official translation.

Candidates applying for more than one Master's degree must submit a separate application for each one.

* The students of the Bachelor program’s in International Relations (BARI) are not obliged to provide the 2 reference letters from University of Geneva teachers.
** Regarding the Master of Science in Global Health, all students must be proficient in English. If your mother tongue is English or you have successfully followed at least one year of secondary or tertiary (University level) education in English, please provide an academic document as proof of proficiency. All other applicants must provide one of the following accepted certificates, with at least one of the following levels of proficiency equivalent to C1 in the European Framework:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Internet-test 100, Paper-test 600, Computer-based test 250
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7.0
  • Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Cambridge (CPE): A-B-C
  • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A-B

French proficiency is not required, but recommend since Geneva and its university are Francophone.

FAQ Master in Global Health Candidacies-Applicants

What length and style should the motivation letter and letters of recommendation adopt ?

  • There is no standard length or style these letters should adopt.
  • For the letter of motivation, we can only recommend, you express in which way this master’s program in Global Health, integrates itself in your academic and professional career. Why you’re interested and wish to work in this field. If pertinent, how Global Health plays, has played, or will play a role in your life and work. Try to keep it reasonable in terms of length but do feel free to express yourself.
  • For the recommendation letters, European (short, to the point), Anglo-Saxon (lengthy elaborating all your references experience with you) and any other style is accepted. We will be more interested in recommendation letters that underline, real experience with the candidate, rather than standardized letters, that enumerate lists of things that are already underlined in the CV or motivation letter. But any style will do, and we will base our decision on the entire candidacy submission.

Are the semester fees of CHF 500 for all students, Swiss and International?

  • Yes, it is the same fee per semester for all Swiss and all international students.

Are there other costs associated with the program?

  • No, there are no other costs directly associated with the program.

What is the estimated cost of living for a student in Geneva?

  • We highly recommend planning for at least CHF 1,500-2,000 per month. Switzerland is expensive, and Geneva is also expensive especially for rent, even if you can try to find solutions such as co-renting to lower the costs.

  Are there any scholarships for the program?

And the University’s website listing private scholarships: https://www.unige.ch/dife/sante-social/aides-financieres/bourses/fonds-prives how do my references send in their letters of recommendation?

  • You submit them as scanned documents in the candidacy form. If your references do not wish to share this document with you and send it in directly. Please send it to the program student counsellor (bogomil.kohlbrenner@unige.ch).

Is my degree recognized?

  • Candidacies from all degrees of a bachelor level and above recognized by the University of Geneva are accepted. More details on UNIGE recognized institutions can be found here (French only).
  • As an interdisciplinary program, we accept candidacies from all fields (health care, social-sciences, political-sciences, philosophy, engineering, and so on).

I am currently finishing a degree, can I still submit my candidacy before I have the diploma?

  • Yes, you may submit your candidacy before having obtained your bachelor’s degree. Your candidacy may be accepted conditionally. If accepted, you will need to complete the process by sending in your diploma and final transcript before the Master program starts.

I have already completed my higher education in English for more than one year; do I still have to provide an English proficiency certificate?

  • No, that is sufficient; you do not need to submit  an English proficiency certificate. Simply send in proof of the year (or more) spent in an English higher education setting.

I don’t have an English proficiency certificate and won’t be able to submit it before the deadline, what can I do?

  • Should  you be accepted into the program, provide a letter stating your intention to submit the proficiency certificate before the start of classes.

How long should the motivational letter be?

  • Although there is no page limit, typically a page to page and half is sufficient. Concisely explain how the program integrates into your current achievements and overall professional development.

How can submit my candidacy to the shorter, three semester version of the program?

  • This Master degree requires 120 ECTs in total.
  • However in exceptional cases, depending on the proximity of your previous Master curricula to what you may do for your third/focus area semester, we may be able to recognize some or all credits, required for this semester. Certain  MD or Master degrees may be recognized and 30 ECTs (one semester) maybe issued towards the Master of Global Health.  This is not an option for those interested in applying for the dual master program.

When can we expect to have an official decision for the application?

  • Typically between March and April. However, it depends on the number of applicants each year.

Is this a full-time program, can I work on the side?

  • Yes, this is a full-time program and working on the side is not recommended.
  • Some courses are mandatory and many parts of the program require team collaborations for projects.
  • The only option if you are already working in Switzerland is to stretch the first two semesters over four semesters. Completing the two blocks of 30 ECTS credits (60 in total) over two years. But this still leaves the 30 ECTS of the focus area semester to be completed as a block, as well as the three to six-month internship and thesis to be completed in that last year. The Master in Global Health cannot be prolonged more than two extra semesters (six in total).
  • If you require a student visa, you cannot work during the firs six months of your stay in Switzerland and subsequently can work a maximum of 15 hours a week, with this permit. Please see this page (French) for further information.

Where can I find the course listings and descriptions for the first two semesters? (the third semester courses are selected by the student depending on his/her interest focus area?)

  • Please find course programs on "this page".

 What type of internships will the program offer?

  • There are is no specific internship positions offered directly by the program. However, the opportunity to network with multiple organizations is a major part of the program structure. Typically, students in the previous cohorts have interned with  WHO, Global Fund, GAVI, FIND, Swiss TPH, The Agha Khan Foundation, MSF, HUG, and other organizations and research labs.

 How can I apply for the dual Master program with the Graduate institute?

If I am accepted where can I find student lodgings?

  • Please check the UNIGE dorm website here and find other student lodgings here. It is up to students to take dispositions for their lodgings.

Complementary information

  • For all questions pertaining to matriculation, please contact the admissions office directly.
  • Candidates who finish their studies after the indicated dates, fill their registration under reserve of completion of their qualifying diploma.
  • Documents that weren’t written in French, German, Italian or English will be accompanied by an official translation.
  • Candidates to more than one program, submit their candidacy to each one separately.


Student Counsellor

Bogomil Kohlbrenner
(Master in Global Health Student Counsellor)

T +41 22 379 01 86

Institut de Santé Globale de l’Université de Genève
Campus Biotech – Chemin des Mines 9
1202 Genève 20

bogomil.kohlbrenner@unige.ch

  • Reception by appointement