This specialization examines health through a bio-psycho-social lens, following the WHO definition of health as complete physical, mental and social well‑being rather than merely the absence of disease. The programme centers on health promotion and prevention, training students to design and evaluate interventions that support long‑term well‑being.
The curriculum responds to shifts in public health needs driven by demographic change — longer life expectancy, rising prevalence of non‑communicable (“diseases of civilisation”) and mental health conditions — which create new demands on health systems and professionals. The course emphasizes personal health and strategic interventions that strengthen individual resources, promote healthy nutrition, and encourage age‑appropriate physical activity.
This interdisciplinary track integrates perspectives from nutrition science, movement/physical activity, and psychology, and explicitly incorporates gender and diversity considerations. Teaching combines theoretical foundations with practical, collaborative research: students work on interdisciplinary projects addressing risk factors and collaborating with patient groups and special populations (for example, workforce groups in companies).
Requirements and practical notes for international applicants
This master's curriculum is organised into five integrated units that combine theoretical foundations with hands-on practice to train specialists in prevention and health promotion. The programme adopts a holistic concept of health promotion—going beyond disease prevention to strengthen personal resources as well as behavioural and environmental determinants of health. Teaching spans specialist content and methodological skills across different health sectors so you can work with diverse target groups and settings.
Study time is structured so that core foundations are covered early, with opportunities to specialise and apply methods in collaborative research projects, and it finishes with an independently written master's thesis. The programme emphasises multidisciplinary approaches, research competence (including ethics, study design and data handling), and real-world application—preparing graduates to design, evaluate and implement prevention and health-promotion interventions in academic, clinical or policy contexts.
Key modules
Learning outcomes
This master's programme requires applicants to hold a recognised undergraduate degree and to demonstrate both language ability and practical experience in the health field. Degrees from German or non‑German universities are accepted as long as they meet the minimum length and equivalency requirements; the subject of the bachelor’s degree is not restricted. Applicants should also be prepared to take part in a selection procedure that includes a written test.
You must prove you have sufficient English skills and provide evidence of hands‑on experience in health science. This practical experience can be either a completed vocational internship of at least eight weeks or relevant professional employment in the health‑science sector; documentation of the internship or work must be submitted before the programme starts (and no later than five weeks after lectures begin). Details on accepted English certificates and exact equivalence rules are available on the programme page.
Admission also depends on successfully passing the programme’s selection process, which includes a written assessment.
Requirements (summary)
Winter Semester (International)
31 May 2026
Winter Semester (EU/EEA)
31 May 2026
Graduates are prepared for roles in public health and healthcare sectors focused on prevention, health promotion and programme evaluation. Typical employers include public health agencies, health promotion organisations, corporate health management teams, NGOs and research institutions. The programme’s methodological and applied research training also provides a pathway to academic research or doctoral studies.
Because the curriculum combines practical project work with subject-specific electives and complementary modules, alumni can move into positions that design and implement prevention strategies, evaluate health programmes, develop workplace health concepts, or advise on nutrition, physical activity and mental well‑being initiatives.