Studium und Lehre
an der Medizinischen Fakultät
der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

A simple approach to bridging population-based medicine and public health: population-based medicine is the basic science of public health, much as biomedical research is the basic science of clinical medicine. Population-based medicine provides the basic understanding of how health is produced, while public health aims to apply that understanding toward building and promoting health in populations. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30207758/

Epidemiology provides essential knowledge to design, implement, and assess approaches to effectively prevent disease and improve health in populations. Epidemiological methods are the cornerstones of population health and population-based medicine, which consider the broader picture by integrating concepts, methods and evidence from behavioral, environmental, biological, social, economic, cultural, and psychological science.

You need a Bachelor’s Degree (or an equivalent degree of at least 6 semesters) in Health Sciences or a comparable subject. Examples for potentially comparable subjects are:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Nursing
• Midwifery
• Nutrition
• Pharmacy
• Health Economics
• Health Policy
• Biostatistics
• Psychology
• Sports
• Sociology
• Cognitive Sciences
• ...

Make sure to include a Transcript of Records or similar documents which describe the contents of your Bachelor’s Degree in order to allow for assessment of the comparability of the field. A final decision can only be made based on your complete application.

Yes, some knowledge in statistics and methods is expected. However, you may still apply for the program if your bachelor’s degree fulfills the admission requirements. During the selection process you may receive bonus points for obtained CP in statistics and methods. Also, the topic will be discussed during the selection interview.

Work experience is not a prerequisite for your application. However, relevant work experience may give you bonus points for the selection process. Therefore, make sure to upload any certificate or verification you might have on your work experience (including duration and verification that it took place in the health care sector). 

There are 20 study places in Population-Based Medicine per year.

The program currently only starts in the summer semester. Courses start mid-April.

The deadline for your application in 2024 is January 15th. Applications received after this date cannot be considered in the selection process.

All courses and examinations will be held in English. You need English skills at the B2 level (CEFR). A corresponding certificate must be submitted with the application.

Although you won’t need German in your courses, German skills are useful for managing your everyday life in Tübingen or in case you would like to complete your practicum in a German organization. Consider taking German lessons at the Centre for German as a foreign language.

In the first two semesters, courses will be held according to a fixed schedule.  In the third semester you will complete your mandatory practicum and attend an online practicum seminar. In the fourth semester you will attend a Master’s colloquium and write your thesis. The detailed schedule can be found in the module handbook which is available here.

A good opportunity to spend time abroad during your master studies is the practicum/internship in the third semester. Start looking for potential practicum organizations early and use a practicum/internship abroad for getting to know yet another health system.

With a degree in Population-Based Medicine you can work in a variety of public and private organizations in the health sector (e.g., hospitals, consulting agencies), as well as NGOs. You will also be ready for pursuing PhD studies.