Bachelor's Degree in Global Public Health

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

NOVA University of Lisbon

Program Overview

The Bachelor’s Degree in Global Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon is designed for students who want to understand major health challenges around the world and learn how to improve the health and wellbeing of communities. The programme combines public health with subjects such as epidemiology, health promotion, digital health, health policy and research, making it a good choice for students interested in building an international career in public health.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students start by building a strong foundation in public health and health sciences through subjects such as Introduction to Public Health, Basic Epidemiology, and Introduction to Health Statistics. They also explore Genetics for Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences in Global Public Health, and Introduction to Health Promotion, helping them understand the different factors that influence people's health.

Year 2: Students expand their knowledge by looking at how social, environmental and economic factors affect population health. Subjects such as Occupational and Environmental Health, Economics for Health, Microbiology and Parasitology for Public Health, and Demography and Health help students connect scientific knowledge with real-world public health challenges.

Year 3: Students move into more advanced areas, including Global Health, Health Policy, Digital Health, Health Communication, and Research Methods. They learn how public health programmes are planned, communicated and evaluated, while developing the research and analytical skills needed to understand complex health issues.

Year 4: In the final year, students bring together what they have learned and focus on applying their knowledge to real public health challenges. They strengthen their research, analytical and problem-solving skills while preparing for professional opportunities in areas such as public health, research, healthcare policy and international health organisations.

Focus Areas

Public health, global health, epidemiology, health promotion, health statistics, digital health, health policy, environmental and occupational health, microbiology, demography, health communication, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand public health challenges, analyse health information and contribute to disease prevention and health promotion. They also gain an international and multidisciplinary perspective that helps them work with different communities, organisations and healthcare professionals.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is offered by NOVA National School of Public Health in collaboration with NOVA Medical School and the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, with Aga Khan University as an international academic partner. These collaborations bring together expertise in public health, medicine, tropical health and global health, giving students exposure to a wide range of professional perspectives.

Reputation (Employability)

NOVA National School of Public Health has a strong focus on public health education, research and professional practice, giving students the opportunity to learn in an environment closely connected with the public health sector. The programme's international focus and partnerships also prepare graduates to pursue opportunities in public health organisations, research institutions, healthcare policy and other global health settings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor’s in Global Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon gives students plenty of opportunities to turn classroom knowledge into practical skills. Students gain experience through internships, public health projects, case studies, simulations and research activities, while also learning from professionals and researchers working in the field. The programme also benefits from the expertise of NOVA’s public health, medical and tropical health institutions, giving students a strong environment for developing real-world public health skills.

Key practical and experiential opportunities include:

Hands-on internships: Students complete two internships, giving them the opportunity to gain practical experience in real public health settings.
Public Health Practice: Students complete a substantial 15-ECTS Public Health Practice component, helping them understand how public health knowledge is applied in professional environments.
Field Epidemiology: Students develop practical skills in Field Epidemiology, learning how to investigate and respond to health problems affecting populations.
Research projects: Through Research Methods in Global Public Health, students work on research proposals and public health data analysis, strengthening their research and analytical abilities.
Group projects: Students take part in group activities involving case studies, problem-solving exercises, simulations and presentations, helping them develop teamwork and communication skills.
Data and digital skills: Courses such as Data Science for Public Health and Health Information Systems in Public Health help students build skills in using data and digital systems to address public health challenges.
Simulation activities: Professional practice courses use simulations to help students practise public health interventions and understand how to work with different stakeholders.
Guest lectures: Students have opportunities to learn directly from professionals with experience in global public health and gain insight into current challenges in the field.
Elective learning: Students can explore areas such as Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, Advanced Epidemiology, Healthcare Evaluation, Health Promotion and Municipalities, and Health Systems Sustainability.
Research and collaboration: Students benefit from connections with NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA Medical School, the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Aga Khan University, providing exposure to different areas of public health and global health.
Professional practice projects: Courses such as Foundations of Professional Practice in Global Public Health use case studies, practical problem-solving, student projects and presentations to prepare students for professional public health work.

Facilities and academic resources: Students benefit from the expertise and research environment of NOVA National School of Public Health, NOVA Medical School and the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, giving them access to a multidisciplinary environment covering public health, medicine, tropical health and global health.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor’s in Global Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon opens the door to careers across public health, healthcare, research, government, technology and international organisations. Students graduate with knowledge in areas such as epidemiology, health policy, health promotion, digital health and data science, giving them the flexibility to work in both public and private sectors.

Typical career options include Public Health Professional, Epidemiology and Data Analysis Professional, Health Policy and Planning Specialist, and Health Promotion and Communication Specialist. Other opportunities can be found in international organisations, NGOs, healthcare systems, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, health technology companies, consultancies, universities and research centres.

Key opportunities include:

Career support and professional exposure: Students benefit from career guidance and mentoring, while projects, internships, case studies and interaction with public health professionals help them build practical experience and professional connections.
Internship opportunities: The programme includes two hands-on internships, allowing students to gain experience in different public health settings before completing their degree.
University partnerships: The programme is delivered by NOVA National School of Public Health in collaboration with NOVA Medical School, the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Aga Khan University, giving students access to expertise across public health, medicine and global health.
Employment and salary information: As this is a new bachelor’s programme with its first cohort beginning in September 2026, the university has not yet published specific graduate employment rates or salary figures for the programme.
International career preparation: The programme is taught entirely in English and prepares students to work in multicultural and international environments, which is particularly useful for careers in global health and international organisations.
Future-focused skills: Students develop knowledge in areas such as epidemiology, data science, digital health, artificial intelligence, sustainability, health communication and health governance, helping them prepare for changing demands in the public health sector.
Accreditation value: The degree is accredited by A3ES, while the curriculum is also accredited by the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (APHEA). These accreditations provide valuable recognition of the programme's academic and professional quality.
Graduation opportunities: Graduates can pursue opportunities in public and private organisations, international organisations, foundations, civil society organisations, technology companies, research centres, universities, think tanks and multilateral agencies.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue with postgraduate and master’s-level studies to specialise further in areas such as public health, epidemiology, global health, health policy, healthcare management, digital health or other related fields.