Master's in Communication, Health and Life Sciences

In the first year, you follow courses on programme as well as specialisation level. Examples of programme courses are Science communication and Advanced research methodology. Starting period 3 you fully specialise in your specialisation with courses in the field of your specialisation.  

The second year allows you to illustrate that you are capable of delivering a solid piece of scientific research through your thesis. The thesis is worth 36 credits (around 25 weeks). The second year also challenges you to work within an external organisation during your internship. This internship is worth 24 credits (around 16 weeks). 

Before you start with the MSc Communication, Health and Life Sciences, you can choose one of the following specialisations that meets your personal interests. You can ask the study adviser for help and to make the right choice. For more detailed information on courses, thesis topics and internship options check the Study Handbook.

• Specialisation Communication and Innovation
  In the specialisation Communication and Innovation students learn to integrate communication science with problem-solving and innovation in the domain of the life sciences, such as nature, environment, water, nutrition and health, biotechnology and food production.
• Specialisation Health and Society
  Specialisation Health and Society studies the social and behavioural aspects of health and health promotion. Besides that, you will also look at other factors that affect health. For instance the organisation of the food system and the interaction between individuals and the physical environment.

The teaching staff at Wageningen University are closely connected to research groups, playing a key role in creating scientific content and upholding the academic quality of the programme. Courses are delivered through a mix of learning methods, including lectures, tutorials with group assignments, practical exercises, problem-based group work using real-life cases, and excursions.

You will receive tailored support from a study adviser who helps you shape your study plan and navigate important decisions throughout your degree. From developing academic skills to writing your thesis, you’ll benefit from individual supervision and mentoring at every stage. The university fosters a positive and collaborative learning atmosphere that encourages both academic progress and personal development. 

There are several study programmes which are similar to this master's but have a slightly different focus. In contrast to the majority of other comparable masters in the Netherlands, the Master's in Communication, Health and Life Sciences is a two-year programme instead of a one-year programme, including an internship, thesis and Research Master Cluster or Academic Consultancy Training.

Compare the programme in Wageningen

• Master's in Consumer Studies
  The master's Management, Economics and Consumer Studies focuses on the supply chain and its environment.
• Master's in Development and Rural Innovation
  The master's Development and Rural Innovation is a social science programme for students with a technical or life science background and with an interest in international development problems and social dimensions of technical change.
• Master's in International Development Studies
  The master's International Development Studies is a programme for students with a social science or economic background and deals with worldwide processes of development and change related to livelihoods, agrofood networks and the environment.
• Master's in Nutrition and Health
  The master's Nutrition and Health gives training on all aspects of the relation between Nutrition and Health, including the biomedical aspects of metabolism, epidemiology, molecular nutrition, both in developed and developing country settings.

Check more information on Studiekeuze123.nl about how you could compare this programme further. 

The Master's in Communication, Health and Life Sciences aims to deliver professionals who understand complex processes of communication and change, and are able to apply these insights to enhance societal problem-solving and innovation in areas related to life science or health issues. With this skill set, you will have plenty of career opportunities. Our alumni tell us more about what jobs they have now. 

Student Career Services facilitates WUR students towards the labour market. If you need help in your orientation towards your future career. 

Interested in the master's programme Communication, Health and Life Sciences? Find out whether your knowledge and skills match the entry level of the programme.

The admission requirements for the master's programme Communication, Health and Life Sciences are defined in such a way that the students should be able to successfully complete the program nominally in two years. In order to comply, the student needs to have sufficient knowledge on social sciences with a focus on either communication sciences, sociology or (social) psychology. Additionally, a solid basis in social-scientific research methodology is required. This is to ensure that the student is able to follow the advanced studies in the master's programme.

The criterion used for admission is

a WUR BSc degree in Communication and Life Sciences, Health and Society, International Development Studies, or equivalent.

The norm for this equivalence is

For both the specialisations Communication and Innovation and Health and Society ≥60 ECTS in Social Sciences on an academic level of which:

• ≥50 ECTS in communication sciences, sociology and/or (social) psychology
• ≥10 ECTS in advanced social-scientific research methodology (including basics in statistics)

Not all topics mentioned need to be mastered at the same level; they will be weighed by the Admission Board per individual application.

Method of assessment whether this norm is met

• Transcript of records displaying the content of previous course subjects and project work;
• Curriculum vitae displaying relevant work, internship and/or project experience on an academic level in a relevant field if applicable.

Scores attributed by the Admission Board

Admitted / not admitted / admitted under condition of obtaining the BSc or MSc degree / not admitted with offer of pre-master. 

Study programmes with knowledge gaps

In general, students from University of Applied Sciences (NL: hbo) are required to follow additional courses within their current programme or in a pre-master to fulfil the knowledge requirements.

You can apply for this Master's here.

The Admission Board may allow and/or suggest compensation of knowledge gaps by:

• a GPA≥7.0* for the previous education for small discrepancies, as new knowledge is sufficiently easily acquired;
• a GPA≥7.0* and an individual pre-master's programme for larger discrepancies that can be compensated in ≤30 ECTS and one year of study.

*Check the Application & Admission page for the International credentials evaluation guide for international equivalencies to a Dutch GPA>7.0. This guide includes compensating factors for a slightly lower GPA the Admission Board may include in their judgment.

Contact us through the contact button above to discuss the possibilities of a pre-master or how to mitigate knowledge gaps if you are still in the process of obtaining your degree.

Before you start, it’s good to know the costs. Would you like to know more about the figures? All information about the costs of this programme can be found on this page. 

Your time in Wageningen goes beyond the classroom. Live independently yet with potential new friends, discover fun clubs, and dive into a social life full of memorable events and new experiences. Additionally, there are parks, forests, and a river nearby, so if you enjoy the outdoors, you're in the right area. All information about student life in Wageningen can be found on this page.