Education Research Current About VU Amsterdam NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Amsterdam Summer School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar Woman at the top
Israël and Palestinian regions Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Using science to solve society’s complex problems

Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in Health & Life Sciences

What factors should be considered when establishing electronic health records. How do developments in genomics impact basic health insurance?

How should we respond to an increase of Meningococcal disease? These are the types of questions addressed in this programme. You’ll start your study with three compulsory courses, introducing you to the core competences of the programme, these are:

  • Analysis of complex societal issues related to the health and life sciences;
  • Formulation and implementation of strategies to deal with complex societal problems through interdisciplinary research;
  • Effective cooperation and communication with both societal actors and with researchers from scientific disciplines other than health and life sciences.

You’ll be able to choose one of four specialisations, each requiring you to take one compulsory course, which counts for 6 EC. You will also follow two other courses within your specialisation for a minimum of 12 EC (18 EC in total). You will conduct two internships, of which at least one should be in the field of your specialisation  

This two-year programme counts for a total of 120 ECs.

The start date of this programme is September 1st.

First year

In the first year, you will opt for one of the following specialisations.

Students present their internship findings during the MPA Seminar

At the end of year 2, MPA Master students present their internship findings during the MPA Seminar on campus. Through oral presentations and a poster market they discuss their learnings together, and with all visitors who are interested. View the aftermovie of the 2024 MPA Seminar here, to get an impression.

Courses and internships

You will opt for one of four specialisations and, in the first year, choose electives and follow an internship relevant to that specialisation. 

In the second year you’ll follow both compulsory and optional courses that will deepen your knowledge in the chosen specialization; you will also take a second internship, which can be conducted abroad. The optional courses you choose will depend on your area of interest and the focus of your second internship.

The two compulsory internships, each of 20 weeks, will play a crucial part in your professional development, preparing you for your future career. In each internship you will work together with a commissioner (for example an academic institute or governmental agency) and conduct research into a complex ‘real world’ problem. Both internships will be a great start in building a professional network.

Examples of assignments

Reports

  • Analysing sensemaking in complex societal debates (by Lisa Augustijn) View report
  • Machine learning in healthcare: The potential risks and the forms of governance and regulation (by Merijn van Leeuwen) View report
  • NGO-business partnership: A solution for primary healthcare in Africa? (by Rianne Koeling) View report
  • Towards smart hospitals: Examining the use of Industry 4.0 in hospitals and the associated benefits (by Oscar Klein) View report
  • Stakeholder perceptions on the Resident Leadership Programme designed to combat loneliness (by Galoeh Adrian Noviar) View report
  • Improvements in quality of life in sickle cell disease patients receiving L-glutamine treatment (by S.J. Brus) View report
  • Stakeholder perspectives on the patient journey of children with pneumonia in Mityana, Uganda (by Marthe Luitjens) View report
  • Risk assessment of sponsorship in clinical trials (by Wieneke Bastet) View report

Posters

  • Addressing sexual violence against Syrian refugees in Jordan through a multi-sectorial approach (by Emma Zieck) View poster
  • An e-health tool concerning attention problems (by Devie-Luna Arts) View poster
  • Adolescents perspectives regarding physical activity and serious gaming (by Koen Langeslag) View poster
  • Beyond the monetary funds of fundraising campaigns (by Justine Gonggrijp) View poster
  • Implementing personalised oncology (by Victor Bakker) View poster
  • Reprodutopia: Studying lay ethical perspectives on future reproductive technologies (by Emma Dierickx) View poster
  • Exploring the needs of residents to actively and sustainably contribute to the neighbourhood (by Galoeh Adrian Noviar) View poster
  • Understanding the relationship between the food environment and food procurement in dietary acculturation (by Jillian O’Mara) View poster 

Change your future with the Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health & Life Sciences programme

Change your future with the Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health & Life Sciences programme

After completing the Master’s programme Management, Policy Analysis and Entrepreneurship in the Health & Life Sciences, you can opt for a PhD or start working as a policymaker or healthcare professional. Your academic approach and skills in the field of interdisciplinary research will be in wide demand. 

Explore your future prospects
People wearing masks in public transport, one of them is blowing her nose

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas Digital accessibility

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2025 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam