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    Study epidemiology abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying epidemiology as an international student.

    Find epidemiology programs

    Explore epidemiology programs abroad

    See other programs in epidemiology

    Epidemiology degrees abroad

    Epidemiology is the scientific study of the causes and effects of disease in populations. Epidemiologists are responsible for tracking the frequency and distribution of disease on local, national, and international scales.

    By studying epidemiology, you’ll learn how to monitor, analyze, and interpret surges in public health issues. As well as looking closely at how to control and eliminate contagious diseases, you’ll examine the patterns of other chronic illnesses, like heart disease, substance misuse, and diabetes.

    Outbreaks of disease are often very geographically and culturally specific. Studying abroad allows you to investigate new samples of the global population and consider how the lifestyles and genetics of different demographic groups can affect the spread of illness.

    Epidemiology program structure

    Degrees in epidemiology usually only begin at the graduate level, but a handful of institutions do offer bachelor’s programs in the subject. These are studied on a full-time basis over three or four years.

    It’s much more common for students to gain a bachelor’s degree in a related field - like biology, health science, medicine, or statistics - before pursuing a one or two-year master’s program in epidemiology. An MSc is normally the minimum educational requirement needed to become an epidemiologist.

    If you plan on working as a researcher or teaching in post-secondary education, you’ll need to earn a PhD. Doctoral programs can last anywhere between three and seven years, and you’ll be challenged to carry out your own, original research.

    Most epidemiology programs combine lectures, tutorials, and seminars with practical workshops, and laboratories. Assessment methods will be determined by the modules you take, but written examinations, assignments, online tests, research projects, and presentations are common.

    Each university’s program includes a different mixture of elective and core modules. However, most degrees are designed to introduce students to these fundamental topics:

    • Epidemiology in practice
    • Clinical trials
    • Infectious disease modeling
    • Molecular and genetic epidemiology
    • Biostatistics and data analysis
    • Applied computer programming
    • Public health
    • Environmental health
    Epidemiology program structure

    Degrees in epidemiology usually only begin at the graduate level, but a handful of institutions do offer bachelor’s programs in the subject. These are studied on a full-time basis over three or four years.

    It’s much more common for students to gain a bachelor’s degree in a related field - like biology, health science, medicine, or statistics - before pursuing a one or two-year master’s program in epidemiology. An MSc is normally the minimum educational requirement needed to become an epidemiologist.

    If you plan on working as a researcher or teaching in post-secondary education, you’ll need to earn a PhD. Doctoral programs can last anywhere between three and seven years, and you’ll be challenged to carry out your own, original research.

    Most epidemiology programs combine lectures, tutorials, and seminars with practical workshops, and laboratories. Assessment methods will be determined by the modules you take, but written examinations, assignments, online tests, research projects, and presentations are common.

    Each university’s program includes a different mixture of elective and core modules. However, most degrees are designed to introduce students to these fundamental topics:

    • Epidemiology in practice
    • Clinical trials
    • Infectious disease modeling
    • Molecular and genetic epidemiology
    • Biostatistics and data analysis
    • Applied computer programming
    • Public health
    • Environmental health

    Best countries to study epidemiology

    Best universities to study epidemiology

    See all universities offering epidemiology programs

    How to study epidemiology abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Epidemiology study abroad programs

    Epidemiology undergraduate programs

    Epidemiology graduate programs

    Master's in epidemiology

    • false

      Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology - MClinEp University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      23,653 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 31,070 AUD

      Start date
      September, July, February
      Show program overview about Community Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology
    • false

      Epidemiology - MSc American University of Beirut, Lebanon

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,594 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,594 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Epidemiology
    • false

      Epidemiology and Biomedical Data Science - MSc University of Oulu, Finland

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      11,899 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,000 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Epidemiology and Biomedical Data Science
    • false

      Health Sciences (Epidemiology) - MHSc Lakehead University, Canada

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,816 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 22,406 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Health Sciences (Epidemiology)
    • false

      Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics) - MPH University of Southern Mississippi, USA

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,770 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,770 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Public Health (Epidemiology and Biostatistics)
    See all master's degrees in epidemiology

    Doctorate in epidemiology

    • false

      Gerontology - Epidemiology of Aging - PhD University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      22,899 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 22,899 USD

      Start date
      August
      Show program overview about Gerontology - Epidemiology of Aging
    • false

      Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics - PhD Florida A&M University, USA

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      24,669 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 24,669 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
    See all doctorates in epidemiology

    Diploma in epidemiology

    • false

      Clinical Residency: Epidemiology - PGDip Astrakhan State Medical University, Russia

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      3,700 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 3,700 USD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Clinical Residency: Epidemiology
    See all postgraduate diplomas in epidemiology

    Certificate in epidemiology

    • false

      Clinical Epidemiology - PGCert University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      6 months
      Annual tuition fee
      12,657 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,625 AUD

      Start date
      September, July, February
      Show program overview about Clinical Epidemiology
    See all postgraduate certificates in epidemiology

    Future epidemiology careers

    In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and with cases of heart disease, diabetes, and dementia on the rise, the global need for epidemiology graduates has never been greater.

    Your statistical, logical, and analytical skills will be highly sought after across public and private health organizations, research laboratories, universities, government agencies, and pharmaceutical companies.

    Here are some of the career paths open to you:

    • Academic research epidemiologist
    • Infection control epidemiologist
    • Study coordinator
    • Public policy specialist
    • Statistician
    • Community health educator
    • Veterinary epidemiologist
    • Pharmaceutical epidemiologist

    Gathering some work experience in clinical environments, research settings, or pharmaceutical businesses will make your resume stand out. Most universities have a careers office that can help you find and apply for these valuable opportunities.