Sustainable Communities & Global Health

Programme / Exchange

Exchange Programme Summary

Within this 30 EC programme, students follow the programme Sustainability & Practical Ethics (15 EC) first. In the second half of the programme, students follow the programme Global Health (15 EC).

Programme specifications

During the programme Global Health, you will focus on what is needed to deliver health care in a resource-poor setting, not only to sick individuals, but also to the communities of the families of the patients.

By the occurrence of the corona pandemic global health has become more crucial than ever, especially when you realise that at least half of the world’s population still do not have full coverage of essential health services (WHO, 2022). As becoming health professional, you are challenged to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. In this minor you will focus on what is needed to deliver health care in a resource-poor setting, not only to sick individuals, but also to the communities of the families of the patients.  

As a healthworker you can play a crucial role in primary health care, mother and child health and health promotion. Basic knowledge of tropical diseases as well as health resource allocation plays hereby an important role.

Download Syllabus Global Health 15 EC - 2025-2026

Admission requirements

September 1st, 2025 - February 9th, 2026

  • You have followed or are following education on Bachelor level, or comparable to Bachelor level
  • You have work experience relevant for the programme you want to follow (Exchange students are exempted from this requirement)
  • You are max. 35 years old at the start of the programme
  • You have good computer skills
  • You possess good speaking and writing skills in English
    • For Exchange students: to be determined by the sending institution
    • For free movers we accept the following qualifications:
      • IELTS: a minimum score of 6 (overall band score) - not older than two years.
      • TOEFL: TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 80 - not older than two years.
      • Cambridge: B2 (First), C1 (Advanced) or C2 (Proficiency)IELTS: a minimum score of 6 (overall band score) - not older than two years.
      • TOEFL: TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 80 - not older than two years.
      • Cambridge: B2 (First), C1 (Advanced) or C2 (Proficiency)
      • LanguageCert: a minimum score of 65 (not older than two years)
      • Pearson: a minimum score of 61 (not older than two years)
      • TOEIC: Listening and Reading: a minimum score of 865 (not older than two years) + Speaking and Writing: a minimum score of 335 (not older than two years)

A video call might be part of the application process (Exchange students are exempted from this requirement)

The only scholarships available via CHE are Erasmus+ Scholarships. These are available to students from Erasmus+ partner institutions of CHE. If your home university has an Inter Institutional Agreement with CHE, you can probably join us as an Erasmus+ student and receive an Erasmus+ scholarship. For students from EU/EEA countries, Erasmus+ scholarships are granted by their home institution. For students from a non EU country, Erasmus+ scholarships are granted by CHE, in close collaboration with the home institution. 

CHE has no other scholarships available for incoming international students. More information about funding your studies in The Netherlands and possible scholarships can be found on the Study in NL website. 

Course

Themes first part of the programme

  1. A stewardship perspective on sustainability (also from a Christian worldview)
  2. Sociological issues (justice) and a flourishing society
  3. Psychological issues (loneliness, social exclusion) and human capital
  4. Health questions related to the impact of lifestyle and social dynamics on health
  5. The economic and political question of climate change
  6. History of urbanization and trends for the coming decade

Themes second part of the programme

  • relation between health and poverty;  
  • primary health care;  
  • child health;  
  • maternal health  
  • tropical diseases and clinical reasoning;  
  • health promotion;  
  • health resource allocation;  
  • epidemiology;  
  • intercultural communication 

Objectives first part of the programme

  • You will gain a perspective for sustainable development (J.Sachs) with an eye for poverty, health, human rights and peace building.
  • You will be able to use the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a foundation for your professional choices.
  • You will debate about fundamental topics that many countries agree and disagree on.

Objectives second part of the programme

At the end of this programme:

  1. You have an overall overview of global health and development cooperation.
  2. You can critically interpret and use epidemiological information, gathered by evidence-based resources.
  3. You can determine socio-economic and cultural factors which influence health.
  4. You can recognise and interpret symptoms of various common diseases in low- and middle- income countries.
  5. You have insight in global policies on common diseases in low- and middle- income countries.
  6. You have insight in methods of intervention, treatment and management concerning these diseases.
  7. You have an opinion on how you would like to contribute to global health and development.
  8. You are aware of strengths and weaknesses in intercultural communication. 

First part of the programme

In mixed classes you will get to know the different subjects. Learning will take place in many forms. Classes in which topics are introduced, participating in small project groups in which discussion takes place on the subjects of the classes will support you in understanding the concepts better, experiences outside of the school environment will provide a learning place, work groups in which you will learn to work with the UN 'Sustainable Development Goals'.

Second part of the programme

Every theme is introduced by an inspiring lecture. From there you immerse yourself in the theme via online learning units. All gathered knowledge and skills come together during a subsequent workshop. Two weekly you have coaching sessions on intercultural sensitivity. An excursion and a full day serious game on health resource allocation are as well part of the programme.  

As assessment you are asked to write an individual essay with your opinion on global health (5EC). As a subgroup you have to formulate an advice to the Ministry of Health (MOH), of a given country, based on a thorough analysis of the current situation (10EC).

Enrolment information

Fees on campus programme

The fee for a single programme (Sep-Nov) is €4,000.00. The fee for two consecutive programmes (Sep-Jan) is €5,700.00. This fee is exclusive of travel, accommodation, study materials, insurance and visa costs.

Exchange students from our partner universities do not need to pay a tuition fee.

  • Application date Free movers: 1 May 2025
  • Nomination date Exchange students: 1 May 2025
  • Application date Exchange students: 15 May 2025

1. Select the course you want to follow at the CHE 
2. Complete and return the Application Form
3. If you have additional questions, please contact the International Office (internationaloffice@che.nl)
4. After admission you can start preparing your stay
5. Check 'practical information' 

If you have any questions (e.g. application form, travel and stay, visa, conditions of the scholarships), please contact our International Office through internationaloffice@che.nl.
If you are interested, please complete the application form and send this together with the requested documents to internationaloffice@che.nl (application form through our website or on request by email).