Health Humanities
Reflect on current issues relating to wellbeing and health, and to healthcare and medicine from a humanities perspective. Analyze the influence of cultural norms, diversity, technology and the online world. Develop a new perspective to contribute to innovations, policy discussions and the public debate. This is a track of the MA Culture Studies.
Education and COVID-19
All education takes place on campus again, now that the coronavirus measures have been scaled back. Of course, we will always maintain a safe environment for our students and staff. Therefore, a few basic measures still apply. For the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation, see our FAQs for prospective students.
(of all students who started in September, 2021)
Alumni of Culture Studies (all tracks), National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n = 11
Alumni report, 2021 | n=502 (Culture Studies, all tracks)
Program and courses
Learn to critically analyze opinions, claims, beliefs and practices regarding health and healthcare. Gain an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which these have developed. Draw on insights and theories from various humanities disciplines, including cultural studies, gender studies, history, anthropology, philosophy, (online) media studies and technology studies.
Address questions such as:
- In what way do socio-cultural norms influence our understanding of ‘healthy’ and ‘normal’ versus ‘ill’ and ‘abnormal’? For example, how do you determine the standard for a healthy body weight? Or why is melancholy a sign of depression in our culture rather than a normal part of life?
- What political views underlie policy choices within healthcare? And are these choices equitable and fair? For example, should contraceptives be free to all women, regardless of income and age?
- How do new technologies and new media influence communication, knowledge production and perceptions within the health domain? For example, do you feel healthier when you constantly monitor your health with wearables and apps?
Connect theory with practice through an internship (optional) and by attending guest lectures from professionals.
Turn academic content into publications that are accessible to a wider public through Diggit Magazine - both a learning instrument and an online news platform focusing on arts, digital culture, and globalization.
This is a track of MA Culture Studies. You specialize by following one of its tracks.
Typical courses are:
- Cultural Practices of Knowledge Production in Health and Medicine
- Online Health Practices
- The Normal and the Abnormal
- Diversity and Equity in Health and Medicine
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Marieke Hendriks
Alumna | Customer Success Manager / Coach | GoodHabitz"I get a lot of different insights on health (both mental and physical) and disease. The multidisciplinary approach of the program is what makes it challenging and interesting."
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Tessa Visser
Alumna | Junior researcher Diversity & Inclusion | Mulier Instituut"This master has taught me to think critically, specifically about the current standards, measuring instruments and norms concerning health and healthcare. It has also broadened my knowledge on inclusion and diversity in this domain."
Career prospects
After your studies, you will be able to critically reflect on practices and theories in contemporary healthcare from a variety of perspectives. This enables you to make a valuable contribution to policy discussions, the public debate and the development of innovative approaches, programs and tools.
Some of our graduates' jobs:
- Staff consultant at University Medical Center (UMC) Maastricht
- PhD researcher at the Developmental Psychology Department of Tilburg University
- Employee purchasing support at the Dutch health insurance company CZ Groep
- Junior researcher Diversity & Inclusion at the Mulier Institute
Alumni facts
- 81% of our alumni find a job within 6 months
- Average time between graduation and first paid job is 3.4 months
Source: Alumni of Culture Studies (all tracks), National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n = 11
Application and admission
This program starts:
End of August
Best preparatory programs:
A Bachelor's degree in the field of:
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- The academic background of the students in our Master's program varies a lot. Students with a Bachelor's degree in a different subject area are also most welcome to apply.
Pre-Master's program:
Open to both Research University students and students of a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO).
Interested in the Master's program?
More information on this Master's program
Download the brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, housing and immigration matters, and student life in Tilburg. Throughout the year you can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.
Interested in MSc Health Humanities?
Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application