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Health Policy and Financing

Progress towards Universal Health Coverage requires equitable and effective health policies and financial arrangements. But how do these policies come about? And how can health financing work to improve public health? This course looks at current debates in health policy and financing from a critical perspective.


Start
12/05/2025
Duration
3 weeks
Course Period
12/05/2025 until 27/05/2025
Location
KIT Amsterdam
EC
3
Language
English

Content

The course aims to offer participants a better understanding of health systems governance and policy processes, including the role of aid, economic interests and communities at global, central and local levels; health pooling and purchasing arrangements, including health insurance; benefit packages and the involvement of private providers. Participants will be equipped with the skills to write a policy brief on health financing options for UHC in low- and middle-income contexts as a final assignment.

This course is tropEd accredited and can be followed as a stand-alone course or as part of the current Master in International Health or Master in Public Health and Health Equity.

Learning methods

Interactive lectures, critical reading of scientific and policy papers (journal clubs), an assignment question & answer session and self-study time, including flipped classrooms and webinars and time for the writing of the policy paper.

The above methods comprise virtual teaching methods, including group work on practical case studies, guest lectures, plenary discussion on policy issues and discussion through online platforms.

Assessment:
Participants are required to write a policy brief, critically discussing policy options towards UHC while strengthening health systems.

For participants who wish to receive a certificate of completion of the course, including the CET accredited hours, the assessment is required.
TropEd students are required to take the assessment at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to do the assessment, you can receive a certificate of attendance of the course.

More on our learning methods:
https://www.kit.nl/institute/study/general-information/

 

Objectives

At the end of the course the participants will be able to:

  • Evaluate and critique the various dimensions of health policy and governance research, including the identification of different types perspectives, arguments and values that inform health policy analysis and its application
  • Analyse and assess different resource mobilisation and pooling arrangements in health financing, and their implications for UHC
  • Critically examine health benefit packages and purchasing strategies in health financing for UHC
  • Develop a policy brief for evidence-informed health policy advice

Course content

  • Health Policy and Systems Research
  • Evidence-informed policy advice
  • Main principles of UHC and health economics
  • Health insurance & risk pooling arrangement for UHC
  • Health benefits packages and priority-setting for health
  • Strategic purchasing for health systems performance and equity

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Application

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Admission criteria

  • Academic training or a professional qualification in a relevant field
  • Work experience in a related area, including experience in management or planning in developing countries
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English
  • Computer literacy is essential: we use a virtual learning platform and digital tools in our education and assignments

Application procedure

The application package is due two months before the start of the course.

Please upload your application online. The following documents should be uploaded:

  • A one-page letter of motivation
  • Copies of your diplomas and grade reports (academic transcripts)
  • An up-to-date curriculum vitae and a list of publications if applicable

What we expect from your motivation letter:

Please indicate in your motivation letter why you want to follow this specific course, why you want to follow the course at KIT Amsterdam, what do you expect to learn and how you will apply your newly gained competencies from the course in your work, what kind of benefits will it bring to your future career, etc. Describe a relevant problem you have experienced in the last two years that you would like to discuss during this specific course. Your motivation should be about ½-1 page. Please do not repeat your CV again.

This course can be taken on its own, or as advanced module of the Master of Public Health (MPH)  or Master in International Health (MIH) programme.

FAQ Online Application System

Do you have a question about our Online Application System? Then you can find the answer in our FAQ Online Application System:

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Practical information

Location

Classes are held at KIT’s training facilities in Amsterdam.

Accommodation

There is a severe shortage of student accommodation in Amsterdam and participants are advised to contact KIT for information. KIT will endeavour to assist participants in their search for housing.

Visa requirements

Citizens of most EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries do not need a visa to enter the Netherlands. Visit the Nuffic website for the latest information on visa requirements.

Participants from other countries must obtain a short-stay visa (for up to three months) through the Netherlands embassy or consulate covering the applicant’s country. Applicants will need a letter of admission to the course and proof of sponsorship or sufficient funds to cover the course fee, travel and accommodation costs. Applicants should take into account that in some countries this procedure can take several months.

European Credit

The European Credit Transfer System (EC) facilitates the transfer of course credits between different institutions of the same academic level. A course comprising 28 hours of formal teaching and private study is equivalent to one EC credit point.

Insurance requirements

Course participants and accompanying dependents are required by Dutch law to have health, accident and third party insurance. Unless their current insurance policy covers their stay abroad, participants must insure themselves and their dependents in the Netherlands. Dutch insurance companies offer reasonable rates to foreign students. KIT can assist with arranging insurance.

Accreditation

This course is also accredited for the Master in International Health programme organised by tropEd, a network of European institutions for higher education in international health.

Health policy and financing module deeply taught me how I critically could analyse the currd on available evidences through writing a policy brief. Furthermore, the module was very helpful to understand different methods of financing of the health systems.
One of our former master students, Omidvari Abarghouei Amirhoushang Amirhoushang Omidvari from Iran Medical Doctor

Funding

The arrangement of financial support to cover all study costs is the responsibility of the applicant. KIT does not offer financial support or scholarships.

Scholarship information

Discounts and Fees

We offer a range of discounts for early bird applicants, alumni, tropEd students and groups. See below the discounts and fees for Health Policy and Financing (HP&F) course. See for more information about our discounts for groups and other short courses on our exclusive discount page.

Course fees 2025
Regular course fee€1.980,-Start date: 12/05/2025
Early bird fee€1.584,-Paid before: 01/02/2025
Alumni discount€1.584,-
tropEd fee€1.782,-

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Why Study at KIT Institute?

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  • Up-to-date approach to complex public health issues
  • Practice-oriented
  • Exchange between disciplines
  • Interactive Education
  • Development of personal and professional competencies
  • Network building
  • Participants from diverse backgrounds and countries
  • Personal tutoring
  • Teaching by highly qualified specialists
  • Positively reviewed by tropEd
  • KIT: international centre of excellence in international health and development
  • Accredited by NVAO

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New Course Brochure 2025

Welcome to KIT Institute, where tradition meets innovation in global health education. Our new Master of Public Health and Health Equity programs and short courses equip professionals to tackle health challenges and disparities. Join our vibrant community in Amsterdam and help advance health equity worldwide.

Interested? Find your ideal course in our new brochure.

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