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Health Sciences

hes-so.chMaster HES-SO Master Programmes Health Sciences

A Master’s degree in collaboration with the University of Lausanne (UNIL) for professionals from different fields, helping to improve the quality of care with five Majors:

  • Occupational therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Midwifery
  • Radiological Medical Imaging Technology

It is aimed at holders of a Bachelor’s degree working in one of these five fields.

The programme at a glance

  • Degree awarded

    Joint Master of Science HES⁠-⁠SO - UNIL in Health Sciences

  • Admission requirements

    Applicants are subject to an admissions procedure.

  • Application

    The applications for the 2023 academic start are closed. The applications for the 2024 academic start will open in December 2023. For any questions: admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch

  • Location

    Lausanne and Geneva

  • Start

    Mid-September
    Full time: classes on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 
    Part time: classes two days a week

  • Type

    Full time or part time

  • Duration

    3 semesters full time or a minimum of 5 semesters part time (maximum 6 semesters)

  • ECTS credits

    90

  • Language

    French and English
    level C1 in French and B2 in English recommended

  • Fees

    CHF 500 per semester (tuition fees)
    CHF 250 per semester (study expenses)
    CHF 150 (registration fee)
    Bank details

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Health Sciences (MScSa)

  • Course
  • Study plan
  • Admission requirements
  • Show more
  • Career prospects
  • Testimonials
  • Partner schools

Course

The Master of Science in Health Sciences with Majors (MScSa) is offered jointly by HES-SO and the University of Lausanne (UNIL). It provides health professionals in the fields of Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Midwifery and Radiological Medical Imaging Technology with access to postgraduate training.

This innovative, interprofessional course is the only one of its kind in Switzerland, helping to develop and deepen knowledge common to all five professions alongside specific input in each discipline.

The health sector is facing numerous challenges and health professionals must have high-level skills to tackle them. Accordingly, the MScSa emphasises:

  • Developing interprofessional skills and encouraging collaboration between different professions
  • Knowledge transfer, promotion and implementation of scientifically based practices
  • Strengthening of professional leadership, critical analysis capabilities and decision-making
  • A deep understanding of the social and health context and the development of innovative practices.

By the end of the course, graduates will be prepared to take on significant responsibilities in the health system, by promoting and supervising high-quality, efficient and coordinated interventions.

Study plan

The MScSa is a modular course of 90 ECTS credits, which can be taken full time or part time. It comprises:

  • Core modules (30 ECTS credits)
  • Specialist modules for each major (30 ECTS credits)
  • A Master’s thesis (30 ECTS credits), which involves carrying out a research project related to the student’s chosen major or an aspect of inter-professional working.

Some classes are shared with the Master of Science in Nursing Sciences (MScSI), which is also offered jointly by UNIL and HES-SO.

Classes take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for the full-time course and over two days for the part-time course. The main teaching language is French; proficiency in French is therefore essential (level C1). Good writing skills in English are required for reading purposes; level B2 is recommended.

Admission requirements

Applicants are admitted to the major that corresponds to their job title. Applicants must hold:

  • A Bachelor’s (or UAS diploma) from a Swiss University of Applied Sciences in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiological Medical Imaging Technology or Midwifery, or an equivalent qualification
  • A qualification converted to a retroactive UAS degree in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy or Midwifery or a qualification equivalent to the Bachelor of Science HES-SO in Radiological Medical Imaging Technology
  • A foreign qualification in Occupational Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiotherapy, Radiological Medical Imaging Technology or Midwifery recognised as equivalent, and which would allow the holder to practise in the country that awarded the qualification.

The general terms and conditions for admission to the Master's program at the HES-SO are set out in the HES-SO Master's program admission regulations.

Registration opens in December of each year. The deadline for registration is April 30 and February 20 for candidates who need a visa. Recognition of foreign degrees is only provided as a part of the admission process. For any question, you can contact admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch. 

Note for students with a foreign qualification: access to the practice of a regulated health profession in Switzerland with a qualification acquired abroad is under the responsibility of the Swiss Red Cross. This recognition process is independent of the recognition of the foreign qualification for admission to the Master in Health Sciences.

Career prospects

The MScSa provides access to careers in a very diverse range of activities, including:

  • Promotion and implementation of scientifically based practices
  • Development, coordination and evaluation of projects and services
  • Professional and interprofessional teaching
  • Health care research, quality and safety.

Testimonials

“Even in the first semester, I was able to transfer the skills I had developed directly into my clinical practice.”

“My view of health has been enhanced by exploring new aspects.”

“The activities we shared with students from other majors helped me to think about new kinds of collaboration with professionals from other fields.”

Partner schools

HES-SO

Université de Lausanne - UNIL

Contact

Ludivine Soguel Alexander
Head of the Master in Health Sciences
HES-SO Master
Av. de Provence 6
1007 Lausanne
T +41 58 900 00 00
admissions.master(at)hes-so.ch

Nicolas Kühne
Head of the Occupational Therapy major
nicolas.kuhne(at)hetsl.ch

Angéline Chatelan
Head of the Nutrition and Dietetics major
angeline.chatelan(at)hesge.ch

Claude Pichonnaz
Head of the Physiotherapy major
claude.pichonnaz(at)hesav.ch

Patricia Perrenoud
Head of the Midwifery major
patricia.perrenoud(at)hesav.ch

Jérôme Schmid
Head of the Radiological Medical Imaging Technology major
jerome.schmid(at)hesge.ch

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