Master in Health Communication
The Master of Science programme in Health Communication at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland, provides a high-quality education in developing, designing, managing, evaluating, and improving health related communication in both the public and private sectors and in high-, middle- and low-income settings.
It equips students with the know-how and skills to develop, test, and disseminate communication, programmes, and policies that promote the health of people and planet.
Based in the Faculty of Communication, Society, and Culture at USI, the programme has a strong focus on social, cultural, biological, system, political, and environmental factors that influence health and health-related behaviors.
The language of the programme is English. The programme consists of 120 ECTS, combining core and elective courses with opportunities for study mobility (in Switzerland or abroad), and is normally completed in four semesters. During the final semester, students can choose between a research thesis (30 ECTS), or a combination of a thesis plus an internship, field project, or additional courses at USI or as part of mobility exchange. (30 ECTS total).
Graduates of the Master of Science in Health Communication programme at USI are well suited for working in a range of sectors and settings, including but not limited to: health departments of public administrations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, health insurance, biotechnology, health technology, and pharmaceutical companies, public relations agencies, start-ups, and universities.
Until the academic year 2024/25, the programme has been offered as the Master in Communication, Management and Health.
Starting from the academic year 2025/26, the programme will undergo a name and content revision to reflect its commitment to prioritising the health of both people and the planet.
Students enrolled up to the academic year 2024/25 can refer to the study plan here.
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Are the degrees issued by USI recognised internationally?
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a recognised or accredited Swiss university. Academic qualifications obtained at USI Faculties are therefore also recognised abroad, on the basis of international conventions.
- The mutual recognition of academic qualifications, i.e. the diplomas awarded by universities and universities of applied sciences, that enables students to continue with their studies is governed by the Lisbon Convention of 11 April 1997 and other international conventions with Germany, Italy, Austria and France.
With regard to relations with ITALY, in particular:
Accordo tra il Governo della Repubblica Italiana ed il Consiglio Federale Svizzero sul reciproco riconoscimento delle equivalenze nel settore universitario. (Agreement between the Government the Italian Republic and the Swiss Federal Council on the mutual recognition of academic qualifications)
The agreement establishes the principle of equal treatment of Italian and Swiss students. Mutual recognition applies to university degrees and diplomas, exam performance and the equivalence of study periods, taking into account the ECTS credits system. Degrees awarded by a university that authorises the holder to continue his/her studies or to undertake the next course of studies at a university in one of the two Contracting States, without additional examinations, shall confer the same right in the other Contracting State.
In addition, the holder of a degree awarded by a university in one of the two Contracting States shall be entitled to make use of that degree in the other State in the form provided for by the legislation of the State in which it was awarded.
Professional rights shall not be directly linked to the right to make use of a university degree. - The recognition of the professional qualifications of Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals wishing to pursue a regulated profession is governed by the Agreement on the free movement of persons and the EFTA Convention.
With regard to accessing professional practice in Italy for those who have obtained their university degree at USI, paragraph 1 letter d) of Presidential Decree 189/2009 applies, according to which it is required to submit the documents indicated in the Presidential Decree to the professional association, which, in turn, transmits them to the MIUR (Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca) which recognizes the validity of the foreign qualification for access to professional practice.
Useful links:
Procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications in Italy (http://www.cimea.it/en)
Procedures for the certification of the authenticity of USI diplomas (In Italian only) (https://www4.ti.ch/decs/dcsu/ucsu)
Information on the recognition of foreign qualifications and competent recognition authorities in Switzerland (https://www.sbfi.admin.ch/sbfi/en/home/education/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/recognition-procedure-on-establishment/agencies-responsible-for-the-recognition-of-foreign-qualificatio.html)
Recognised or accredited Swiss universities (www.swissuniversities.ch) - The mutual recognition of academic qualifications, i.e. the diplomas awarded by universities and universities of applied sciences, that enables students to continue with their studies is governed by the Lisbon Convention of 11 April 1997 and other international conventions with Germany, Italy, Austria and France.
