Welfare diseases and aging are on the rise, as well as the health gap between rich and poor. In the process, healthcare is at risk of becoming unaffordable and technology is increasingly being looked to as a solution. How do we maintain a healthy society? What role does prevention play in this and what interventions work best for different lifestyles and environments? To manage effectively, it has been shown that simply encouraging people to live healthier lives does not work sufficiently. An integrated approach is needed that connects the medical, social, technological and physical domains.
The joint Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors are multidisciplinary and open to all students of Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
The central theme of this minor concerns achieving an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to health and well-being and reducing health disparities. The minor provides students with skills and knowledge for analysing real-life challenges related to health and well-being, such as toddler obesity, loneliness among young people, and coping with chronic conditions. Students with various backgrounds work in interdisciplinary teams in which they engage in fieldwork and start collaborations with external stakeholders, such as policy makers from the municipality, public health workers and residents, in a learning-by-doing approach to actually make societal impact by applying theoretical knowledge and skills in practice. Students will be equipped for this ‘learning by doing approach’ by learning skills for interdisciplinary and participatory collaboration, such as participatory action research, and for conducting qualitative and quantitative research to understand the dynamics of a healthy society.
Reasons to choose a Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor:
1. Joint education by three top-class universities.
2. Important societal challenges and new solutions.
3. Educators and students from different academic fields.
4. Cases by companies, governments and NGOs.
5. Expand your network in Leiden, Den Haag, Delft and Rotterdam.
More Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors
- Admission requirements: This Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor is open to all students of Leiden University, TU Delft and Erasmus University Rotterdam, and students from the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Leiden en Inholland University of Applied Sciences. This minor is only open to students who master the Dutch language.
- Number of places: Although it varies according to the minor, between 40 and 90 students can participate. A number of places are reserved for each university in order to ensure a balanced distribution from the different programmes.
- Language: All Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors are taught in English, but Dutch is needed for several elements including contact with the target population.
- Credits: This is a 30 EC minor, offered over a period of 10 weeks in the first semester.
- Location: The lectures and seminars are held in one or more of the following cities: Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft.
- Applications: You apply for a Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minor via eduXchange.
- Selection: Some Leiden-Delft-Erasmus minors are selection minors, which means you will need to write a motivation letter. Make sure you check the application date.
Lecturers about this minor:
Dr Sandra van Dijk (Leiden University): "Students learn to analyze health and wellness from different fields of study. This minor brings together psychology, sociology and public administration, allowing students to learn to look beyond the boundaries of an area of science. 'Challenge-based learning' and 'learning by doing' together with social stakeholders are the starting point. Students make a direct social impact by applying theoretical knowledge and skills in practice. This new minor gives further substance to the shared ambition to equip future professionals to develop interdisciplinary solutions for a healthy society and the reduction of health disparities.”
