Testimonials

I chose the Master’s in Epidemiology to expand my methodological and statistical knowledge in a way that is directly applicable to clinical practice. For researching rare conditions, it is essential to have a solid understanding of study design, bias, confounding factors and statistical modelling, and this programme offered exactly that. The strong clinical focus and close connection to academic healthcare made Utrecht University the ideal place to deepen this expertise.

During the programme, I gained extensive methodological knowledge and advanced statistical skills. I learned how to critically design and analyse (clinical) studies, how to work with complex and limited datasets, and how to interpret results beyond the numbers alone. Equally importantly, the programme provided me with the knowledge and confidence required to contribute meaningfully to discussions within multidisciplinary research teams, effectively bridging the gap between clinical practice and epidemiology. By completing the Master’s in Epidemiology, my academic and research skills are firmly embedded, providing a solid and durable foundation for conducting high-quality clinical research throughout my career.

I am currently working as a physician–researcher (PhD candidate) in benign haematology. The skills acquired during the Master’s in Epidemiology are central to my daily work, including developing study protocols, performing analyses, critically evaluating the literature, and contributing to evidence-based clinical decision-making.

A particular highlight of the programme was the research project and internship, for which I received supervision from an experienced epidemiologist who was also a lecturer on the programme. This gave me a valuable opportunity to receive close, high-quality supervision from faculty members throughout my Master’s. Conducting a research project from start to finish, including formulating a research question and analysing and interpreting data, was excellent preparation for academic research in a clinical setting. In addition, the programme fostered valuable professional and social connections that I continue to maintain to this day.

In retrospect, the MSc in Epidemiology at Utrecht University was fundamental in shaping my development as a clinician-scientist, and it continues to provide an essential foundation for my work today.”

My Master’s in Epidemiology was an opportunity that came with my PhD position at UMC Utrecht and the Julius Center. I had applied for the PhD after completing a Bachelor’s in Human Movement Sciences and a Master’s in Neuropsychology. I was interested in conducting research in the field of neuroscience, specifically in older individuals with various forms of vascular disease. I also wanted to conduct research in a hospital setting, where I could work closely with patients.

I already had quite some statistics and methodological courses and experience, but clinical epidemiology was new to me. Studying for this Master’s while doing my PhD turned out to be incredibly helpful, because everything I learned in my Master’s was directly applicable to the research I was doing for my PhD. For example, for my PhD, I used data from a large cohort study, and epidemiology helped me understand how to effectively read and analyse this data. My Master’s also helped me to formulate the right research questions and to select the best statistical methods to conduct the analysis. 

I would highly recommend this Master’s. If you want a career in scientific research, this Master’s will help set you up. I have had colleagues who say they wished they had this degree because of the advantages it delivers in terms of knowing how to set up a really good study, whether it is developing a good research question or understanding its statistical aspects.”