The courses are open to:

• Health and health-related professionals
• PhD students in health or social sciences
• Master’s students in health or social sciences

The courses are taught in English. Participants will be exposed to the latest thinking in medical anthropology and will be stimulated to discuss and exchange ideas. This winter school is part of the Master’s programme in Medical Anthropology and Sociology offered by the Graduate School of Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam. 

Lecturer

Prof. Dr. Mark Jordans & Dr. Patrick McKearney

Course objectives

After this course participants should be able:

• To formulate some major insights from and approaches in global mental health;
• To discuss the contributions of medical anthropology, and the role of culture, to the field of global mental health;
• To discuss the implications of specific risk factors, and their pathways, on the mental health of vulnerable populations;
• To summarise current debates in global mental health, and form an opinion about current strategies and barriers to improving mental health care globally.
• The promotion of mental health and mental health systems, especially in low and middle income settings, as well as for children and adolescents.
• To understand and bridge the application and relevance of both qualitative and quantitative research traditions for global mental health

Content

In this course students will gain knowledge of various theoretical approaches in the field of culture, psychology and psychiatry. Major themes to be discussed include:

• Global mental health; development, current state and future perspectives
• The role of culture in the manifestation of mental health and mental illnesses, in psychotherapies in non-western settings, and in shaping the therapeutic relationship,
• Mental health in relation to specific risk factors (such as war and violence) and vulnerable populations (such as refugees)

• The promotion of mental health and mental health systems, especially in low and middle income settings, as well as for children and adolescents.

Course code

73940014AY

Schedule

Credits

UvA Master of Medical Anthropology and Sociology students take the course for 4 EC as part of their curriculum. VU Master Global Health students take the course for 6 EC as part of their electives. All other participants take the course for 4 EC.

•  4 EC course: attendance, readings and small assignment
•  6 EC course: attendance, readings, an extra assignment, and a more substantial paper

Tuition fee

Students enrolled in a full time Master’s programme at a Dutch university are legally exempt from paying extra tuition.

PhDs at Dutch university:

• 4 EC course = € 820,-

Professionals and PhDs and students from a non-Dutch university:

• 4 EC course = € 1525,-

Lunch is not included.

Invoices can be paid by employers, research institutes or individuals.

Application

The winter schools have a limited capacity. Applications can be sent in from 1 October 2026. Through the apply now link below you can sign up for a reminder when the application period starts. Students of the Medical Anthropology and Sociology Master programme are guaranteed a spot in one of the courses. You will be informed about the admission decision by 1 December 2026 latest. Applicants will send in a CV and motivation letter upon registration. Entry requirements for the winter courses are:

• having a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a university or University of Applied Sciences related to health or social science, or the equivalent thereof
• and/or a minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience.
• or being a PhD candidate

Are you an international participant? Please note that housing/hotel and visa arrangements need to be made individually and are not included in the tuition fees. In case you need a visa, please start procedures as soon as possible.

Application deadline

1 November 2026

More information

For more information contact the study adviser via studyadvisor-mas@uva.nl