Health Studies

A Unique Multidisciplinary Program

Welcome to the Health Studies Program at University College.  This program takes a multidisciplinary approach, examining the myriad of factors which have an impact on the health of individuals and communities in a Canadian and global context. Starting with the World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, the program offers a unique, and rigorous examination of the social, biological, medical, political, economic, and ethical determinants of health. Thus, while students will learn and discover the biological/medical basis of disease, particular emphasis will be the exploration of the social, economic, and political factors which give rise to susceptible Canadian and global populations. Students will also come to understand the mechanisms or forces that drive health and health care policy, many of which are often contrary to the conclusions arrived at by academic investigations.

• Health Studies Program brochure  

Individual Attention

The relatively small size of the Health Studies Program ensures that students will explore the determinants of health in small and highly interactive classes. Since highly motivated students are selected from many different backgrounds, the program offers a stimulating yet critical multidisciplinary approach to Health Studies. Furthermore, together with each student, we tailor the Specialist and Major streams within the program to accommodate the particular interests of  students while maintaining a rigorous academic core curriculum. 

A Strong Focus on Research

The University of Toronto is Canada's premier research institution.  Fundamental to its mission is a close relationship between research and teaching. The Health Studies Program has its students learn directly the basis and methods of performing research in Health Studies. Specialist students will be engaged in a research project spanning two years culminating in an undergraduate research thesis. These research projects will be conducted locally and, for some, will also have an international component.

A Career in Health

The multidisciplinary approach to Health Studies prepares students for a wide and varied range of academic and career opportunities. Given the program's strong emphasis on research, our graduates will have outstanding credentials for research at universities around the world at the graduate level in, for example, Public Health Sciences. Graduates have also gone on to further studies in international health and professional schools such as medicine or health care management. In all cases, our graduates  go to these program or other endeavors with a deep and critical understanding of the determinants of health.