University remains one of the best options for pursuing career goals worldwide. While there are indeed many sectors and careers that can be self-taught and do not require the explicit education and training offered by recognised institutes, universities, and formal learning, are the best course of action for many people in many sectors.
This is true for a career in healthcare. Healthcare remains one of the largest sectors in the world, and the number of people employed in healthcare careers exceeds 70 million, demonstrating the scope of possibilities.
However, determining what type of healthcare career you would like and where you’re going to study can be somewhat of a minefield. Whether you’re eager to explore other niches to specialise in certain areas, such as pediatric emergency medicine, or you simply want a foot in the door, we’re going to run through some of the best education routes for you to consider to help you reach your education goal.
UTS Online – Best for Online Postgraduate Study
Part of the University of Technology Sydney, UTS Online is a globally recognised institution consistently ranked among the top young universities. With a wealth of online courses, expertise, and accreditation behind it, UTS Online is a trusted choice for postgraduate healthcare education.
Whether you want to pursue a Master of Advanced Nursing, obtain a Master of Women’s and Children’s Health, or explore Health Analytics, UTS Online has options for both resident Australians wanting postgraduate education and international students.
Plus, UTS Online frequently offers higher employability rates compared to similar online universities, making graduates highly sought after and more likely to gain meaningful employment in the area of their choice.
Pros
- Excellent employability prospects post-completion
- Flexible
- Innovative
- Job ready skills
Cons
- Need to be able to commit to 20 hours of learning a week, a minimum
- It can be expensive
Harvard University – Best for Cutting-Edge Research
Consistently voted one of the best universities in the world, Harvard University has a wealth of healthcare-related courses that empower students to direct their own careers and uncover exceptional knowledge to aim for greatness.
With a rich array of courses in biological and biomedical sciences, psychology, medicine, and more, Harvard offers a multitude of career paths in the healthcare sector, inspiring students to aim for greatness in their chosen field.
Plus, there are both in-person and online options for your courses, meaning they can be tailored to you in some cases, although this isn’t applicable for all postgraduate healthcare education. And it’s not just open to American students; Harvard accepts international students who can verify they have the funds to cover the education fees and living expenses if required for the full course.
Pros
- Prestige of attending Harvard
- Open for international students
- Virtual live and online options are available
Cons
- Limited virtual or online classes
- Expensive tuition costs
- It can be difficult to get accepted as an international student
University of Oxford – Best for Research
If you’re planning to pursue a more research-based career in healthcare, Oxford University in England could be the university for your undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care, for example, enables physicians to make decisions based on valid research and reliable, relevant evidence.
There are also options for postgraduate students for clinical trials and Global Health Research, alongside options such as Medicine (A100), a 6-year program, or Medicine (A101), a 4-year program for graduates and biomedical sciences, not to mention online options, which can earn points towards a postgraduate qualification.
Pros
- Both in-person and online postgraduate study options are available
- Open to international students
- Highly prestigious
Cons
- Highly competitive for places
Karolinska Institute, Sweden – Best for Clinical Training
The Karolinska Institute, a prestigious medical university with a global reputation for excellence and brilliance, is at the forefront of pioneering research across the medical field.
Being part of this institution is a matter of pride and honour for students who want to be involved in groundbreaking medical trials and research.
Accepting students from across the world, the Karolina Institute is frequently considered to be amongst the top universities in the world and offers an extensive array of Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in areas such as Biomedicine, Global Health, Nutrition Sciences, and more. While you can’t start from the bottom and work your way up here, you need to have already undertaken relevant education in other learning institutes; it’s the place to further your studies and expand your knowledge and possibilities.
Pros
- World-class education
- Globally recognised institute
- Leading the way for medical trials and research
Pros
- Highly competitive for acceptance
- Rigorous selection process
- Requires academic excellence
The University of Melbourne – Best for Upskill
The University of Melbourne has long been recognised as a leader in healthcare education. Offering a wide range of courses from entry-level education and positions through to “globally transformative postgraduate education”, you will be in good company when choosing the University of Melbourne for your postgraduate education.
At the University of Melbourne, you can start with one of their undergraduate courses and embark on a learning journey right through graduate research. If you have an interest in dentistry, nursing, public health, or optometry and vision sciences, this could be the place for you.
Pros
- Extensive course options for health care.
- Online options available
- Postgraduate study available
Cons
- Limited healthcare options
- Online study for graduate courses only.
Final words
Healthcare is a great way to build a future-proof career that allows you to use your skills and intelligence to help those around you. Healthcare careers will always be in demand, and if you’re looking for a career that offers great levels of career satisfaction, then this is the right angle for you to pursue. However, it’s important to identify which sector after the healthcare umbrella you would like to focus on as this will help you find the best place to embark on your studies and continue your learning trajectory as far as you want to go and to help you excel in all of the ways possible.