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This E³UDRES² Joint Master’s programme, Citizen-Centered Digital Health and Social Care, has been jointly developed by St. Pölten (Austria), Saxion (the Netherlands), and Jamk (Finland) Universities of Applied Sciences as members of the E³UDRES² (Engaged and Entrepreneurial European University as Driver for European Smart and Sustainable Regions) alliance. The programme emphasises the interdisciplinary development of technology-driven innovations in the healthcare sector. All graduates receive multiple diploma: a joint Master of Science degree from St. Pölten and Saxion, as well as a separate master’s degree from Jamk based on your bachelor’s degree subject (according to Finnish regulations). 

Why this Master’s degree is EQF level 7 is described in the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area and related to the Bologna process, further explained here: Description of the eight EQF levels | Europass

Find out more about the contents of the programme here.  

You will study in three countries:  

• The 1st semester, starting in September 2026, will take place at USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten. 
• The 2nd semester, starting in January 2027, will be held at Saxion UAS in the Netherlands. 
• The 3rd semester, starting in September 2027, will take place at Jamk UAS in Finland.
• The 4th semester will take place at one of the three partner institutions depending on your thesis topic, preferred location, and supervision availability.  

This is a fully on-site programme, which may include online teaching. Physical mobility is an essential and mandatory part of the curriculum. You will study and live in three different countries during the programme. 

The studies are full-time and last for two academic years, divided over four semesters (120 ECTS in total). 

The programme is taught entirely in English. All courses, materials, assignments, and communication with staff and mentors are conducted in English. 

A maximum of 24 students is admitted each year to maintain a high-quality, personalised learning environment with close interaction between students, lecturers, and industry partners.

Yes. This is a Joint Master’s Programme, accredited under the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. Graduates receive a Master’s degree that is fully recognised across Europe and internationally. 

The graduates are equipped with advanced interdisciplinary skills to work on the development of innovative, people-centred solutions in leadership roles within the globally evolving healthcare sector. Typical roles include innovation manager, solution developer, project manager, application specialist, or researcher.  

You must have a bachelor’s degree in the field of health, social sciences, or technology sciences with two years’ work experience by the start of the study in this field. Please find more information about the accepted work experience below.  

Read more about the admission requirements

All attachments must be in English. Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation into English. Certified translation means that the translator must be authorised, in other words, a person who works as a legalised translator must translate the certificates. The translation must have the translators' signature and a stamp. 

Yes, you can apply for the programme, even if you have an earlier Master’s degree (EQF level 7). 

Why this Master’s degree is EQF level 7 is described in the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area and related to the Bologna process, further explained here: Description of the eight EQF levels | Europass

Yes, you can apply as a non-EU/EAA student.  

The work experience must be in the field of the previous degree or in the field that the applicant is currently applying for. Also, work experience as an entrepreneur or as a freelancer will be accepted.  

Practical training or on-the-job learning is not counted as work experience if it has been a part of the degree used for applying. Service in army, non-military service or parental leave is not considered as work experience. 

Applicants may include work experience gained up to the start of the programme. In other words, the first day of study is the final date by which the required work experience must be completed. 

Part-time work can be converted into full-time equivalents: 150 hours or 20 full workdays (with a minimum of 7 hours per day) are considered equivalent to one month of full-time work. The working hours or working days per month must be clearly stated on the work certificate. 

The work experience must be verified with official work certificates. They should contain the following: your full name, job title or role, start and ed dates of employment, working hours or number of workdays per month, brief description of duties and responsibilities, company name and contact details, and signature and stamp.    

If you have been working as an entrepreneur, you must submit a formal certificate confirming your business activity. This can be, for example, a certificate of registered business that states explicitly the operating field and the active period of the business is accepted, or a certificate of the completed assignments from your freelancing platform or the companies you have worked with. 

If your employment continues up to the start of the programme, you may verify it by including a certificate from your employer confirming the ongoing nature of your work and its expected end date.  

All communication regarding your application will be sent by email from the admissions office. Make sure to check your inbox regularly, including your spam or junk folder.  

Your motivation letter is an opportunity to show us who you are beyond your academic records and explain why you are a great fit for this Joint Master’s Programme. However, please make sure your letter is maximum one A4 page.

We encourage you to structure your letter around the following key areas: 

1. Your academic & professional background

• What previous experiences have led you to apply for this programme? 
• How have your studies, work, or personal projects prepared you for this programme? 

2. Why this Master’s programme? 

• What excites you about this programme, and how does it align with your goals? 
• Are there specific topics in citizens’ digital health that particularly interest you? 

3. Your vision for the future 

• How do you see yourself using the knowledge and skills from this programme in your career? 
• Do you already have a field, industry, or type of project in mind for your master’s thesis? 

Clarity and structure 

• Ensure your letter is well-organised, clear, and logically structured. 
• Keep it concise and personal, avoiding generic statements. 

The portfolio is a file upload and by providing it, you have the opportunity to showcase your most relevant work, demonstrating your abilities and skills in health, social, or technology sciences, as well as your interdisciplinary experience and creative problem-solving.  

Work/projects could be showcased with text/graphics in the file, and/or with links to online projects, videos, or repositories (e.g. to personal/project websites, Mahara, GitHub or others). Please always write out links and upload them in the form of a Word or PDF document. 

Links must be available online, without download, using standard browsers. If your portfolio is a website, ensure that it is clearly structured and accessible and that your contribution is clear.  Keep the explanation understandable and concise but informative. 

You may show: 

1. Project description and context 

• What was the goal of the project? What problem were you trying to solve? 
• Was this an individual project or part of a team? 

2. Your role and contributions 

• What specific responsibilities did you have? 
• Which tasks did you personally work on? 
• What approaches, methods, frameworks, tools, software, or technologies did you use? 

3. Challenges and learning outcomes 

• What difficulties did you encounter, and how did you overcome them? 
• What did you learn from this project that will help you in your master’s studies? 

4. Innovative approaches 

• How (technically) advanced or innovative was the project? 
• How was your approach unique or work/industry-relevant?  

What to Avoid? 

• Portfolio items without clear attribution (e.g., just final images without an explanation of your role). 
• Overloaded portfolios. Focus on quality over quantity; include few strong, well-documented elements instead of many without explanation. 
• Unclear or inaccessible links—if hosting online, ensure your projects are public or provide access.  
• Avoid overly technical or professional jargon, but ensure we understand your contributions. 

The provision of two recommendation letters is invited as an upload (both combined in one PDF file) offering you the opportunity to provide insight into your academic abilities, professional skills, and potential for success in this Joint Master’s Programme.  

You can submit up to two letters of recommendation. We encourage you to select referees who know you well and can provide a detailed, personalised assessment of your qualifications.  

Ideally, your letters would cover: 

1. Credibility and strength of the reference 

• The referee should clearly state their relationship to you (e.g., professor, supervisor, mentor). 
• A strong letter provides specific examples of your skills, work ethic, and achievements, rather than generic statements. 

2. Relevance to Citizen-Centered Digital Health and Social Care 

• At least one letter should highlight your connection to citizen-centeredness, digital health or social care, innovation or creativity/problem-solving skills. 
• If you do not have direct experience in digital health, your referee should explain how your background and skills make you a strong candidate for the programme. 

3. Professional and academic perspective 

• One letter can be from an academic referee (e.g., professor, thesis supervisor) discussing your research ability or academic potential. 
• The second letter may come from a working life or industry professional (e.g., employer, mentor, supervisor) speaking about your professional skills, teamwork, or problem-solving abilities. 

4. Structure & Content 

• The letter should be formal, signed, and on official letterhead if possible. 
• It should have a max. length of one A4 page and provide specific details about your qualifications. 

What to Avoid? 

• Letters that are vague or overly general (e.g., “The student is hardworking and motivated.”) 
• Letters from personal contacts or family members. Recommendations should come from academic or professional sources. 
• Copy-pasted templates. Your referees should take the time to write a personalised letter that reflects your strengths. 

Your personal video is invited as an URL uploaded in a PDF giving you an opportunity to introduce yourself beyond your written application. Please write out the link (e.g. to a shared personal cloud) and upload it in the form of a Word or PDF document. The link must be available online until the end of September, without requiring any downloads, accessible with commonly used browsers.  

The video could highlight your motivation, background, and personal qualities that make you a great fit for this Joint Master’s Programme. 

It may include: 

1. Your background and journey 

• Who are you, and what led you to apply for this programme? 
• What relevant academic or professional experiences have shaped your interest in digital health? 

2. Your fit for this programme 

• What excites you about this programme? 
• How do you see yourself contributing to the community of learners in this programme? 
• Have you worked in citizen-centered, collaborative, multi- or interdisciplinary/-professional, or international environments before? 

3. Your personal strengths and working style 

• What role do you typically take in teams or projects? (e.g., leader, problem-solver, designer, researcher, developer, mentor, supervisor, coordinator) 
• Can you share an example of a challenge you faced in a learning / development situation or project and how you approached it? 
• How do you handle learning something completely new or working with new people? 

Format and submission guidelines

• Length: Keep your video between 2–3 minutes. 
• Style: No need for a highly produced video. Clarity and authenticity matter more than editing skills. 
• Presentation: Speak clearly and naturally. This is about communication, not perfection. 
• Language: The video must be in English to ensure your communication skills align with the programme. 

What to Avoid? 

• Overly scripted videos. We want to see your personality and communication skills. 
• Generic statements. Focus on specific experiences that highlight your strengths. 
• A video that just repeats your motivation letter. This is your chance to add something new and personal. 

All partner universities offer welcome services for international students, counselling, career advice, language courses, and support for students with special needs. Students also benefit from a mentoring programme, buddy systems, and access to student associations. 

Each partner university offers a wide range of student services beyond what’s listed here. Visit their websites to see the full details of academic, wellbeing, and community support: 

• USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten (Austria) 
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands) 
• Jamk University of Applied Sciences (Finland) 

The curriculum includes collaboration with industry partners, and students may find additional internships or part-time jobs depending on local regulations and the job market situation in each location. Please note that visa conditions may restrict the number of hours you are allowed to work. 

Students want to make sure that they cover the basic living costs for the entire time spent studying. Students must be prepared to pay for accommodation, food, travel, study materials, mobile phone costs, insurances, health care, leisure activities and other costs of living. For study materials, SIM cards, leisure, and sports, reckon with €50–€100/month depending on your lifestyle. There are several student discounts at gyms, museums and theaters.

Food & Groceries

Supermarkets and cooking at home are the cheapest options, and there are affordable canteen meals. €200–€300/month is a typical monthly budget for students. Prices are slightly higher in the Netherlands and Finland compared to Austria. Eating out can add to your costs, with around €20–€30 for a dinner in Austria and the Netherlands and higher in Finland.

Transport

With housing close to campus, daily commuting costs are low. For leisure and country-wide travel, student discounts may apply, prices are €30–€80/month for local/regional travel with bus or train. Especially in the Netherlands cycling is cheapest.

Accommodation in Austria

We recommend living in St. Pölten, as the dorms are in walking distance to the campus. Furthermore, the accommodation and living costs in St. Pölten are a lot cheaper than in Vienna. Average costs are €350–€500/month for student homes in St. Pölten.

There are three student homes within walking distance of the USTP. The USTP has reserved an allotment of rooms at ‘Campus Domus’ and ‘Wihast’.

Accommodation for International Students

Accommodation in the Netherlands

Finding a place to live is a competitive market in the Netherlands. To make life easier, students benefit from dedicated room allotments, as long as you request it on time. The university reserves a number of student housing options. You’ll be asked during your application whether you wish to make use of this support. Rooms are offered at fair student prices and are located close to campus. Average costs (Enschede): €500–€700/month depending on size and location.

Accommodation in Finland

A certain quota of accommodation from student housing KOAS (Central Finland Student Housing Foundation) is reserved for Jamk's exchange students if requested beforehand. In addition, there are other options for housing in Jyväskylä, but for students studying at Jamk a full semester or two, the most economical option is KOAS student housing. Monthly rent includes water (in most locations), green electricity and high-speed internet connection.

More details on accommodation in Finland

Once you are accepted into the programme, the local admission teams at each university will provide you with the necessary documents and guidance to apply for a visa or residence permit. However, the responsibility for obtaining the visa remains with the student. 

Please note that visa processing times vary by country and may take several months. We strongly advise you to apply immediately after receiving your admission letter. 

• More information about student visas in Europe
• Further information about the practicalities in Austria
• Further information about the practicalities in the Netherlands
• Further information about the practicalities in Finland