• ability to understand the essential elements of the different perspectives involved in the main economic and social issues in contemporary society (political economy, sociology, social psychology and philosophy);
• ability to fully grasp the different contexts of economic and social policies ;
• ability to put the players and the issues in a historical, institutional and cultural context ;
• ability to make proposals relating to these policies or special measures.   

The programme comprises core subjects worth 65 credits and two focuses of 30 credits each.  
The professional focus in economic and social policy is designed for students in Belgium or neighbouring countries who are involved, either professionally or on a voluntary basis, in the economic and social field.
Students selecting this focus are put in groups of 20 – 30.
The optional subjects available (25 credits) are chosen in stages : during year 1, each group selects their first five choices together with alternatives for year 2. With the help of advisers, the  academic coordinator organizes the year 2 subjects. Groups may choose their subjects from various subject groupings.

There will be no special exemption for previous  courses or experience since the group work enables students to help each other build on their existing knowledge.

The research focus in development and project management is designed for adults who already have some experience of development issues in Central or West Africa. The optional subjects (25 credits) may be selected from University programmes according to students’ previous experience, their projects and prerequisite subjects. Advisers help students with their choice which is then subject to the agreement of the programme director.

In addition, a series of theme- and methodology-based seminars  are held in the first and second years. A special seminar (2 credits) is devoted to an issue related to religious sciences.

Whatever focuses and options are chosen, the programme for this Master must total a minimum of 120 credits, spread over two years of study. This corresponds to 60 credits per year.

Doctoral programmes : the Open Faculty of Economic and Social Policy (Faculté ouverte de politique économique et sociale – FOPES) is not a doctoral school as such, but students have gone on to doctoral programmes depending on their chosen dissertation subject. This means that candidates must not only be able to fund their research but also have the necessary time to devote to it. This amounts to a minimum of 180 credits (or the equivalent of three years’ full time  education).

The training is designed for both those who are already working and those who wish to work in the social and/or professional field and who wish to acquire wider understanding of the issues and analytical skills to be better equipped for intervention.

Prerequisite for students doing the economic and social policy option : preparatory year  (OPES1PM) of the Master in Economic and Social Policy.  Students must follow the detailed instructions  when making an application for entry or enrolment.

Encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning is very much part of the tradition at the Open Faculty for Economic and Social Policy.  The fact that students are themselves change makers means that every stage of the teaching programme is carefully thought out and innovative. This is reflected in admission procedures, learning agreements, assessment techniques and supervision of dissertations. The link between individual and group work is constantly made in various ways which involve all the participants :  

• lecturers who suggest subjects related to research or who are involved in key situations where economic and social policies are discussed or drawn up;
• advisers who organize seminars and workshops and who supervise the subgroups encourage the sharing of ideas and a group approach in the scope and analysis of the subjects being studied;
• the teaching materials unit which helps in researching documents and publishing books and reports ;
• special seminars for the teaching staff, coordinators’ sessions and meetings for advisers are just some of the ways in which views and input on the overall programme are encouraged.

• Professional focus in economic and social policy
  • The Open Faculty not only welcomes students from all over Belgium but also those from neighbouring countries who work outside Belgium and can attend sessions which take place on Saturdays, or one day during the week as well as in the evening.
  •  the Open Faculty is looking for opportunities abroad to find synergies with other institutions doing similar work  

  Professional focus in development and project management
  • this is designed specially for African and European students who are working on local development projects in Africa
  • in future, the programme will have a more international nature following cooperation agreements with African educational institutions.