This course proposes solutions to improve problems of public health in developing countries. It is based on an integrated approach to health problems and responds to the priority needs of populations in the Southern hemisphere since the knowledge that students can acquire on the course is usually directly applicable to the context of these countries.

By the end of their training, students are able to analyze the determining factors and measure the importance of health problems in developing countries ; to define priorities relating to health and development ; to design, implement and assess relevant health and medico-social intervention strategies and to contribute to the implementation of intersectoral policies and programmes relating to development. In this way, students who have already had professional responsibilities in a health district or a regional department, will be able to organize health and care services that are more effective, efficient and fair.

General presentation of the programme

The study programme comprises 477.5 hours of class, seminars and practical work.

The study programme is worth 60 credits and is organized as follows:

Introduction to public health, 3 credits (30 hours);
Quantitative methods, 16 credits (177.5 hours);
Health policies and systems, 16 credits (150 hours);
Health promotion, 4 credits (45 hours);
Tackling public health problems, 5 credits (75 hours);
Final dissertation, 16 credits;

With the help of one of the coordinators, students must draw up a programme of study which is in line with the arrangements outlined below and have it approved by the programme management committee.

The language of instruction is French. A passive knowledge of scientific English is an added advantage. If necessary, remedial courses may be authorized by the programme management committee.

The compulsory and recommended courses are organized at the campuses of UCL – Brussels, ULB and ULg in groups of a whole day at a single campus to avoid unnecessary travelling.

Students benefit, where possible, from access to the various structures of the three Schools of Public Health as well as to the resources available to students of the three Faculties of Medicine at these three campuses.

See the general admission requirements

Specific procedures :

Special procedures :

This training is designed for university level students working in the health sector in developing countries and to the higher levels in public health, doctors and health centre managers.

This Advanced Master is open to holders of Belgian Master’s degree of 120 credits (or a ‘licence’ degree from the French Community) and also to holders of a foreign academic title or degree recognized as equivalent to the 120 Masters awarded by the French Community or validated by the panel as being worth at least 300 credits.

For studies completed abroad which do not come to a total of 300 credits, applications to join the Advanced Master are subject to the approval of a panel who will consider the quality and content of the training done abroad and may validate it at the 300 credit level.

Entry to this course cannot be gained through the special procedure for accrediting prior learning and experience known as VAE (validation des acquis de l'expérience).

Mature students

This Master is mainly designed for adults already working in the field of health.
Professional experience of public health in developing countries is required.

Useful Contact

Prof. Annie Robert

Adress : ESP – Clos Chapelle aux champs, 30 – EPID 30.58 – 1200 – Bruxelles.

Phone : 02 / 764 33 20

E-mail:

The course covers the whole field of public health, both relating to health policies and systems, quantitative and qualitative methods and tackling public health problems ; all this is done through classes, practical work and seminars.

Students must do individual or group interdisciplinary work, must be able to organize their activities and work in a team, and take a critical approach to the content of publications (methodologies and results) and on working methods. The topic of certain pieces of work may be chosen according to each student’s personal experience.

Oral and written examinations and supervised work.

In addition, there are various methods of self-assessment :

anonymous, written feedback on the teaching, gathered annually
meetings of the Management Committee
a meeting with all the teaching staff and students at the end of the academic year, after the examinations.

This Master is open to students from developing countries.

Legend

	Mandatory		Optional
	Courses not taught this academic year		Periodic courses not taught this academic year
	Periodic courses taught this academic year		Two year courses