Master’s Degree in Health and Community

Register of Universities, Centres and Degress (RUCT)

Acces the annual verification report

Who should consider this programme

People with a degree or equivalent in healthcare sciences (specifically medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, physical activity sciences, speech therapy, nutrition, podiatry, psychology, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and occupational therapy)

Individuals with a degree or equivalent in social sciences (specifically sociology, anthropology, statistics, political science, social work and social education).

Individuals who lack the qualifications mentioned above but possess three years of professional experience in the field of public health and community health will be granted access. 

* Those without a prior university degree in healthcare sciences must successfully complete the supplementary training of Fundamentals of Public Health (6 ECTS).

This qualification does not confer the eligibility to undertake a health profession in Spain.

Duration

60 ECTS

Mode

Online

Field of study

Interdisciplinary

Calendar

• From September 18th, 2023 to July 12th 2024
• Start of the first semester: mid-September 2023
• Start of the second semester: mid-February 2024

Timetable

The majority of classes will be conducted online asynchronously, providing flexibility for each student to organise their schedule without specific days and times. However, there will be some synchronous online sessions:

• A minimum of 1 synchronous session for subjects worth 3 ECTS
• A minimum of 2 synchronous sessions for subjects worth 5 ECTS
• A minimum of 4 synchronous sessions for subjects worth 10 ECTS

Number of admissions

30

Place

UManresa – Fundació Universitària del Bages
Campus Manresa de la Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya
Fundació Universitària del Bages
Av. Universitària, 4-6, 08242 Manresa (Barcelona).

Language

Spanish

Cost of credit

66,99€

Full cost

4.019€

The overall cost covers 60 credits, EXCLUDING annual academic management fees and insurance. The registration fee is determined by the number of credits enrolled for. The subjects in the first year accumulate to a total of 60 credits unless opting for part-time enrolment (slow track).

Qualification

University master’s degree in health and community issued by the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia.

This degree earns merit points on the ICS job board.

This university master's degree facilitates access to different doctoral programs.

General admission requirements

Eligibility Criteria for University Master's Degree:

• Possession of an official Spanish university degree, irrespective of the level and duration of the degree.
• Holding a degree from a higher education institution in another country within the EHEA, granting access to master's courses in the issuing country.
• Possessing a foreign university degree from a non-EHEA country, without the need for approval, at a training level equivalent to an official state university degree, allowing access to postgraduate studies in the country of origin.
• If you are currently pursuing an official degree at a Spanish university and only need to complete the end-of-degree project to obtain the degree, you may prioritise enrolment by formalising pre-registration and conditionally registering for the master's programme in the final period of the procedural calendar. The condition is that you demonstrate the registration of the end-of-degree project and your ability to obtain the degree during the same academic year as the master's programme. Obtaining a university master's degree is strictly contingent upon having previously obtained an official bachelor's degree.

Specific requirements for each master's degree

Apart from the general entry requirements, each master's degree has specific admission requirements and selection criteria.

Please note that this degree does not grant the right to practise a healthcare profession in Spain.

Access for foreign students

In accordance with Royal Decree 1393/2007, as amended by Royal Decree 861/2010 and Royal Decree 43/2015 dated February 2nd, eligibility for enrolment in an official master's programme requires one of the following qualifications:

• An official Spanish university degree, regardless of the level and duration.
• A degree issued by a higher education institution in another state within the EHEA, qualifying for access to master's programmes in the issuing country.
• A foreign university degree from a non-EHEA country, without the need for official approval, equivalent to the level of training of an official Spanish university degree, granting access to postgraduate studies in the country of origin.

The university will verify that the degrees attest to a level of training equivalent to official Spanish university degrees and that they qualify for master's studies in the country of issuance. Admission to a university master's programme does not imply approval of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purposes other than studying. Nevertheless, upon completion of the studies, the obtained master's degree will hold full official validity.

Studies outside Spain

The UVic-UCC accepts documents issued in Catalan, Spanish, or English. If the original document is in a language other than these, it must be accompanied by a sworn translation. Non-Spanish documents must be official and issued by the competent authorities, following the legal system of the respective country, and, if required, should be legalised. Please refer to the procedure for document legalisation.

For admission to university master's level studies, official approval of the degree is not mandatory. However, it is essential to submit one of the documents listed below:

1. If your degree has been officially approved in the Spanish state, you need to provide a certified copy of the approval certificate issued by the Ministry of Education.
2. If your degree has not been officially approved, you should submit a certificate affirming that, with the completed studies, you are eligible to pursue studies at a minimum master's level (level 3 of the MECES (Spanish Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) or 7 of the EQF (European Qualifications Framework) or its equivalent in the country where the studies were undertaken.

Studies carried out within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)

For those who have studied within the EHEA, the European Supplement to the Degree can be submitted instead of the documents mentioned in the previous point, as long as it specifies your eligibility for at least master's level studies. In the absence of a European Supplement to the Title, the same documentation as outlined in the previous section (studies outside of Spain) must be presented.

Admission requirements

Individuals interested in enrolling in the university master’s in health and community must satisfy one of the following admission criteria:

• Hold a degree or its equivalent in healthcare sciences, including but not limited to Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Physical Activity Sciences, Speech Therapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Podiatry, Psychology, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Occupational Therapy.
• Possess a degree or its equivalent in Social Sciences, including disciplines such as Sociology, Anthropology, Statistics, Political Sciences, Social Work, and Social Education.
• Admission is open to individuals who, despite not holding the aforementioned qualifications, have accrued three years of professional experience in the fields of public and community health.

* Individuals lacking a prior university degree in healthcare sciences are required to complete training courses totalling 6 ECTS.

Selection Criteria

The UVic-UCC master's degree regulations encompass a set of criteria specifically tailored for this master's programme, designed to evaluate and assess the qualifications of prospective students. These criteria are weighted as follows:

• Relevance of previous degree to the master’s programme: 10%
• The academic record of previous studies: 30%
• The amount of relevant professional experience in the field of the master's programme: (30%)
• Demonstrated competence in a third language: 10%
• Mobility during previous studies: (5%)
• A statement outlining the candidate's personal motivation and the specific objectives which have led them to apply for a place in the master's programme: 15%

Application for a university place

The application period for a place in the university master’s in health and community is open from March 15th to September 15th, 2023. If you apply before June 16th, you will benefit from a 10% discount on registration fees.

To complete the application process, please send an email to saludycomunidad@umanresa.cat

and submit the following documents for consideration:

1. A certified copy of the Spanish Identity Document (or passport for foreign applicants).
2. A Personal Academic Certificate of the university degree or a certified copy detailing all completed and passed subjects, including the number of hours/credits and corresponding grades. For studies undertaken abroad, the document should specify the grading system applied. Optionally, this document can be replaced by the European Title Supplement.
3. A certified copy of the degree or university transcript.
4. Your curriculum vitae.
5. A motivational letter.
6. Accrediting documentation, if applicable, for the specific requirements necessary for admission to the master's degree.

Upon receipt of the documentation, the master's coordinator will initiate contact to schedule an interview, and admission will subsequently be communicated.

Enrolment

First period: from 3rd to 28th July 2023.

Second period: from 1st to 14th September 2023 (if places are available).

Module 1: Approach to community processes. (9 ECTS)

Intersectoral models of community action for health (OB - 3 ECTS)

• Analysis of the concept of health, health promotion, community and community health
• Analysis of social determinants and social inequalities influencing community health.
• Phases of community processes related to public health
• Agents related to community health
• Health resources and Salutogenesis
• Theories and conceptual models in community health

Application of community participation strategies (OB - 3 ECTS)

• Creation and implementation of community participation methodologies
• Group management
• Intercultural mediation

Ethics and communication applied to community processes (3 OB - ECTS)

• Ethical considerations in activities related to community health
• Communication strategies and methodologies for the health of populations and communities
• Sharing of community health outcomes with various community stakeholders

Module 2: Research Design, Methods and Techniques (13 ECTS)

Evidence-based research (OB - 3 ECTS)

• Epistemology of research
• Phases of a research project
• Article and scientific journal databases
• Scientific searches in databases

Epidemiology and statistics for community health assessment (OB - 5 ECTS)

• Quantitative study designs
• Concept and classification of different types of variables
• Quantitative techniques of information collection
• Creation of databases
• Epidemiological designs
• Measures of frequency, association and impact
• Regression models
• Quantitative data analysis

Advanced Methods and Techniques for Community Health Assessment (OB - 5 ECTS)

• Qualitative study designs
• Qualitative techniques for collecting information
• Participatory research and interventions
• Qualitative data analyses

Module 3: Development of Community Processes (20 ECTS)

Analysis of the situation of Community Health (OB - 5 ECTS)

• Stages of community health diagnosis
• Techniques and methods for conducting quantitative and qualitative diagnoses in community health
• Creation of community health diagnostic reports focusing on the social determinants influencing community health

Design and implementation of programmes and interventions in community health (OB - 10 ECTS)

• Prioritisation of needs
• Strategies for community intervention or action
• Analysis and prioritisation of existing programmes and actions
• Development of community programmes and actions based on evidence
• Implementation phases of programmes and community interventions
• Experiences and practical cases in various areas related to community health

Evaluation of community programmes and interventions (OB - 5 ECTS)

• Types of assessment
• Development of quantitative and qualitative evaluation indicators
• Programme evaluation design
• Health impact assessment
• Equity impact assessment
• Application of evaluative designs in community health

Module 4: Specific Applications related to community health (6 ECTS)

Health, community and vulnerable populations (OP – 3 ECTS)

• Planning and execution of programmes and targeted initiatives addressing the social determinants influencing community health among vulnerable populations.
• Experiences and case studies related to community health in vulnerable populations
• Empowerment of vulnerable populations

Multilevel regression methods for intervention evaluation (OP – 3 ECTS)

• Regression models
• Interpretation of hierarchical results
• Analysis of individual and contextual data

Module 5: Master's Final Project (15 ECTS)

Master's Final Thesis (OB - 15 ECTS)

• Creation of a protocol for research or intervention activities focused on social determinants and their impact on community health.
• Development of a research project or report examining social determinants and their repercussions on community health.
• Data collection
• Analysis and interpretation of data
• Diffusion of data
• Communication or dissemination of research projects

• Lead and coordinate community action programs related to population health within the scope of primary health care, social services, the third sector, public administration, among others, involving all stakeholders who participate in each phase.
• Apply prevailing theoretical models to assess the social determinants that influence community health.
• Analyze and produce reports on social determinants and their consequences on community health by applying quantitative and qualitative research methods and techniques within an appropriate theoretical framework.
• Apply community research methods and techniques to evaluate all phases of the community process.
• Apply knowledge to design evidence-based community programs that integrate creative proposals and a multidisciplinary perspective.
• Develop research projects on social determinants and their consequences on community health, grounded in scientific evidence.
• Develop the role of promoter of community action programs, enabling them to act as a cornerstone of the policies implemented in society to ensure the highest possible level of health for individuals.

Document approved by the Governing Council of UVic-UCC on December 1, 2015. 

The Tutorial Guidance and Action Plan (POAT) was approved by the Governing Council of UVic-UCC on December 1, 2015. In defining this Plan, the University has established its understanding of guidance and tutorial action and has determined the fundamental principles and specific objectives to be achieved by students, faculty, and the educational community. 

The POAT applies to all UVic-UCC centers, whether owned, federated, affiliated, or associated, and is implemented annually according to the operational plan of each center approved by its respective governing councils. This operational plan makes it possible to identify the planned measures to be applied in each degree program, as well as to monitor and evaluate them accordingly. 

Priorities and objectives of tutorial action

At the Manresa campus of UVic-UCC, we ensure that the tutoring process is present throughout the entire academic pathway of the master’s degree (individual tutorials and group sessions at the beginning of each semester). We believe it is important to focus on welcoming students, facilitating their integration into the university, and providing ongoing support and guidance throughout their studies. Finally, students receive advice from different professional roles in the current context and on career opportunities, both in professional and research fields, arising from obtaining the degree in question. 

Stages of the tutorial action plan

UNIVERSITY LEVEL

Master’s degree students at FUB are assigned a tutor who accompanies them throughout their studies and serves as their main point of reference at the University. 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination

> Welcome for students with disabilities or other needs 

The aim is to carry out a personalized identification of support and guidance needs during enrollment and at the beginning of classes. An individualized plan is drawn up in accordance with the adaptation procedures approved within the framework of UVic-UCC. Individualized follow-up is provided through the Advisory Service for Students with Functional Diversity (SAEDF). 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination / SAEDF 

> Welcome for students from other foreign educational systems

These actions are developed in the context of degree programs that have a significant number of students coming from other foreign educational systems. Their aim is to promote a quick adaptation to our university and to establish a multicultural working environment. 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination / International Relations Office 

> Welcome for mobility students

These actions are organized and managed by the International Relations Office in collaboration with faculties and the Language Service. 

Responsible: Exchange Coordination / International Relations Office 

> General welcome for students

A set of actions aimed at facilitating adaptation, knowledge, and engagement with the University. These are organized according to the specific needs of students, whether in bachelor’s or master’s programs, or in their first year. 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination 

> Cultural and sports activities

A web space that promotes participation in different types of activities. These activities allow for the formation of working groups and interest groups on specific topics. 

Responsible: Communication and Marketing 

> Virtual Campus

The Virtual Campus is a space that includes information on different academic aspects of the program, mainly related to the Academic Secretariat and study administration. In this space, students can also access their course classrooms. 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination / Academic Secretariat 

> Job Board

This service is offered to both current students and alumni with the aim of bringing together student interests and those of the labor market. The Job Board has a dual objective: on the one hand, to offer students the possibility of applying their university-acquired knowledge in the workplace and facilitating their entry into the labor market, and on the other, to channel job offers or professional demands received by the University from institutions, companies, or other organizations. 

Responsible: Job Board and Career Guidance Service 

> Guidance for final projects

Writing final degree projects is an important stage in students’ academic journey. Guidance actions are therefore aimed at facilitating this academic process and ensuring that students make the most of it.

Responsible: Master’s Thesis Coordination 

> Entrepreneurship support service

A program aimed at spreading and promoting entrepreneurial and innovation culture. At the University, it has a cross-disciplinary nature and involves both students from different programs and faculty or administrative and service staff. It also promotes initiatives aimed at the broader population, beyond the university environment, with the goal of making the University a driver of the local economy. 

Responsible: Entrepreneurship Service 

> Language Service support

Actions managed by the Language Service with the aim of providing individualized support and advice for language accreditation, as well as publicizing the range of courses available for improving language learning. 

Responsible: Language Service 

> Library and self-learning classroom support

A set of actions promoted by the Library and the self-learning classroom aimed at supporting learning in information skills, academic work, language learning, etc. 

Responsible: University Campus Library of Manresa (BCUM) 

> Digital and technological support

A set of training and advisory actions carried out by the technical units of the IT Area or the Information Systems service to optimize student use of the tools and services provided. 

Responsible: Information Systems 

> Visits to companies or institutions

Linked to the development of different subjects or training activities of the program. 

Responsible: Directorate and Study Coordination 

POST-UNIVERSITY LEVEL 

> Alumni

Participation in the range of activities promoted by the University, aimed at UVic-UCC graduates. 

Responsible: Alumni 

> Entrepreneurship Office-Unit

An advisory space for graduates that provides guidance and support in relation to the different processes involved in self-employment, entrepreneurship, and business creation. 

Responsible: Entrepreneurship Service 

> Employment placement plan

Document approved by the University’s Governing Council that describes the objectives, tasks, and actions over a given period, aimed at promoting the employability of students and graduates of UVic-UCC. 

Responsible: Job Board and Employment Placement Service 

According to the Royal Decree 1393/2007, dated October 29th, governing official university courses, the culmination of studies leading to the official master’s degree involves the creation and public defence of a master's thesis. This crucial requirement is integral to the attainment of the official master’s degree. Thus, the Master’s Final Thesis (MFT) holds a pivotal role in the university master’s programme in Health and Community and is mandated as a required component each year. This ensures that students can undertake a substantial research or application project, gaining valuable insights applicable to their professional endeavours. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to complete the MFT as part of various mobility programs offered by the university.

Objective of the Master’s Final Thesis

The Master’s Final Thesis serves as a means to integrate the knowledge and skills acquired by students throughout the master’s programme. The general objectives of the MFT encompass:

• Integration of knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the master’s programme.
• Application of these skills to academic work.
• Development of a coherent and reasoned discourse on the chosen subject.
• Participation in situations specific to a professional activity.

In the master’s in health and community programme, the Master’s Final Thesis can be categorised into one of the following areas:

• Bibliographic research work.
• Research work/community health interventions.

Students have the opportunity to align their MFT with ongoing research projects or interventions in community health, conducted by various entities or research groups within the faculty or external entities associated with health, public administration, or the third sector.

Each student will be assigned an academic tutor (UVic-UCC lecturer) responsible for guiding them throughout the academic process of preparing and evaluating the MFT. Additionally, each student will have a director who will oversee the practical aspects and will evaluate the student's progress. The thesis director may be a member of the teaching staff, a UVic-UCC research team, or a professional working in public and/or community health.

During the initial phase, students must draft a protocol outlining the specific proposal for their MFT, which requires validation by an academic panel. This panel will also assess the final report of the thesis and its (virtual) oral presentation.

As part of the Master's Final Thesis module (15 ECTS), students are required to complete a 120-hour placement (in-person or online, depending on the location) in an external entity. The duration of the placement will be determined by each assigned external entity. Currently, the affiliated centres for the master's programme include:

List of Placement Centers for the Master's Final Project Module. Academic Year 2025–26.

As part of the Master's Final Project module (15 ECTS), students must complete 120 hours of placement (either in-person or online, depending on the placement offered) at an external organization. The schedule for the placement will be determined by each of the external organizations affiliated as placement centers. Currently, the placement centers affiliated with the master's program are as follows:

• Ajuntament de Manresa
• Basque Centre for Climate Change Research BC3
• Centre d’Estudis Epidemiològics sobre les ITS/HIV/SIDA de Catalunya (CEEISCAT)
• Departament d’Epidemiologia i Metodologia de les Ciències Socials i de la Salut del campus UManresa (Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya)
• Equip d’Assistència Primària de Castellar del Vallès (EAP Castellar)
• Espai Èmfasi
• Fundació Pere Tarrés
• Gerència Territorial de la Catalunya Central del Institut Català de la Salut
• Logroño Comunitario
• Subdirección de Salud Pública y Adicciones del Departamento de Salud del Gobierno Vasco
• Universitat Alcalà de Henares (Grup d’Investigació en Salut Pública i Epidemiologia)
• Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC). Programa RECETAS.

*Students are welcome to propose a placement center to the master's program coordinator. The proposed center may be any organization working in the field of health promotion for groups or communities and may be located either in Spain or abroad.

Quality Management System

• UVic-UCC Quality Management System Framework
• Quality Management System of the Faculty of Health Sciences of Manresa

Stakeholder satisfaction

• Stakeholder satisfaction

Internal indicators

• Indicators of the Master's degree in Health and Community

Adaptation of teaching staff to the training program (Dimension 4)

• Classroom teaching hours – HIDA (Subdimension 4.1)

Effectiveness of learning support systems (Dimension 5)

• Mobility Indicators:
  • Mobility 2023-2024
  • Mobility 2022-2023
  • Mobility 2021-2022
  • Mobility 2020-2021
• Satisfaction indicators Service Survey (carried out every two years):
  • Services Survey 2023-24
  • Services Survey 2021-22

Quality of the results of the training program (Dimension 6)

• Learning outcomes achieved (Subdimension 6.1)
  • Results of the satisfaction survey for Master's Theory
  • Results of the satisfaction survey regarding the TFM

Internal evaluation reports

Monitoring reports and Improvement Plans UManresa

Cours 23-24

• IST Facultat Ciències de la Salut de Manresa
• PMQ Facultat Ciències de la Salut de Manresa

Cours 22-23

• IST Facultat Ciències de la Salut de Manresa
• PMQ Facultat Ciències de la Salut de Manresa

IST - Informe de Seguiment de les Titulacions.
PMQ - Pla de Millora de la Qualitat del centre.

External evaluation reports

Evaluation report portal of the Agency for Quality of the University System of Catalonia: EUC

National Quality and Accreditation Agency: ANECA (pendent)

Documentation related to the Officialization of the title

Resolution establishing the official nature of the title and its registration in the RUCT (BOE)

RUCT Code: 4317491

Dean of the Faculty of Healthcare Sciences of Manresa
Dra. Mireia Torralba i Roselló
mtorralba@umanresa.cat

Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Methodology in Social and Health Sciences (DEMeSS)
Dra. Salomé Tárrega Larrea
starrega@umanresa.cat

Master coordination
Dra. Ester Teixidó Compañó
eteixido@umanresa.cat

MFT coordination
Helena González Casals
hgonzalez@umanresa.cat