Qualifications Framework level

EQF level

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).


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LQF level

Latvian Qualifications Framework (LQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).

LQF covers stages of education starting from the basic education (level 1 – special basic education) to the highest education (level 8 – doctoral studies).


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6

Level of professional qualification
Till 1 august 2022 in Latvia had a system of five professional qualifications levels (PQL, 1 – the lowest, 5 – the highest).

PQL system covers only professional qualifications (basic education, secondary and higher education stages).

PQL reflects readiness of a person to perform work of certain stage of complexity and responsibility.
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Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are knowledge, skills and competences acquired during a certain period of learning.

In Latvia, learning outcomes are stipulated by state education standards and occupational standards (for the professional qualifications).

Learning outcomes of higher education are defined by higher education institutions.


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Knowledge:
Upon successful completion of the programme graduates are be able to demonstrate knowledge about public health as multiprofile field by acquiring basic and specialised knowledge related to the fields of public health, demonstrate understanding about theoretical framework and methodology in the fields of public health, different dimensions of diseases and multifactorial character of diseases at both individual and public level;
– comprehend directions of activities carried out in the field of public health and their objectives;
– comprehend functions and objectives of public health specialists in the context of health and social care;
– have acquired basics of research work and realise the importance of application of evidence-based approach in public health.

Practical skills:
Upon successful completion of the programme graduates are able to evaluate the situation in public health, identify risk factors and apply analytical analysis to describe them;
– draft and develop actions plans aimed at prevention of various public health related problems;
– participate in management of the work of public health service organisations and execute their daily functions;
– during study placement, have acquired skills required for the obtaining of the qualification of public health specialist and skills in biology, ecology, environmental health, epidemiological safety, supervision of handling of food, health promotion, occupational safety and are able to apply them in professional work.

Competences:
Within the framework of development and defence of term paper and Bachelor’s thesis, students demonstrate the ability to critically select scientific literature, process and analyse data, draw conclusions and put forward suggestions.
They demonstrate ability to participate in discussions on topics related to public health with colleagues, representatives of other professions, various public groups by observing professional ethics of public health specialist, solve problems related to public health both in groups and individually,
– make reasoned decisions, evaluate their outcomes and impact on public health at different levels.

 

Public health specialist

  • Knowledge

    1. Basic knowledge of:
    1.1. philosophy;
    1.2. economics;
    1.3. business;
    1.4. psychology;
    1.5. sociology.
    2. Understanding of:
    2.1. human anatomy, morphology and physiology;
    2.2. physics;
    2.3. biology;
    2.4. medical biochemistry;
    2.5. microbiology;
    2.6. professional terminology in the official language and at least two foreign languages;
    2.7. pathology;
    2.8. surgical diseases;
    2.9. internal diseases;
    2.10. women’s health;
    2.11. social paediatrics;
    2.12. medical psychology.
    3. Ability to apply knowledge of:
    3.1. public health;
    3.2. disease prevention, health promotion and education;
    3.3. epidemiology;
    3.4. medical statistics and specific computer programs;
    3.5. health care organization;
    3.6. infectious diseases and epidemiological surveillance;
    3.7. food security, food safety and quality assurance;
    3.8. healthy diet;
    3.9. environmental health;
    3.10. occupational medicine and health at work (labour protection);
    3.11. social medicine;
    3.12. mental health;
    3.13. pedagogy;
    3.14. laws and regulations in the field of environment and health;
    3.15. quality management;
    3.16. information technologies;
    3.17. presentation creation and delivery;
    3.18. research methods in public health care;
    3.19. principles of professional and general ethics;
    3.20. official language;
    3.21. two foreign languages at a communication level;
    3.22. first aid;
    3.23. environmental protection;
    3.24. employment relationship.

  • Skills

    1. To apply theoretical approaches to public health in practice, carrying out activities within the competence of a public health specialist.
    2. To understand and comply with national and international regulations and strategic documents governing the field of public health.
    3. To plan and organize public health monitoring by acquiring, collecting, processing, analysing and interpreting public health-related data on population health, disease incidence, risk factors.
    4. To create, maintain, update and expand databases, registers and public information systems in the field of public health, as well as work with large-scale databases.
    5. To identify public health problems and needs, establish priorities and develop appropriate solutions.
    6. To determine factors affecting health, perform measurements and identify the relationship of mentioned factors with the risk of disease.
    7. To plan, develop and implement disease prevention and health promotion programs and activities.
    8. To carry out  communicable disease epidemiological surveillance, epidemiological investigations and anti-epidemic measures, apply rapid response algorithm in emergency epidemiological situations.
    9. To ensure control and monitoring of environmental factors affecting health; provide hygiene evaluation findings.
    10. To assess the harmful effects of the work environment on health and make proposals to improve the situation.
    11. To participate in food safety control and food circulation monitoring.
    12. To provide proposals on the improvement of documents and regulations related to public health policy planning.
    13. To assess legal requirements and implementation effects thereof on health.
    14. To plan, implement and coordinate public health measures and activities.
    15. To be aware of and select the most appropriate health promotion strategies and operational tactics to tackle various health problems in different target populations.
    16. To inform and educate the general public and community groups on risk factors affecting health, intervention and prevention thereof, as well as a healthy lifestyle.
    17. To develop information materials on public health issues for different population groups.
    18. To assess the public health program and efficiency of measures implemented within its framework.
    19. To inform the public of available health services and receipt procedure, and consult citizens on their rights to health care services.
    20. To plan and monitor the division, flow and usability of health care services.
    21. To administer and organize public health activities, monitor quality.
    22. To be able to use information technology and equipment, including specific software relating to the field of public health.
    23. To conduct public health research of scientific and practical value.
    24. To cooperate with health and other professionals and institutions, provide advice to representatives from other sectors in accordance with the basic principles of professional and general ethics.
    25. To conduct training of specialists from other sectors in public health issues, participate in the development and implementation of training programs.
    26. To prepare presentations and present reports at conferences, seminars, meetings and the media.
    27. To substantiate one’s opinion and take responsibility for one’s professional activities.
    28. To improve professional knowledge and skills.
    29. To think critically, solve problems independently and be able to work in a team.
    30. To identify gaps and find solutions to improve the workflow and increase efficiency.
    31. To know the official language.
    32. Ability to communicate in at least two foreign languages, one of which is the official language of a EU member state.
    33. To use professional terminology in the official language and at least one foreign language.
    34. To provide first aid.
    35. To comply with labour safety, fire safety and environmental protection requirements.
    36. To meet the requirements of employment relationship.

  • Competences/ autonomy

    1. Ability to understand and analyse the health of a human from the physical, mental and social functioning aspects.
    2. Ability to understand the concept of health and the multiple dimensions of disease causality on an individual and societal level.
    3. Ability to operate with theoretical frameworks and methodologies of action of the public health field, as well as apply basic and specialized knowledge specific to public health in practice.
    4. Ability to develop and monitor indicators characterizing public health – obtain, collect, process and analyse health background information to assess the state of public health and changes in dynamics.
    5. Ability to identify factors influencing the state of public health and he risks to public health, set action priorities applying multi-sectoral solutions.
    6. Ability to make non-communicable and communicable disease monitoring, control and prevention.
    7. Ability to develop internal draft laws and regulations and other documents with respect to public health issues, develop proposals for the necessary amendments to existing legislation.
    8. Ability to understand and apply regulations governing the field of public health and policy planning documents, monitor execution thereof.
    9. Ability to plan and implement measures to mitigate and prevent public health problems, and to preserve and promote the state of health at an individual, group and population level.
    10. Ability to implement public health promotion policies, programs and projects, educate the society on matters of health and a healthy lifestyle.
    11. Ability to provide control and monitoring of epidemiological safety, environmental health, occupational health, food security.
    12. Ability to assess the efficiency of implemented public health programs, projects, events and activities.
    13. Ability to develop information material for different target groups and prepare reports on public health issues.
    14. Ability to plan and monitor health service accessibility and usability, as well as inform the public about health care services.
    15. Ability to administer and organize public health activities within a company, monitor quality management processes.
    16. Ability to discuss public health issues with colleagues, other professionals, as well as various social groups in accordance with professional ethical standards.
    17. Ability to address public health problem situations, working both independently and in a team.
    18. Ability to substantiate and adopt decisions within the competence of a public health specialist.
    19. Ability to initiate, plan, methodically manage, coordinate and conduct research of scientific value in the public health sector.
    20. Ability to process and analyse research data, make evidence-based conclusions and develop proposals, present the results.
    21. Ability to take responsibility for one’s professional performance.
    22. Ability to acquire new knowledge and follow the developments of the public health sector.
    23. Ability to improve one’s competence.
    24. Ability to comply with occupational safety, fire safety and environmental safety requirements.
    25. Ability to meet the requirements of employment relationship.
    26. Ability to communicate in the official language and at least two foreign languages, one of which is the official language of a EU member state.

Qualification acquisition requirements

Previous education
Certificate of general secondary education or Diploma of vocational secondary education
Ways to acquire 
Qualifications can be acquired in the framework of education programs or in the evaluation and recognition of non-formal knowledge, skills and competences acquired (in vocational education LKI Levels 2-4).
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Formal (through education programmes)
ECTS credit points 
Snice 11.10.2022 60 credit points correspond to the study results acquired in full-time studies in one academic year in accordance with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).Since 11.10.2022

Till 11.10.2022 1 Latvian credit point corresponds to 1,5 ECTS credit point.
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240
Duration of study 
Duration of qualification in full-time studies
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4 years

Qualification document

Awarding body

Higher education institution:

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Qualifications Framework level

EQF level

European Qualifications Framework (EQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

LQF level

Latvian Qualifications Framework (LQF) has 8 levels (1 – the lowest, 8 – the highest).

Levels reflect the complexity level of acquired knowledge, skills and competences (learning outcomes).

LQF covers stages of education starting from the basic education (level 1 – special basic education) to the highest education (level 8 – doctoral studies).


Go to the Glossary section
?

6

Level of professional qualification

Till 1 august 2022 in Latvia had a system of five professional qualifications levels (PQL, 1 – the lowest, 5 – the highest).

PQL system covers only professional qualifications (basic education, secondary and higher education stages).

PQL reflects readiness of a person to perform work of certain stage of complexity and responsibility.


Go to the Glossary section
?

5

Qualification field, stage and type

Thematic field (ISCED 2013)
International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) developed by UNESCO.
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Health (091)

Detailed field: (ISCED 2013)

Therapy and rehabilitation (0915)

Education
Stages of Latvian education system included in the LQF:
- basic education
- secondary education
- higher education
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Higher education

Qualification type
ITypes of Latvian education:
-General education
-Professional education
-Academic education
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Vocational

Full or partial

Full qualification

Other information

National Education Information System

National Database of Education Opportunities

Historical qualification

Period for issuing qualification: 2013-2024

Last changes: 10.03.2025

Posted: 07.05.2016