Master courses offer a unique opportunity to acquire specialised knowledge and skills. Each course is purpose-built by internationally-recognised cancer control professionals to meet specific needs for continuing education of those engaged in cancer control from various disciplines, and at different levels. They are offered free of charge to those who register for the World Cancer Congress.

The courses consist of 3 months of distance learning in cancer or non-cancer related organisational and technical topics, offering specialised information and skills, and culminating in one day, face-to-face workshops at the World Cancer Congress. All courses are led by international experts in the relevant fields and delivered via UICC's eLearning platform, UICC eCampus.

The following Master Courses will be offered at the 2018 World Cancer Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2018. Participants will be selected on a competitive basis. 

1. Building cancer awareness and prevention programmes
2. From peer support to policy change: Strenghthening capacities of patient groups across the health system
3. Using the law and policymaking to promote cancer prevention and control
4. Effective collaboration to address the challenges of cancer

Master courses aim to provide an opportunity for participants to train and expand their networks to create sustainable cancer control programmes in their home organisations and countries. They were launched in the run up to the 2014 World Cancer Congress in Melbourne, Australia, where over 400 delegates registered and 250 were selected for one of 11 Master courses. In 2016, a further 248 cancer professionals participated in one of nine courses and the subsequent workshops at the World Cancer Congress in Paris, France. 

Past courses have covered a wide range of technical and organisational topics such as evidence-based tobacco cessation, the use of social media for public education and advocacy, cancer control planning and implementation, best practices in publishing, sexuality issues in cancer care, effective partnership management, and more. 

A survey conducted among Master course participants at the 2016 World Cancer Congress highlighted the following: 

• 95% found the topics interesting and relevant to their work
• 95% learned about tools and gained skills applicable to challenges in real-world situations
• 92% acquired information and ideas which they could relate to their country’s settings
• 88% expanded their professional networks and expected to keep regularly in touch with fellow participants
• 100% would recommend UICC Master courses to a colleague