UCC Postgraduate courses

Public Health

Course Fact File
CodeMPH
Duration1 Year Full-time
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsMPH
NFQ LevelLevel 9
Closing DateRolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing DateOpen until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date9 September 2024

Course Outline

We designed this Master of Public Health (MPH) programme in order to meet the increasing demand for highly trained public health specialists in Ireland and abroad. This highly regarded programme will prepare you to investigate, evaluate and address public health challenges, whatever your professional background.

On graduation you will be equipped with the core knowledge and specialised skills necessary to make a real difference in public health. This is a full-time and structured programme, delivered over 12 months.

  • Please note this is the campus-based Master of Public Health. If you wish to apply for the online version of the MPH programme please see our Online MPH page.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this MPH programme, you will be able to:

  • Critically analyse theories and issues related to public health;
  • Construct arguments around the social, political, and economic factors determining the health of populations;
  • Demonstrate competence in the key underpinning disciplines and theories of public health including epidemiology, communicable diseases including healthcare-associated infections, biostatistics, social and behavioural sciences, and social policy;
  • Analyse and synthesize evidence and apply it to public health;
  • Demonstrate enhanced knowledge in the chosen specialist pathway (health protection, health promotion, epidemiology, and biostatistics);
  • Demonstrate logical reasoning in written work and discussion;
  • Employ a range of appropriate research and analysis methods with confidence and correct interpretation;
  • Critically reflect on their own and others' learning and practice.
  • Demonstrate their culminating experience in the form of a minor Dissertation.

MPH Pathways

The Master of Public Health (MPH) course is full-time and delivered over 12 months. Lectures take place on Thursdays (3pm to 9pm) and on Fridays (9am to 5pm). The programme allows students to specialise in one of three specific pathways as follows:

  • Health promotion
  • Health protection
  • Epidemiology & Biostatistics

In Part I students take core modules to the value of 45 credits and modules to the value of 25 credits from their chosen pathway.

In Part II students undertake research and write a dissertation to the value of 20 credits. In total students take 90 credits comprised from Part I and Part II.

Part I 

Modules - All Pathways (45 credits)

  • EH6025  Principles and Practice of Public Health (10 credits)
  • EH6026  Applied Research for Public Health (10 credits
  • EH6027  Public Health Informatics (5 credits)
  • EH6028  Leadership in Public Health (5 credits) 
  • EH6157  Qualitative Research in Public Health (Online) (5 Credits)
  • EH6132  Health Economics for Public Health (5 credits)
  • EH6154  Contemporary Perspectives of Global Health (5 credits)

Pathway 1: Health Promotion (25 credits)

  • EH6029 Health Promotion: Concepts, Principles and Practice (10 credits)
  • EH6039 Public Health and Behavioural Change (5 credits) 
  • EH6044 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (5 credits)
  • EH6046 Global and Environmental Health (5 credits) 

Pathway 2: Health Protection (25 credits)

  • EH6019 The Principles and Practice of Multi-disciplinary Health Protection (10 credits)
  • EH6046 Global and Environmental Health (5 credits)
  • MB6009 Principles of Microbiology (online)
  • EH6044 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (5 credits)

Pathway 3: Epidemiology & Biostatistics (25 credits)

  • EH6031 Advanced Epidemiology (10 credits)
  • EH6044 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (5 credits)
  • ST6011 Advanced Biostatistics (5 credits)
  • ST6012 Survival Analysis (5 credits)

Students move to Part II (dissertation) on successful completion of Part I (taught modules).

Part II 

All Pathways 

  • EH6143 Minor Dissertation in Public Health (20 credits)

Exemptions at point of entry

Applicants may be eligible for exemptions. If eligible, the relevant exemption paperwork must be completed immediately upon entering the programme. This application will be reviewed by the School of Public Health's Executive Committee. Please request an application form from the programme administrator.

  • Holders of UCC's BSc in Public Health, or UCC's BSc Public Health Sciences will be exempt from EH6025 (Principles and Practice of Public Health) if he/she undertakes the MPH within five years from the date of award of one of the above-mentioned courses.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Teaching takes place Thursdays (3pm to 9pm) and Fridays (9am to 5pm). Teaching will include SPSS (all students) and STATA labs (Epidemiology & Biostatistics students) and occasional field trips. 

Assessment

You will have a range of written assignments, exams, presentations, and finally, the written dissertation in a publishable journal format with a maximum allowable word count of 5,000 (in the quantitative study) or 7,000 words (in a qualitative study/systematic review).

Staff

Our staff come from across UCC and the School of Public Health along with guest and visiting lecturers, and include:

Why Choose This Course

The MPH is an innovative multi-disciplinary course where you can specialise in health promotion, health protection or epidemiology and biostatistics. The course offers both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and you can apply this knowledge to your dissertation. Our modules are developed and taught by a dedicated team of staff, who are experts in a variety of public health areas. Students will experience a wide range of teaching styles: classroom-based, limited fieldwork, and lab sessions.

Research Projects

At the School of Public Health, we are involved in major national research projects, including focusing on nutritional epidemiology, looking at causes and prevention of obesity, Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, tobacco control and health services research.  Most recently we were awarded significant funding to research the impact Covid-19 public health measures have had on the people of Ireland.

Skills and Careers Information

Our graduates are currently employed in a range of careers in Ireland, Europe and in other developed and developing countries in diverse public health roles including health services, public health research, surveillance, environmental health and public health agencies.

Requirements

All applicants will be required to write a 500-word statement demonstrating suitability to undertake a Master of Public Health.

All applicants are required to meet one of the following:

  • Possess a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant subject area Or
  • Possess a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I in a postgraduate diploma (NFQ Level 9) in a relevant subject area.

Relevant subject areas are Biological Sciences, Medical and Health Sciences, Public Health and Social Sciences.

Note: In some circumstances, applicants without a primary degree or applicants without a relevant primary degree may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the course committee. Such applicants may be called for an interview, and their admission will be subject to the School of Public Health's Executive Committee's approval.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. We strongly encourage you to complete these sections with all relevant information to support your application. This will include the following requests for additional information:

  • You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. 
  • In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning, and professional training relevant to this programme.
  • Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Deposit

Please note that successful EU applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €500 on acceptance of their place.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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