| Code | MSCHW |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 Months |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | MSc |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Fees | See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Start Date | September 2025 |
Course Outline
[Page under construction]
Our MSc in Health and Wellbeing is delivered jointly by University College Cork (the co-ordinating institution) and Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork. It is part of our new suite of Health and Wellbeing courses, including the PG Certificate Health and Wellbeing, and the PG Diploma Health and Wellbeing.
This Health and Wellbeing programme aims to support and challenge participants from a range of professional and academic settings and contexts, including but not limited to the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industry, the wider health sector, social work, education, the voluntary sector, and many more.
The MSc in Health and Wellbeing is a blended learning taught course. On successful completion of 30 credits from the Postgraduate Certificate students may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing. Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits from taught modules, students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing. Students may then register for the MSc in Health and Wellbeing, which will involve the completion of a research dissertation (30 credits).
Modules (Dissertation)
- MX6017 Research Project in Health and Wellbeing (30 Credits) or
- SPRTXX4 Research Project in Health and Wellbeing (30 Credits)
MSc Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this MSc programme, you should be able to:
- Use a variety of methodologies, data analytical processes and procedures to address a research question in health and wellbeing.
- Critically evaluate the research literature on their project topic in the area of health and wellbeing.
- Design a research project in health and wellbeing.
- Apply scientific process and methodology to conduct a research project based on a research question in health and wellbeing.
- Apply appropriate data analysis skills to evaluate research project findings.
- Communicate research findings via the completion of a dissertation.
A student previously conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing and subject to approval of the College of Medicine and Health at UCC, may apply to register for the MSc in Health and Wellbeing. Students intending to register for the MSc must have completed MH6014 (Advanced Research for Healthcare Professionals) during the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing. A student who applies to continue to MSc level must do so within five years from the date of first registration for the Postgraduate Certificate.
Course Practicalities
The MSc in Health and Wellbeing is a part-time blended learning course. On successful completion of 30 credits from the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing, students may progress to the Masters. The Masters is suitable for individuals from a range of different professional backgrounds, who already have a foundation in Health and Wellbeing studies. Participants will apply research skills and methodologies to the practice of research in the field of health and wellbeing. Students complete a research dissertation in Health and Wellbeing (30 credits) over 9 months.
In this course you will require the following skills and equipment:
- Basic computing and word processing skills.
- PC or a laptop with an up-to-date operating system capable of playing SCORM packages.
- High-Speed Broadband
Online materials are delivered via Canvas, the UCC, and MTU virtual learning environment (VLE). Orientation will be provided in the form of videos on how to use the VLE, library resources, and downloadable module handbooks.
Why Choose This Course
The Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc in Health and Wellbeing is the only suite of courses of their kind available nationally, totalling 90 credits. This suite can be completed over 3-5 years and is designed to suit busy professionals, including those working full-time, who want to learn flexibly.
Our Health and Wellbeing MSc enables you to acquire the required knowledge and skills to develop and evaluate interventions and strategies to improve health and wellbeing. With an emphasis on innovation and translation of research into practice, the teaching and learning strategy is designed to be flexible, accessible, and responsive to emerging skills needs. This is a blended learning programme where you, and fellow participants, will also apply research skills and knowledge to the practice of research in the field of health and wellbeing.
Skills and Careers Information
Our Health and Wellbeing programme is designed for professionals and practitioners across all sectors with an interest in the creation of health and wellbeing within society, sectors, and organisational settings. The programme will help to support you in your personal and professional development towards being health and wellbeing champions and advocates in your organisation.
On successful completion of the MSc in Health and Wellbeing, our graduates could seek employment in the public or private sector including the health and biopharmaceutical industry, government departments, statutory bodies, voluntary sector, policy organisations, and higher education. Job roles might include workplace wellbeing programme lead, community health and wellbeing officer, social prescribing coordinator, student wellbeing and welfare manager as well as a myriad of other academic/educational roles.
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Applicants seeking a qualification which will prepare them to apply for occupational health and safety positions are advised to apply instead for IOSH-accredited postgraduate certificate and higher diploma options in Safety, Health and Welfare and Work in addition to the IOSH-accredited MSc in Occupational Health programmes offered both fully online and in blended formats and operating within the APHEA-accredited School of Public Health at UCC.
Requirements
- Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any subject.
- Eligible applicants may also be invited for an interview. Selection from amongst eligible applicants will be made according to the following criteria: performance in primary degree; personal statement and reference.
- Applicants will have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing. Applicants with prior learning in a similar course (e.g. completion of a postgraduate diploma in Health and Wellbeing from another academic programme) who wish to enter at MSc level will be considered in accordance with UCC’s Policy for Recognition of Prior Learning.
- Applicants who have completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at a similar NFQ level may apply for exemptions for modules taken within the last five years, subject to the approval of the programme board.
The programme board may review applications from individuals who do not fulfil the usual entry requirements regarding their suitability for the programme. - Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements but who have relevant experience. To demonstrate relevant experience, applicants will be assessed on the following criteria and an interview may also be required: academic achievement; work experience; personal statement; and reference.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have a minimum IELTS of 6.5 with scores in no individual section less than 6.0, regardless of nationality or employment status within the EU.
- The admission of all applicants is subject to approval by the programme board.
- Applicants apply via UCC Apply.
Fees and Costs
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
How To Apply
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate students progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing. Upon completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing, students may then register for the MSc.
Further information will be posted on this page later this year.