Infection Prevention & Control - Online

Course Outline

This innovative new MSc Infection Prevention & Control (Online) course is offered by the School of Public Health in collaboration with other schools across University College Cork, including the Cork University Business School, and the School of Microbiology.



This wholly online programme will provide you with expert core infection prevention and control knowledge and skills enabling you to lead and manage an infection prevention and control service. We place emphasis on the use of evidence-based practice so that our students will know how to manage infection prevention and control services, putting patient safety principles into effect in both research and professional contexts. Our international and multidisciplinary perspective utilises the World Health Organization, European Centre for Disease Control, and Infection Prevention Society competencies in infection prevention and control to inform delivery and content.

Programme Details

The MSc Infection Prevention & Control is a progression route from the Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control and comprises 90 credits, delivered online over two years, as follows:

• Year 1 - Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control: 30 credits taken over nine months;

• Year 2 - MSc Infection Prevention & Control: 60 credits (30 credits taught and 30 credits dissertation) taken over twelve months.



We designed this course on a module basis to meet your needs as a working professional. In addition to the 30 credits completed as part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control, you will take the following modules to the value of 60 credits:

• EH6148 Infection Prevention and Control in Practice (10 credits)

• EH6157 Qualitative Research in Public Health (5 Credits)

• EH6153 Quantitative Research & Epidemiology (10 credits)

• EH6088 Systematic Reviews (5 credits)

• EH6149 Dissertation in Infection Prevention and Control (30 credits)

Requirements

• Applicants must have successfully completed the UCC Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade 1 to apply to the programme.

• Applicants who have completed the UCC Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control with less than a Second Class Honours Grade 1 are eligible to apply with a prior minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in one of the following subject areas: biological sciences, nursing, medical and health sciences, public health and social sciences.

• Applicants who have achieved a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in an NFQ, Level 9 within the last five years and which the programme team deem comparable to the UCC Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control or the UCC Postgraduate Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control, are also eligible to apply. Such applicants must demonstrate that the learning outcomes of their comparable award including specific modules, are aligned with the UCC Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control.

• Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme following a review of their individual qualifications and experience under the University Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) policy.



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.

Closing Date

Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

12 months, part-time, online.

Start Date: 8 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

• Completion of this course will equip you with the knowledge to lead the coordination and management of infection, prevention and control services;

• Our graduates can also apply for jobs in regulatory agencies and industry;

• Upon completion of this MSc programme, you can consider further research in this area at PhD level.