Population Health Leadership

The Postgraduate Certificate in Population Health Leadership from RCSI School of Population Health is designed to equip students with essential knowledge of the key factors influencing population health, alongside the leadership skills needed to drive meaningful change.



This programme provides a strong foundation in population health science and leadership, enabling learners to develop critical thinking, decision-making, and applied skills to inform policy, system design, and practice for improved population health outcomes.



The postgraduate certificate is delivered part-time in a fully online format, making it accessible to working professionals. Live online sessions take place weekly on Tuesdays from 12:00–2:30 PM (Irish time).



This programme is a 30-ECTS Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications and offers a pathway for further study, including progression to higher qualifications in population health leadership.



Suitable for

This programme is ideal for allied health professionals including doctors, managers, nurses, allied health professionals, interdisciplinary health and social care workers, clinical specialists, and administrators. It is also relevant for those in medical supplies, the pharmaceutical sector, and healthcare regulation.



Accreditation and recognition

This programme is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.

Module 1

Optimising Population Health Leadership: Understanding, Deciding, Acting (5 ECTS)

Introduction to the understand-decide-act framework, population-health strategies, scientific guidance, and effective implementation.



Module 2

Exploring Approaches to Research and Data for Population Health (5 ECTS)

Skills to design, interpret, and communicate population health research using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.



Module 3

Fundamentals of Public Health (5 ECTS)

Global health challenges and evidence-based decision-making.



Module 4

Applying Psychology and Behavioural Sciences to Population Health (5 ECTS)

Evaluating evidence for designing and assessing effective individual and population health interventions.



Module 5

Leadership, Governance and Policy in Population Health Ecosystems (5 ECTS)

Holistic understanding of population health, focusing on systems, leadership, and connecting organisational drivers for health generation.



Module 6

Implementing Population Health – Translating Evidence and Outcomes (5 ECTS)

Challenges in implementing evidence-based health policies, integrating implementation sciences, economics, and community engagement.

English language requirements for Postgraduate programmes are published on the RCSI website.

Register your interest

Are you interested in learning more about the PgCert in Population Health Leadership programme with RCSI? Register your interest (see "Application Weblink" above) and a member of the team will be in touch with you.

1 year. Mode of delivery Online - Part-time.

Next start date: September 2026.

Progression options

The Population Health Leadership curriculum builds cumulatively in three stages of development from a postgraduate certificate (30 ECTS) to a postgraduate diploma (60 ECTS) and option to progress to a full MSc (90 ECTS) with an applied project. Each cycle allows for exit awards at PG Cert (Year 1), PG Diploma (Year 2) and MSc level.