Public Health

Overview
A MPH is an internationally recognised qualification opening up many employment opportunities throughout the world.

The course equips students with the knowledge and skills base to pursue a career in public health or other health-related leadership roles.

The curriculum for the MPH at Queen’s is aligned to the syllabus for the professional exams for the UK Faculty of Public Health.

This MPH comprises two taught semesters plus one research-based component. Semesters 1 and 2 involve a mixture of formal lectures, tutorials and group work and Semester 3 focuses on the dissertation. Programme content is based on the Diploma (part A) Examination Syllabus for Membership of the UK Faulty of Public Health.

The MPH is designed to introduce students to:
The 'science' of public health practice: a robust, systematic and evidence-based approach to define and understand population health issues and problems.

The 'art' of public health practice - interpersonal and organisational skills to work in partnership with others; influence decisions; support implementation of policy, programmes or interventions; and effect real change. It aims to identify optimal solutions for health gain within available resources.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31st July 2023 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

Please note a deposit may be required to guarantee a place on the course. Due to high demand, applications may not be considered if the course has reached its maximum class size and will be placed on a waiting list. Please see deposit terms and conditions for more details.

Year 1
Core Modules
• Health Protection (20 credits)
• Determinants of Health and Health Improvement (20 credits)
• Public Health Concepts and Methods (10 credits)
• Health and Social Care Systems (20 credits)
• Public Health in the Health Sector (20 credits)
• Statistics in Public Health and Medical Research (10 credits)
• MPH Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules
• Noncommunicable Diseases (10 credits)
• Advanced Quantitative Methods (10 credits)
• Advanced Health Economics, Management and Policy (10 credits)
• Intensive qualitative methods (10 credits)
• Systems thinking and complex systems in public health (10 credits)

Course Structure
Students may enrol on a full time basis (1 year). Students undertake 4 modules in Semester 1 (60 CATS) and 4 modules in Semester 2 (60 CATS).

The MPH is awarded to students who have successfully completed all 8 taught modules (120 CATS) and a dissertation (60 CATS).

Exit qualifications are available : students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma by successfully completing 120 CATS points from taught modules or a Postgraduate Certificate by successfully completing 60 CATS points from taught modules.

Graduate
A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a health-related subject is required. Evidence of equivalent professional qualifications (MBBS, BDS BSc or BVSc) or experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants must have completed (and passed at equivalent of UK 2:1 standard) a subject/module from any of the following groups:
• Statistics
• Quantitative Methods (e.g. operations research, econometrics, mathematics or biometrics)

Intercalating Medical and Dental Applicants
i) QUB
Intercalating medical and dental students within QUB will be considered if they have successfully completed the third year of their course at first attempt and achieved at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree standard. Intercalating applicants should also ensure they have permission to intercalate from either the Director of Medical Education or Dentistry as appropriate.

ii) External
An external medical or dental student wishing to intercalate must have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying. External intercalating applicants should also ensure they have the permission of the Head of Undergraduate Medical/Dental Education or equivalent from their home University.
iii) International
• Applicants who are currently studying an overseas Medical (e.g. MBBS or MbChB) or Dental degree at a recognised institution acceptable to the University, may apply.
• Applicants must have passed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying, normally 3rd year for those completing a 5 year programme or 4th year for those completing a 6 year programme.
• Applicants may be required to provide details of the medical or dental curriculum they are studying in order to confirm compatibility.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 31 July for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Assessment is by a variety of methods including written examination, written assignments and oral presentations. A 10-15,000 word dissertation is required.

1 year full-time.

Teaching Times
9.30am to 4:00pm

Entry Year: 2024/25

Career Prospects
Introduction
MPH graduates will have the skills and knowledge foundation to pursue public health career opportunities in the health and social care sector, health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and recent graduates currently work in these roles for organisations such as Medair, Save the Children, HSC and the Department of Health in Pennsylvania.