Public Health

The 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.



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.



Intercalated Medical and Dental Students

Completing an intercalated degree will boost your CV when applying for postgraduate training. Depending on the discipline, selection panels look for completion of an additional degree, or for publications or posters. An intercalated degree gives you the opportunity to improve your chances of future success.



Course Structure

Students will 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.



Introduction

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 information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.



Year 1

Core Modules

• Health and Social Care Systems (20 credits)

• MPH Dissertation (60 credits)

• Health Protection (20 credits)

• Determinants of Health and Health Improvement (20 credits)

• Public Health Concepts and Methods (10 credits)

• Public Health in the Health Sector (20 credits)

• Statistics in Public Health and Medical Research (10 credits)



Optional Modules

• Systems Thinking and Complex Systems in Public Health (10 credits)

• Practical Statistics for Medical Research (10 credits)

• Advanced Health Economics, Management and Policy (10 credits)

• Intensive qualitative methods (10 credits)

• Noncommunicable Diseases (10 credits).

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.



Intercalating Medical and Dental Applicants:

i) QUB:

Intercalating medical and dental students within QUB will be considered if:

a) QUB 3rd year students – must pass all 3rd year modules at first attempt achieving an overall profile of 2.1 equivalent*.

b) QUB 4th year students - must pass all 3rd year modules at first attempt achieving an overall profile of 2.1 equivalent* and also pass all 4th year modules at first attempt.

c) 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 will be considered if:

a) they have successfully completed all assessments at first attempt for the year in which they are applying.

b) they have achieved at least an overall Upper Second Class Honours degree standard as determined by their University.

c) they have permission to intercalate from their Medical or Dental School as appropriate.



iii) International:

a) 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.

b) 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.

c) Applicants may be required to provide details of the medical or dental curriculum they are studying in order to confirm compatibility.

d) Have permission to intercalate from their Medical or Dental School as appropriate.



International Students

Please see International Student's link below.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 31 July 2025 at 4pm.

Late applications may be considered.



Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder.



Notifications to this effect will appear on the 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.

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

9.00am to 5:00pm

Entry Year: 2025/26

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.