MPH Public Health

An MPH is an internationally recognized 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 with 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 organizational skills to work in partnership with others; influence decisions; support the implementation of policy, programs, 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 that commence in late September. If any program 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 program 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 the deposit terms and conditions for more details.

Public Health Highlights

There has been a Medical School at Queen’s University Belfast since 1849

World Class Facilities

In collaboration with the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and other key local stakeholders, Queen's hosts one of five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence to encourage multidisciplinary working and increase capacity to address complex population-level health issues.

Student Experience

One of our strengths is the small class size (typically around 30 students per year) which enables very close liaison between staff and students. You will be based in the Centre of Excellence for Public Health, Northern Ireland, which is one of five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence in the UK, and you will be taught and mentored by world-class researchers and public health professionals. You will be exposed to a wide range of public health leaders and practitioners who are working in the field of Public Health, making real changes to benefit the health of populations.

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. Program content is based on the Diploma (part A) Examination Syllabus for Membership of the UK Faculty of Public Health.

Semester 1 modules

Introduce core concepts, methodologies, and approaches, with an emphasis on critical thinking and the application of new knowledge:

SCM8165 Public Health Concepts and Methods (10 CATS)

This module provides students with the opportunity to learn fundamental skills in public health science

SCM8167 Statistics in Public Health and Medical Research (10 CATS)

This module focuses on handling data, performing statistical analysis, and interpreting statistical output.

SCM8166 Health & Social Care Systems (20 CATS)

This module discusses how health systems can be strengthened and cover the application of a public health approach and perspective to the assessment of the health needs of the population and planning, commissioning, and delivery of high-quality evidence-based health and social care services and population screening programs.

SCM8168 Determinants of Health & Health Improvement (20 CATS)

Students will identify the determinants relating to health problems experienced by individuals, populations, and social groups in both a global and local context

Semester 2 modules

Focus on public health practice within the three principal domains/modules:

SCM8169 Health Protection (20 CATS)

This module will cover an introduction to health protection hazards, incident management, immunization, infection prevention and control, emergency planning

SCM8171 Public Health in the Health Sector (20 CATS)

This module will cover the roles of public health professionals, improving population health through the health and social care sector, and health services data.

Students must choose 2 of the 5 optional 10 CAT modules available from the list below:

SCM8173 Advanced Quantitative Methods (10 CATS) - optional

Learners will be able to demonstrate applied competence in advanced quantitative methods commonly encountered in Public Health research

SCM8174 Intensive Qualitative Methods (10 CATS) - optional

This module will focus on qualitative approaches and paradigms, and common research designs in public health including mixed methods.

SCM8175 Advanced Health Economics, Management and Planning (10 CATS)- optional

This module will focus on qualitative approaches and paradigms, and common research designs in public health including mixed methods.

SCM8176 Non-Communicable Diseases (10 CATS) - optional

In this module, students will consider the following non-communicable diseases of global importance: Cancer, Diabetes and Circulatory Disease, Eye Health, Respiratory disease, Mental health problems, Violence, and Injuries.

SCM8177 Systems Thinking in Public Health (10 CATS) - optional

This module introduces students to the knowledge base and some of the methods in systems thinking and complex systems that can be used to interrogate, understand, and act in complex public health problems.

Dissertation – Public Health (60 CATS)

Students are also required to complete an appropriate, discrete, academic, or service public health dissertation project to integrate and apply public health-related knowledge and skills. There may be opportunities to work with local public health organizations.

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.

Prizes and Awards

Carnwarth Medal and Prize

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree program, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills—for example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.