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 2022 for courses that commence in late September. In the event that any program receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal.

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.

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 a 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.

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 organizations (NGOs) and recent graduates currently work in these roles for organizations 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 programme, 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 recognized by a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Course Structure

Students may enroll on a full-time basis (1 year). Students undertake 3 modules in Semester 1 (60 CATS) and 3 modules in Semester 2 (60 CATS).

The MPH is awarded to students who have successfully completed all 6 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.

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:

• Public Health Concepts and Methods (10 CATS)
• Statistics in Public Health and Medical Research (10 CATS)
• Health & Social Care Systems (20 CATS)
• Determinants of Health & Health Improvement (20 CATS)

Semester 2 modules

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

• Health Protection (20 CATS)
• Public Health in the Health Sector (20 CATS)
• Students must choose 2 of the 5 optional 10 CAT modules available from the list below:
  • Advanced Quantitative Methods (10 CATS) – optional
  • Intensive Qualitative Methods (10 CATS) – optional
  • Advanced Health Economics, Management, and Planning (10 CATS) – optional
  • Non-Communicable Diseases (10 CATS) - optional
  • Systems Thinking in Public Health (10 CATS) - optional
• Dissertation – Public Health (60 CATS)

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation, and best practices in learning, teaching, and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential.

In this course, we do this by providing a range of learning experiences that enable our students to engage with subject experts and develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Classes are held four days per week in the morning and afternoons through a combination of course lectures, practical experiences, and self-directed study to enhance employability

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

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

Prizes and Awards

• Carnwarth Medal and Prize