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MSc Public Health

The Masters of Science (MSc) in Public Health is a one year, full-time taught postgraduate programme.

As a speciality, public health takes direct and indirect actions to improve health, prevent disease, reduce health inequalities, and assure the quality and safety of individual health care. 

Identifying optimal solutions to complex health problems requires understanding of the modifiable determinants, and evidence to support the effectiveness and value of specific interventions.  However, a robust evidence-based argument is seldom sufficient to effect real change in health policy, clinical practice, or individual choices.  Interpersonal and organisational skills are required to work in collaborative partnership with others, support the interface between researchers, practitioners and policy-makers, and ultimately influence decision-making. 

The 'science' of public health is concerned with making a diagnosis of a population's health problems, establishing the causes and effects of those problems and determining effective interventions. 

The 'art' of public health is to create, advocate for, and use opportunities to implement effective solutions to population health and health care problems.

Course Content

There are six sequential taught modules on the MSc in Public Health which are based on the Diploma (Part A) examination syllabus for Membership of the UK Faculty of Public Health .  Semester 1 introduces important concepts, methodologies, and approaches.  Semester 2 focuses on public health in practice, within the areas of health improvement, health protection, service development, and population health screening.  Over the summer semester, each student conducts an independent project on an appropriate health research or policy issue, and produces a dissertation report.

Semester 1:  Public Health Sciences; Determinants of Health and Disease; and Population Health Assessment

Semester 2:  Health Improvement; Health Protection; and Health & Social Care Systems

Programme Delivery

Teaching delivery and quality assurance of the MSc Public Health course is based upon collabortative partnership arrangements:

Assessment

Assessment will include written examinations and an oral presentation.

Entrance Requirements

A minimum upper second class honours degree in a health-related subject degree or equivalent academic credit.  Evidence of equivalent professional qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants may be required to undertake an interview. 

Additional Information for International Students

International applicants should have either:

  • an IELTS score of 6.5 with not less than 6.0 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
  • a TOEFL score of 232+ (computer based) or 575+ (paper based) or 90+ (internet based), taken within the last year;
  • a valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
  • a valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
  • a first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location where the medium of instruction is English.

How to Apply

Candidates should make applications through the Universities Online Admissions portal.  Guidance is available on the University’s Prospective Student pages.

International candidates should refer to the International Postgraduate pages for further information about studying at Queen’s as an International Student.

Intercalating Degree Pathway

Medical and Dental students may undertake an intercalated MSc in Public Health following satisfactory completion of Undergraduate programme Years 1 to 3.  

The QUB MSc in Public Health provides an intercalating student with the learning opportunity to examine health and disease from a population perspective, and to acquire and apply additional knowledge and skills.  This core foundation can support subsequent clinical practice and professional development, further specialist training or research activities.

For further information on the applying for admission to the Masters in Public Health and information about Bursaries please refer to our intercalated webpages.

Further Information on the Masters of Science in Public Health (MSc Public Health)

Further information on the MSc in Public Health can be found in the Programme Description or by contacting the School's Postgraduate and Professional Development Office or by contacting the course co-ordinator

Course Co-ordinator Contact Details

Dr. Dermot O'Reilly
Queen’s University Belfast
Centre for Public Health
Royal Victoria Hospital Site
Grosvenor Road
BELFAST BT12 6BJ
N Ireland, UK
Email:  d.oreilly@qub.ac.uk

 

This programme is offered in collaboration with the HSC Public Health Agency, Institute of Public Health in Ireland and other key local stakeholders, Queen’s University Belfast hosts one of five UKCRC Public Health Research Centres of Excellence in the UK: to encourage multidisciplinary working and increase capacity to address complex population-level health issues.