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PgCert | Postgraduate Taught

Public Health Sciences

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2
Attendance
3 years (Part-time)
Places available
10 (Part Time)

The Centre for Public Health at Queen’s University Belfast is introducing three new Postgraduate Certificates starting in September 2025. These certificates are designed to suit learners at different stages of their professional journey — whether you're new to the field or looking to build on existing expertise.

Each Postgraduate Certificate is worth 60 CATS and is designed as an entry-level route into further postgraduate study. Upon successful completion, you may wish to progress to our Postgraduate Diploma and/or Master’s in Public Health (MPH).

The Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health Science provides a strong foundation in the scientific aspects of public health (epidemiology, research methods, statistics) as well as exploring the determinants of health and an introduction to key health improvement principles. Build core knowledge and skills from the ground up

Key Features
• Part-time study over a period of up to three years, ideal for working professionals.
• In-person delivery, ensuring dynamic learning experiences, with access to online learning resources through Canvas.
• A variety of assessment methods, including written assignments, presentations, and — depending on your chosen modules — formal examinations.
• Full access to QUB libraries, learning support services, and academic resources, enabling full engagement with the public health literature and academic community.

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

Public Health Sciences highlights

Career Development

Designed to suit part time learners

This Certificate is designed to suit learners at different stages of their professional journey — whether you're new to the field or looking to build on existing expertise.

Student Experience

One of our strengths is the joint teaching of the Certificate programme with the MPH programme.

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.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Students choose modules from those listed:

Semester 1: Public Health Concepts (10 CATS) – 12 weeks
Semester 1: Health & Social Care Systems (20 CATS) – 12 weeks
Semester 1: Statistics in Public Health (10 CATS) – 12 weeks
Semester 1: Determinants of Health (20 CATS) – 12 weeks

Introduction

This Postgraduate Certificate has the choice of the following modules over a period of 3 years.

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 covers the application of a public health approach and perspective to the assessment of the health needs of the population and planning, commissioning (including economic evaluation) and delivery of high quality evidence based health and social care services and population screening programmes.

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.

People teaching you

Programme Coordinator

Centre for Public Health
pgoffice.smdb@qub.ac.uk

Teaching Times

9.00am to 5:00pm on scheduled teaching days. Students on the Certificate programme will join the full time MPH students for the specific module(s) they are undertaking in that academic year.

Learning and Teaching

Introduction

Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:

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

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

Assessment

Assessments associated with the course are outlined below:

  • Assessment is by a variety of methods including written examination, written assignments and oral presentations (group or individual)

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Modules

Modules

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.

Entrance requirements

Graduate

A 2.2 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 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.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS Academic test score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four elements or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University (taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, Queen's University Belfast International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

Postgraduate Certificate graduates will have the skills and knowledge foundation to pursue public health career opportunities in the health and social care sector and health-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

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 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.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £2,434
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £2,434
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £3,083
EU Other 3 £8,600
International £8,600

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Download a prospectus