Public Health Sciences
Our BSc Public Health Sciences programme offers an integrated learning experience in an interdisciplinary setting. It provides training in the range of skills involved in keeping people healthy and preventing disease. This degree in Public Health Sciences is one of the few public health undergraduate degrees in Ireland. We offer an integrated learning experience, in an interdisciplinary environment, that produces graduates who are passionate about public health.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in one subject, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7 or H4*
Lab Science O6/H7 or H4*
Other Language O6/H7
Note
H4 in Maths or Applied Maths or a Lab Science*
* If the H4 is in Maths or Applied Maths an 06/H7 in a Lab Science subject is also required.
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry, and Agricultural Science.
Students are subject to Garda vetting.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
Public Health is a rapidly expanding and timely field both at home and internationally. This degree will open up a range of career opportunities and our graduates have found employment in a diverse range of public health roles, at home and abroad, in areas including:
- Public Health Research
- Media and Public Relations
- Health Promotion
- Health and Safety
- Health and Nutrition
- Community Work
Our graduates can also apply for further study at Masters and Doctorate level, in a wide range of disciplines including health research, health promotion, and global health. The School of Public Health offers graduates a Masters in Public Health (MPH) and Masters in Occupational Health. Some students complete an accredited two-year Master's programmes in related health disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Dietetics. The BSc can also facilitate graduate entry to other undergraduate degrees such as (Graduate Entry) Medicine.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 5
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 34
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Our BSc Public Health Sciences programme offers an integrated learning experience in an interdisciplinary setting. It provides training in the range of skills involved in keeping people healthy and preventing disease, including:
-Assessing the health and well-being of populations;
-Investigating complex public health problems such as obesity, HIV/AIDS and the impact of COVID-19;
-Assessing the health impact of policy at local, national, and global levels;
-Communicating effectively with colleagues in public health and the wider health system, as well as with society at large.
This degree in Public Health Sciences is one of the few public health undergraduate degrees in Ireland. We offer an integrated learning experience, in an interdisciplinary environment, that produces graduates who are passionate about public health.
Year 1 Modules (60 credits total)
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
Core Modules (50 credits)
EH1004 Epidemiology I (10 credits)
EH1006 Perspectives on Public Health
EH1007 Introduction to Health Information Systems (HIS)
EH1009 Determinants of Health
EH1010 Introduction to Public Health
EV2002 The Environment and Human Health
MB1003 Microbiology in Society
SC1011 Sociology of Health, Public Health and Health Promotion
ST1002 Introduction to Health Statistics
Elective Modules (choose 10 credits)
BC1001 Introduction to Biochemistry and the Biological Basis of Disease
FE1013 Introduction to Development Studies I
FR1105 Threshold French
FR1107 French for Reading Purposes I
GE0005 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.1)
GE0008 German Language (CEFR-Level A2.2)
GV1218 International Politics
HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
HS1009 Spanish Language (Post Leaving Cert) (10 credits)
MX1004 Introducing Medical Students to Irish as a Spoken Language
MX1007 Special Study Module – Advanced Irish Language
PL1025 Fundamentals of Physiology
The following years comprise a selection of modules from various disciplines across campus together with a 12-week placement in Year 3.
Year 2 Modules
Principles of Social Research; Epidemiology II; Public Health Research Report; Introduction to Theories and Practices of Health Promotion; Public Health Issues; Introduction to Food and Industrial Microbiology; Management and Planning of Public Health Systems; Fundamentals of Nutrition Part 1; Critical Perspectives on Irish Health Policy; Social Research and Survey Methods; Cities of Diversity; Sociology of the Body, Health and Illness.
Year 3 Modules (plus 12-week work placement)
Epidemiology III; Work Placement; Public Health Practice; Data Analysis for Public Health Research; Medical Microbiology; Transmission and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases; Nutrition in Growth, Development, and Ageing; Professional Ethics; Health and Scientific Deviance; Global Urbanism; Medical Microbiology.
Year 4 Modules
Health Economics; Health Protection; Health Services; Final Year Project; Public Health Advocacy; Primary Health Care; Science, Technology and Public Controversy; Advanced Applied Epidemiology; Gender and Development; Global Health Issues and Perspectives; Humanitarian Action in Development. tion.
Programmes Team
sphprogrammes@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5503
http://www.ucc.ie/en/publichealth