ProfDip in Positive Health
€5,895
Explore cutting-edge theory and research and apply your learning to your practice as you advance your understanding of the emerging area of positive heath.
Professional Diploma
9 months
Online - Part-time
30 ECTS
September 2025
About
The Professional Diploma in Positive Health from RCSI Centre for Positive Health Sciences is an accredited, interdisciplinary Postgraduate programme designed for health and allied professionals in the rapidly developing area of positive health.
In this context, positive health relies on research outputs from the emerging disciplines of lifestyle/integrated medicine, as well as the emerging fields of positive psychology and positive organisational research.
The Diploma is designed to complement your prior training and experience by introducing you to cutting-edge theory and research in the disciplines underpinning positive physical and mental health. Consolidate your learning by directly applying your new knowledge and analytical skills to the work environment via practice-based module assignments.
The programme is delivered part-time over nine months in a blended learning format of online lectures, interactive webinars and group work.
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Explore the influence of lifestyle and behavioural factors on health
Assess concepts of sustainable prevention and treatment
Appraise the major theories of behaviour change and self-management
Suitable for
This programme is suitable for healthcare professionals and other professional groups, such as teachers, lawyers and managers, who need to develop an evidence-based understanding of positive health and who are working in a relevant sector.
What you will learn
Focus on psychological factors in preventing and managing lifestyle diseases
Covers lifestyle medicine pillars and critically evaluating research literature
Examines behaviour change theories, mind-body connections, and methods to optimise health and well-being
Faculty highlight
Biography
Dr Roger Bretherton, Programme Director
Dr Bretherton is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, a Senior Fellow at the University of Lincoln (UK), an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. With extensive training in various psychological approaches, he has a strong background in teaching, research, and consultancy on character strengths.
Register your interest
Are you interested in learning more about this programme? Submit the form below and a member of the team will be in touch.
Course information
We understand that workload can be a concern for students, but we want to reassure you that we have your best interests at heart.
Our courses are designed in line with the guidelines set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). A typical 10-credit module would require approximately 200-250 hours of your time. This includes attending engaging lectures, productive tutorials, independent study and completing thought-provoking assignments.
You will find that many of the modules in our programmes are structured around 10 credits each, offering you a balanced and comprehensive learning experience.
We understand that each module is unique, and the workload might vary depending on the specific nature and requirements. Some modules may require more attention and effort, while others might be more approachable.
Our faculty is dedicated to guiding you through your academic journey, ensuring that you have the support you need to succeed. When you join the programme you will have dedicated programme coordinators and programme directors to answer any questions or concerns along the way.
Remember the issues you may face while on the programme are most likely ones we have dealt with before so please feel free to approach us in your time of need. We are here to ensure that your educational journey is the most enjoyable and fulfilling experience possible.
Rest assured, we value your time and dedication, and we encourage you to manage your time effectively. Remember, your passion for learning, combined with our expert guidance, will pave the way for your academic excellence.
This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:
- Describe the basic epidemiology of chronic diseases of the modern era.
- Critically discuss new and emerging approaches to health and healthcare delivery.
- Critically assess the emerging constructs of integrative healthcare, lifestyle medicine, personalised medicine and positive health.
- Describe the inter-related concepts of prevention, treatment and sustainability and outline how these can be integrated into the pursuit of positive health.
- Identify and evaluate the implications of new healthcare paradigms, especially lifestyle and integrative medicine for the future of healthcare delivery.
- Demonstrate proficiency in evaluating research papers that are relevant to the development of new healthcare paradigms.
- Examine and critique the impact of the principles of positive psychology on health and wellbeing.
- Describe and critically assess the principles and practice of coaching for health, wellness and recovery (incorporating motivational interviewing).
- Critically evaluate and reflect on how increased self-awareness can be used to increase your own health and wellbeing.
- Critically appraise the role of self-management in positive health and apply this to one’s own health.
- Describe and critically discuss the role of meditation-based practices in optimising mind-body systems.
- Identify the core principles of positive organisational scholarship and critically evaluate their impact on employee engagement and well-being.
- Describe and analyse emerging concepts and practices relating to the creation of flourishing workforces and organisations.
Module 1: Emerging Approaches to Health, Healthcare and Wellbeing Credits: 10 ECTS
This module aims to introduce you to important new approaches to understanding and dealing with lifestyle-related diseases, with a particular emphasis on the emerging role of psychological factors in preventing and minimising disease and in maximising health and well-being. The module also aims to increase your self-awareness about the importance of psychological factors in relation to your own health and well-being.
Module 2: Prevention, Treatment and Sustainability in Health and Healthcare Credits: 10 ECTS
This module is designed to provide you with an introduction to the pillars of lifestyle medicine (diet and nutrition; physical activity and sleep; mental health (including stress and psychosomatic illness, healthy relationships, and substance abuse) and how they relate to empirically-based practice designed to prevent lifestyle-related disease. The module also develops your capacity to critically evaluate research literature.
Module 3: Positive Health in Practice Credits: 10 ECTS
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the major theories of behaviour change and self-management. It also explores the relationships between mind and body and considers a range of approaches and methods that can be used to foster individual and organisational practices conducive to optimising health and well-being.
Timetables will be made available to students during their orientation module.
Most live sessions occur on Thursday afternoon from 12-1pm with the few exceptions of some happening on a Friday. These sessions take place from 2-3pm to facilitate overseas guest faculty.
The schedule for each day will be available at the commencement of each module. Students are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled teaching days listed.
Sometimes there are also additional tutorials or assignment clinics which are recommended/optional to attend and those dates will be released when each module goes live.
All sessions are recorded and can be viewed at a time that suits your needs. During orientation you will be shown where to find your module schedules on the virtual learning environment (VLE).
Please note that RCSI reserves the right to make changes to the academic timetables, and any updates will be communicated to students accordingly.
Consolidate your learning by directly applying your new knowledge and analytical skills to the work environment via practice-based module assignments.
Upon successful completion of this programme students are eligible to continue to the MSc in Positive Health Coaching.
This programme is accredited by the National University of Ireland and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Admissions
To be eligible for the programme you must:
- Hold a level 7 or level 8 degree, or equivalent. If you don’t hold a bachelor degree, see the recognition of prior learning pathway outlined below.
- Be working in a relevant sector (e.g. healthcare, allied health, education, law, HR, management or equivalent). As there is an emphasis on well-being of self and others, you should ideally be working in a setting where you can apply your learning.
- Meet the English language requirements: IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent score on another standardised test. Please refer to the English language requirements for Postgraduate study at RCSI Dublin – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Certified proof should be uploaded with your application; see below for exemptions.
If you do not meet the minimum academic requirements above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.
Learning occurs in many contexts which include work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.
RPL may be used to gain:
- Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.
- Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) pathway is outlined here.
If you wish to apply for recognition of prior learning, please complete the essay requirement as per assignment descriptor outlined in the document below.
Exemptions may apply for:
- Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) through English in a country where English is the majority native language
- Applicants who have completed their school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) in an English speaking institution in a country where English is not the majority native language and where an IELTS score of 5 or more was a requirement for admissions to the programme
- Applicants who have been working in a country (three years or more) where English is the majority native language or for an employer where English language is the official language
- Graduates of an RCSI Undergraduate, Masters or Professional Diploma programme in Dublin and Bahrain
Please note: Certified proof must be uploaded as part of your application.
Total fees: €5,895
| Year 1 | Date | Amount |
| 1st payment | On acceptance of offer |
€2,000 |
| 2nd payment | 1 November 2025 | €2,000 |
| 3rd payment | 1 March 2026 | €1,895 |
Please note
- The fee includes all resources, access to our award-winning online learning portal and access to extensive RCSI-only databases.
- The fee includes NUI fee.
- The fee is payable via the above schedule, where relevant.
- If you have outstanding fees you will not be entitled to receive your grades or be eligible to progress and or graduate (VLE and Library privileges will be withdrawn in these cases).
- RCSI accepts no obligation to refund any fee, or part thereof, in respect of a student who chooses to withdraw from a programme.
- If you choose to withdraw from a programme you are liable for full fees owed for the seat on that programme.
- All NUI parchments are issued in Latin; you will be required to pay an additional fee of €50 to NUI if you wish to have a parchment published in English.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- If you are being sponsored or funded by your employer you should upload a funding confirmation letter in the document upload section on the application portal. A template is available below to download at your convenience.
For more information please visit our Postgraduate fees policy.
How to apply
Applications for the Professional Diploma in Positive Health are now open for the autumn 2025 intake. There is only one intake each year, starting in September. Please begin your application by completing the form below.
apply now