PgDip in Population Health Leadership
€7,500 (EU)/€15,000 (non-EU)
Enhance your leadership with the knowledge to understand the many components affecting the health of populations, alongside the skills to implement change.
Postgraduate Diploma
2 years
Online - Part-time
60 ECTS
September 2027
About
The Postgraduate Diploma in Population Health Leadership from RCSI School of Population Health equips learners with the knowledge to understand the many components affecting the health of populations, alongside the leadership skills to implement change.
Develop a broad comprehension of population health science and leadership and the ability to leverage critical understanding, decision-making and applied actions to inform policy, systems design and practices for positive population health outcomes.
Integral to the education planned is the appraisal, synthesis and application of core population health principles, methods, and applied leadership skills as set out in the WHO-ASPHER Core Competency Framework for the Public Health Workforce.
The MSc is part-time, delivered in a digital format over two years via our online teaching platform, making it accessible to busy professionals, wherever they may be working. This programme has early exit award options. See progression section for details.
Synchronous 'live' online content for the MSc in Population Health Leadership will be delivered weekly online on Thursdays between 12-2pm (Dublin time).
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Synthesise the principles of population health science and demonstrate how these are applied in complex health, social and community care ecosystems.
Critically appraise and evaluate the core rationale and research designs of population health sciences.
Apply appropriate methods drawing from social sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, environment health sciences, health policy and economics.
Suitable for
This programme is ideal for allied health professionals including doctors, managers, nurses, interdisciplinary health and social care workers, clinical specialists, and administrators. It is also relevant for those in medical supplies, the pharmaceutical sector, and healthcare regulation.
Study Population Health Leadership with RCSI
Meet Dr Sarah E. Barry, Director of Academic Programmes and Senior Lecturer at the School of Population Health, RCSI and find out how our Population Health Leadership programme focuses on preparing you to transform public health in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
What you will learn
Introduction to the population health approach and Understand–Decide–Act framework, connecting evidence and scientific enquiry with population health decision-making and action.
Skills to design, interpret, and communicate population health research using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods.
Exploring social, environmental and commercial determinants of health, and applying evidence-based public health approaches to address challenges and reduce health inequalities.
Evaluating evidence for designing and assessing effective individual and population health interventions.
Exploring how leadership, governance, policy and organisational drivers interact across systems and networks, and how leaders mobilise collective action to improve population health.
Challenges in implementing evidence-based health policies, integrating implementation sciences, economics, and community engagement.
Conducting health needs assessments considering social determinants and make resource allocation decisions to meet public health needs.
Frameworks to integrate scientific disciplines and evidence for decision-making and action in population health.
Integrating learning from the programme and applying it to real-world population health challenges across the life course. Themes include digital and environmental health, knowledge translation approaches and ethics in global health research.
Faculty highlight
Biography
Dr Sarah E. Barry
Dr Barry is Director of Academic Programmes at RCSI's School of Population Health. She uses methods for the co-production of knowledge in local contexts, contributing to national policy development and design.
Learn more
Register your interest
Are you interested in learning more about the PgDip in Population Health Leadership with RCSI? Register your interest below and a member of the team will be in touch with you.
Course information
- Understand existing population health frameworks to develop effective plans of action incorporating key needs assessment and multi-disciplinary evidence, and practical planning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental research study designs, including their strengths and limitations.
- Explain the social determinants of health and how they can be effectively addressed to improve population health.
- Determine key health behavioural factors impacting individual and population health.
- Appraise the governance structure in a defined population health ecosystem, and identify examples of how that structure drives performance.
- Explain the principles and describe applications of implementation science in action taking account of the outcomes evaluation methods in use, and drawing on examples. from different global contexts.
- Interpret and apply findings from diverse types of intervention effectiveness research to prioritise health system, health promotion, and health policy options.
- Identify key leadership actions for population health case studies and assess how these actions or decisions addressed or resolved the presented challenges.
Note: this list is not exhaustive.
The Population Health Leadership curriculum builds cumulatively in three stages of development from a Postgraduate Certificate (30 ECTS) to a Postgraduate Diploma (60 ECTS) and there is an option to progress to a full MSc (90 ECTS) with an applied project. Each cycle allows for exit awards at PgCert (Year 1), PgDip (Year 2) and MSc level.
The programme builds on the scientific core knowledge established in the PgCert (Year 1) and expands upon students' key decision-making and leadership skills.
We are proud to be a recognised University of the National University of Ireland (NUI). All RCSI programmes are accredited by the NUI. This programme is a Level 9 award on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Recognition by Ministries and bodies in all jurisdictions must be determined by the individual applicants.
Recognition in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
There have been positive developments across the region in relation to the recognition of online programmes delivered by international universities.
In the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, several RCSI graduates have successfully obtained degree recognition from the relevant authorities. In addition, RCSI is listed as a recognised institution for online study by the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Recognition requirements and application processes vary by country. For further information, please register your interest and one of our student recruitment advisors will be in contact.
Admissions
English language requirements for Postgraduate programmes are published on the RCSI website.
Fees: €7,500 (EU)/€15,000 (non-EU).
For more information, please register your interest using the form above.
International Document Delivery
To ensure safe and timely delivery of graduation documents to international addresses, we use secure courier services. Graduates are required to cover courier service fees for document delivery to international addresses. Delivery fees vary based on region, and full details about costs are shared in advance of conferring.
How to apply
Applications for the PgDip in Population Health Leadership are now open for autumn 2027. There is only one intake each year, starting in September. Please begin your application by completing the form below.
Please ensure you attach the following supporting documents with your application:
- Clear copy of a valid passport.
- Copies of your academic transcripts/degree.
- Copy of your CV.
- English proficiency test (if required).
- Already begun your application? Complete it via our application portal now.