Health Promotion

The MA/Postgraduate Diploma programme is an internationally recognised qualification with the course content informed by the agreed competencies and professional standards for Health Promotion. The programme is an IUHPE (International Union of Health Promotion and Education) Accredited Health Promotion Course. This means that students who graduate from this course are automatically eligible to apply to become an IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner on the voluntary register. Graduates of the programme work in statutory services (e.g., Health Service Executive, local authorities), non-governmental organisations (e.g., Irish Heart Foundation, Dental Health Foundation, Irish Cancer Society), the private sector ( e.g., health insurance companies) and in the academic sector (e.g., University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University Sligo, University College Cork ), in a number of roles including dedicated Health Promotion Specialist posts. Past graduates are employed nationally and internationally, in posts in Ireland, UK, Australia, Canada and USA. Some graduates have gone onto further study in our doctoral programme.



The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion offers a taught programme of eight modules, delivered over two semesters to full-time students and over four semesters to part-time students. The MA course incorporates the taught component of the Postgraduate Diploma programme together with a minor dissertation based on original research, which is undertaken over the summer months with a submission date in late August.



Aims and objectives

The programme aims to provide students with professional education and training in the principles and practice of health promotion. Students will acquire knowledge and skills in the following:

• Theoretical background to the concepts and principles of health promotion and the application of theory to practice

• Determinants of physical, mental and social well-being.

• Key factors influencing the promotion of positive health.

• Application of a range of different health promotion approaches and strategies across diverse population groups, topics and settings.

• Critical role of the research process and its application in the development of knowledge and best practice in health promotion.



Programme delivery

The programme uses a wide variety of delivery approaches including: lectures, small group teaching, group work and enquiry based learning, together with a work placement for full time students. The programme is delivered through a blended learning format with face-to -face teaching and online learning.



MA students are supported through the minor dissertation by a named supervisor who is a member of academic staff.

The content of the taught modular programme reflects the programmes aims and objectives. The programme comprises four core and six optional modules. Students must complete eight modules in total, four core and four optional, from a choice of six. As a student in Health Promotion you will have the opportunity to engage with international health promotion research projects and to pursue European based study as an optional module. The full-time taught programme is supported by a work-placement where you will experience Health Promotion in action.



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

As Health Promotion is a multidisciplinary field, we consider applications from candidates with a primary degree from a related discipline. For the MA, the minimum entry requirement is a 2.1 on an honours degree programme.



For the PDip, the minimum entry requirement is a primary degree at any level.



The programme board evaluates each applicant’s academic record and relevant professional experience and assesses the applicant’s level of motivation and suitability from the personal statement submitted as part of the online application.

Closing Date: An early application may result in an early offer.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

1 year, full-time (MA)

1 year, full-time (PDip)

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

A wide variety of career opportunities in Ireland and abroad exist for graduates of this programme. Graduates are qualified to pursue a full-time career in health promotion or to incorporate health promotion principles into their work, expecially those in the health and education sectors.



Graduates from the programmes have found employment in a broad range of work sectors: statutory, private, voluntary and community securing positions in a number of roles including dedicated Health Promotion Specialist posts. Graduates of the MA in Health Promotion have found employment in academia, in a diverse range of fields of health research both nationally and internationally. Some graduates have also gone onto further study undertaking PhDs at University of Galway and beyond, in Health Promotion and other Disciplines. The range of employment opportunities taken up by graduates who come from a wide range of disciplines and experiences, attests to the relevance and transferability of the health promotion competencies gained from the Health Promotion programmes to graduate employability.