Positive Health

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



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



Module 1

Emerging Approaches to Health, Healthcare and Wellbeing

Focus on psychological factors in preventing and managing lifestyle diseases



Module 2

Prevention, Treatment and Sustainability in Health and Healthcare

Covers lifestyle medicine pillars and critically evaluating research literature



Module 3

Positive Health in Practice

Examines behaviour change theories, mind-body connections, and methods to optimise health and well-being

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.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

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.

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/recognition-of-prior-learning



English language requirement exceptions

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.

9 months



Mode of delivery

Online - Part-time

Next start date September 2025

Upon successful completion of this programme students are eligible to continue to the MSc in Positive Health Coaching.