This programme provides professional education and training in the principles and practice of Health Promotion, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective, evidence-informed practice. 

Students will acquire knowledge and skills in the following:  

• The theoretical foundations of Health Promotion and how theory informs practice
• The determinants of physical, mental, and social well-being
• The key factors that influence the promotion of positive health
• The application of a range of Health Promotion strategies and approaches across diverse population groups, health topics, and settings
• The critical role of research in advancing best practice and informing policy and programme development 

The programme is structured around six modules in total: 

Core Modules (Compulsory) 

Students must complete all four of the following core modules: 

• Foundations of Health Promotion
• Health Promotion Practice
• Research Methods
• Determinants of Health 

Optional Modules 

Students choose two optional modules from the following: 

• Promoting Healthy Behaviour
• Promoting Health in the Workplace
• Mental Health Promotion
• Promoting Health in Pre-Schools, Schools and Colleges 

This structure allows students to gain a strong foundation in the principles and practice of Health Promotion, while also tailoring their learning to specific areas of interest or career goals. 

Delivery is through a blended learning format, combining: 

• Face-to-face teaching
• Online learning
• A variety of teaching methods, including lectures, small group teaching, collaborative group work, and enquiry-based learning 

Work Placement 

A distinctive feature of the full-time programme is a supervised work placement, providing students with the opportunity to gain practical experience and apply their learning in real-world settings. The placement supports professional development and enhances career readiness. 

Research Opportunities 

As a student of Health Promotion, you will have the opportunity to engage with international health promotion research projects. Students undertaking the MA complete a minor dissertation during the summer, supported by a dedicated academic supervisor who provides tailored guidance throughout the research process. 

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Research and Professional Links 

Academics teaching on the programme are research-active members of the Health Promotion Research Centre, which is designated as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Health Promotion Research. The Centre contributes directly to the WHO’s work programme and plays a key role in advancing health promotion policy, research, and practice globally. 

Established as the first of its kind in Ireland, the Health Promotion Research Centre has developed strong national and international partnerships, ensuring that the programme remains current, relevant, and informed by global developments in the field. 

Practical Experience and Career Development 

A key feature of the programme is the work-placement component, which provides students with the opportunity to experience health promotion in action. This hands-on experience allows students to apply their learning in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and build valuable networks within the sector. 

Graduates of the programme have gone on to secure roles in public, voluntary, and private sector organisations, both in Ireland and internationally, working across a range of health promotion and public health initiatives.

Graduate Employability:  

Graduates of the Health Promotion programmes benefit from a wide range of career opportunities both in Ireland and internationally. The qualifications equip graduates to pursue dedicated careers in health promotion or to integrate health promotion principles into roles across sectors, particularly within healthcare, education, and community development. 

Alumni have secured employment across statutory, private, voluntary, and community sectors, with many taking up roles as Health Promotion Specialists and related positions. 

Graduates of the MA in Health Promotion have also gone on to roles in academic research and in national and international health research projects, reflecting the programme’s strong research foundation. 

Several graduates have pursued further study, including PhD programmes at the University of Galway and other institutions, in Health Promotion and related disciplines. 

The diversity of career paths followed by graduates from a broad range of academic and professional backgrounds demonstrates the relevance, flexibility, and transferability of the competencies developed throughout the Health Promotion programmes. 

As part of the full-time taught programme, students undertake a supervised work placement designed to provide practical experience in Health Promotion. This placement enables students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, while developing professional and transferable skills essential for effective practice in the field. 

The Discipline of Health Promotion coordinates the placement process, identifying potential host organisations and matching students based on their academic background and areas of interest. 

Placement Details: 

• Duration: 12 days total
• Structure: Begins with a one-week block, followed by flexible scheduling
• Timing: Semester 2 (starting in January)
• Remuneration: The placement is unpaid 

Sample Host Organisations Include: 

• Sexual Health West
• HBSC Research Projects
• Croí
• National Youth Council of Ireland
• Tusla – Child and Family Agency
• Smoking Cessation Department, University Hospital Galway
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
• HSE Health Promotion Departments
• Jigsaw 

This valuable hands-on experience enhances employability and gives students the opportunity to explore different areas of Health Promotion in practice.

Accrediting Body 

The programme is accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). This accreditation ensures that the curriculum aligns with internationally agreed professional standards in Health Promotion. Graduates of the programme are automatically eligible to apply for registration as an IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner on the global voluntary register. 

International Opportunities 

IUHPE accreditation supports international mobility and recognition, enabling graduates to pursue roles across different countries, organisations, and sectors. It ensures that the qualification is recognised globally as meeting the core competencies and professional standards required for effective practice in Health Promotion. 

This international validation enhances the employability of graduates and facilitates career progression both nationally and internationally.

• Prof Margaret Hodgins
• Dr Verna McKenna
• Prof Colette Kelly
• Dr Victoria Fallon-Hogan
• Prof Saoirse Nic Gabhainn
• Dr Martin Power
• Dr Lisa Pursell
• Dr Mary Lavelle
• Dr Catherine Anne Field
• Dr Aoife Howard
• Dr Allison Dunne

The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Promotion is a taught programme delivered over two semesters. Full-time students complete four core modules and choose two optional modules, allowing for both foundational learning and specialised focus within key areas of Health Promotion. 

Building upon the diploma, the Master of Arts (MA) in Health Promotion includes all elements of the Postgraduate Diploma and incorporates a minor dissertation based on original research. The dissertation is completed over the summer months, with final submission typically in August. 

Programme delivery 

Both programmes are delivered through a blended learning format, combining: 

• Face-to-face teaching
• Online learning
• Lectures
• Small group teaching
• Collaborative group work
• Enquiry-based learning 

Assessment 

Assessment methods include: 

• Continuous assessment across modules
• Oral examination 

Dissertation Support (MA only) 
MA students are supported by a dedicated academic supervisor, who provides one-on-one guidance throughout the research and dissertation process. 

Course queries:

Stacey Gibbons 
Course Administrator 
T: +353 (0)91 493644  
E: hpinfo@universityofgalway.ie

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 PGDip, 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. 

Additional Requirements 

Students must satisfy Garda/Police clearance requirements. Garda clearance must be applied for through University of Galway, regardless of whether an individual currently holds Garda clearance with another organisation. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.   

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle. 

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.  

Fees for Academic Year 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
Masters Full Time	1	€7,750		€19,000	€140		€7,890	€19,140

Health Promotion top up (MA) by minor dissertation (Part-time): EU €2,570.00 p.a. 2025/26

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26).  You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee.  A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.

Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process. 

If you would like to meet us: 

• We participate in the University of Galway postgraduate open days which are run twice a year.
• We put on our own course-specific open evening in Spring where you can hear about the programme, meet staff and other potential students.
• You can make an appointment by email to meet a member of staff at the University of Galway. 

Details of open days/evenings will be posted on this website and here, or email hpinfo@universityofgalway.ie to be added to our mailing list. 

Applications 

The programme board evaluates each applicant’s academic record and relevant professional experience to date at the time of application and assesses the applicant’s level of motivation and suitability as per the Personal Statement submitted as part of the online application.  

Further Education 

Students can go on to earn the PhD, and MPhil degrees, through research work, with an optional minor taught element. Students can specialise in one of the disciplines various areas of research, working with a high degree of independence, and becoming experts on their chosen topic. This work is usually published in international conferences and journals 

Visit Health Promotion (Structured PhD) - University of Galway  for more details.