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Faculty of Public Health Medicine, RCPI
Public Health Medicine
Specialist training in epidemiology, health protection and public health policy through RCPI.
How the length works
Four and a half years without an existing Master of Public Health.
Duration: 4 years SpR (4.5 without an existing Master of Public Health; the MPH is completed in year one)
Annual intake: 5 new HST trainees admitted July 2025 (44 SpRs on the programme)
Competition: Applicants-per-place not published; described by the Faculty as a competitive interview process
Applications: Autumn applications for July entry (current cycle interviews were held 13 February); next cycle opens October 2026; EUR 100 fee
Entry: After completed BST (medicine, paediatrics, O&G, histopathology, psychiatry, surgery), anaesthesiology or GP training, or 24+ months public health experience
Exams: MFPHMI during training; MPH completed in year one if not already held
Public health medicine covers outbreak control, screening, health protection and policy. Training is at Specialist Registrar level through the RCPI faculty.
Entry requirements
Entry requires completed basic specialist or GP training, or at least 24 months of public health experience under the applicable entry route. Check the full eligibility criteria for your background.
The MPH year
Entrants without a Master of Public Health complete one during the salaried first year of the 4.5-year programme. Up to 12 months of research may count towards CSCST.
How selection is scored
Shortlistingmax 100
Career progression and public health experience30
Commitment and understanding of the Irish public health landscape30
Leadership, management and teaching20
Audit and quality improvement10
Publications and research10
Interviewmax 100
Career history and qualifications30
Understanding of the landscape and overall suitability30
Research, audit, quality improvement20
Teaching, leadership and management20
Entry requires a completed basic training (any major BST or GP), equivalent prior learning, or 24+ months of public health experience. Application fee EUR 100.
Where you train
First two years in regional HSE Departments of Public Health, then national placements: the National Office of Health Protection, National Immunisation Office, National Cancer Control Programme, National Screening Service, National Health Intelligence Unit, and health improvement domains. WHO Geneva placements have been arranged for trainees.
Where this leads
Consultant in public health medicine; regional departments, national agencies (HSE/HPSC), or global health.
Facts last verified 2026-07-13. Scheme details change year to year; always confirm against Faculty of Public Health Medicine, RCPI's current documentation.