MSc Environmental Health
Why choose this course?
- This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS).
- You can study this course full time or part time, and you can also choose to start it in September or January.
- You will be taught by a highly qualified team with specialist expertise in a wide range of areas. All of our team are members of the relevant professional bodies.
- You will have the opportunity to undertake work based learning during some modules.
Fact file
Start date: September and January
Course length: full time: one year, part time: up to five years
Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus
This course is available to international students
About this course
Environmental Health is a multi-facetted discipline which deals with issues that impact on the health and well being of individuals and society as a whole. The focus of this course is to equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to enable you to understand and evaluate the risks posed by the full range of environmental health hazards (stressors) which can impact onto human health and well being. You will then be able to critically evaluate a full range of sustainable interventions which are available to eliminate or mitigate the stressors thereby protecting human health and promoting well being.
You can start this flexible course in either September or January, and study it full time or part time. If you are studying full time, you would typically need to attend university for two days per week, and you'll study a total of six modules during the first two semesters, and then complete your Independent Study from April to September which is equivalent to three modules. If you are a part time student you will need to attend university one day per week. This means you'll be able to fit your studies around your interests and career needs. You would normally take one or two modules each semester for two years, and then complete your Independent Study over one year. Other part time options are available, which can be tailored to meet your specific needs.
By studying this course, you can choose to register with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) to obtain professional recognition. To achieve this you will need to undertake a range of professional assessments. This course has been designed and accredited to meet three of the five professional requirements needed for registration purposes and our professionally qualified academic team will be able to advise and guide you with regard to the other two aspects. Taking their assessments will enable you to become a qualified environmental health practitioner.
All our staff are very supportive, friendly and approachable, so you'll get the help you need with any academic problems you have during this course.
If you are currently working in an environmental health related field, you will be able to undertake the work based learning that is necessary for you to complete the CIEH portfolio of professional practice. If you are currently not working in an environmental health related field and are looking for a career change, we can help and advise you about obtaining the necessary work experience.
For more information please visit our Environmental website.
What you will cover
This course is made up of three stages – Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc.
Postgraduate Certificate
You'll study three of these modules:
- Environmental Policy and Law
- Natural and Residential Environments
- Health Impacts of Workplace and Food
- Determinants of Public Health and Wellbeing
- Applied Interventions
Postgraduate Diploma
You'll study three of these modules
- Environmental Health in Practice
- Environmental Pollution and Management Strategies
- Global Environmental and Public Health Issues
- Health Leadership, Assessment and Inequalities
- Environmental Noise Assessment
MSc
Independent Scholarly Activity
Using your initiative, creative thinking and organisational skills, you will produce an independent piece of work of your choice during this triple module.
Entry requirements
You will usually need:
- either an honours degree (at least second class) in a pure or applied science (or combination) from a UK university or the CNAA, or equivalent qualifications and experience.
- qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent to the above.
- exceptionally, entrants not qualified under the above may be admitted by the University where the candidates can demonstrate the potential to achieve the aims and outcomes of the Curriculum. You will also need to demonstrate that your experiences are equivalent to having achieved the 2.2 Honours Degree mentioned above. All students applying via this route will be assessed and evaluated by the Programme Leader.
In addition, international students will be expected to demonstrate they they have achieved an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or equivalent.
You may be interviewed by the programme leader.
If you have any queries about your qualifications and suitability for the course, then please contact us for advice and guidance.
How to apply
UK/EU students
- Students should apply directly to the University.
International students
- Students should apply directly to the University.
Information for international applicants
Fees and finance
UK/EU students
- £640 per single module (you usually take 9 of these modules in total).
International students
- Full time: £10,455 (in total) (each year)
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
How you will learn
How you're assessed
The majority of this course is assessed by coursework and many of our assessments have a direct relevance to the practice of environmental health. There's a compulsory practical food inspection examination, for which attendance at Billingsgate in London is required by the accrediting body.
Careers and employability
When you've completed this course, you'll be well on your way to becoming an environmental health practitioner, with potential career opportunities, following professional qualification, in Local Government, the Health Protection Agency, the Environment Agency, private industry and consultancy.
Terri Weston, a recent graduate from this course says, ‘I have developed a much better understanding about why our environments are so fundamental to health and well-being, and as a result I have been able to apply this to my decision making at work.’ Read more about Terri’s experience here.
