Environmental Health MSc
Course code: MB9AK (required to complete application form)
This is the only online environmental health course accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland. That means it’s a crucial first step in becoming a qualified environmental health professional.
It’s extremely flexible, so if you are already working, you can study at a pace to suit you. While it’s coursework-based, there is one practical food inspection exam that must be taken on-campus.
If you are unable to attend the residential elements of this course, you can graduate with an MSc Environmental Health Studies which is a non CIEH/RHEIS accredited award.
It’s an online course, but with many practical elements
Even though it’s online distance learning, you complete a 48-week period of practical work-based learning, culminating in a professional interview. During this time you will be experimenting with skills and tools learned on the course within a relevant workplace – either in an organisation you already work for or a placement. It’s excellent preparation for the Independent Study and for your future career, and is essential for meeting the professional requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS).
Your own timetable
Studying online gives you the flexibility to study at the most convenient time and place for you. Course modules still operate within a fixed semester or term time, but you can choose to study during the day, in the evenings or at the weekend rather than having to attend fixed lectures. As a part time student you can complete the course within 2-4 years.
Course Length:
2-4 years of part time study
Start Dates:
September, January and May
Entry Requirements:
These are set by the professional body – either CIEH or REHIS.
You should normally have either:
- at least a lower second class (2:2) undergraduate degree in a pure or applied science (or combination) from a UK university
- or qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent to the above.
You are also normally required to have one of the following English Language qualifications:
- GCE O level English Language Grade C
- GCSE English Grade C
- IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 TOEFL (paper-based)
- 550 TOEFL (computer-based) 213.
If you don’t have the above qualifications, in exceptional cases you may be accepted onto the course if you can demonstrate you have the potential to achieve the aims and outcomes of the curriculum.
Fees:
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK/EU | £660 | 9 | £5,940* | Sept/Jan/May |
| Overseas | £740 | 9 | £6,660* | Sept/Jan/May |
*Prices correct for 2012/2013. Subject to annual increase in September 2013.
NOTE: The course fees above do not include the fee for the Practical Food Inspection module (approx £700). Accommodation, travel and food costs are also supplementary.
New flexible payment plans available
Choose from three options:
- Pay only for the modules you are studying
- Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
- Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)
Career Information:
This course will open up various career opportunities for you – in England, Scotland and overseas. One popular career choice is to work as an environmental health officer (EHO) in local government.
To qualify to be an EHO you'll need:
- an accredited degree – this MSc course counts.
- to pass the practical food exam included in this course.
- an experiential learning portfolio (this is in addition to our Environmental Health in Practice requirements and it will need to be submitted to the CIEH as part of your application to become registered)
- to pass the CIEH professional exams and professional interview.
Therefore, on completing this MSc, you will be able to undertake the CIEH professional exams in order to gain registration as an EHO ready to practice.
Career alternatives to becoming an EHO
You could choose to work in these fields instead:
- Private sector: as a consultant of food, or in environmental protection, health and safety etc.
- Health Protection Agency: in a role focusing on public health aspects.
- Environment Agency: in a role focusing on upholding environmental regulations.
Testimonials:
Christine Morrison graduated in January 2010 and is now working as an EHO with the Western Isles Council
"Studying online was great as it allowed me to work full time as a Food Safety Officer with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) while undertaking the qualification. The online systems were easy to navigate and some tutorials and presentations were done by video conferencing which was really useful too.”
Read more about Christine
Therese Gough has recently graduated and is working towards obtaining registration with the Environmental Health Officers' Registration Board (EHORB)
“I did a two-day a week work placement that lasted for two years. It proved to be a great insight for me into the varied work involved in environmental health.”
Read more about Therese
Sandy Campell graduated and is now working as a private sector housing officer for a local authority and working towards his Chartered Institute of Environmental Health registration
"I found the course very challenging and fulfilling and each module I've studied has been a learning curve in its own right."
Course Leader:
Modules Summary Core:
To complete Stage 1 (PG Cert.) and Stage 2 (PG Dip.), you must take all five core modules and select one optional module from the list below. These modules can be studied over 2-5 years. Please note that you must study Determinants of Public Health and Wellbeing first and Applied Interventions must be your final core module, before you continue to the Independent Scholarly Activity.
If you are studying the non accredited MSc Environmental Health Studies, your module selection differs slightly. Please contact us for further information.
To complete Stage 3 (MSc) you must complete the Independent Scholarly Activity (triple module).
Modules Summary Optional:
You will need to select one optional module from the list below to be studied during Stage 1 or Stage 2.
Student Profile:
Christine Morrison graduated in January 2010 and is now working as an EHO with the Western Isles Council
"Studying online was great as it allowed me to work full time as a Food Safety Officer with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) while undertaking the qualification. The online systems were easy to navigate and some tutorials and presentations were done by video conferencing which was really useful too.”
Read more about Christine
Therese Gough has recently graduated and is working towards obtaining registration with the Environmental Health Officers' Registration Board (EHORB)
“I did a two-day a week work placement that lasted for two years. It proved to be a great insight for me into the varied work involved in environmental health.”
Read more about Therese
Sandy Campell graduated and is now working as a private sector housing officer for a local authority and working towards his Chartered Institute of Environmental Health registration
"I found the course very challenging and fulfilling and each module I've studied has been a learning curve in its own right."
Career Information
This course will open up various career opportunities for you – in England, Scotland and overseas. One popular career choice is to work as an environmental health officer (EHO) in local government.
To qualify to be an EHO you'll need:
- an accredited degree – this MSc course counts.
- to pass the practical food exam included in this course.
- an experiential learning portfolio (this is in addition to our Environmental Health in Practice requirements and it will need to be submitted to the CIEH as part of your application to become registered)
- to pass the CIEH professional exams and professional interview.
Therefore, on completing this MSc, you will be able to undertake the CIEH professional exams in order to gain registration as an EHO ready to practice.
Career alternatives to becoming an EHO
You could choose to work in these fields instead:
- Private sector: as a consultant of food, or in environmental protection, health and safety etc.
- Health Protection Agency: in a role focusing on public health aspects.
- Environment Agency: in a role focusing on upholding environmental regulations.
Modules
Core Modules
To complete Stage 1 (PG Cert.) and Stage 2 (PG Dip.), you must take all five core modules and select one optional module from the list below. These modules can be studied over 2-5 years. Please note that you must study Determinants of Public Health and Wellbeing first and Applied Interventions must be your final core module, before you continue to the Independent Scholarly Activity. If you are studying the non accredited MSc Environmental Health Studies, your module selection differs slightly. Please contact us for further information. To complete Stage 3 (MSc) you must complete the Independent Scholarly Activity (triple module).
Core Module
This will be the first module that you study.
Full details coming soon. Please contact us for more information in the meantime.
Credits: 20
Core Module
This is a core module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Core Module
This is a core module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Core Module
This is a core module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Core Module
This is a core module and must be studied last as part of the PG Diploma.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Core Module
This is a triple, core module worth 60 credits.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 60
Optional Modules
You will need to select one optional module from the list below to be studied during Stage 1 or Stage 2.
Optional Module
This is an optional module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Optional Module
This is an optional module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Optional Module
This is a core module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Optional Module
This is an optional module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
Optional Module
This is an optional module.
Full module information to follow.
Credits: 20
These are set by the professional body – either CIEH or REHIS.
You should normally have either:
- at least a lower second class (2:2) undergraduate degree in a pure or applied science (or combination) from a UK university
- or qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent to the above.
You are also normally required to have one of the following English Language qualifications:
- GCE O level English Language Grade C
- GCSE English Grade C
- IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 TOEFL (paper-based)
- 550 TOEFL (computer-based) 213.
If you don’t have the above qualifications, in exceptional cases you may be accepted onto the course if you can demonstrate you have the potential to achieve the aims and outcomes of the curriculum.
Apply Now
Applications for Online courses are made through the main University of Derby website.
By clicking on "Apply now" below you will be redirected to the University of Derby website to continue your application process.
Fees
| Per Module | Modules | Total | Start | |
| UK/EU | £660 | 9 | £5,940* | Sept/Jan/May |
| Overseas | £740 | 9 | £6,660* | Sept/Jan/May |
*Prices correct for 2012/2013. Subject to annual increase in September 2013.
NOTE: The course fees above do not include the fee for the Practical Food Inspection module (approx £700). Accommodation, travel and food costs are also supplementary.
New flexible payment plans available
Choose from three options:
- Pay only for the modules you are studying
- Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
- Pay for all modules studied in the year and receive a 5% discount (September enrolment only)
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