Environmental Health - BSc (Hons)
Course Overview
Environmental health practitioners play an important role within society and have responsibility for the protection of public health and the maintenance of a healthy environment. This course provides you with the opportunity to examine complex environmental health problems and to formulate effective problem solving strategies.
At Cardiff Met we have been delivering environmental health and public health qualifications for over 40 years. Our BSc (Hons) Environmental Health programme is one of the longest-running in the UK and has recently been re-accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Uniquely, our programme is also accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH), allowing our students to access graduate membership of both organisations.
• Our core teaching team comprises eight full-time members of staff, including five experienced Environmental Health Practitioners.
• Excellent employability rates for graduates within public, private and independent sectors.
• Excellent National Student Satisfaction scores averaging 95% over the last four years.
• Excellent work based placement opportunities via the Chartered Institute of Environmental health Student Training Directory.
Course Content
You are required by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health to complete a series of learning outcomes to demonstrate you possess high level professional skills as well as the technical skills necessary to practice as Environmental Health Practitioner.
These learning outcomes can be developed during the third year of the sandwich programme or post graduation after the three year full-time programme. You are actively encouraged to seek placements both within the public sector and in the private sector. The university has an excellent reputation for finding placements for students and we will endeavour to help in matching placements to your needs.
Throughout the course you will study core areas, comprising: Food Safety; Housing; Health & Safety in the Workplace; Environmental Protection and the underpinning themes of Public Health; Epidemiology and Risk Assessment.
Year One:
You are introduced to the underpinning themes of environmental and public health. You will be taught the general principles of law and science that will provide the legal and scientific framework within which environmental health practitioners operate. In addition you will undertake modules that will develop your communication and analytical skills.
Modules you will study are:
• Foundation Law
• Environmental Science
• Environmental & Public Health practice
• Food Safety Management
• Built Environment
• Research & Study Skills
Year Two:
You will further develop your problem solving skills, by critically evaluating various strategies to remove the risk to health in core areas of environmental health. The second year will also prepare those who elect to undertake placements in the third year.
Modules you will study are:
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Housing Law & Practice
• Risk Assessment & Risk Management
• Public Health Epidemiology
• Professional Emplyabilty
• Legal Practice
• Applied Research Methods
• Environmental Protection
• Food Safety Management
Year Three:
You will develop high level skills to critically evaluate policy and strategies in the key areas of environmental and public health, which culminates in a dissertation. This utilises original thought to demonstrate problem solving skills in an area that requires an intervention. In addition you are supported in your preparation for the Professional Body examinations which will enable you to practice as an Environmental Health Practitioner.
The modules you will study are:
• Management of Outbreaks
• Environmental Protection Management
• Occupational Health & Safety Regulation
• Influencing Policy for Health & Sustainable Development
• Food Safety Management
• Environmental Health Intervention Development
• Research project.
Career Potential
Within local government, the profession of the environmental health practitioner is highly regarded and environmental health practitioners are employed by all local authorities throughout Britain. There are also many employment opportunities within the private sector. Forty per cent of Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) members now work in the private sector.
To fully prepare students for the workplace considerable emphasis is placed upon student’s technical knowledge and the application of that knowledge in core areas of practice. As part of the degree programme students will follow a Professional Employability module which helps to prepare students to develop professional CV’s and be able to demonstrate through the development of personal statements, the knowledge and aptitudes required of the job application process
Opportunities for further study include the MSc Environmental Risk Management and Masters of Applied Public Health, as well as a number of research studentships.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have five GCSEs incl. English, Maths and Science plus one of the following:
- 220 points from at least two A Levels / Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades CC, one to be in a Science subject; or 240 points to include grades CC without a Science
- BTEC QCF Diploma / Extended Diploma 220 points including a Science or 240 points without a Science
- 220 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include Science (minimum grade C2 considered)
- Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3, Science subject preferred;
- 220 points from the Welsh Baccalaureate to include grades CC at A level or equivalent, within a Science; or 240 points to include grades CC at A level or equivalent without a Science, Core considered as a third subject
Or ‘Foundation leading to Health Sciences’
If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website.
If you do not meet the above entry requirements, the ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ is available one year full-time and will provide you with a relevant qualification that will allow you to progress to this degree upon successful completion. For further information about the Foundation course, please click here.
Key Facts
Accredited by:
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
UCAS Code(s):
This course offers the following pathways of study and the relevant UCAS Code, shown below, should be used on your application form.
B910: BSc (Hons) Environmental Health
B911: BSc (Hons) Environmental Health (inc. Foundation)
Campus: Llandaff
School: Cardiff School of Health Sciences
Course Length:
B910: Three years full-time
B911: Four years full-time
Assessment:
Assessment normally consists of written examinations and an element of coursework. In order to proceed to subsequent years of the course students must satisfactorily complete all modules.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at http://www.ucas.com/
For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply
International Applicants:
Before making an application, international students (those outside of the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international
Selection Procedure:
Selection is normally based on the receipt of a completed UCAS application.
Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.
Bursaries & Scholarships:
The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships