MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Environmental Health
This course is open for applications
Accreditations and partnerships:
Our vocational, practice-focused MSc Environmental Health degree is accredited, with strong links to public and private sector employers and taught content that reflects current and predicted public health trends.
About
Why study MSc Environmental Health?
Our MSc Environmental Health degree will give you the knowledge and experience in decision-making needed to identify and tackle environmental health issues in a wide range of contexts. You'll also be ready to contribute significantly to existing environmental health practice, and to respond to and drive change in line with current and emerging public health issues.
This course is aimed at graduates who are keen to acquire the professional skills needed to identify, assess, and manage environmental risks that affect health. The course content will educate and support anyone pursuing environmental health careers that promote and protect human health and welfare.
Why UWE Bristol?
Our accredited MSc Environmental Health degree has strong links to public and private sector employers, and taught content that reflects current and predicted public health trends. Thanks to our strong practitioner networks, you'll benefit from direct support from regional Environmental Health teams across the South West, as well as excellent employment opportunities.
Where can it take me?
Most of our students go straight into professional practice and many secure positions before graduation with a wide range of Environmental Health employers. This includes national food, health and safety environment organisations and consultancies, national retailers, housing providers and the leisure/holiday sector, as well as local government.
With a growing international focus on environmental health issues, you could also find employment overseas, which is reflected in our increasing number of international applicants.
After graduation, you can continue your professional development by registering with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) registration board, which requires you to complete a professional portfolio ideally within two years. This enables you to start your journey by practising as a recognised Environmental Health Officer.
Watch: Welcome to the School of Applied Sciences at UWE Bristol
Entry
Entry requirements
Entry is open to those who:
- hold a first degree (minimum 2:2 honours) in a science based discipline; or
- hold a first degree (minimum 2:2 honours) in another discipline and can demonstrate that they have attained equivalent to the science foundation necessary for the programme in such cases; or
- have other qualifications and/or experience considered to be equivalent by the Programme Manager.
If you don't meet the above grade requirements but have at least 12 months relevant professional experience and/ or equivalent qualifications, we will consider you on an individual basis.
We accept deferrals for this course.
UWE Bristol's International College
International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
English language support
If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.
Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
How to apply
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
For further information
- Email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
Structure
Content
Studies focus on key current environmental health concerns, and cover public health, food safety, housing, health and safety at work, and pollution management. The core modules are:
- Environmental Health Concepts and Practice - Comprisal of the core cross-cutting foundational underpinning theories of Environmental Health as a preventative and regulatory public health function.
- Professional and Investigative Practice - Integration of Environmental Health professional practice and health promotion, enabling students to apply environmental health theory, evidence and professional judgement to complex real-world practice scenarios.
- Environmental Protection and Sustainability - How contamination of water, land and air impacts on health. Exploring sustainable solutions.
- Food Safety in Environmental Health Practice - Introduction of complexity of the food supply system, from 'farm to fork', and how this can vary from simple local food systems through to global conglomerates.
- Health and Safety Management - How working environments can affect our health, safety and welfare and how we can minimise incidence and negative health effects through target-based interventions.
- Housing and Healthy Neighbourhoods - An understanding of how the fitness of dwelling places and communities impacts on the health of those who live in them. Interventions to address these inequalities.
- Research Methods - Developing a range of research method knowledge and skill, including Environmental Health Practice service evaluations.
- Research Project - A substantial Environmental Health research project, including a publishable article as one of the research outputs.
Please note this structure is for the full-time course delivery only. For part-time delivery, the same modules will be studied. However, the structure will differ.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Our MSc Environmental Health degree is supported fully by online material, such as podcasts, videos and quizzes, as well as library access. The course comprises a careful balance of individual and group learning. Group sessions are designed to take advantage of the wide range of practical and professional skills and experience our students bring to the mix.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Assessment
Our MSc Environmental Health degree requires an accumulation of 180 credits. Modules are mostly 15 credits, with two worth 30 credits, and the research project at 45 credits.
Assessment is by written exams, oral presentation, poster display or practical sessions, depending on the module - and your master's research project.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Fees
Full time course
Part time course
Supplementary fee information
See our funding pages for more information.
Fees include all residential field courses, day field courses, and a practical food inspection.
Features
Professional accreditation
To become a Chartered Practitioner you must complete the Chartered Practitioner Programme delivered by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Professional recognition and career enhancement
We are currently in the process of applying for accreditation for this course via the new CIEH Professional Standards Framework. On successful completion of the course you'll have satisfied the Knowledge Block of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner programme and be eligible to register for the remaining elements of the course.
The course is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Study facilities
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Environmental and Public Health facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Suggested pre-course reading
We recommend reading these books before the course, to give yourself essential background for the modules you'll study.
For Public Health and Health Promotion:
- Naidoo, J. and Wills, J. (2016). Foundations for Health Promotion. Elsevier
- Wilson F and Mabhala. (2012) Key Concepts in Public Health. Sage
For Environmental Professional Practice:*
- Adams, J. (2007) Risk. Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
- Partington, P. (2010) Introduction to the English Legal System. Oxford.
* Find out more by visiting:
- CIEH Professional Standards Framework
- UWE Graduate Attributes
- Bartram's great eight technical competencies.
For Food Control:
- Sprenger, R. (2017) 19th Edition Hygiene for Management. Highfield Publications.
- Pennington, TH. (2003) When Food Kills: BSE, EColi and Disaster Science. OUP Oxford
- Lang, T. (2021) Feeding Britain: Our Food Problems and How to Fix Them. Pelican Books.
For Pollution Management:
- Hill, M. (2010) Understanding Environmental Pollution. Cambridge.
- Wolf, S and Stanley, N (2014) 6th Edition Wolf and Stanley on Environmental Law. Routledge.
For Housing:
- Marshall, D. (2006) The construction of Houses. Estates Gazette
- Stewart, J and Lynch, Z (2018) 2nd Edition Environmental Health and Housing. Routledge.
This is aimed specifically at students and practitioners who require a broad understanding of building construction as part of a wider sphere of professional activity.
For Health and Safety Management:
- Hughes and Ferrett. (2011) 5th Edition. Introduction to Health and Safety. Butterworth-Heinemann.
- Stranks, J. (2007) Health and Safety at Work. Kogan Page.
Careers
Careers / Further study
Employment opportunities are expanding for Environmental Health Officers/Practitioners (EHOs/EHPs) in the UK. Demand for EHPs in the public health sector is rising, as are the number of opportunities for Environmental Health Consultants.
As a qualified EHP, you could find employment at the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and the Environment Agency. You could also find work in local government and industry, in a broad range of settings including food manufacturing, protecting the environment, safety at work and healthy housing.
You'll need to develop scientific and technological knowledge, as well as collaborate with other professionals and communities. You may spend time inspecting premises and processes giving technical advice and dealing with complaints.
Practitioners also work to prevent future environmental problems with health protection and promotion programmes, and through involvement in the planning process. EHPs may also get involved in the legal side of things - for example, instigating enforcement procedures and appearing as witnesses in court.
To become a registered Environmental Health Practitioner, you'll first need to register with the CIEH registration board within two years of graduating. To do this, you'll complete a professional portfolio comprising a written portfolio of case studies, demonstrating your relevant practical experience. After submission of your written portfolio to the CIEH a professional interview is held by the CIEH. More information can be found on the CIEH website.
UWE Bristol can support you to find experience opportunities, such as job shadowing and work experience days. Most UK Environmental Health employers require a UK driving licence. However, some urban and city councils allow more sustainable alternatives. Obtaining a UK driving licence may be necessary if you wish to work in the UK for a local government Environmental Health team.
Our award-winning careers service can help you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
