MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Environmental Health

This module explores the relationship between housing, neighbourhoods and public health. You'll examine how housing conditions, area deprivation and environmental factors can influence health and wellbeing, alongside the role of policy, legislation and professional practice in improving living environments. Typically, you'll study housing inspection and assessment, housing law, neighbourhood renewal, risk assessment and strategies for addressing housing-related health hazards. The module also considers sustainable housing and communities, helping you develop the knowledge needed to evaluate interventions that support healthier homes and neighbourhoods.

In this module, you'll develop a critical understanding of how health and safety is managed, regulated and enforced to protect workers, the public and the environment. You'll explore health and safety management systems, risk-based decision-making and the role of legislation in reducing workplace risk. Typically, you'll examine topics such as leadership and governance, health and safety culture, incident investigation, performance monitoring and regulatory intervention. By the end of the module, you'll be able to evaluate management approaches and apply evidence-informed strategies to support continual improvement in health and safety practice.

This module provides the opportunity to undertake an independent investigation into an environmental health issue, practice, intervention or problem of professional relevance. Drawing on knowledge gained throughout the MSc Environmental Health curriculum, you'll develop and apply research, evaluation and analytical skills to a self-directed project. Typically, you'll explore qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods, evidence appraisal, research design and data analysis. Alongside strengthening your academic writing skills, you'll develop the ability to plan, conduct and communicate research while working within appropriate ethical and professional frameworks.

In this module, you'll explore the relationship between environmental protection, public health and sustainable development. You'll examine how environmental policies, legislation and regulatory systems are used to manage pollution and protect communities, considering local, national and international perspectives. Typically, you'll study areas such as air and water quality, noise control, contaminated land, waste management and environmental impact assessment. The module also explores the roles of organisations involved in environmental protection, helping you develop the knowledge needed to evaluate and apply interventions that support sustainability and environmental health outcomes.

This module explores the food supply system from farm to fork, examining how food moves through local, national and global supply chains and the risks this can present for public health and environmental sustainability. You'll evaluate food safety and quality management systems, food hygiene technologies, and the regulatory and policy frameworks that govern food control. Topics may include foodborne hazards, contamination and cross-contamination, food poisoning, HACCP, quality assurance systems, food legislation, and the assessment of food fitness and quality. You'll learn how to evaluate food risks and consider appropriate responses in complex food safety situations.

This module will introduce research methods used to investigate questions in health and related professional fields. You'll explore how research questions, study designs, methods and forms of analysis connect. The module will help you search and appraise literature, consider sampling and data collection, and understand qualitative and quantitative approaches. Ethics, governance and research quality will guide your learning. Through evaluating published studies and planning research, you'll develop the skills to select justified methods, interpret evidence critically and communicate a coherent investigation.

This module will introduce key environmental health concepts and their application in professional practice. You'll explore how environmental, social and workplace conditions can affect human health, and examine approaches to identifying, assessing and controlling risks. The module will draw together scientific evidence, law, policy and professional decision-making across areas of environmental health. Through practice-oriented learning, you'll develop your ability to investigate issues, interpret information, communicate findings and understand how proportionate interventions can protect communities and support healthier, more sustainable environments.

This module develops the professional and investigative skills that support effective environmental health practice. You'll explore approaches to investigation, evidence gathering and decision making within complex professional contexts, while considering the importance of reflective practice and professional judgement. The module may include the evaluation of interventions and their impact, sustainability and cost-effectiveness, helping you understand how professional actions influence individuals, organisations and communities. Through engagement with realistic practice scenarios, you'll strengthen your ability to apply environmental health principles in a professional setting.