This stimulating programme will introduce students to the very broad and exciting field of health studies. In particular, it provides an appropriate entry gate to working towards becoming a registered health promotion or public health practitioner.

Students can choose to focus their study through one of the programme’s pathways, Health Promotion or Public Health if they wish, and be awarded a BSc Health Studies (Health Promotion) or BSc Health Studies (Public Health).

Introduction

In 2002 Derek Wanless, working for Her Majesty’s Treasury, reported that the National Health Service can not afford to continue to treat the sick at its current level. The solution lies in preventing people from becoming ill and promoting their health and well-being. This is why the Government is supporting the expansion of public health and health promotion, and wanting graduates to have a good understanding of the range of issues that cause ill health, and know how to improve people’s health. The Health Studies programme aims to meet this requirement.

Content and Structure - Single Honours Programme

Initially, students undertaking the Single Honours programme study the biological, lifestyle, social and environmental factors that contribute to coronary heart disease, cancer, poor mental health, obesity, social exclusion and unhealthy lifestyles such as smoking and drug misuse in Britain. This learning is complemented by using case studies to understand people's personal experiences of health or ill-health, and exploring ways of communicating about health. Further modules aim to give students a deeper understanding of health psychology, health protection, health promotion, inequalities in health, health related ethics and research. This provides students with a good understanding about the challenges and opportunities that face all those working towards improving people's health. At level three, we offer a wide range of modules so that students can tailor their degree to suit their career aspirations.

YEAR 1

• Academic Development
• Psychosocial Aspects of Health, Human Interaction and Communication
• Major Health Issues
• Social Context of Health and Illness
• Environment and Health
• Communicating Health Information

YEAR 2

• Evidence Based Practice
• Ethics and Law in Health
• Inequalities in Health
• Health Psychology
• Health Promotion
• Health Protection

YEAR 3

All students complete a compulsory dissertation. Modules offered at level three are subject to student numbers. Health Studies students have the opportunity to learn from, and with, qualified health and social care professionals. If a module is not offered, students are usually able to study the desired subject within either the Open module or their compulsory dissertation.

EXAMPLES OF YEAR 3 MODULES:

• Interprofessional Collaboration and Person Centred Care
• Open Module
• Health, Social Policy and the Politics of Practice
• Intercultural Communication for Health and Social Care Practitioners
• Biological Studies for Practice
• Young People's Health and Well-being
• Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Principles of Diabetes Care
• Spirituality: a Perspective of Care
• Introduction to Public Health Nutrition
• Lifespan Epidemiology in Global Perspective
• Health Education and Children
• Concepts and Dilemmas of Abuse in Adult Relationships
• Sex and Relationship Education: Communicating Effectively with Young People
• Women's Health

Content and Structure - Joint And Combined Honours Programme

YEAR 1

• Major Health Issues
• Social Context of Health and Illness
• Environment and Health

YEAR 2

• Inequalities in Health
• Health Psychology
• Health Promotion
• Health Protection

YEAR 3

Students can choose modules from the same range as the Single Honours students.

Further information about options at years two and three can be found here.

TEACHING TEAM

The Health Studies programme is taught by staff from the Health Promotion and Public Health team within the Department of Health, Wellbeing and the Family. The team has considerable experience of teaching undergraduates, post-graduates, health professionals and the wider public health workforce. Staff have an extensive profile of national and international research and publishing in the fields of environmental health, health promotion, public health, arts and health, health promoting schools, food safety, sexual health, children's eating, mental health and homelessness.

Methods of Assessment 

The Health Studies programme emphasises an investigatory approach to health, which includes local field work and visits. Recent excursions have included a trip to the World Health Organization in Copenhagen, to healthy living centres and local exhibitions. The types of assessments are carefully planned so that students gain the broad range of skills which are necessary for employment and progression to post-graduate work. These include critical assessments of research, practical field work, report writing, designing health promotion resources, essays and presentations.

Important Information

Applications for this programme are made through UCAS, see the UCAS codes page. Entry requirements are typically 240 UCAS points including CCC at A2 Level, see the entry requirements page for more information. There are no specific subjects needed. Information about the way we select applicants can be found on the "Offer of a place" page.

Employment Opportunities

The Health Studies programme aims to develop a variety of skills and attributes which a wide variety of employers, both in the private and public sector, are looking for. However Health Studies is particularly suitable for careers in the health, social, leisure and education spheres. It provides a suitable entry qualification which will contribute to becoming a registered health promotion or public health practitioner. Health Studies is normally accepted as an appropriate degree for entry to post-graduate primary teaching, the National Health Service, graduate-entry health professional and social work programmes and community development work.

What our students say

The course I’m studying is very broad and diverse. It gives you lots of options for what you can become at the end, and this includes teaching, or being a Health practitioner.

Mary Bio
Health Studies

Futher Information

> Further information on Health Promotion and Public Health