MSc Environmental Health

A professionally accredited, vocational postgraduate education in environmental health with strong links to public and private sector employers, and taught content that reflects current and predicted industry trends.

Our MSc Environmental Health course is designed specifically to enable health professionals to develop expertise in environmental health issues, and is aimed at graduates keen to acquire the professional skills associated with identifying, assessing, evaluating and controlling environmental factors that affect health. It educates and supports anyone pursuing public or private sector careers that promote and protect human health and welfare. Employability is excellent, thanks to strong links with and direct teaching input from employers across the South West.

Careers

There are more than 8,000 qualified Environmental Health Officers/Practitioners (EHOs/EHPs) in the UK and the employment opportunities are expanding. They are employed by both local government and industry, especially in food manufacturing, retail and the leisure sector. Demand for EHPs in the public health sector is also rising as are the number of opportunities for Environmental Consultants. EHPs are also employed by the Food Standards Agency, Public Health England and the Environment Agency.

You will need to develop scientific and technological knowledge - as well as collaboration skills for working closely 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 at judicial hearings.

Watch the CIEH's short film about a career in Environmental Health, which will show you the scope of employment opportunities for EHPs and give you a flavor of the diverse work situations you may find yourself in.

Our award-winning careers service helps 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.

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.

Applicants will normally be interviewed and required to successfully complete an assessed piece of work.