On completion of the course you will receive the prestigious BSc (Hons) in Public Health degree from Edge Hill University.

This is a state-funded university, fully accredited by the British Government and its qualifications are recognised worldwide. Edge Hill has been providing higher education for 125 years, based on an ethos of opportunity through excellence. Offering over 200 degree routes in award-winning campus environment and developing professionals throughout the UK and overseas, it is the University of Choice for 23,000 students.

The Faculty of Health and Social Care from Edge Hill University will deliver the course at Birmingham College. You will be taught by a highly-qualified team of academic staff with vast experience in the field of public health practice and research methods.

Public Health is a key national priority and as such, has risen rapidly up the political and social policy agenda. Determining how best to assure the health of our populations remains an enormous challenge. The programme has been developed to ensure students are adequately prepared to meet the challenges of the Public Health Agenda. In order to be able to engage with an ever more complex society in a wide variety of settings, students may wish to work in community settings, hospitals, government authority, or charitable settings at local, national and international level.

The BSc (Hons) Public Health adopts an interdisciplinary and vocationally orientated approach. The programme allows you to further enhance your knowledge and skills to engage with individuals and communities in relation to the issues of public health.

Practitioners (nurses, midwiferies, social workers, senior care givers, doctors), working within a wide range of health or social care settings who wish to build upon their own clinical experience and develop and exercise higher levels of decision making and critical judgement in practice.

The programme will enhance your knowledge of health promotion and develop your skills in identifying and utilising health promotion strategies aimed at influencing behaviour change. You will also examine the needs of society in relation to public health, looking at health improvement initiatives and the prevention of ill health. In addition, you will study research methods to develop a good understanding of the research process and complete a dissertation, concentrating on an area of vocational interest or concern, agreed between you and your tutor. This is a level 6 course and 120 credits are required to complete the programme.

HUG 3100 Undergraduate Dissertation (30 credits) will focus on the identification of an area of vocational interest or concern to be identified by you and agreed with your supervisor. You will engage in a structured review of the literature related to your specific area of study and then apply critical analysis to the existing literature and make recommendations that will improve service provision.

HEA 3012 Research Methods (20 credits) is designed to develop your understanding of the research process and the nature and variety of research methods. The module’s characteristic features are to encourage you to see qualitative and quantitative methods as equally valuable and often complimentary.

HUG 3111 Health Promotion (20 credits) further develop your knowledge of health promotion and enhances your skills in identifying and utilising health promotion strategies aimed at influencing behaviour change. This will include the importance of promoting positive attitudes and a non-judgemental approach.

HUG 3112 Public Health in Practice (30 credits). The importance of addressing the health needs of the United Kingdom and prevention of ill health is seen as paramount to the reduction of health inequalities. This module allows you to explore the needs of our complex society in the field of public health, looking at health improvement initiatives. You will also study a further, optional module, chosen from the undergraduate portfolio (20 credits).

You will be allocated a personal tutor at the start of the programme who will support your academic development and progression as well as providing pastoral support when required. This support will be complemented by module leaders who will offer guidance for each module studied and a dissertation supervisor.

The course will be delivered minimum 16 hours a week through a variety of methods, such as seminars, lectures, tutorials will be used to deliver this programme.

A variety of assessment techniques are used throughout the programme including presentations and written assignments.

The duration of the course is 12-16 months full-time.

Applicants will normally be expected to have:

Candidates without the above but with significant appropriate experience may be admitted to the award, providing they can satisfy the University as to their capacity to respond to the challenge of a graduate award.

Candidates may be admitted to the award with Advance Standing on the basis of exemptions from previous studies, or have acquired graduate credits from similar awards from other HE institutions (e.g. Open University). The students should contact the Birmingham College award administrator directly when they have any queries regarding these but decisions concerning these rest with Edge Hill University.

The fee for the course is £7250. Affordable payment plan or discounted one-off fee option is available.

£500 Scholarship is available to you if you are an international student enrolling for the first time on a full-time Edge Hill University’s programme delivered at Birmingham College. Your application will automatically be assessed for eligibility when you apply, and you will be notified of success when you receive an unconditional offer letter.

£250 Early Payment Discount is available if you pay your total annual tuition fees before or at enrolment.

As the course provides exposure to the diverse ideas necessary for success in Health and Social Care settings, successful students have gone on to enjoy dynamic and rewarding careers in many industries and countries. Some have followed a new career direction whilst others have used their honors to gain a competitive advantage in their current field. With this qualification participants can expect to pursue careers in public and private industries both nationally and internationally.

Once you have successfully completed this programme, you can progress on to the MSc in Public Health / Contemporary Health and Social Care / at Edge Hill University.

Please visit http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/poststudy/ for your eligibility of 2 years post-study work permit.