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Environmental Health BSc

This is the only accredited environmental health degree in London. It gives you the knowledge, skills and certifications to confidently work as an environmental health officer in any sector
Code
B910
Start
September 2024
Duration
3 years full-time
5 - 6 years part-time
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Fees
£9,250 (UK)*
£16,600 (INT)*
Course leader
Dr Alan Page

Why choose BSc Environmental Health at Middlesex?

Environmental health covers everything from public health and food safety to environmental protection, private-sector housing improvement and occupational health and safety.

Our environmental health degree will equip you with the core skills and knowledge you need to work in an environmental health capacity in a wide variety of fields.

What you will gain

Your degree – together with your registration with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health – will help you thrive in a wide variety of careers.

Graduates of this environmental health degree have gone on to excel in roles within the private sector, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and local authorities.

We have over 145 years of experience delivering professional, creative and technical education that prepares students – like you – for success in global careers, so find out more today.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).


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Years one and two are focused on developing the essential knowledge, skills and theory in environmental health and the underpinning scientific principles. You'll study a range of key subjects including pollution, housing, food safety, and occupational health and safety.

In year three, you'll focus on effective environmental and public health interventions and professional competence. You'll undertake professional examinations and study for a dissertation in your chosen environmental health topic area.

Modules

  • Year 1

    • Environmental Health Science (30 credits)

      This module will introduce the fundamental scientific concepts underpinning the assessment of chemicals, physical agents and micro-organisms in the context of pollution and occupational safety and health. You will acquire skills in scientific information gathering, experimentation, data analysis and presentation. You will develop your knowledge on chemistry, physics and microbiology which will form the basis of further studies in specialist modules in Environmental Health.

    • Physiology and Anatomy (15 credits)

      This module will provide you with the knowledge of the human anatomy and its hierarchical organisation from cell to organ system. An understanding of how the main body systems and mechanisms involved maintaining a "state of health" will be developed along with an introduction to how these systems can malfunction. Grounding in practical anatomy will be provided which includes hands-on practical work in identification and recognition of the main anatomical features of organs and structures of the body.

    • Food Animals and Vectors of Disease (15 credits)

      This module will provide an understanding of disease transmission and vectors of disease, emphasising the importance of zoonotic diseases in environmental and public health. You will develop your knowledge of comparative anatomy and physiology of the food animals with hands-on practical work to enable identification, differentiation and fitness of food items of animal origin. You will explore strategies which ensure the safety and quality control in relation to inspection, zoonotic disease transmission and fitness. In addition, you will gain practical skills in the identification of the main arthropod and vertebrate pests, their diversity, role as biological and mechanical vectors of disease and their socioeconomic impact. You will also look at strategies for control such as integrated pest management principles.

    • Principles of Health Stressors (30 credits)

      This module will develop your understanding in the  concepts of health and ill-health and factors which influence and contribute to an individual’s state of health. You will examine how physical, chemical, biological, social and psycho-stressors impact on human health and the environment. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of illness and well-being through examining toxicology, aetiology,  epidemiology and demography. You will explore the relationship between food, lifestyle, health and disease, and develop an appreciation of the importance of these in the prevention of disease and facilitating health improvement.

    • Introduction to Law and Environmental Health (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop your administrative, communication and practical skills required for successful academic and professional progress. You will also develop an appreciation of governance and the legal systems, including legal doctrines applicable to criminal, evidence and civil law. The professional practice element focuses upon the assessment of risk upon which further risk management skills can be developed. You will gain understanding of the principles and breadth of environmental health professional practice.

  • Year 2

    • Research Methods (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module will provide the necessary skills to plan, implement and analyse project-based work with a  focus on preparing for the final year project module. You will develop core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline, including analytical techniques appropriate to the individual programme requirements.

    • Housing Conditions and Intervention (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to provide you with a basic understanding of the principles, terminology and methods underlying the construction and performance of residential buildings and the practical and cognitive skills to recognise building defects and to be able to specify suitable diagnostic treatments. You will also explore the relevant legislative remedies available to intervene on individual and strategic levels to deliver safer and healthier housing and local environments.

    • Housing in Public Health (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module explores the relationship between housing, health and safety, and ways in which housing, health and social care organisations can work more effectively together to deliver better health outcomes. You will learn about housing in history and the range of organisations and stakeholders now involved in delivering the housing and public health agenda. You will consider the housing and health needs of a range of social and geographical communities with a view to developing effective, integrated, evidence based strategies and interventions. You will also develop skills for implementing housing and strategies and interventions at local level.

    • Pollution Prevention and Control (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to make you aware of the environmental and health impacts of pollution. You will gain an understanding on the harmful substances potentially present in the air, water and soil environments as a result of human and natural processes. You will develop your knowledge of the technological options, legislative processes and economic implications associated with the assessment and control of pollution.

    • Occupational Safety and Health Interventions (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop your understanding of fundamental legislative and governance principles used to protect workers’ physical, mental and wider well-being within the workplace through an exploration of common workplace hazards and stressors. You will explore the principles of risk and apply appropriate interventions/improvements/polices to safety behaviour and management.

    • Food Safety (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is designed to provide a coherent body of theoretical and applied professional knowledge, transferable skill development, and competence in the field of food safety through an informed and critical approach to current practice.  Key issues will be identified and evaluated from professional, technical and managerial perspectives.

  • Year 3

    • Communication, Society, Ethics and Law in Public Health (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module is aimed to provide you with a deep understanding of the role of the media in public health and the cultural aspect of public health in today’s society. You will analyse the multiple way of stimulating the public discussion around public health and improve the health knowledge of the population through the analysis of different media including film, social media, art, radio, newspapers. You will gain a basic understanding of the role of law and legislation in public health, and ethics in health research to support your future role as a health practitioner.

    • Leadership in Environmental and Public Health (15 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop your understanding of leadership in environmental and public health organisations both within and across organisations. You will learn about the principles of environmental health and public health governance and their organisational management. You will explore effective leadership styles with reference to case studies and the theoretical perspective. You will also examine available tools for performance management and develop an appreciation of their effectiveness for employees and for leaders of environmental health and public health organisations. You will develop your skills in implementing strategies and policies in these organisations and you will explore principles for leading more effective change.

    • Effective Environmental and Public Health Interventions (60 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop your professional practice skills, building on the skills and knowledge developed in the intervention areas of food safety, health and safety, environmental protection, housing and health, and public health improvement and protection. You will explore the operation of professional practice in the context of the varying socio-economic, political, legal and environmental settings, including appraising determinants of health, identification of environmental health interventions, and effectiveness of practice, role of partnership and team working.

    • Dissertation (30 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to synthesise learning from the previous modules and provide an opportunity for you to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills, and facilitates the development of a higher level of theorising. You will select a topic of personal interest you wish to study further and manage your own learning with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study.

    • Practical Food Inspection (10 credits) - Compulsory

      This module aims to develop your knowledge of the composition and properties of foodstuffs and the relationship with safety, fitness, and quality within an overarching public health framework. You will identify and evaluate a range of food stuffs, state their condition and recognise unfit/unacceptable food as well as explore a range of possible food safety interventions and recommend the most satisfactory course of action in order to achieve public health food safety. You will evaluate the relevant statutory provisions and appraise the role of the enforcement officer and other relevant factors in determining the most satisfactory course of action to improve food safety.

To find out more about this highly regarded course, please download the Environmental Health BSc Honours specification (PDF).

  1. Teaching and independent learning
  2. Coursework and assessment

Facilities

As a student on our Environmental Health BSc course, you will get access to our fully equipped environmental and occupational health suite, where you will be able to put your learnings into practical use.

Two people looking at food on a metal table in a commercial environment

Student support

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.

Wellness

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Financial support

You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.

How can the BSc Environmental Health support your career?

By completing this degree and then getting through the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) practitioner portfolio and professional discussion, you'll be able to gain a Certificate of Registration. This will allow you to qualify as an Environmental Health Officer.

Previous graduates have gone on to achieve success as the following:

  • Environmental health officers in Local Authorities
  • Environmental health professionals in the private sector e.g. travel companies, hotel chains, supermarkets, caterers or consultancy
  • Working for government agencies such as Public Health England
  • Working within non-governmental organisations.
  1. UK entry
  2. International entry
  3. How to apply

The fees below refer to the 2024/25 academic year unless otherwise stated. Course fees are subject to annual inflation.

UK students1

Full-time: £9,250

Part-time: £77 per taught credit

International students2

Full-time students: £16,600

Part-time students: £138 per taught credit

Additional costs included

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

  • Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
  • Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
  • Free printing for academic paperwork
  • Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.

Scholarships and bursaries

To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:

  • MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
  • Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
  • Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.

Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Dr Alan Page
Course leader

Alan is an Associate Professor in Environmental and Occupational Health. His environmental health career started in local government working in a number of fast paced London authorities covering multiple disciplines and senior roles before starting an academic career at Middlesex University.

Alan is a founding member of the Environmental Health Research Network (see link on the existing page) as well as a director of studies for multiple doctoral students. His research interests span compliance theory to risk management.

Ruth Plume
Senior lecturer

Ruth is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Her main research interest is investigating innovative practice in delivering environmental health regulatory services. Ruth’s teaching specialises in the professional development of environmental health students and leadership in environmental health.

  • Jessica Tabois

    Environmental Health BSc graduate

    Jessica now works for the Westminster Council as a Technical Officer.

    I used to work as a manager for a coffee shop but a random visit from a health inspector inspired a change in career: I was hugely impressed by his knowledge but I also thought ‘I could do this’.  I then found the BSc Environmental Course at Middlesex University and graduated from this programme last July.

    This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) which is invaluable for career progression in this sector.  I also signed up as a student member of CIEH while I was at Middlesex and there are many benefits to this membership, including access to various forums where if you ask a question, there is always someone who will know the answer.

    I haven’t thought much about future career goals; I just want to be really good at what I do.

    Read more about Jessica’s story.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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