Public Health and Community Studies | 2022/23 | CU London

Course overview

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses

Public health is considered the science and art of promoting and protecting health and wellbeing, preventing ill-health and prolonging life through the organised efforts of society.

The Public Health & Community Studies BA (Hons) Degree has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to excel in a multidisciplinary community environment and to effectively support a variety of agencies, communities and individuals in promoting health and wellbeing.

With increased attention from government on the improvement of population health, this is an excellent time to study the underlying factors that contribute to ill health and how you as a practitioner can work to promote health and wellbeing as well as tackling the social inequalities within the localities you serve.

Why CU London

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

How can we help?

What you'll study

The Public Health & Community Studies BA (Hons) degree aims to teach the skills and knowledge relevant for progression into statutory, voluntary or private sectors. Opportunities can be found in areas that address the wider determinants of health, such as education, housing and transport by developing public approaches to promote health.

Throughout the course, you will address health inequalities, including tackling the damaging effects of smoking, alcohol, drugs and poor nutrition as well as analysing government initiatives.

This first year is designed to explore the core fundamentals of modern public health. Throughout the year, the programme aims to develop skills in decision making and information management, providing you with a solid foundation for further exploration in years two and three. Students who complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Public Health & Community Studies.

Modules

Communication Skills and Inclusive Practice

Compulsory
Community and Change

Compulsory
Contemporary Public Health

Compulsory
Lifespan Development and Identity

Compulsory

In this year, you will refine key analytical skills as you examine the ways in which social factors and institutions are constructed and represented and their implications on everyday life. Students who complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Public Health & Community Studies.

Modules

Social Divisions and Social Groups

Compulsory
Mental Health and Wellbeing

Compulsory
Introduction to Social Science Research Methods

Compulsory
Lifestyle Trends, Health and Behaviour Change

Compulsory

An optional placement or sandwich year gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. You can also choose to take an optional year abroad between years two and three. If you decide to take advantage of a placement year this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The careers and employability department, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Modules

Professional placement or Study abroad

Optional

This exciting year aims to enhance your existing knowledge, giving you a broad overview of research methods and processes that are used to study health or social factors in communities. This year examines the skills, behaviours and techniques of effective management and the role of leadership in relation to business themes. By the end of this year, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful leader, with the ability to identify the core processes and mechanisms that underpin innovation.

Modules

Leadership and Management in Public Health

Compulsory
Promoting Healthy Communities

Compulsory
Contemporary Welfare and Social Policy

Compulsory
Research Project

Compulsory

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment

The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Course Breakdown:

Coursework
Assessments

Job ready

On completion, you should be able to:

Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of legislation, strategies and policies within a changing environment, to meet stakeholder interests.
Critically appraise theories related to the development of a health promotion strategy, considering social determinants that could influence the effectiveness.
Develop appropriate research and analysis techniques, alongside the ability to undertake reliable market research activities.
Operate, lead and collaborate in a team to solve problems of a practical (experimental) nature and to provide appropriate solutions.
Apply appropriate presentation and evaluation tools to establish the significance of research data produced.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required depending on the type of placement undertaken.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. We also recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Available through Clearing

You can use our UCAS tariff points calculator to work out your points.

Call us today to discuss your personalised Clearing offer on 02476 888 888. If you don't meet our typical entry requirements, speak to us to discuss your options. Depending on your experience and academic achievements we may be able to offer you a place.

Clearing live chat

Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

Entry level	What we're looking for
HNC	64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND	80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree	104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required depending on the type of placement undertaken.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place, contact us for more information.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2) or 6.5 (Degree/Top Up - year 3).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

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Tuition Fees

We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.

Student	Full time	Part time
UK	£8,050 per year	Not available
International	£16,650 per year	Not available

Facilities

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment.

You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites.

Careers and opportunities

With a growing demand for skilled health professionals, graduates of this course have an expansive list of career paths to explore.

With the majority of students going directly into a public health profession, other students have also chosen to study further in the field, with several students undertaking a master’s degree, in subjects such as Public Health and Nutrition, International Business Management and Social Policy.

Where our graduates work

Graduates have gone on to work successfully in leading companies such as the Royal Derby Hospital and Coventry University.

How to apply

UK Students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 0203 873 0700

CULondon@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form
International Students

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to apply
For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 0203 873 0700

cul@coventry.ac.uk

Chat with our admissions team

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s planned exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance at that time.