| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-26 | 2023-06-01 |
| 2024-01-23 | 2023-10-16 |
Program Overview
Course overview
Would you like to work on the solutions for improving the health and wellbeing for people and communities worldwide, including those who have been impacted by conflict or poverty? Are you interested in being involved in developing approaches to improve policies and debating with government to make changes to improve quality of life and reduce inequality?
If you are enthusiastic about wanting to make a real difference in the world, our Public Health BSc can offer you lots of dynamic and impactful career opportunities including working with specific communities such as older people, children, young adults and underserved populations. The degree focuses on developing your skills and understanding of how to improve the living standards and opportunities for people to live happy lives.
The science behind public health
Epidemiology is the science that underpins public health. It studies the patterns and causes of health-related conditions and events in specific areas like neighbourhoods, cities, or countries. You will gain an understanding of the key principles and methods to identify specific factors that affect health and wellbeing. Public health is currently playing a pivotal role in managing the Covid-19 pandemic which is impacting people's health and wellbeing across the globe.
Studying global populations
Our course
explores diverse communities andhow we can
promote health which ultimately reduces the impact of illness and disease.
You will learn
about
how we can protecti
ndividuals and populations against infectious diseases
, as well as exploring th
e effect of environmental hazards. You will developyour knowledge a
roun
d non
-communicable diseases
suchascancer and cardiovascular disease, and how as a public health professional you can
not onlymanage
butp
romote and implement activities to prevent them
from occurring.
Public health at Keele will develop your awareness of the techniques required to not only assess public health but to investigate issues such as health inequalities from a local, national and global perspective. You will examine health promotion and education theories and create ideas and evaluate solutions to issues that are detrimental to people’s welfare in contemporary society.
Learning from experts in global public health
Some of our teaching activities on the Public Health BSc are delivered by international leaders in global health. A consultant from the UK Health Security Agency delivers lectures during year one and a public health practitioner from the World Health Organization delivers sessions during year two.
Improving health and wellbeing services
Our curriculum enables you to recognise and consider how health and social care is delivered in the UK and globally, and how this affects communities. It supports you to become a confident public health professional who can contribute to improving the delivery and quality of services.
Interpreting data
You will develop experience in interpreting and understanding public health data and research which is used to inform polices and improve population wellbeing. Recently information about data and trends has helped to effectively control the Covid-19 pandemic.
Our expertise
Academics teaching on the programme are public health specialists, and we have clinical staff teaching on the programme. Many of our lecturers have extensive epidemiology experience as well as in public and global health research, all of which informs our teaching.
Strengthening your employability
Placements
In year two you will spend time observing different areas of public health practice. You will link with local and national public health providers and look at projects that focus on different aspects of the public health sector. These projects could feature:
Student Support
We have a robust support system in place for our students. You will be allocated an academic mentor at the start of the course who will review your progress, meet regularly with you, and is contactable by phone and email. Academics can also provide guidance about specific course modules.
A Student Experience and Support team is based within our Faculty with a member of the team dedicated to the School of Medicine. They are part of the University's student services department and work closely with teams across Keele to you can easily access the help you need.
Extra assistance is provided by our School’s Disability Liaison Officer. They provide an additional layer of support for students with disabilities and can advise on matters relating to disability including dyslexia and specific learning difficulties.
You will also have access to a mixture of advice and support services at Keele including;
Keele Students' Union also offers support through their sabbatical officers and the Independent Advice Unit.
Program Outline
Modules
Modules for Public Health
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1
COMPULSORY MODULES
Introduction to Public Health
Academic, Personal and Employability Development
The Biological and Environmental Basis of Public Health
Introduction to Global Health and Wellbeing
Perspectives in Health and Disease
OPTIOL MODULES
Year 2
COMPULSORY MODULES
Lifestyle and Change in Contemporary Society
Research in Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Health Promotion
Work Based Learning for Public Health
Year 3
COMPULSORY MODULES
Your future career
95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)
If you are passionate about making a difference in the world and are interested in working in the health sector, studying on our Public Health BSc can lead to many different types of careers. The course provides you with the knowledge and skills to enhance your employability so you can progress to careers in areas like research, education, leadership, health and social care, AI, bio-health informatics, law and primary or secondary care
What you learn on the course can be applied in jobs in the UK and internationally. Potentially you could have a career working for a voluntary or third sector organisation like UNICEF or the British Heart Foundation, or in the social care sector. There are opportunities to work as a project co-ordinator, public health practitioner, sexual health adviser, health promoter or as a research assistant
Alternatively, you could continue your academic development on the Masters in Public Health, or go on to specialist public health training. The course also acts as a base for progressing on to other postgraduate programmes or clinical courses like medicine.
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021) offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment, the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching, learning and assessment
We use a variety of teaching methods to improve your knowledge and understanding depending on the module subject matter. These include;
There are regular opportunities to talk through areas of your course with your academic mentor or lecturers on a one-to-one basis.
Assessment
To evaluate your progress we use different assessment techniques. You will receive regular, constructive feedback to help you clarify things you did not understand and to improve your performance. We use the following assessment methods;