Program Overview

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Environmental Health - BSc (Hons)

Overview

Environmental Health professionals are at the forefront of designing and improving the public’s health and wellbeing.

Summary

Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of restaurants, shops, businesses and government?

Would you like a knowledge of issues such as food safety, health and safety, housing and communities, public health and well-being or environmental protection and sustainability?

Do you want a degree that leads to a career where you are out of the office meeting people and dealing with different challenges each day? A degree that has very good employment prospects, locally and internationally, in well paid graduate jobs?

Would you like to study on a course that provides this, plus lots more?

Then come and study Environmental Health at Ulster.

Our graduates are equipped to find employment in a wide range of environmental health activities across public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) can take their skills into a huge variety of roles. It is a career where you are dealing with different challenges every day.

This BSc (Hons) Environmental Health programme has great strength in delivering the practical and academic skills required for a career in environmental health including problem solving, communication, research and management skills. It also aims to facilitate the development of your own personal, communication and intellectual abilities.

The course includes the core subjects of food safety and integrity, occupational health and safety, environmental protection and sustainability, housing and communities, and public health and well-being. The areas of sustainability, quality of life, health inequalities, law and regulation are also integrated throughout the programme.

With this degree you could become:

• Environmental Health Officer
• Health and Safety Officer
• Quality Assurance Auditing
• Compliance Auditor
• Food Quality Manager
• SHEQ Safety Health & Environmental Advisor
• Environmental Health Consultant

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Belfast City Council
• City of Sydney Council
• Food Standard Agency
• Collins Aerospace
• John Sisk & Son Ltd
• Lakeland Dairies Foodservice
• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

We are passionate about sharing with our students the vital role they each have now and as future professionals in promoting a sustainable future for all. We believe that sustainability is not the domain of one discipline or profession. It is the responsibility of all disciplines, professions, organisations and individuals.

That is why on each of our courses within the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment you will learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the contribution you can make now, and as a graduate in the Built Environment.

Award:

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Faculty:

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

School:

Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment

Campus:

Belfast campus

UCAS code:

B910

Start date:

September 2025

About this course

Structure & content

Normally you will complete the programme in four years, including an optional one year professional placement in year 3.

You will study a range of modules covering all aspects of environmental health including

• Food Safety and Integrity;
• Occupational Health and Safety;
• Environmental Protection and Sustainability;
• Housing and Communities;
• Public Health and Well-being.

The course also delivers a depth of understanding of the holistic and integrative nature of environmental health.

Some areas of environmental health such as health inequalities and sustainable development benefit from being delivered in conjunction with others. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are the the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs are embedded throughout the course allowing our Environmental Health graduates more prepared to address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, achieving net zero, and social justice.

The course has great strengths in delivering operational skills. These skills include communication, research skills, managerial skills and team work.

Associate awards

Diploma in Professional Practice DPP

Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI

Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

The course will last for four years (including one year placement, year 3).

You are expected to attend lectures, seminars, tutorials, laboratory practicals etc, on campus, usually 3-4 days per week (approximately 12-14 hours/week). Significant independent study is undertaken in addition to these activities.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching Methods

A range of teaching and learning methods are used to encourage you to embrace a knowledge seeking approach, to build up confidence in your own ability to learn, to encourage reflection and to make reasoned judgements based on available evidence.

The teaching and learning methods are designed to allow academic and subject progression from Year 1 to final year.

Year 1 – the emphasis is on raising your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of environmental health stressors and their health impacts.
Year 2 – selected environmental health stressors, impacts and interventions are studied in greater depth and the interrelationships are considered.
Year 4 – studies will concentrate on research, strategies, policies, partnership working, synthesis and evaluations.

In Year 1 the teaching is delivered in lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, group work and seminars, complemented by visiting professionals. In subsequent years you are increasingly directed to student centred learning, through individual reading, research groups, projects, case studies, oral and visual presentations and interviews. In the final year a high proportion of the learning process is by directed study through integrative case studies and the research project.

Case Studies
Case studies develop skills including the ability to study in depth, solve or manage problems and are therefore used throughout all years. In addition to background knowledge of the scientific, technological and legislative aspects of the issue and the ability to draw information from a variety of sources, there is a need to apply critical thinking which is key to the problem solving process. Real case scenarios and provide opportunities for students to develop problem solving skills and exercise collaborative management to arrive at solutions.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

• Environmental Protection, Cycles and Impacts
• Law, Governance and Society
• Introduction to Public Health
• Foundation in Microbiology, Biology and Food Safety
• Building Construction and Defects
• Foundation in Occupational Health and Safety and Chemistry

Year two

• Food Safety and Nutritional Science
• Housing and Healthy Living Environments
• Disease Investigation and Communication for health
• Environmental Protection
• Regulation and Enforcement
• Occupational Health and Safety

Year three

• Environmental Protection: Strategies for Sustainable Development and Net Zero Carbon
• Managing Food Safety and Integrity
• Workplace Management and Safety Systems
• Strategic Public Health
• Housing, Communities and Integrated Environmental Health Practice
• Environmental Health Project
• International Academic Studies in Architecture and the Built Environment (optional)
• Professional Practice - Environmental Health (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

BBB including

A-Level Essential:****One grade B from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Life and Health Sciences (single or double award) Home Economics, Food, Nutrition and Health, Nutrition and Food Science, Health and Social Care (single or double award) Environmental Technology, Environmental Science or Applied Science.

Providing the subject requirements is met, applicants can satisfy the requirement for one of the A level grades (or equivalent) by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DDD

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DDD (2019 suite)

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DDM (2016 suite)

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DD plus A Level Grade B

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DD plus A Level Grade B (2019 suite)

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of DM plus A Level Grade B (2016 suite)

QCF Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades BB

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades BB (2019 suite)

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Applied Science, Health Science, Health and Social Care or Construction
Award profile of D plus A Level Grades BB (2016 suite)

If A levels are being presented with QCF/RQF BTEC awards in other subjects then the A level subject requirement must be met.

Please note that OCR Nationals and Cambridge Technical Combinations do not satisfy the subject entry requirement for this course and will be accepted as grade only when presented with A level(s) in the relevant subject(s).

The subject requirement must be met.

For further information on the requirements for this course please contact the administrator as listed in the Contact details section below.

Entry equivalences can also be viewed in the online prospectus at our Equivalence Entry Checker..

Irish Leaving Certificate

120 UCAS Tariff Points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Course Specific Subject Requirements
This course also requires you to achieve H3 in one subject from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Physics/Chemistry, Biology, Geography or Home Economics. If Mathematics is not passed at H3, you will be required to achieve a minimum of H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

BBBCC to include grade B in one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Home Economics or Food, Nutrition and Health.

Scottish Advanced Highers

CCC to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Home Economics or Food, Nutrition and Health.

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile minimum 26 points (including 13 at higher level) to include one higher level subject from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Home Economics, Food, Nutrition and Health or Health and Social Care. Grade 4 in English Language also required in overall profile. If Maths is not being offered as a subject then it is required at Grade 4 in the overall profile.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 65% to include 65% in in each level 3 module for year 1 entry in a Science, Science and Technology, Bio-Science or Combined Science subject area (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)

Overall profile of 24 credits at Distinction/ 21 credits at Merit n a Science, Science and Technology, Bio-Science or Combined Science subject area (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)

Applicants who do not have GCSE Maths grade C/4 must achieve a Pass in NICATS Maths level 2.

To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Mathematics.

Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

Please note that OCR Nationals and Cambridge Technical Combinations do not satisfy the subject entry requirement for this course and will be accepted as grade only when presented with A level(s) in the relevant subject(s).

The subject requirement must be met.

For further information on the requirements for this course please contact the administrator as listed in the Contact details section below.

Entry equivalences can also be viewed in the online prospectus at our Equivalence Entry Checker..

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Additional Entry Requirements

HNC
Pass HNC in Food Production, Environmental Science, Healthcare Practice or Applied Biology with overall Distinction to include 90 level 4 credits at Distinction for year one entry.

HND Year 1 Only
Pass HND in Food Production, Environmental Science, Healthcare Practice or Applied Biology with overall Distinction.

Foundation Degree
Successful completion of Foundation degree in a Health and Social Care, Food Manufacturing, Science or Construction subject area for year 1 entry.

There is no advanced entry route to year 2 available for this programme.

Exemptions and transferability

The vast majority of students enter Year 1, although admission to Year 2 is possible if evidence of previous environmental health work experience and/or relevant study is provided demonstrating achievement of the Year 1 learning outcomes.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• Belfast City Council
• City of Sydney Council
• Food Standard Agency
• Collins Aerospace
• John Sisk & Son Ltd
• Lakeland Dairies Foodservice
• Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Environmental Health Officer
• Health and Safety Officer
• Quality Assurance Auditing
• Compliance Auditor
• Food Quality Manager
• SHEQ Safety Health & Environmental Advisor
• Environmental Health Consultant

Career options

Many graduates find employment in the public sector as environmental health practitioners. Increasingly, opportunities exist in other government agencies and within private sector companies and consultancies in the areas of food safety, environmental protection, occupational health and safety and energy efficiency.

As the course is accredited by the CIEH, you have the opportunity to work in countries outside the UK and Ireland that have a similar approach to environmental health such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Opportunities exist for postgraduate study and research at masters and doctorate level.

Work placement / study abroad

The Environmental Health placement is designed to complement your academic study and is designed to facilitate your learning by developing essential professional and employability skills. Placement provides you with the opportunity to complete the professional requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

Many students obtain placements with local authorities and private industries within Northern Ireland. However, students are successful in obtaining placements in GB, Ireland and further afield widening their outlook.

Successful completion of the professional placement year leads to the award of a Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) or Diploma in Professional Practice (International) (DPPi) upon graduation.

There is also a study abroad option in Year 3 when study can be taken in an academic institution outside UK/Ireland. Successful completion leads to the award of Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS).

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) for the purpose of partially meeting the requirements for registration as an Environmental Health Practitioner with the Environmental Health Registration Board (EHRB).

Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the (IOSH)

Accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health as meeting the academic requirements for the purpose of eligibility to apply for Graduate membership leading to Chartered membership.

Fees and funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,535.00

International Fees

£17,010.00

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Annual Fees Increase Disclaimer

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.

Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.

Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) awards the highest achieving student in final year on the BSc Hons Environmental Health course at UU with the David Montgomery Award.

View Available Scholarships

See if you can access financial or other forms of support, including mentorship to excel in your studies.

Search our Scholarships (Opens in a new window)

Additional mandatory costs

None

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.

Testimonials

"I can't recommend the Environmental Health degree enough. The diverse range of opportunities it offers is truly impressive. The inclusion of a placement year is a game change, providing real world experience that sets you apart. The lecturers are not just knowledgeable, but incredibly helpful in guiding you through your academic journey. This course is the first step towards a brighter, sustainable future." Elle Colvin, Emergency Planning Officer, Causeway Coast and Glens District Council. Graduated July 2023.

"Highly recommend Environmental Health at UU. The broad range of topics really gave me an insight into what the world of work is like for an EHP. I really encourage any persons thinking of studying Environmental Health to do a placement year, it will give you a chance to put your learning into practice. Fantastic course that will open so many doors for you!" Naomi Rooney, EH&S Officer, Collins Aerospace Kilkeel. Graduated July 2022.

“An extremely enjoyable four years, which has given me great knowledge of the key Environmental Health functions that has assisted me in my job as an Environmental Health Officer. The wide range of areas covered allows the student a choice of which area to follow in or provide the student with adequate qualifications across a number of areas, to aid in achieving employment when completing the course." Ellen Sharvin, Environmental Health Officer, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. Graduated July 2022.

"The course provided me with a good foundation for the PhD research that I undertook following graduation, again with Ulster University, as well is in my career within a local authority. The broad range of topics covered in the course allowed me to consider various career avenues and allowed me to easily move within different functions of environmental health as it provided me with the necessary skill set." Dr David Coon. Awarded PhD 2021.

“The accredited degree in Environmental Health is an excellent course of study delivered by supportive lecturers. I had an enjoyable four years, and there are many varied career opportunities in both private and public sectors.” Colm Devine, Environmental Health Officer, Causeway Coast and Glens District Council. Graduated July 2020.