Program Overview

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Global Strategy in Environmental Health and Sustainability - MSc

Overview

This unique programme focuses on the global role of Environmental Health in protecting communities and delivering a healthy sustainable future.

Summary

The MSc Global Strategy in Environmental Health and Sustainability is a perfect choice if you are passionate about the future health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants.

The programme embeds the core principles of environmental health throughout the programme directly linked to the attainment of UN Sustainability Goals. It will equip you with the critical thinking skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to become an environmental health professional. Throughout each element it links the cross-cutting themes of strategy, policy and intervention. You will be equally at home in a strategic or operational role, in a local or global setting.

You will be taught by skilled academics and experts in their field and study a range of modules aligned to the learning objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and wider values and principles of Environmental Health.

About this course

About

This new programme is primarily focused on the global dimension of environmental health and the role it can play, along with other disciplines, in the delivery of the UN sustainable development goals. The course, and teaching, is built around the five core disciplines of environmental health:

• food safety and integrity
• public protection and well-being
• health & safety
• housing and communities, and
• environmental protection and sustainability,

and the underpinning six principles of environmental health:

• the maintenance and protection of human health is at the centre of all environmental health action
• the protection of the most disadvantaged who suffer disproportionately
• the need for democratic government and governance
• cooperation and partnership
• sustainability, and
• environmental health issues are truly international in character.

If you are an existing environmental health practitioner, the course will be attractive for professional development reasons. If you are from another discipline with an interest in the topics described, it will be equally attractive as a potential route to a rewarding career in environmental health and/or sustainability.

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
  • ENH701 Food Safety, Security and Nutrition
  • ENH705 Law and Sustainability in a Global Context
  • ENH706 Emergency Planning, Response and Resilience
  • ENH708 Sustainable Development - Strategy for a Secure Future
• Year Two
  • ENH702 Occupational Health and Safety in an International Context
  • ENH704 Sustainable Housing and Communities
  • ENH707 Effective Communication for Health and Sustainability
  • ENH709 Environmental Protection and Sustainable Technologies
  • ENH821 Research Methods and Project

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all classes associated with the programme and be punctual and regular in attendance. A student who has not been in attendance for more than 3 days through illness or other cause must notify immediately the Course Director. The student shall state the reasons for the absence and whether it is likely to be prolonged. Where the absence is for a period of more than 5 working days, and is caused by illness which may affect their studies, the student shall provide appropriate medical certification in accordance with the General Regulations for Students. Students who are absent without good cause for a substantial proportion of classes may be required to discontinue studies, in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

This degree addresses a key niche in the global market and aims to produce graduates who can deliver impact on both the local and world stages. Delivered entirely by distance learning, it will enable you to study at a time and pace of your own choosing. It will also facilitate engagement with, and learning from, a diverse pool of peers from around the globe. Learning and assessment will be delivered through the Blackboard Learn Virtual Learning Environment using an extensive range of digital tools to encourage engagement and enhance your experience. It will also be supported by a team of dedicated academics and researchers. Extensive contributions will also be made by recognised visiting experts from various related disciplines.

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.

Entry Requirements

A second class honours degree or better from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification.

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to the above, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route.

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.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

There is significant demand for environmental health practitioners in many countries working in a variety of fields directly and indirectly related to environmental health. They are employed in local and central government roles, voluntary sector organisations, and in the private sector across a wide range of disciplines including environmental protection, health and safety, housing standards, food safety, health promotion and emergency planning.

Analysis of advertised jobs within United Nations (UN), World Health Organisation (WHO) and The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) web sites indicates a demand for graduates at MSc level for a wide range of posts working on and leading projects across the globe. The skills and knowledge base of graduates from this course are designed to match many of these jobs and the learning outcomes are aligned to UNESCO sustainable development educational goals.

As an existing environmental health practitioner the MSc will provide you with the skills and knowledge to progress your career, gain promotion and take on a leadership role. As a graduate from another discipline the skills and knowledge gained on the MSc, combined with your existing knowledge, will prepare you for a career as an environmental health practitioner providing access to the many career opportunities in this field.

Successful completion of the programme will also be an excellent preparation for further postgraduate study at PhD level. This will provide various career routes including into research and academia.

Work placement / study abroad

No work placement or Study abroad opportunities are offered with this course.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

• Fees Credit Points| NI/ROI/GB Cost| International Cost*
  • 5 | £201.10| £494.70
  • 10 | £402.20| £989.40
  • 15 | £603.30| £1,484.10
  • 20 | £804.40| £1,978.80
  • 30 | £1,206.60| £2,968.20
  • 60 | £2,413.20| £5,936.40
  • 120 | £4,826.40| £11,872.80
  • 180 | £7,239.60| £17,809.20
  • 240| £9,652.80| £23,745.60

*International student access to courses is subject to meeting visa requirements. More information can be found in the Visas and Immigration section.

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

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.

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Additional mandatory costs

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.