Why study Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University?
- The degree has a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding population-based health and ways of working to protect and promote health
- Based in LJMU's Public Health Institute (PHI), which specialises in research on drugs, alcohol, violence, and sexual health
- PHI is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention
- Opportunities for work-related learning in organisations involved in public health and links with stakeholders in local health and community organisations
- Wide variety of career destinations for public health graduates
- Opportunities for study abroad, for example with our partners at Southern Connecticut State University
- International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme - visit LJMU's International Study Centre to find out more
About your course
BSc (Hons) Public Health at Liverpool John Moores University will help you develop the skills and knowledge to positively impact some of the biggest issues affecting individuals, communities and society today, from local trends to global pandemics. Learn through practical fieldwork, seminars and lectures.
This course will equip the modern public health practitioner with the skills and knowledge to tackle these, and other, important public health issues which are becoming increasingly more relevant and visible to both government and the general population.
The structure of this course is guided by the Institutes expertise, covering diverse topics such as sexual health, alcohol and drugs, violence, nightlife and noise pollution, alongside teaching and learning of core public health skills and knowledge, informed by the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework.
You will cover all the different areas of activity within public health: technical, contextual and delivery. You will learn these through focusing on core domains of public health: surveillance and assessment of the populations health, assessing the effectiveness of health interventions, policy and strategy development, and leadership and collaborative working to improve population health and wellbeing.
The programme will also allow exploration of key concepts and tools of public health such as health inequalities, global health, health promotion, health protection, epidemiology and public health intelligence. You will study the social determinants of health (the conditions in which people are born, grow, work and age), which can lead to avoidable differences in quality of life and persisting health inequity. You will gain practical experience in the design and delivery of public health, acquiring an appreciation of the policy and practice landscape that public health works within.
"In the future, I would love to work as part of Public Health England or LJMU's Public Health Institute. I'm excited to play a part in keeping the public healthy. From teaching key study skills to having an entire module on career and professional development, LJMU has helped develop the skills I will need for employment."
Professional accreditation/links
The Public Health Institute has expertise in a range of public health areas such as: drugs, alcohol; violence and sexual health. As such it has an extensive range of links with organisations both internationally and in the UK for example the Institute is a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Violence Prevention. By being located within the Public Health Institute at LJMU, the course benefits from these links with organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors and provides a wealth of expertise at your fingertips.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- Library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to programme-appropriate software
- Library and student IT support
- Free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
The fee for Levels 4, 5 and 6 is 16,100 per year. You can read more about International Fees here.
You can find the latest fee information for the International Study Centre Foundation Year programme on its website.
Employability
By the time you graduate, you will have developed a range of essential professional skills and an extensive public health knowledge base, putting you ahead of the game when it comes to securing a job.
By the time you graduate, you will have developed a range of essential professional skills and an extensive public health knowledge base, putting you ahead of the game when it comes to securing a job. You can expect to be able to forge a successful career in public health or a number of related fields including but not limited to: public health intelligence, community drugs education, health promotion, smoking cessation, nutrition advisor and housing support. Your career may focus upon a particular area of public health or may be much broader in its nature. There are a wide range of options available to you after graduation and we would expect graduates to find roles in local authorities; national government agencies; within the voluntary sector (both in the UK and internationally).
After graduation you may decide to continue with your studies and LJMU also offers a number of MSc programmes in public health (MSc Public Health; MSc International Public Health, MSc Public Health (Addictions). Alternatively, a career in Social Work could be open to you if you have the relevant experience.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
All modules on the BSc (Hons) Public Health degree are designated 'Core'. This means that all students on the degree will undertake them. At each level of your degree, you will complete six modules, each carrying 20 credits, totalling 120 credits per Level.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules may also be included to provide you with an element of choice within the programme. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Key Study Skills
20 credits
This module aims to prepare and develop you for study at undergraduate level. This module aims to get you thinking about your personal development and career planning from the beginning of your study at university. It will reinforce the importance of graduate skills in the job market.
Human Biology and Environmental Science
20 credits
This module provides you with an understanding of the range of stressors and their impact on human health. This module allows you to gain an insight into how environmental stressors impact on the human body and the living environment.
Understanding Populations
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to how the principles of demography and community participation can be utilised to improve health and reduce health inequalities. This module focuses on the key measures and techniques used in studying and working with populations to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
Introduction to Public Health Law and Policy
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to law and policy making in public and environmental health. It introduces you to the development of public and environmental health policy and governance since the 19th century. The module explores the historical development of public and environmental health governance from the Sanitary Reforms (1800s) through to modern day concerns such as Alcohol Use, Tobacco Control and Housing. The basic concepts of English law are introduced and aspects of the legal system are explored in relation to public and environmental health.
Public Health Concepts
20 credits
This module provides you with an insight into the key themes and concepts that occur in public health as you begin your course and as you progress through your programme of study and into a career in public health. This module will introduce you to all of the core and underpinning areas of public health, in terms of technical, contextual and delivery-based concepts as aligned with the UK Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework .
Practical Skills for Public and Environmental Health
20 credits
This module provides you with an insight into the practical skills that are necessary as you begin your course and as you progress through your programme of study and into a career in Public and Environmental Health. This module looks to introduce you to a range of practical skills that will be useful for a career in Public Health or Environmental Health. The module blends both taught and practice elements together to enable you to have not only an understanding of why these skills are important but the opportunity to practice them.
Level 5
Core modules
WBL - Developing Public Health Skills
20 credits
This module provides you with the resources, skills and knowledge to optimise opportunities provided in the workplace, and to develop and strengthen a range of professional skills, relevant to future working in a public health setting, via participation in an public health based project. This module supports you in developing the knowledge and skills to plan, undertake and evaluate your own public health based project.
Health Protection
20 credits
This module provides you with the relevant skills to identify, select and assess the effectiveness of a range of health interventions and enforcement options within the key public health area of health protection. Health protection aims to anticipate chemical, physical and social hazards and develop interventions to protect the health of the public. We will explore different approaches to the development of interventions, how they are used and how to evaluate their effectiveness.
Research Methods for Public Health
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the methods of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, as well as enabling you to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of published research papers.
Media and Public Health
20 credits
This module enables you to develop critical thinking and media literacy skills to help you find reliable information to make decisions, take action, and share news responsibly about public health. This module will include many examples from recent and historic media depictions of public health messages e.g. smoking, pregnancy and birth weight, Zika virus, MMR vaccination and autism, 7 day NHS death toll, health screening, expert witnesses, and drug deaths in young users.
Health Risk Behaviours, Determinants and Impacts
20 credits
This module provides you with an introduction to the concepts of risk behaviour and how this is applied in a number of contemporary health concerns. This module aims to bring examples of core research and surveillance activity of the Public Health Institute into the classroom. This is underpinned by examining key issues around health risk behaviour, determinants of health risk and modes of risk behaviour from low to high/addiction.
Epidemiology, Surveillance and Public Health Intelligence
20 credits
This module will provide you with the foundations of epidemiology, and an introduction to population based health surveillance methods and public health intelligence. Epidemiology is the fundamental science underpinning public health. You will gain a thorough understanding of the conceptual basics of epidemiology and their application to study design and interpretation.
Optional modules
Study Semester Abroad - Public Health
60 credits
The aim is to provide students with a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of their LJMU programme at level 5.This is a semester of full-time study at an approved higher education institution which will replace one semester of level 5 study at LJMU. The modules to be studied must be agreed in advance, and must be an appropriate substitute for the modules being replaced. Assuming successful completion of this semester, mark-bearing credit will be awarded by the Faculty Recognition Group. The grade conversion scale to be used will be made available in advance of the semester abroad.
Level 6
Core modules
Dissertation
40 credits
This module aims to engage you in student-negotiated academic activity, requiring creativity, self-motivation and the ability to draw on the knowledge and skills developed in other modules.
Career and Professional Development
10 credits
The aim of this module is to develop and practice skills to prepare you as a graduate of the programme for the variety of jobs available within the public health setting.
Health Promotion
20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop knowledge and skills to enable you to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate strategies for promoting the health and wellbeing of the population.
Sustainability and Climate Change
20 credits
Making Public Health Happen
20 credits
This module provides a real-life perspective on effecting change in public health. You will gain additional knowledge of the structure of public health organisations, the challenges and approaches to translating public health evidence into policy and practice, and scenario-based learning to examine the many roles of the public health practitioner.
Global Health
10 credits
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
Throughout your degree you will have choice in many of your modules and assessments to focus on a specific public health area of interest to gain in depth knowledge of a specific area, or to choose a variety of public health topics to gain a breadth of knowledge of contemporary public health issues.
In your third year you will have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project which gives you a chance to put into practice the knowledge and skills gained in the first and second years.
Work-related Learning
At Level 5, you have the chance to experience what its really like to work in public health by undertaking a project within a local authority, private or voluntary sector organisation. This will help you to develop your professional skills as well as your knowledge base, and will add real value to your CV.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
You will be allocated a personal tutor with whom you can discuss course-related issues, work on a personal development plan and set your own targets. You will have scheduled one-to-one meetings with your tutor, but they can be approached at any time should you need additional support.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
These include exams, as well as coursework in the form of essays, reports, posters, critiques of a paper or media item, peer presentations or small-group work to devise a public health strategy. There will be a work-based placement in Level 5 of your degree and a dissertation in Level 6 which both require extensive independent study.
Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. Thats because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Dr Conan Leavey
Programme Leader
Dr Conan Leavey
Programme Leader
Conan Leavey is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health and Deputy Chair of the Faculty Research Degrees Committee. Specialist teaching areas include qualitative research methods, cross-cultural approaches to health and the sociology of the body. His current research projects involve performers in the UK adult film industry and practitioners of mixed martial arts.Conan supervises a number of PhD students whose topics include traditional medicine in Saudi Arabia, UK Muslims womens experience of maternity services, home brewing in rural Kenya, and Sexual Entertainment Venues in the UK. Many of his students use qualitative and participatory methods. He is a former Associate of the University of Zambia and has worked as a European Union Technical Advisor to the Syrian Ministry of Health.
Through our Public Health Institute degree programmes, we aimto provide students with the skills and knowledge to enter careers which make our communities safer, healthier and more sustainable places to live.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
The Public Health Institute is located in the City Campus where you'll find the Avril Robarts Library, IT Zones, high quality teaching facilities and lecture theatres, plus a range of cafés and social spaces.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Minimum points required from qualifications: 112 UCAS Points
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained Grade C or Grade 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
The Faculty of Health will accept Edge Hill University’s equivalence tests in English and mathematics as an alternative to the GCSE requirements. For further information, please go to Edgehill Equivalency Tests or email edgehilltests@edgehill.ac.uk
A levels
- Minimum number of A Levels required: 2
- Subject specific requirements: Not applicable
- Is general studies acceptable? Yes
- Average A Level offer: BBC
- Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20
BTECs
- National Certificate (RQF): Not acceptable
- National Extended Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D* from a relevant subject area is required if no other level 3 qualifications are taken
- National Extended Diploma (RQF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- National Extended Diploma subjects / grades required: DMM in a relevant subject area is required if no other level 3 qualifications are taken
Access awards
- Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Further information: Must be in a relevant subject area and points can be gained from a combination of grades
International Baccalaureate
- International Baccalaureate: Yes
- Additional information: 112 UCAS points required
OCR Cambridge Technical
- Technical Certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Technical Diploma: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
- Technical Extended Diploma: Acceptable on its own in a relevant subject area
- Technical Foundation Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Technical Introductory Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
- Technical Subsidiary Diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
Irish awards
- Irish Leaving Certificate: Yes
- Grades / subjects required: 112 UCAS points from a minimum of 5 subjects
- FETAC acceptability: All modules accepted
Welsh awards
- Welsh Baccalaureate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications
T levels
- T Level requirements: Merit grade in a health/health science/science based subject
NVQ
- Are Level 3 NVQs acceptable? Accepted in a relevant subject for Mature Applicants who meet other specified criteria (see notes)
Additional requirements
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Interview required
No interview required
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
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Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold of up to 16/8 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has been in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach initiatives, e.g. Summer University. Please contact the admission office for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
We shortlist applicants based on current qualifications, predicted grades, references and personal statement. We are looking for applicants who are interested in creating a fairer and healthier world. We are also looking for applicants who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess. We want applicants with the ability to:
- Communicate effectively and confidently
- Understand and discriminate between ideas and methods in the field of public health
- Evaluate new ideas and add them to their existing knowledge when they judge them to be sound
- Appraise knowledge and suggest possible solutions to a range of problems
- Take responsibility for organising and delivering their own work, for developing as an independent learner, and planning their own career pathways
For deferral options please contact the Faculty Admissions Team on 0151 231 5829 or email health@ljmu.ac.uk
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.