The PublicHealth Programme examines various aspects of population health at local, national and international levels with respect to the aims specific to the discipline of public health. The Programme, as aligned with the Public Health Skills and Career Framework (PHRU, 2008) explores ways of measuring health and disease, and improving the health and wellbeing of groups of individuals (e.g. those in a specific geographical area, those with a specific disease, those from a particular ethnic community), preventing and minimising the consequence of disease, prolonging valued life and reducing inequalities.

Health is an exciting, dynamic and multi-disciplinary area of study, and public health focuses on the health of populations, locally and globally. There are many career opportunities available in different health settings and the range of health programmes offered at UEL can be tailored to your needs.

Studying health at UEL also provides students with a solid foundation for gaining employment, professional development or further study in the area of health and beyond.

UEL is an institutional member of the European Public Health association (EUPHA).

The programme is largely a taught programme based on ‘modules’. The programme is structured to allow students flexibility and to build on their learning year by year.  It is possible to study in either full- or part-time mode and to switch between full and part-time study if necessary. It is also possible to study for a combined degree with other relevant subject areas.

All of the core modules in Semester A, level 1 are jointly taught to all single honours students in the health studies field allowing movement between programmes during this period. In Semester B, level 1 public health students begin taking a set of core, discipline specific modules along with other core health studies modules. The discipline specific, core modules are compulsory for all students taking a degree in Public Health. Students will continue taking discipline specific, core, and health studies core modules throughout levels 2 and 3 and will also able to select optional modules.

The use of Accreditation of Prior Learning and experience can be utilised for accelerated progression or to receive advanced standing in the programme if the student has taken equivalent courses elsewhere.

Learning happens in a variety of ways through lectures, guest speakers, seminars, group work, group and individual presentations, web-based activities, reflective learning, independent and guided research and networking with professional practitioners.

A variety of assessment methods are used to gauge learning. These include essays, reports, individual or group oral and poster presentations, examinations, online quizzes and tests, in-class tests, proposal preparation and project work. Most modules require that you complete 2 components of assessment.

Level 1 students do not sit examinations in their first semester, and there is an expectation that students utilise this first semester and first year to “learn how to learn”. In place of examinations, you will complete a variety of different assessments which may include short tests and quizzes.

The degree award only draws on marks from levels 2 and 3 for the final classification. 

In level 2, students will undertake an employability module which will aid in gaining voluntary and work placements in a public health setting. Many of your modules emphasise the importance of making links to practice. This means when possible external speakers will be invited, providing a great networking opportunity for students interested in internships or post-study employment.

An individual research project module is available at level 3. Single honours students can take a one or two semester project option. This module allows students to put into practice and demonstrate what they have learned on their programme in the form of a final year project. Students design their own projects with guidance from academic teaching staff. Project options range from designing public health programmes to empirical research projects.

A considerable amount of teaching and assessment are based around helping students to develop transferable as well as subject specific skills.
Students are also provided extensive personal support and each student is assigned a personal development tutor.

The University also offers a range of academic and personal support services, ranging from academic writing assistance to counselling and financial assistance.

There is extensive online support via our virtual learning environment (UEL Plus)

Students are expected to develop oral and visual presentation skills, be able to successfully work in groups, to organise their time effectively and efficiently and be skilled at information gathering.  Both written and verbal communication skills are important and will be tested and developed over the course of the programme.

• Learning about the factors that impact on the health and wellbeing of populations;
• Emerging and persistent health issues;
• Exploring and calculating patterns and measurements of health and disease, and
• Gaining insight into and critiquing health policies nationally and internationally

Then, you would enjoy reading for a degree in public health.

• Working in groups;
• Researching;
• Analysing and critiquing;
• Applying theory to practice; and
• Meeting and networking with people in the field.

Then, you would enjoy developing these skills studying for a degree in public health.

• A high level of learning support at level 1 aimed at improving the level of your success in levels 2 and 3. Our ‘Personal and Professional Skills’ module at level 1 will support your learning needs and the management of a personal development profile is central to this process.  This will allow you to manage your learning needs and register your personal success. This will build into a complete learning profile over your programme and will be useful to an employer to demonstrate your success.
• A programme which allows a wide range of module selection.  Even though you have selected a Public Health Programme you can still select a management module.  It is also possible to combine the core modules from two pathways e.g. Public Health and Health Promotion to create a joint degree programme. Please see your Programme Leader if you are interested in a joint health degree. It is possible to plan a joint programme from another field, for example Psychology or Education.
• A strong theme throughout your programme of research. You will develop an appreciation of current developments in Public Health research, and acquire the skills and opportunities to conduct your own research.

Then, you will find these qualities in the degree in public health at UEL.

Many opportunities exist in the expansive field of public health locally nationally and globally. This may involve working in statutory services, the private sector or voluntary organisations. Possible careers may include:

1. Health Educator;
2. Public Health Specialist;
3. Policy Advisor;
4. Epidemiologist;
5. Health Promotion Officer; or
6. Researcher.

You also may want to go on to further study in order to hone your expertise, and your degree will prepare you for the next steps.

When you arrive at the University you will be allocated a personal development tutor who will be a member of the academic staff familiar with your programme of study. During your first semester at level I you will see your personal development tutor regularly as an integral part of your core module HS1101 ‘Personal and Professional Skills’ module. Your personal tutor is there to help you throughout you time at the University.

Module leaders and programme leaders also offer support on academic issues.

There is a School help desk to offer both direct help and advice.

Student representatives are elected each year from each level and can also act as a communication channel with staff and other students.

Every health promotion module uses online resources for all students via UEL Plus which provides lecture outlines and other module specific information.
Support for Students at the university level includes; Disability, dyslexia and access services, Skillzone, Connexions, an Employability Unit, advice on practical issues such as finance, medical services, language support and learning support for specialist needs.

Increasingly, the web is used as a resource to support students’ learning.  All module information, including lecture summaries, is available on our virtual learning environment (UEL Plus), together with notice boards and discussion boards.  This support is especially important if you are considering part-time study.

Modules are taught on individual days to allow students to plan work and/or other responsibilities around their University attendance.

The University of East London is a global learning community, with over 20,000 students from 120 countries worldwide.

Within the school of Health and Bioscience we have staff and facilities to match the wide interests and backgrounds of our students.
Central London is only 20 minutes by underground, and the Stratford Campus has extensive transport links with all parts of London, the UK and the European train terminal will be based at Stratford. Stratford is currently developing “Stratford City” a vast development of commercial and social facilities. Stratford is the main site for the next Olympic and Paralympic games. There are many other regeneration and economic growth investment plans in the run up to the Olympics in 2012. UEL is engaged in this exciting urban development project.

On site facilities over two campuses include bookshops, canteens, coffee shops, student shops, 24-hour learning resource centres, IT laboratories and services provided by the Student Union.