Public Health (CertHE)

Certificate of Higher Education in Public Health

The CertHE Public Health is a one-year higher education programme designed to provide students with a strong foundation in public health, health and social care, and contemporary health issues.

The programme enables students to develop essential academic, communication and professional skills while gaining an understanding of the factors that influence health and wellbeing. Students explore the relationship between lifestyle, environment, society and health, while developing an appreciation of how public health contributes to healthier individuals and communities.

The course also develops important skills such as critical thinking, research, communication and collaborative working. Students are introduced to the importance of working effectively within inter-professional healthcare teams and explore sociological perspectives on health and wellbeing.

This programme can be an excellent starting point for students who are considering a career in public health, health and social care or related areas, as well as for people already working in the sector who want to strengthen their knowledge and obtain a higher education qualification.

Why Study CertHE Public Health?

Public health focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of populations and communities. It considers not only healthcare, but also the wider factors that influence people’s health, including lifestyle, environment, social circumstances and access to services.

The CertHE Public Health provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in these important areas.

Key benefits include:

Develop a foundation understanding of public health.
Explore contemporary health issues and challenges.
Understand the relationship between lifestyle and health.
Examine the influence of the environment on health and wellbeing.
Develop academic and critical-thinking skills.
Develop research skills relevant to health and social care.
Improve communication skills for healthcare settings.
Understand the importance of collaborative and inter-professional working.
Explore sociological perspectives on health and wellbeing.
Develop knowledge that can support progression into further higher education.

What You’ll Study

The programme is structured across three stages of study and includes six modules.

Trimester 1

Introducing Academic Skills – 20 Credits

Develop the essential academic skills required for successful study in higher education. Students are introduced to approaches that support effective learning, critical thinking and academic development.

Contemporary Health & Lifestyles – 20 Credits

Explore contemporary issues relating to health and lifestyle and consider how lifestyle choices can influence individual and population health.

Trimester 2

Communication & Digital Health – 20 Credits

Develop communication skills relevant to health and social care settings and explore the growing role of digital technologies in health and healthcare.

Collaborative Working in Health – 20 Credits

Explore the importance of partnership and collaborative working within health and social care. Students develop an understanding of working effectively with professionals from different disciplines.

Trimester 3

Sociology of Health & Wellbeing – 20 Credits

Explore sociological perspectives on health and wellbeing and consider how social factors can influence health outcomes and people’s experiences of health and care.

Environment & Green Health – 20 Credits

Examine the relationship between the environment and health, including the importance of environmental factors and approaches to supporting healthier and more sustainable communities.

Course Duration

1 Year – Full-Time

The programme provides a focused one-year route into higher education and public health study.

Learning and Development

Students study in a supportive learning environment and develop both academic and practical skills throughout the programme.

The course focuses on:

Academic development
Critical thinking
Research skills
Communication
Digital health
Collaborative working
Health and wellbeing
Lifestyle and health
Sociology
Environmental health

These skills can support students in their further education, employment and professional development.

Who Is This Course For?

The CertHE Public Health may be suitable for:

Students interested in public health and health promotion.
Individuals considering a career in health and social care.
People already working in health or social care who want to enhance their qualifications.
Students wishing to develop their academic skills before progressing to further higher education.
Individuals interested in the social, lifestyle and environmental factors affecting health.
Students who want to progress towards a degree-level qualification in Public Health.

Progression Opportunities

Successful completion of the CertHE can provide an opportunity to progress to further study in Public Health, subject to the relevant programme’s progression and admission requirements.

Students may be able to progress to later stages of a BSc (Hons) Public Health programme, subject to meeting the progression requirements of the receiving programme.

This provides a potential progression route:

CertHE Public Health
↓
Further study / progression to BSc (Hons) Public Health
↓
Further postgraduate study or public health-related employment

Career Development

The programme provides a foundation for individuals interested in health and social care and related areas.

Depending on previous experience, further qualifications and future study, students may explore career areas such as:

Public Health
Health Promotion
Community Health
Health and Social Care
Healthcare Support
Community Support
Health and Wellbeing Services
Public Sector and Voluntary Organisations

Some professional roles may require additional qualifications, professional registration or relevant work experience.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should meet the relevant admissions requirements for the programme.

Applicants with different educational and professional backgrounds may be considered, subject to an assessment of their qualifications and experience.

If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements, contact our admissions team for an individual assessment.

Start Your Journey in Public Health

The CertHE Public Health provides an opportunity to begin higher education while developing a broad understanding of public health, health and wellbeing.

Whether you are considering a future career in health and social care, already working in the sector, or planning to progress to a degree in Public Health, this one-year programme can provide a valuable foundation for your next step.

Take the Next Step

Interested in studying Public Health?