2025/26 entry
BSc (Hons) Environmental Health
Why study Environmental Health at Liverpool John Moores University?
- LJMU ranked 2nd in the UK for health professions courses (The Guardian University Guide 2025)
- Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)
- Opportunity to complete a workplace project
- CIEH professional exam incorporated within the degree
- Field trips focusing on food safety, health and safety, housing inspections and waste disposal
- Option to enrol on a two-day practical food training course and exam
- 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
The professionally-accredited BSc (Hons) Environmental Health at Liverpool John Moores University offers you extensive opportunities to secure hands-on experience through a wide range of field trips and our extensive links with environmental health professionals.
Accredited under Curriculum 2011 of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), this course is your first step to becoming an Environmental Health Practitioner. It covers the five key areas of Environmental Health, enabling you to specialise in any of these areas after graduation. These areas are:
- housing
- food safety
- health and safety
- environmental protection
- health protection and promotion
Located within the Public Health Institute at LJMU, the course benefits from extensive links with a range of organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors and provides a wealth of expertise at your fingertips. You will also be following in the footsteps of famous Liverpool practitioners, as both the first Medical Officer of Health (Dr Duncan) and the first Environmental Health Practitioner (Thomas Fresh) in the country were appointed in the city.
The course includes the food practical examination (including an offsite two day training course) and the Integrated Professional Assessment, key requirements for registration as an Environmental Health Practitioner. Along with taught sessions the course provides a range of field trips for students focusing on the key areas of environmental health.
In the past these have focused on:
- health and safety (Matalan)
- food safety (Dairy Crest)
- waste (Gillmoss Recycling Centre)
- the local Magistrates court
Students preparing for their food practical exam have also visited the Liverpool fruit and vegetable market plus the Liverpool meat and fish market.
The course focuses not just on extending your knowledge and skills in relation to Environmental Health but also on developing your graduate employability skills. All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the CareerSmart programme as an integral part of a core module of study.
"Embracing pure academic theory of course is only part of the picture, being able to apply those concepts to real world situations is what makes a great Environmental Health Practitioner and LJMU students have struck the balance perfectly as they can appreciate what drives business and what motivates people which as an advisor and an enforcer, are vital."
Professional accreditation/links
To become a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner, you need to complete the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Practitioner programme. Your CIEH-accredited degree from LJMU is the first step to achieving this.
Completion of LJMU's BSc (Hons) Environmental Health with Foundation Year degree provides direct entry to the CIEH Practitioner programme. Once you successfully complete the programme, you will be able to apply for registration as a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner. You can read more about becoming a Chartered EHP on the CIEH website.
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.
Students are provided with the opportunity to take a Food Practical exam. This will consist of a 2-day course followed by an exam a week or so later. The course and exam will both take place in Nottingham, so students will need to pay for travel to Nottingham for both the course and exam, plus an overnight stay in Nottingham for the course.
International Fees
The fees 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
You will enjoy excellent career prospects after graduation.
By the time you graduate, you will have developed essential practical and professional skills plus your knowledge base, putting you ahead of the game when it comes to securing a job. In addition this programme is currently the only one in LJMU that includes all elements of the World of Work scheme within the curriculum.
You can expect to be able to forge a successful career in environmental health or a number of related fields. You may also choose to become a registered Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP) by completing the CIEH Practitioner programme and gaining Chartered Status. Chartered Status is the highest level of professional achievement within the environmental health profession and recognises an individual’s breadth of knowledge and experience. Holders can use 'CEnvH' after their name to formally demonstrate that they have met the required standards.
Further career opportunities exist for graduates in the fields of environmental and public health in organisations such as local authorities, the NHS, food retailers, the military, holiday firms and airlines.
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) Environmental Health degree are designated 'Core'. This means that all students on the degree will undertake them and ensures CIEH-accreditation standards are met. At each level of your degree, you will complete modules totalling 120 credits.
At Levels 4 and 5, you will undertake six modules, each worth 20 credits. At Level 6, you will undertake five modules, including your Dissertation, which is worth 40 credits.
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.
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 get you thinking of 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.
Environmental sciences
20 credits
This module allows you to gain an insight into how environmental stressors impact on the human body and the living environment. There will also be a field trip to a sewage treatment plant, composting facility, restored landfill site or similar venue to explore the ecological processes employed.
Understanding Populations
20 credits
In this module you will focus on the key measures and techniques used in studying and working with populations to improve health and reduce health inequalities. You will be provided with an introduction to how the principles of demography and community participation can be utilised to improve health and reduce health inequalities.
An Introduction to Environmental Health Law and Policy
20 credits
This module aims to introduce you to the development of environmental and public health policy and governance since the 19th century. You will explore the historical development of public and environmental health governance from the Sanitary Reforms (1800's) 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.
Environmental Health Concepts
20 credits
Within Environmental Health there has been a tradition to focus on the five key intervention areas: food safety; health and safety; housing; environmental protection and health promotion and health protection (sometimes known as public health within Environmental Health circles). In this module you will look to move away from this traditional model and instead you will examine the key themes and concepts that underpin these intervention areas.
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 Environmental Health skills
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the resources, skills and knowledge to optimise opportunities provided in the workplace to develop and strengthen a range of professional skills, relevant to an Environmental Health Practitioner, via participation in an environmental health/public health based project.
Food safety
20 credits
This module will engage you in a critical exploration of current issues in the interface between environmental problems, safety of food, and its production and consumption in relation to human health. Food hygiene and safety are examined, alongside risks to public heath from food contamination. You will also examine the roles of the Environmental Health Practitioner and other organisations involved in food safety, both nationally and internationally.
Environmental protection
20 credits
This module provides you with the relevant skills to identify, select and assess the effectiveness of a range of environmental health interventions and enforcement options within the key Environmental Health areas of environmental protection. Health protection aims to anticipate chemical, physical and social hazards and develop interventions to protect the public's health. Environmental health practitioners are involved in the practice of these approaches and you will explore how these approaches are used and evaluate their effectiveness.
Housing and Public Health
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the relevant skills to identify, select and assess the effectiveness of a range of environmental health interventions and enforcement options focusing on the key Environmental Health areas of housing and public health.
Research Methods for Environmental 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.
Health and Safety
20 credits
This module will enable you to understand the development and influences of Health and Safety at Work legislation within the UK and Europe and how such statutory instruments can be applied to the workplace. The process of advising and assisting in the interpretation of health and safety at work legislation are explored, and the roles and responsibilities of employers and employees in the context of good health and safety at work are analysed.
Optional Modules
Study Year Abroad - Environmental Health
120 credits
This additional year of full-time study abroad would be at an approved higher education institution. The modules to be studied will be agreed in advance, and will be appropriate for your programme of study.
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. The dissertation permits you to engage in a major project of your choice. It supports you while you investigate a specific environmental health issue, or set of issues, through individual study, using either the literature and relevant secondary sources, or empirical methods.
Professional and interdisciplinary studies
30 credits
This module aims to facilitate the development of a holistic view of the professional nature of environmental health and its inter-relationships with other professional disciplines. It will be student led, although guided by tutors. You will be able to sit in on a range of lectures related to your topics but you will also be required to develop your own learning plans to achieve the required outcomes. Placement on this module is dependent on previous module results.
Career planning and professional development
10 credits
This module gives you the opportunity to identify and maximize your strengths and prepares you to compete in the job market. It will allow you to fully understand the career pathways open to you and the professional requirements of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
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
This module will explore the importance of sustainability and climate change and how they are impacting upon our health and the environment and what remedial action is being and can be taken to reduce these impacts.
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.
The course is based on the CIEH's curriculum 2011 and as such all modules are compulsory. Teaching is via a combination of seminars, lectures, tutorials, online activities and workshops. This allows you to obtain a range of knowledge and skills and see how they can be applied practically.
Work-related Learning
We have strong local links with professionals working in emergency planning, Trading Standards, port health and the private sector. Making contact with such a broad range of practitioners will give you a better understanding of how the key areas of environmental and public health work in practice.
At Level 5, you have the chance to experience what its really like to work in environmental 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.
We recognise that all students perform differently depending on how they are being assessed, which is why we offer a variety of assessment methods. These include exams (seen and unseen), 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 workplace-based project in Level 5 of your degree and a dissertation in Level 6 which both require extensive independent study.
Much of your feedback will be provided electronically via Canvas (our virtual learning environment) within 21 days of submission. We believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Graeme Mitchell
Programme Leader
A Qualified Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP), Graeme worked in a number of local authorities across the North West before joining LJMU in 2007 as the programme leader for the BSc (Hons) Environmental Health. He's remained active within the profession and was elected a trustee of the professional body for Environmental Health and has taught and represented not only LJMU but the profession of Environmental Health internationally. Graeme is a regular expert guest on several local radio stations and you can follow him on Twitter @Graememitchell3
I find the journey that students make on our degree, and watching them leave ready to become professionals, the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of my role. My research interests include most areas of Environmental Health, but recently focus on food allergens and the role of EHPs in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
The Public Health Institute is located in the City Campus where youll find the Avril Robarts Library, IT Zones, high quality teaching facilities and lecture theatres plus a range of cafs and social spaces.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC - ABB (112 - 128)
Qualification requirements
A levels
112 UCAS points Additional Information Minimum number of A Levels required: 2 Is General Studies acceptable? Yes Are AS level awards acceptable? Not acceptable
BTECs
112 UCAS points Additional Information BTEC certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications90 credit diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications Subjects / grades required: Health or Science related subject area Diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications Diploma subjects / grades required: Health or Science related subject area Extended diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications Extended diploma subjects / grades required: DMM in a health or science related subject area Grades required: Not applicable
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own (provided it is equivalent to 112 UCAS points) or can be combined with other qualifications
NVQ
Overall pass at HNC or HND in any subject would be acceptable for entry into level 4. If the HND or HNC was in Environmental Health then direct entry into other levels may be possible (subject to RPL approval)
Alternative qualifications considered
GCSE Maths and English Language grade C or above. The ability to understand and make use of written material and communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written English. This will take the evidential form of GCSE English Language at Grade C, or equivalent e.g.L2 Key Skills, L2 Functional Skills. Candidates without this qualification will be required to demonstrate competence in written English as part of assessment for admission. N.B. For students whose education has not been in English, evidence will be required of proficiency in English. Typically, applicants will need to have achieved: Band 6 in the IELTS (International English Language Testing Scheme) and/or TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language) score of 580 or above (completed within 2 years of date of application to the BA). You must contact the Faculty Admissions Team to check equivalent qualifications prior to applying
International requirements
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Other international requirements
Equivalent relevant qualifications and mature students will be considered on a case by case basis. IELTS score of 6 overall, within minimum of 5.5 in each component is required for any student for whom English is not their first language.
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.