| Start date | September 2024 |
| Duration | 4 years full-time |
| Attendance | Full-time degree apprenticeship via blended learning |
| Fees | See the entry requirements and fees tab |
| Course leader | Hasan Erdogan |
Get in touch for more information about apprenticeships at Middlesex University:
Email: apprenticeship@mdx.ac.uk
The BSc Environmental Health Apprenticeship degree* is professional programme that will prepare the apprentice for a career as an Environmental Health Practitioner in the public or private UK sector. They will gain the knowledge and skills to assess and apply effective solutions to improve environmental and public health in a variety of settings.
This programme has been designed to provide education to those wishing to enter the environmental health profession which upholds healthy environments and protects public health. Through their studies on-campus and experience in the workplace, the apprentice will explore the relationship between professional, domestic and leisure environments and how they impact on the health and well-being of individuals and societies. They will cover a range of topics and subject matter including public health, food safety, environmental protection, private sector housing improvement and occupational health and safety.
The apprentice will benefit from specialist teaching and learning spaces for environmental health, including a food inspection laboratory, an environmental and occupational health laboratory, a Grade 2 microbiology laboratory, a biology laboratory and chemistry laboratories. Our lecturers are environmental health practitioners with experience in key areas such as food safety, health and safety, and private sector housing.
Upon graduation, they will be prepared to enter careers in both the public and private sectors and will be confident in evaluating the legal and social framework within which environmental health operates. As this course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), the apprentice will be encouraged to also complete the CIEH Chartered Practitioner Programme and become a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner.
*subject to validation and accreditation
The apprentice will have the opportunity to gain professional status and upon successful completion of their degree apprenticeship they will have gained:
The apprentice will study a range of key subjects, which include housing, pollution, food safety, and occupational health and safety and public health. In their first two years, the focus is on developing the essential knowledge, skills and theory in environmental health and the underpinning scientific principles.
In Year 3, the apprentice will explore effective environmental health interventions and professional competence. They will undertake the End Point Assessment (professional examinations) and an environmental health project based in their workplace.
As well as gaining an in-depth knowledge of the subject, they will also gain the ability to investigate environmental health issues in a range of contexts and apply their knowledge of environmental health stressors to solve complex problems in the workplace.
They will be able to interpret data and design novel solutions to environmental health issues, as well as inspections and compliance audits. The apprentice will also gain effective communication skills in Environmental Health settings and develop research strategies and critical writing skills.
This module will introduce the fundamental scientific concepts underpinning the assessment of chemicals, physical agents and micro-organisms in the context of pollution and occupational safety and health. The apprentice will acquire skills in scientific information gathering, experimentation, data analysis and presentation and develop their knowledge on chemistry, physics and microbiology.
This module will provide the knowledge of the human anatomy and its hierarchical organisation from cell to organ system. An understanding of how the main body systems and mechanisms involved maintaining a "state of health" will be developed along with an introduction to how these systems can malfunction. Grounding in practical anatomy will be provided which includes hands-on practical work in identification and recognition of the main anatomical features of organs and structures of the body.
This module will provide an understanding of disease transmission and vectors of disease, emphasising the importance of zoonotic diseases in environmental and public health. The apprentice will develop their knowledge of comparative anatomy and physiology of the food animals with hands-on practical work to enable identification, differentiation and fitness of food items of animal origin. Exploring strategies will ensure the safety and quality control in relation to inspection, zoonotic disease transmission and fitness. In addition, they will gain practical skills in the identification of the main arthropod and vertebrate pests, their diversity, role as biological and mechanical vectors of disease, and their socioeconomic impact. Finally, strategies for control such as integrated pest management principles will also be investigated.
This module will develop the apprentice's understanding in the concepts of health and ill-health and factors which influence and contribute to an individual’s state of health. They will examine how physical, chemical, biological, social and psycho-stressors impact on human health and the environment. Examining toxicology, aetiology, epidemiology and demography will develop their knowledge and understanding of illness and well-being. They will explore the relationship between food, lifestyle, health and disease, and develop an appreciation of the importance of these in the prevention of disease and facilitating health improvement.
This module aims to develop the apprentice's administrative, communication and practical skills required for successful academic and professional progress. They will also develop an appreciation of governance and the legal systems, including legal doctrines applicable to criminal, evidence and civil law. The professional practice element focuses upon the assessment of risk upon which further risk management skills can be developed. Finally, they will gain understanding of the principles and breadth of environmental health professional practice.
This module covers the environmental and health impacts of pollution. The apprentice will gain an understanding on the harmful substances potentially present in the air, water and soil environments as a result of human and natural processes. They will develop their knowledge of the technological options, legislative processes and economic implications associated with the assessment and control of pollution.
This module explores the relationship between housing, health and safety, and ways in which these organisations can work together more effectively to deliver better health outcomes. The apprentice will learn about housing in history and the range of organisations and stakeholders now involved in delivering the housing and public health agenda. They will consider the housing and health needs of a range of social and geographical communities with a view to developing and implementing effective, integrated, evidence-based strategies and interventions at local level.
This module is designed to provide a coherent body of theoretical and applied professional knowledge, transferable skill development, and competence in the field of food safety through an informed and critical approach to current practice. Key issues will be identified and evaluated from professional, technical and managerial perspectives.
This module aims to provide a basic understanding of the principles, terminology and methods underlying the construction and performance of residential buildings. The apprentice will also gain the practical and cognitive skills to recognise building defects and be able to specify suitable diagnostic treatments. Exploring the relevant legislative remedies available will allow them to intervene on individual and strategic levels to deliver safer and healthier housing and local environments.
This module aims to develop the apprentice's understanding of fundamental legislative and governance principles used to protect workers’ physical, mental and wider well-being within the workplace through an exploration of common workplace hazards and stressors. They will also explore the principles of risk and apply appropriate interventions/improvements/polices to safety behaviour and management.
This module will provide the necessary skills to plan, implement and analyse project-based work with a focus on preparing for the final year project module. The apprentice will develop core research skills fundamental to a scientific research design, irrespective of discipline, including analytical techniques appropriate to the individual programme requirements.
This module aims to develop the apprentice's understanding of fundamental legislative and governance principles used to protect workers’ physical, mental and wider well-being within the workplace through an exploration of common workplace hazards and stressors. They will also explore the principles of risk and apply appropriate interventions/improvements/polices to safety behaviour and management.
This module aims to develop the apprentice's understanding of leadership in environmental and public health organisations both within and across organisations. They will learn about the principles of environmental health and public health governance and their organisational management. They will explore effective leadership styles with reference to case studies and the theoretical perspective. Examining available tools for performance management will develop an appreciation of their effectiveness for employees and for leaders of environmental health and public health organisations. Skills for implementing strategies and policies in these organisations will also be developed and they will explore principles for leading more effective change.
This module is aimed to provide a deep understanding of the role of the media in public health and the cultural aspect of public health in today’s society. The apprentice will analyse the multiple way of stimulating the public discussion around public health and improve the health knowledge of the population through the analysis of different media including film, social media, art, radio, newspapers. They will gain a basic understanding of the role of law and legislation in public health, and ethics in health research to support your future role as a health practitioner.
This module aims to develop a detailed knowledge of the composition and properties of foodstuffs and the relationship with safety, fitness, and quality within an overarching public health framework. You will learn to identify and evaluate a range of food stuffs, state their condition and recognise unfit/unacceptable food. You will explore a range of possible food safety interventions and recommend the most satisfactory course of action in order to achieve public health food safety. Finally you will be able to evaluate the relevant statutory provisions and appraise the role of the enforcement officer and other relevant factors in determining the most satisfactory course of action to improve food safety.
This module aims to synthesise learning from the entire programme and provides an opportunity to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. The apprentice will select a topic of personal interest they wish to study further which must be approved by the employer. They will be expected to manage their own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated academic supervisor and workplace coach for this period of independent study.
This module aims to develop professional practice skills, building on skills and knowledge previously developed in the intervention areas of Food Safety, Health and Safety, Environmental Protection, Housing and Health, and Public Health Improvement and Protection. The apprentice will explore the operation of professional practice in the context of the varying socio-economic, political, legal and environmental settings, including appraising determinants of health, identification of environmental health interventions, and effectiveness of practice, role of partnership and team working.
As a gateway requirement and prior to taking the EPA, the apprentice must have achieved 350 credits of the integrated BSc (Hons) Environmental Health (Apprenticeship) formally confirmed prior to the gateway progression. The EPA must be completed within a maximum of 6 months, beginning when the EPA gateway requirements have been met.
You can find more information about this course in the programme specification
This is a professional programme and the apprentice will be taught via a work-integrated blended learning approach which will comprise the following:
The apprentice will be required to submit a range of evidence of work-integrated learning for assessment that reflect aspects of practice as a Senior Leader. This can include learning journals, portfolios, role playing, work-based projects, reports, professional development plans and a business transformation project.
All apprenticeships in England are required to include an End-point Assessment (EPA) to test that apprentices have demonstrated all the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for full occupational competence as specified in the nationally approved Apprenticeship Standard. For degree apprenticeships, the EPA can either be integrated within the degree or separate to the degree programme.
The specific requirements for EPA for BSc Environmental Health Apprenticeship apprenticeship is detailed in the nationally approved End-point Assessment Plan and this can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships website.
Evidence of the ability to successfully engage with reflective work-based learning based on pre-entry assessment
There is no cost to do a higher or degree apprenticeship for the apprentice/student. They will earn at least the minimum wage for apprentices but many companies pay more than this, particularly for higher and degree apprenticeships.
They could potentially earn upwards of £300* per week plus the employer and the government is required to pay the tuition fees, meaning the apprentice won't need a tuition fee loan.
*Information and statistics from GOV.UK
Completion of this degree and subsequent completion of the CIEH Chartered Practitioner Programme will enable you to be qualified as an Environmental Health Practitioner. You could then progress into a range of careers such as:
