Environmental Health MSc
Environmental health is the branch of public health concerned with how our living, working and leisure environments affect our health. It's a gripping subject to study and a fascinating field to work in
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Viewing course details for 2025 year of entry
- Code
- PGB919
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Start
- September 2025
- Fees
- £10,700 (UK) £17,100 (INT)
- Duration
- 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
- Course Leader
- Jenny Jacobs
- Study mode
- On campus
- Location
- Hendon campus
- Entry Requirements
- 2:2 degree
- School / Department
- Faculty of Science and Technology
Why choose MSc Environmental Health at Middlesex?
Middlesex University is the largest and foremost provider of environmental health education in the UK. This course is highly work-focused, with a strong emphasis on practical laboratory work and real-life case studies and you'll be able to take advantage of our close links within the industry.
The course is centred on UK law and practice, but is designed to be flexible and provide education and training that will be valuable internationally. You will have access to a range of excellent facilities include a microbiology laboratory and pestology materials. You will be able to study specialist modules areas such as food safety, and health and safety which are particularly valued by both local authorities and the private sector.
Many of our teaching staff are chartered environmental health practitioners and under their expert guidance, previous students have done research into a wide variety of areas, including listeria in food, the effects of heavy smoking, skin lightening, water pollution and the attitudes of people living in high-rise buildings towards recycling.
Course highlights
- The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, and you'll be eligible to apply for membership of the institute.
- As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.
About your course
What will you study on the MSc Environmental Health?
This degree will cover the impact of different factors on public health, the spread and control of diseases, health protection measures, and human anatomy, physiology and toxicology. You will also explore inequality and deprivation, housing and health, and law and ethics. You will focus food safety including understand food-borne illnesses, methods of food storage and processing, legal requirements and food safety standards.
What will you gain?
As well as gaining an in-depth understanding of all five key areas of environmental health (food safety, housing, environmental protection, occupational health, and public health), you will also gain the knowledge to identify and assess health and safety risks. You will be competent in implementing measures to safeguard and improve health and safety in a variety of settings.
Modules
Here is a brief overview of the modules you will study on your course.
Compulsory
This module takes a strategic view of public health and applies relevant policy and strategy to a range of settings. This module will provide you with theory, knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and implement strategies to improve population health and in particular explores how evidence based environmental health practice adds value to public health. It reviews how environmental health can better disseminate and promote its purposes as part of a wider public health agenda.
The aim of this module is to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable you to assess, judge and determine the effects of pollution and disease-causing agents, the likely or recognised impact on humans and how this impact can be minimised through control strategies and methodologies.
This module aims to interpret and analyse the range of stressors which impact act on the physical, social and human worlds and the mechanisms, points of impact and consequences for human health and well-being. It will develop your skills to critically evaluate potential and actual health outcomes, methodologies utilised in establishing causation and undertake detailed examination of the toxicological, epidemiological, and health demographics in the surveillance and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It will give you an opportunity to explore and critically appraise examples of vectors of disease, including microorganisms; their diversity social, economic and public health significance; prevention and control.
This module aims to provide you with an overview, framework and functions of risk management in the context of cultural, legal and policy drivers and actor related factors influencing risk and strategic risk interventions, including organisational (structural and cultural positioning) and individual (resources and psychological constraints) to reveal tensions in both implementing and responding to risk.
This module aims to thoroughly appraise and evaluate the theoretical and practical aspects of identifying, managing and controlling occupational health and safety risks.
This module aim to display mastery in the professional practice of environmental health through exploring the application of knowledge and skills in the development of innovative solutions to complex environmental health problems taking account of the social, psychological and physiological context in which they present themselves. It will give you the opportunity to explore available interventions across all areas of environmental health, including food safety, health and safety, housing and environmental protection, to ensure a holistic approach to professional practice.
This module aims to explore and critique the theoretical and practical aspects of identifying, managing and controlling food safety risks. Also, it will thoroughly appraise the factors that determine food safety provision including legal requirements, management responsibilities, systems, and control options. The module will further develop your skills to determine and evaluate the appropriateness of legal and managerial approaches in light of current best practice, and the influence of external factors.
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.
This module explores the relationship between housing, health and safety and ways in which housing, health and social care organisations can work more effectively together to deliver better health outcomes. The housing and health needs of a range of social and geographical communities will be considered with a view to developing effective, integrated, evidence-based strategies and interventions with a specific focus on the role of environmental health practitioners.
Details to follow.
This module takes a strategic view of public health and applies relevant policy and strategy to a range of settings. This module will provide you with theory, knowledge, skills and abilities to develop and implement strategies to improve population health and in particular explores how evidence based environmental health practice adds value to public health. It reviews how environmental health can better disseminate and promote its purposes as part of a wider public health agenda.
The aim of this module is to provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable you to assess, judge and determine the effects of pollution and disease-causing agents, the likely or recognised impact on humans and how this impact can be minimised through control strategies and methodologies.
This module aims to interpret and analyse the range of stressors which impact act on the physical, social and human worlds and the mechanisms, points of impact and consequences for human health and well-being. It will develop your skills to critically evaluate potential and actual health outcomes, methodologies utilised in establishing causation and undertake detailed examination of the toxicological, epidemiological, and health demographics in the surveillance and prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It will give you an opportunity to explore and critically appraise examples of vectors of disease, including microorganisms; their diversity social, economic and public health significance; prevention and control.
This module aims to provide you with an overview, framework and functions of risk management in the context of cultural, legal and policy drivers and actor related factors influencing risk and strategic risk interventions, including organisational (structural and cultural positioning) and individual (resources and psychological constraints) to reveal tensions in both implementing and responding to risk.
This module aims to thoroughly appraise and evaluate the theoretical and practical aspects of identifying, managing and controlling occupational health and safety risks.
This module aim to display mastery in the professional practice of environmental health through exploring the application of knowledge and skills in the development of innovative solutions to complex environmental health problems taking account of the social, psychological and physiological context in which they present themselves. It will give you the opportunity to explore available interventions across all areas of environmental health, including food safety, health and safety, housing and environmental protection, to ensure a holistic approach to professional practice.
This module aims to explore and critique the theoretical and practical aspects of identifying, managing and controlling food safety risks. Also, it will thoroughly appraise the factors that determine food safety provision including legal requirements, management responsibilities, systems, and control options. The module will further develop your skills to determine and evaluate the appropriateness of legal and managerial approaches in light of current best practice, and the influence of external factors.
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.
This module explores the relationship between housing, health and safety and ways in which housing, health and social care organisations can work more effectively together to deliver better health outcomes. The housing and health needs of a range of social and geographical communities will be considered with a view to developing effective, integrated, evidence-based strategies and interventions with a specific focus on the role of environmental health practitioners.
Details to follow.
To find out more about this programme, please download the MSc Environmental Health course specification (PDF). For part time study mode, please download the MSc Environmental Health (Part Time) course specification (PDF).
Register your interest
Sign up now to receive more information about studying at Middlesex University London.
Teaching
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.
We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.
This programme will be delivered in a blended learning format with live lectures and interactive seminars or workshops provided online via a number of learning platforms e.g. Kaltura, Newrow or Zoom.
Lectures will set out principles and topics, provide technical knowledge and identify links between theory and practice, as well as guiding your independent reading and study. Seminars provide an opportunity for discussion, research, practical exercises and examination of case studies, while in laboratory sessions, subject to availability and timing, you’ll learn how to use equipment and carry out practical inspections, audits and assessments. You will work on group and individual projects, case study analyses – some of which you’ll present to your fellow students - and laboratory experiments, as well as undertaking food examinations and visiting retailers and markets for the food safety modules.
You'll be based at our Hendon campus, north London.
Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2024 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
| Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown | ||
|---|---|---|
| Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: | 10 hours |
| Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | 5 hours |
Definitions of terms
Live in-person on campus learning – This will focus on active and experiential sessions that are both:
- Led by your tutors including seminars, lab sessions and demonstrations. We'll schedule all of this for you
- Student-led by you and other students, like small group work and presentations.
Tutor set learning activities – This covers activities which will be set for you by your tutor, but which you will undertake in your own time. Examples of this include watching online materials, participating in an online discussion forum, completing a virtual laboratory or reading specific texts. You may be doing this by yourself of with your course mates depending on your course and assignments. Outside of these hours, you’ll also be expected to do further independent study where you’ll be expected to learn, prepare, revise and reflect in your own time.
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts.
As well as written and oral exams and your research project and dissertation, you will be assessed through practical food examinations, the timing of which will be determined by the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, tests, presentations, essays, work portfolios, case study analyses, data analysis, and other written assignments. For your dissertation, you'll design, conduct, evaluate and present the results of your own independent project into an area of your choosing. You will present your findings through a 10,000 to 12,000-word thesis and at a viva with your tutors.
You will receive regular feedback on your work, including your assessed coursework.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.
Learn moreFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library provides a wide range of resources and support to help you to succeed in your studies.
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Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.
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We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.
Our facilitiesStudent support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
How can the Environmental Health MSc support your career?
The work of an environmental health practitioner is incredibly wide-ranging, covering anything from dealing with outbreaks of food poisoning or TB, to ensuring the health and welfare of farmed livestock. It is a rewarding, varied, challenging and satisfying career. Traditionally, our graduates have gone on to be public health practitioners with local authorities. This rewarding role gives you the chance to work on different sites and in different settings, and draws not only on your science background but your ability to be a good communicator and listener.
Equally, you might be interested in developing you career into research, consultancy, education or training. There are also a growing number of international opportunities which you might wish to consider.
The variety of roles available means that you will be able to work in a wide range of sectors such as:
- The Environment Agency
- Public Health England
- DEFRA
- The Food Standards Agency
- The Health and Safety Executive
- NHS.
There are also opportunities within local authorities, housing associations, or in sectors ranging from travel to retail or waste management.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject.
We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications. Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study.
Qualifications
We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification:
- We normally require a second class honours degree 2:2 or above, or equivalent qualification, in an appropriate subject
- We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications
- Those without formal qualifications need to demonstrate three years' relevant work experience and the ability to study at postgraduate level.
To find out more about the qualifications we accept, visit your country support page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.
Visas
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK.
Part-time study
International applicants can apply for a Student Route Visa (formerly tier 4) for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).
Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:
- no work (paid or unpaid)
- no work placements as part of the programme
- no dependants
- no extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
- not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme
*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part- time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.
English language
You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification.
If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university. Please visit our Postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.
Interviews
You won't be required to interview for this course.
Fees and funding
The fees below refer to the 2025/26 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK students1
Full-time students: £10,700
Part-time students: £71 per credit
Part-time students: £35 per dissertation credit
International students2
Full-time students: £17,100
Part-time students: £114 per credit
Part-time students: £57 per dissertation credit
Additional costs
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- All printing and copying required for your study
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders
Financial support
We offer lots of support to help you with fees and living costs. Check out our guide to student life on a budget and find out more about postgraduate funding.
Postgraduate scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:
- The Alumni Postgraduate Award – for all UK/EU Middlesex alumni a 20% fee reduction
- The Commonwealth Scholarship – full course fees, airfares and a living allowance
- The Chevening Scholarship – full course fees
- The European Academic Awards – £1000 to £7000 for students showing academic excellence
- Regional or International Merit Award –up to £2,000 towards course fees
For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.
Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.
Help from your employer
Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.
Work while you study
If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
Get answers from our Unibuddy student ambassadors
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.