BA (Hons) Environmental Health

Entry year:
2026/27
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
3 years
Campus:
Mount Pleasant

Why study this course with LJMU?

  • 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.

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

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.

Core modules

Dance Techniques 1
45 credits

The Dance Techniques 1 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to ascertain core foundation skills in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial and Tap dance styles. This will provide students with a strong understanding of fundamental technique and will underpin their technical practice across all genres at LIPA.

Healthy Dancer 1
15 credits

This module begins with a one-to-one physical diagnostic to identify individual postural issues and muscular imbalances that could hinder improvements across technical training. In class, students learn about applied anatomy, physical health, sports psychology, nutrition, conditioning and remedial practices alongside other supportive holistic approaches, in order to prepare students for safe practice and continued success in a physically demanding professional training environment and subsequent career.

Musical Theatre Skills 1
15 credits

The Musical Theatre Skills 1 module teaches the fundamental skills of Acting, Singing and Voice appropriate for Musical Theatre work. This foundation prepares students for the integration of these skills at Level 5 in preparation for a Musical Theatre production at Level 6.

Rehearsal and Performance Project
30 credits

The Rehearsal and Performance Project module aims to introduce students into a professional working environment. Here students will take what they have learned in the Dance Techniques 1, Healthy Dancer 1, and Musical Theatre Skills 1 modules and apply it to rehearsal processes which lead to live and recorded performances. Masterclasses and choreography lessons will prepare the students for contributing to the rehearsal process in a creative manner. Stagecraft sessions will enable the students to work in the theatre safely and professionally.

Professional Principles
15 credits

This module aims to provide an introduction to dance studies and a broad understanding of a range of theoretical approaches in the dance landscape. Students will engage in research, discussion and debate in order to further their understanding of the topic area. Presentation skills will also be developed while learning about the wider professional industry.

Core modules

Dance Techniques 2
45 credits

The Dance Techniques 2 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to build on postural and fundamental technical knowledge gained at Level 4 and to ascertain a wide range of stylistic skills affiliated with Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Commercial and Tap dance styles. This module encourages the student to present a more consolidated understanding and delivery of multiple stylistic forms to enhance a broader range of performance and technical skills.

Healthy Dancer 2
15 credits

This module aims to further develop students knowledge of injury prevention and management to ensure that they are maximising their dance training and increasing career longevity. Sessions will include applied exercise and anatomy and progressive remedial and prescriptive exercises to address the most common dance related injuries. This module has been developed in conjunction with LIPA Dances physiotherapy team in order to fully support and address the demands of professional training and work in the industry.

Musical Theatre Skills 2
15 credits

The Musical Theatre Skills 2 module builds on the fundamentals of Acting, Singing and Voice techniques taught at Level 4. At Level 5 students are taught to integrate these skills in order to accomplish a well-rounded and confident Musical Theatre performance at Level 6.

Public Performance Project
30 credits

The Public Performance Project module provides students with a public performance opportunity through a simulated professional process. It promotes the varied methods of creating and devising for live performance through a process of collaboration. Students will make use of their knowledge from the Healthy Dancer 1 and 2 modules to integrate a blend of key body conditioning practices that work to prepare them for the challenges of choreographic exploration and professional performance. Aerial dance training and a broad range of specialist masterclasses enhances students development across the academic year.

Professional Practice
15 credits

This module aims to further develop the skills obtained in Professional Principles. Dance and performance will be discussed in broader terms of a global landscape and students are encouraged to enter into research that transcends dance and into the areas that affect, and are affected by, dance and performance. This module also aims to provide students with additional depth in dance industry specific employment and enterprise skills. This module will consolidate generic and dance specific industry skills through focused application in the context of employment, audition, career and enterprise planning.

Core modules

Dance Techniques 3
45 credits

The Dance Technique 3 module aims to provide students with the opportunity to ascertain the technical and artistic skills based at a comparative professional level within Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Commercial and Tap dance styles. Pointe work, virtuosity classes and partnering will continue and increase in complexity at this level. These technique classes build upon all stylistic elements mastered at Level 5 and continue to inject current stylistic trends and appropriate practices relevant within each genre in preparation for audition post-graduation.

Performance Company
45 credits

This module gives students the experience of working as part of a dance company to produce two productions. The first is a Musical Theatre production and the second is a showcase presentation of varied dance work, largely created by professional choreographers. Students dance work on both productions reflects all areas covered on the course, with a commercial industry focus. By working as part of an ensemble alongside creative professionals, the module bridges the gap between being a student and being a professional dance performer. In addition, and to support the range of skills that the industry requires, students will also train in aerial dance techniques and participate in a broad range of masterclasses, to increase versatility and employment options.

The Professional Dancer
30 credits

This module allows students to investigate a topic area of particular interest to them. It provides a platform to carry out extensive research and the opportunity to develop a critical understanding and research process using analytical tools developed during the previous levels.

Students will develop a specific strategy and career plan based upon their own aspirations. They will experience mock auditions and audition technique with industry professionals and produce their own marketing and promotional material.

Your Learning Experience

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.

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 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.

Where you will study

The Public Health Institute is located in the City Campus where you'll find the Avril Robarts Library, IT Zones, high quality teaching facilities and lecture theatres plus a range of cafes and social spaces.

Course tutors

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.

Career paths

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.

Tuition fees and funding

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus Wi-Fi.

Financial Support

The University offers a range of scholarships to support students through their studies. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist funding pages, including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

  • Accommodation
  • Travel costs including those for placements, visas and travel for studying abroad and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
  • Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

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.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications:

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Qualification requirements

A levels

We are committed to accepting students on to this course who have the potential to succeed as performers and who will gain sustained work in the performing arts and entertainment industries. With this in mind we wish to identify through applications and interview or audition key attributes and achievements. The key attributes that we seek to identify are: * Knowledge, ability and experience of dance * Commitment to the performing arts * Ability to work effectively with others * Broad interest and engagement * Self-awareness * Spirit of enterprise The minimum educational standard that we are looking for is: GCSEs We normally require a minimum of five GCSEs grade C. These should include Maths and English. Plus a minimum of 64 UCAS UCAS tariff points. We accept all types of equivalent qualifications, the following are the most common UK qualifications that people tend to apply to us with: A/AS Level This should be from two A Levels (i.e. grades C, C), excluding General Studies. Points from AS and Key Skills are not counted.

BTECs

Extended Diploma (i.e. Merit, Merit, Pass profile). BTEC Diploma (i.e. Merit, Merit). Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications such as an A Level, in which case total needs to be 64 UCAS tariff points across both qualifications. 90 Credit Diploma (Distinction, Merit). Acceptable on its own or can be combined with other qualifications such as an A Level, in which case total needs to be 64 tariff points.

International Baccalaureate

Acceptable on its own and with other qualifications. Welsh Baccalaureate Acceptable on its own but is ideally combined with other qualifications as it is equivalent to one A Level.

Alternative qualifications considered

Audition or Interview Candidates are invited to audition/interview on the basis of completing the LIPA and/or UCAS application form. We look for evidence of the key attributes and an ability to achieve the qualifications standard. In exceptional cases people may be invited to audition/interview who have not met or are not on course to meet the qualifications standard. In these cases there must be substantial potential demonstrated against the other attributes. The audition or interview allows us to evaluate you as a practitioner in your area of interest. Offers of a place will follow where you demonstrate high ability and the potential to succeed. At the audition candidates are given an overview of LIPA, take part in a series of dance workshops, dance improvisation, an interview and perform a song, during which they are accompanied on piano. Equal Opportunity LIPA is an equal opportunities organisation and aims to successfully recruit students from a wide range of different socio-economic and personal backgrounds. To ensure we provide effective equality of opportunity within the application process we carefully consider each application individually and acknowledge differences that can exist between applicants’ experiences from diverse backgrounds. We regularly update our approaches to take into account changing understanding of communities and cultures and we monitor applicant/student characteristics such as age, gender and ethnicity. Recognition of Prior (Experiential) Learning [RP(E)L] and Credit Transfers If you can demonstrate that you have already achieved learning equivalent to a module or modules, or a level of study, in the programme then you may be eligible to be awarded credit for this learning or to have credit transferred from another UK institution. You will be required to complete an application to have your qualifications or experience approved by the Head of Discipline and the university. This requires the presentation of appropriate evidence and we will map the evidence against the programme outcomes to be certain of equivalence. If approved credit will be awarded and you will proceed on to the appropriate level of the course to complete the remaining credit for the award.

International requirements

Other international requirements

We welcome applications from students with qualifications from outside of the UK. Each application is considered on an individual basis and mapped to the appropriate entry level. We value the diversity of experience that students from different backgrounds bring to the course. IELTS score of 6 is required.

How to apply

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.

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