Public Health and Community Studies BA (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Coventry University London

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Public Health and Community Studies at Coventry University (CU) blends theory, practical skills, and community engagement to prepare students for roles that improve health and wellbeing in diverse populations. It suits those who want to tackle health inequalities, understand the social factors that shape wellbeing, and create meaningful community-focused change.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
The first year builds a strong foundation in public health and community perspectives. Students explore modules such as Communication Skills and Inclusive Practice, Community and Change, Contemporary Public Health, and Lifespan Development and Identity. This year helps students understand how people develop, how communities evolve, and how communication influences public-health outcomes.

Year 2
The second year deepens analytical and research abilities through modules like Social Divisions and Social Groups, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Introduction to Social Science Research Methods, and Lifestyle Trends, Health and Behaviour Change. These modules explore social structures, behaviour patterns, mental health promotion, and how research is used to solve real-world public-health issues.

Year 3
In the final year, students develop leadership and policy knowledge through modules such as Leadership and Management in Public Health, Promoting Healthy Communities, and Contemporary Welfare and Social Policy. The year concludes with a substantial Research Project, giving students the chance to investigate a specialised public-health or community-focused topic.

Focus Areas
Health inequalities, community development, social policy, mental health, behaviour change, leadership in public health, research methods.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to analyse social determinants of health, design and evaluate community-health interventions, apply research methods to public-health challenges, interpret welfare and health policy, and lead or support initiatives that promote wellbeing across diverse populations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This course emphasises applied learning and practical experience, including opportunities for community-based projects and real-world public-health engagement. While it does not carry a formal professional accreditation, it prepares students for a wide range of roles in public health, community support, and social-care environments.

Reputation / Employability
Coventry University is well recognised for its practical, community-focused approach to health and social-care education. Students benefit from strong academic support, high satisfaction levels, and growing employment opportunities in public health, community development, government services, and voluntary organisations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students studying BA (Hons) Public Health and Community Studies at Coventry University London (CU London – Dagenham campus) gain strong practical experience as the course is designed around real community issues, hands-on projects, and applied public-health learning. Teaching blends workshops, group activities, applied research, and local community engagement so students learn how public-health strategies work in everyday life, not just in theory. The programme also offers a sandwich-year option, giving students the chance to gain workplace experience in public-health organisations or community projects.

Students build practical skills through dedicated facilities, structured activities, and applied learning such as:

Optional sandwich placement year, allowing students to work full-time in a public-health or community-service organisation to gain practical frontline experience.
Community-based projects, where students engage with real local issues, assess health needs, and evaluate community wellbeing initiatives.
Workshops and simulation-based activities that mirror real public-health challenges, such as behaviour-change planning, health-promotion campaigns, or community-needs assessments.
Digital learning tools integrated into teaching, including blended-learning platforms, online research environments, and digital presentation tools used for assessed work.
Regular group projects, helping students develop teamwork, leadership, communication, and project-management skills that are essential in public-health sectors.
Research-methods training leading to an independent final-year research project where students investigate a public-health topic of their choice.
Guest sessions with practitioners from public-health, social care, community development, and local government sectors.
University library and learning hubs, offering access to public-health journals, social-policy materials, research databases, and study spaces.
Support from academic tutors, offering guidance on academic work, career decisions, and community engagement activities.
Opportunities for volunteering, supported by the university’s employability team, allowing students to gain extra experience in community organisations, youth services, local councils, or health-promotion groups.

Module Structure & Learning Themes

Communication Skills & Inclusive Practice
Community & Change
Contemporary Public Health
Lifespan Development & Identity
Social Divisions & Social Groups
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Research Methods
Lifestyle Trends, Health & Behaviour Change
Leadership & Management in Public Health
Promoting Healthy Communities
Contemporary Welfare & Social Policy
Independent Research Project

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this degree are prepared to work across public health, community development, and social care sectors. The programme gives students the skills to understand health challenges, support diverse communities, and contribute to initiatives that improve wellbeing at local, national, and global levels.

Typical roles include:

Public Health Officer
Community Health Worker
Health Promotion Specialist
Social and Public Policy Assistant

Here’s how the university supports strong graduate outcomes:

Employability and Career Support: Students receive continuous guidance through career workshops, one-to-one coaching, CV enhancement, interview preparation, and job-search support.
Practical Experience: The course encourages engagement with real community settings, allowing students to participate in local health projects, voluntary placements, and applied public-health initiatives.
Professional and Research Skills: Through modules that focus on leadership, behaviour change, policy development, and a final-year research project, students gain the analytical and management abilities required for public health careers.
Industry and Community Links: The programme benefits from connections with local authorities, community organisations, and health-focused agencies, helping students understand real public-health challenges.
Graduate Employment Strength: Many graduates progress quickly into public health roles, community services, social support organisations, and wellbeing-focused charities.
Salary Potential: Public health and community roles offer competitive early-career salaries, especially within local government, health promotion, and third-sector organisations.
Long-Term Value: The blend of public health and community development expertise makes graduates adaptable, allowing them to work in policy, research, advocacy, health improvement, and social-care service design.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, students can advance into postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Public Health, Health Promotion, Global Health, or Community and Social Care Leadership. These pathways help build specialist knowledge for roles in health policy, epidemiology, wellbeing strategy, research, or senior public-health management.