Public Health and Community Studies

Public health and community studies is a field that combines the science and art of protecting and improving the health of populations with an understanding of the social, cultural, and community contexts in which health is made and maintained. Public health investigates the determinants of health at the population level, examining how social, economic, environmental, and behavioural factors shape health outcomes, and developing the evidence base for interventions, policies, and programmes that can improve health across communities. Community studies brings a focus on how communities are organised, how they function, and how they can be engaged and empowered to improve their own wellbeing.

At Coventry University, this part-time programme allows you to engage with these connected fields at a pace suited to existing commitments. You will study the principles of epidemiology and health data, the social determinants of health, health promotion theory, community engagement methods, and the policy frameworks that govern public health at local, national, and international levels. A sandwich year, year abroad option, and work placement opportunities are all available, giving you professional experience in public health, community development, or health promotion settings and broadening your perspective on how these challenges are addressed in different national contexts.

Graduates are well-placed for careers in public health agencies, local authorities, NHS organisations, health charities, community development organisations, and international health bodies. Roles in health promotion, community development, health research, epidemiology, and public health management are all accessible. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in public health, health promotion, or related fields, and some pursue research careers that contribute to the evidence base on which effective population health policy depends.