Students completing the programme full-time will undertake six core modules across the academic year, and one of the two option modules. Those taking the course part-time will study three modules in the first year and three in the second year.
MODULES
- Background and new directions in health, mental health and wellbeing (core module) As physical and social environments evolve, so too do public health, mental health and wellbeing challenges and how we can effectively tackle them. Over the past decade, new and emerging threats to health have been issues such as loneliness, air pollution and physical inactivity. These issues are likely to continue, alongside threats related to climate change and anti-microbial resistance. This module is wide-ranging and forward-thinking in its aims and scope; it will enable students to engage critically with the background and context to public health, mental health and wellbeing leading up to the present day, as well as introduce them to contemporary debates and inspire them to consider future directions for the area.
- Understanding contemporary lifestyles and health behaviours (core module) To truly develop the health, mental health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and nations, a rich understanding of human beings and societies is needed. There are many lenses and tools for understanding why people live their lives in the ways they do, spanning a number of disciplinary areas. This module will provide students with the knowledge of a range theories and models relevant for understanding contemporary lifestyles and health behaviours, drawing particularly from the disciplines of psychology and sociology. It will also enable students to critically consider the application of these theories and models to different populations in different settings.
- Strategies and innovations for developing health, mental health and wellbeing (option module) In a rapidly changing society where public health, mental health and wellbeing challenges are increasingly complex and continually evolving, a strategic and innovative approach is needed. This module will provide students with the knowledge and understanding related to new and existing strategies for developing health, mental health and wellbeing at individual, community, national and international levels. It will explore the evidence and practicalities associated with different strategies, as well as encourage students to think innovatively and creatively about ways of improving and promoting good health in society.
- Health, mental health and wellbeing in education settings (option module) In the Curriculum for Wales 2022, ‘Health and Wellbeing’ is identified as one of the six Areas of Learning and Experience (ALE). The curriculum contributes to the goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to develop healthy and confident individuals. This module will explore the topics of health, mental health and wellbeing as they relate to young people in today’s society, as well as consider the content, design and delivery of the Health and Wellbeing ALE and examine innovative teaching pedagogy that could be utilised by teachers to develop healthy and confident learners.
- Enhancing practice in health, mental health and wellbeing (core module) Working in the health sector requires an ever broadening range of skills and capabilities, backed up by experience and reflective practice. In this module, students will learn to develop the skills and capabilities to work effectively in different roles. It will also, through means of a work-based learning placement, allow students to gain valuable experience of working in the area and enable them to start building a network. The module will be flexible and wide-ranging in its aims and scope, in order to appeal to the personal career needs and goals of those new to and already working within the health sector, as well as respond to new and emerging skills and capabilities to enhance practice.
- Research methods for health, mental health and wellbeing (core module) The nature of public health, mental health and wellbeing – namely that it deals with the complex issue of people’s lives and can often involve those in a vulnerable state – presents particular challenges for researchers in terms of ethics, designs and methods. This module will teach students how to undertake research related to public health, mental health and wellbeing, including how to collect and analyse data and design ethically sound research studies. It will encourage students to think creatively and innovatively in relation to research methodology, in order to be considerate to the nature of the subject area and matter.
- Dissertation in health, mental health and wellbeing (core module) Research in public health, mental health and wellbeing is vital for many reasons, including developing the evidence for new and existing health improvement and promotion strategies, understanding people’s lived experiences of health issues and services, and exploring health behaviours at individual, community and national levels in an evolving physical and social environment. This module will support students to undertake their own piece of research on a topic of their choosing, and disseminate their findings in a format suitable to their personal career needs and goals.
