Academic Qualifications and Apprenticeships
Academic qualifications and apprenticeships provide structured routes to developing specialist public health knowledge and advancing your career. Whether you are looking to gain a postgraduate qualification, develop your practice through work-based learning, or take the next step towards a career in public health, there are a range of flexible study options available to suit different professional backgrounds and career goals.
Explore the opportunities below to find out more about public health qualifications, degree programmes and apprenticeship pathways.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a great paid work opportunity for people over the age of 16 in England who are early in their career, looking to upskill in their current job or looking for a career change. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you’ll:
- be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay.
- work alongside experienced staff.
- gain job-specific skills.
- get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours).
Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.
Designed in partnership with industry to meet professional standards, higher and degree apprenticeships are a great way for employers to attract and retain talent, boost productivity and up-skill the workforce. Apprenticeships open doors to rewarding and challenging careers in business and management, engineering, health and wellbeing, the built environment, digital and education sectors. The apprentice will benefit from the expertise of academics who have a strong track record of delivering high-quality teaching, leading influential research projects and are highly respected in their fields.
In order to apply for an apprenticeship you must first be in employment with an organisation who is willing to put you onto the an apprenticeship scheme or sometimes job vacancies are advertised as apprenticeship roles with the opportunity to progress onto a substantive role upon successful completion.
Public Health Apprenticeships
A public health apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that provides routes into a variety of careers within public health and across all employment sectors.
It is a three-year programme that covers the breadth of the practitioner role while completing a bachelor degree qualification, typically a BSc in Public Health.
During the apprenticeship, you will initiate and develop public health interventions and services, such as obesity prevention, infection prevention and control, or national risk-assessment and screening.
Please see below the apprenticeship opportunities available via Higher Education Institutions in Greater Manchester.
Master of Public Health (web based learning at University of Manchester)
This distance learning course is aimed at health professionals who want to work in public health or acquire new skills in this area.
Entry requirements: A minimum of an Upper Second honours degree or the overseas equivalent. If you have obtained a Lower Second class honours degree your application may be considered if you have significant relevant research or professional experience (e.g. 3-years or more in a public health team).
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses
University of Manchester courses for public health workers offer an innovative approach to learning for health professionals interested in a career in public health, or those seeking new skills. Our experts in biostatistics, health data and informatics train professionals in these areas through our CPD courses.
Public Health Practitioner (Public Health Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship (University of Salford)
In order to apply for an apprenticeship you must first be in employment with an organisation who is willing to put you onto the degree apprenticeship scheme.
The degree apprenticeship provides a new route for developing and retaining the future public health workforce that is complementary to the academic route, ensuring that graduating apprentices are competent Public Health Practitioners able to meet the future needs of employers.
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - School Nursing (University of Salford)
The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) – School Nurse direct entry programme will support you as a registered nurse to gain advanced level skills and knowledge as a School Nurse.
The School Nurse direct funded programme at the University of Salford supports you to develop specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours required in the implementation of whole-person, place-based and integrated care enabling you to support people in the community in a range of settings and context.
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - School Nursing (Apprenticeship)
The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - School Nursing apprenticeship has been developed to support registered nurses in developing advanced skills and knowledge in integrated community care within schools. The programme at the University of Salford supports you to develop specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours in the implementation of whole-person, place-based and integrated care enabling you to support children, families and young people.
As a graduate you will be leaders in your area of specialism with skills and knowledge in quality improvement, caseload management, team leadership, and working as part of a complex health and social care system.
Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - Health Visiting (Apprenticeship)
The Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) - Health Visiting apprenticeship has been developed to support registered nurses develop advanced skills and knowledge in specialist community practice. The programme at the University of Salford supports you to develop specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours in the implementation of whole-person, place-based and integrated care enabling you to support children, families and young people in community settings.
As a graduate you will be leaders in your area of specialism with skills and knowledge in quality improvement, caseload management, team leadership, and working as part of a complex health and social care system.
BSc (Hons) Public Health (University of Greater Manchester)
The University of Greater Manchester's BSc (Hons) Public Health prepares students for careers focused on improving the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. The course develops knowledge and practical skills in health improvement, health protection, epidemiology, public health intelligence, policy and leadership, preparing graduates for a wide range of public health careers across local, national and global settings. There is opportunity to pursue UKPHR registration as potential career progression.
MSc Public Health (University of Greater Manchester)
The University of Greater Manchester's wide-ranging, multidisciplinary MSc in Public Health supports you in developing the knowledge and skills to proactively protect and improve the health of individuals, communities and the wider society.
By studying for your MSc Public Health degree with the University of Greater Manchester, you can develop broad and interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of public health principles and practices while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus.
MSc Health and Social Care (University of Greater Manchester)
This course aims to help you identify and lead your own professional development for your health or social care career. The modular structure of the University of Bolton's MSc in Health and Social Care allows you to personalise the programme to your specific interests, working on a module-by-module basis for maximum flexibility. You'll start your studies with a unit focused on developing analytical skills for professional practice, which will help you to adjust to master's level study and writing. You'll then move on to choose modules, selecting the most suitable for developing your professional role in health care. Studying the theory of your chosen subjects will support you in building a broader awareness of current issues in health and social care practice by researching themes in-depth and developing evidence-based concepts.
Greater Manchester Training Hub
The Greater Manchester Training Hub (GMTH) provides a single point of access to primary care education and training across Greater Manchester. By working alongside other educational providers, we are able to promote primary and social care as the career destination for caregivers and healthcare professionals.