Students completing the programme full time will undertake six modules across the academic year, selecting one module from the two option modules. Those undertaking it part time will study three modules in the first year and three in the second.
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 might most effectively tackle them. Over the past decade, new and emerging threats to health have been issues such as loneliness, air pollution and physical inactivity and in the next these are likely to continue, alongside threats related to climate change and anti-microbial resistance. This module, therefore, will be 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 support 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, therefore, will provide students with knowledge and understanding 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 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-base and practicalities associated with different strategies, as well as encourage students to think innovatively and creatively in relation to health, mental health and wellbeing improvement and promotion.
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 vision of the Welsh Government is that learners aged 3 to 16 have access to and acquire the experiences, knowledge and skills needed for employment, lifelong learning and active citizenship in today’s society. Also, that the curriculum contributes to the goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to develop healthy and confident individuals. Having Health and Wellbeing as one of the ALE is an important step forward towards recognising its importance and viewing health and wellbeing in a more holistic sense than the traditional approach of delivering separate Physical Education, Personal and Social Education and Sex Education subject areas. This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding related to the Health and Wellbeing ALE. It 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 this 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 public health, mental health and wellbeing requires an ever broadening range of skills and capabilities, backed up by experience and reflective practice. This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding related to the employment landscape in public health, mental health and wellbeing, as well as the skills and capabilities to work creatively and effectively in different roles. It will also, through means of a work-based learning, allow students to (or continue to) develop and enhance their experiences of public health, mental health and wellbeing and start to (or continue to) build a network in this area. 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 public health, mental health and wellbeing, as well as respond to new and emerging skills and capabilities to enhance practice in the sector.
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 health and often involves people in a vulnerable state – presents particular challenges for researchers in terms of research ethics, designs and methods. This module will provide students with knowledge and understanding of 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 support students to be creative and innovative in relation to research methodology in order to be responsive 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 base 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 related to public health, mental health and wellbeing, and disseminate their findings in a format suitable to their personal career needs and goals.
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
Students will already possess a related first degree (normally 2:1 or above although 2:2 is also accepted with an interview). A non-graduate may be accepted as a candidate provided they have held, for a minimum of two years, a responsible position which is relevant to the programme within the previous five years. All applicants must also demonstrate enthusiasm and the ability to study at Masters level, which will be assessed through an interview in person or online. They may also be asked to undertake the University’s Level 6 module that prepares students for Masters level study.
DBS clearance undertaken by Wrexham Glyndŵr University is not a requirement for acceptance or progression onto the programme. However, as part of the programme students are required to undertake a work-based learning (WBL) for one of the modules and, depending upon the nature of the WBL, may be required to receive DBS clearance undertaken by Wrexham Glyndŵr University or through their chosen WBL provider. Any convictions revealed by a DBS check could mean particular WBL opportunities are closed to students.
The programme employs an innovative blended learning approach whereby students can ‘blend their own’ learning. Students will be required to attend a ‘live’ induction session before the programme commences during which the learning and teaching strategy will be explained in detail. Essentially, core aspects of all modules will be delivered on a weekly basis in a classroom setting (approx. 20 hours in total per module), which will be captured via lecture capture software such as Panopto. The software will capture the visual and audio aspects of the sessions and the recordings will be made available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to all students, alongside directed study. Students will be able to self-select which sessions they will attend face-to-face and which they will access by viewing online. This will enable students to engage with the classroom and VLE as they choose and give real control and flexibility over how and when learning occurs.
Each module (except the dissertation module) has one assessment in order to ensure a manageable assessment schedule and to enable students to go into the depth and detail necessary to advance learning. The methods of assessment include a presentation, essay, report or case study, portfolio, research proposal, dissertation and viva voce. The assessment briefs have been written to be as open as possible to enable students to tailor the focus of the assessments to align with their interests and career needs, while meeting the learning outcomes for the module.
Students would be able to go onto, or advance their, careers in areas such as the following:
- Health promotion
- Ill-health prevention
- Health improvement
- Community health development
- Assessment and surveillance of the population’s health and wellbeing
- Identification of and planning for public health emergencies
- Identification of health challenges and hazards in key settings
- Health-related research
- Health-related education
- Development of public/mental health policy
- Commissioning, delivery and evaluation of health services
- Reduction of health inequalities
- Link working, care navigation, social prescribing
- Advocacy
Students may work in settings such as local or national government, the third sector or National Health Service. Alternatively, students may wish to develop their own social enterprise related to public health, mental health and wellbeing.
The Careers & Zone at Wrexham Glyndŵr University is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.
