Understand public health promotion with evidence-based models and approaches.
As public health professionals, we have a vital role in improving, maintaining and promoting good health in whatever setting we are working in.
Health Promotion and Public Health
Short Course - 15 credits at SCQF level 11 | ECTS points 7.5
Short Course & Professional Development
The aim of this course is to increase critical awareness of promoting health in the context of the social determinants of health, a fundamental aspect of public health and health promotion practice, by evaluating the underpinning principles and concepts of health promotion and public health in different settings.
The historical context of health promotion and public health will be explored and how practice has evolved. Current challenges of public health and health promotion practice will be examined and critically analysed.
You will be actively participating throughout the module. In addition to your directed studies, workshops and the module assessment, you will also be reflecting on your personal development as a public health professional.
The course will be delivered through online workshops at set times. The sessions will cover the following:
- Defining Health and Public Health
- Historical Context of Public Health and Health Promotion
- Current and Evolving Public Health Challenges
- Current Public Health Practice
- What is health?
- The Social Determinants of Health
- Health Promotion Principles
- Health Promotion Models
- Health Promotion Approaches
RGU Upskilling
Undertaking a RGU online short course can help you to develop or change your career or support your business to grow.
We're proud to offer a range of online short courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals both locally, nationally and in the global community. Additionally, if you are domiciled in Scotland, you may be eligible for a fee-waiver place, which means you could study for free. Identified and created in collaboration with industry, these credit-bearing online courses are designed to enhance employability for individuals and organisations looking to upskill their workforce.
Find out more about the range of courses on offer and the benefits of studying online with RGU:
Assessment
Advanced presentation skills are core to public health practice.
Therefore, the assessment for this course involves designing and delivering an oral presentation. You will be required to demonstrate your presentation skills and your fulfilment of the module learning outcomes. Additionally, your presentation will show your ability to relate theory to practice and your depth of knowledge about the principles and concepts of health promotion and public health. It will also demonstrate your research skills, such as identifying sources of information and selecting appropriate references and your ability to organise ideas, to think critically and to reason logically. It should be clearly presented in an academically and professionally acceptable manner. You will be supported in preparing for your assessment by your tutors.
Independent Study
This course is completed through a combination of self-directed independent study and group work.
It is expected that you will spend a minimum of 150 hours study over the 8 weeks of the module, including the preparation and delivery of the assessment.
You will be allocated an academic tutor who will be there to support you through the module.
Staff Delivering on This Course
This module has been developed by a team of academic and professional staff with extensive expertise in public health and health promotion, within academic, healthcare and community public health settings.
Find out moreRGUflex
Applicants who normally hold an undergraduate degree or honours degree and/or relevant work experience is desirable but not essential
Academic Year 2025/2026
Fee-waiver places
If you are domiciled in Scotland, you may be eligible for a fee-waiver place, meaning you can study for free.
To meet the requirements to be allocated a funded place, applicants must meet the criteria to be assessed as "Home" for the purposes of fees. Find out more about the Fee Status and the Scottish Government regulations that we use to make our assessment:
Eligibility is assessed on application and further evidence may be required.
All other applicants
Applicants who are not eligible for a fee-waiver place will be required to meet the module cost to study:
- Course fee - £520 for entire module
Additional Costs
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
*"Rest of UK (RUK) and Ireland" includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.