Health

Health is never far from the headlines. Calls to ‘protect the NHS’, to the promotion of healthy living, through to fears about rising obesity, cancer rates or pandemics, all reflect our society’s preoccupation with health.

Who ultimately is responsible for health? Is health simply a matter of genetics and lifestyle demanding more individual responsibility or are family, environment and inequality as influential? Should it be addressed through community action or government policy making? These issues make health an exciting and, at times, controversial, area of study.

Delving into these issues, we ask if health services are fit for purpose – based on knowledge of what works, provided to the best standards possible and focusing on the right things. What priority should be given to prevention over cure, complementary and alternative approaches over mainstream approaches, holistic care over traditional medical intervention?

Health is not only a fascinating area to study, it is also potentially rewarding as a route into a career or for career development. 80% of our students are already in work – studying part-time in their own time. The vast majority are motivated by the potential to improve their practice and develop their careers – many are sponsored by their employers who value the confidence and thoughtful practice OU study inspires in staff.

Other students will be service-users or carers who have the opportunity to draw on personal experience in their study. Our courses engage with the debates around health inviting you to probe beneath the ‘taken-for-granted’.

Whatever your ability or personal aspirations – whether you work in health in a junior or very senior role or are a service-user or carer, we offer courses from introductory level through to Masters.