Special Study Module (SSM) Placements
SSM Placements for SE Yr 6 / GE Yr 4
SE Year 6/GE Year 4 students may choose to apply for an existing placement at Oxfordshire County Council, self-arrange a placement with a specific topic in mind, or continue ongoing research within the department. If there is an academic need, students may combine two blocks to create a six-week SSM.
For more information SSM placements at Oxford Population Health, please email the Clinical teaching team.
We currently have the following opportunities.
Max. No. of Students per Course: 2
Overview
The SSM offers the opportunity for students to work on a short-term bespoke project with Oxfordshire County Council public health team. It is designed for students considering a career in public health. This SSM involves working with public health professionals responsible for public health across Oxfordshire, provides the opportunity to experience a range of public health activities and topics and offers an insight into the day-to-day work of consultants in public health.
Placement details
Local authorities have a wide range of powers, duties and responsibilities that impact local health and inequalities. These include social care, education, planning and the environment. In addition, local authorities have specific responsibilities for improving public health and tackling inequalities. These sit under the Director of Public Health and include a wide range of services and programmes:
- services aimed at reducing harm from risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse, obesity, and physical inactivity
- services aimed at treatment and prevention such as health visitors, sexual health services, and NHS health checks
- programmes at tackling the wider determinants of health such as air quality, green space, housing, and community development to create healthy places.
The team has strong relationships with Oxfordshire’s community organisations, universities, NHS trusts and businesses, and experience and knowledge in leading on complex system-wide issues. The team has a culture of promoting research, evaluation and evidence-based practice with strong links with Universities and Research institutes locally and nationally.
Your SSM with Oxfordshire County Council may include being involved in specific pieces of work to understand the health needs of local residents or to commission a new service in Oxfordshire. It may also involve evaluation or research, as well as public health policy development and community engagement. You will also gain experience of the unique political environment of local government.
Assessment
Review of the placement with the SSM supervisor at the end of the course.
Joining Instructions
You will receive confirmation of your placement and joining instructions from a supervisor at Oxfordshire County Council prior to the start date of your SSM, at which time a schedule of activities will be agreed.
Select your 2026 research project
By undertaking a Final Honours School (FHS) or Academic Special Interest Project (ASIP) in Oxford Population Health, students can engage in innovative and impactful research that addresses critical public health challenges.
Research at Oxford Population Health
Our research creates the methods that define population health science and resolves debates through conclusive evidence. We study chronic, cardiovascular, infectious, and genetic diseases, examining environmental and behavioural impacts on health through cohort studies, big data, and innovative methods.