Business

A change for the better

Published 30 October 2009

A new course that helps professionals understand how to motivate people to lead healthier, happier lives, or to improve the wider community, has been launched by the University of Brighton.

The Social Marketing postgraduate certificate is the first of its kind in the UK and focuses on understanding and supporting target audiences to make voluntary behavioural changes to improve their well being or lessen their impact on the environment.

The course offers career development for health and local government professionals, and students will be taught by social marketing experts including Professor Jeff French, a global leader in the application of behaviour change.

The university's Brighton Business School has forged a partnership with leading communications and community cohesion consultants, The Campaign Company (TCC). TCC has donated £5,000 towards the fees of applicants from non-profit organisations and other professionals (depending upon personal circumstances). The sum is topped up by 50 per cent through a government matched-funding scheme which encourages philanthropic donations to universities.

TCC’s donation allows the university to offer one student a free place on the new course. In addition, help with fees can be provided for a limited number of other students.

TCC, based in Croydon, helps organisations build relationships with hard-to-reach groups. Its clients include local authorities and NHS bodies, and TCC has worked with a variety of audiences including young people, established working class communities and people with learning difficulties.

TCC chairman Jonathan Upton said: "At a time when the budgets of many organisations are under pressure we are delighted that we can do a little to help make this excellent new course accessible to those who can benefit from this most."

The course starts 9 November and to apply or find out more call 01273 642197 or email postgrad.business@brighton.ac.uk, or go to www.brighton.ac.uk/bbs.