Public Health BSc Honours

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Course Overview

Attendance

UK Fees £9,250 *
International Fees £15,400 *
Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Public health is the science that aims to improve populations' health by designing and taking measures to prevent disease and protect and promote health and wellbeing. The Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have led to the importance of public health receiving greater recognition. Our new Public Health BSc equips you with a range of practical skills and knowledge which could be applied to a range of careers, particularly those in public health, aiming to improve and protect the health of individuals, communities and populations.

The course has been created with input from key stakeholders in the public health industry, ensuring that you’ll develop the skills and knowledge desired by employers in the field. You'll explore the links between theory and practice, recognising the wide range of stakeholders involved in public health. Assessments will be based on real work-based scenarios, helping you to gain experience of working in public health. The combination of modules available allow you to explore a range of possible career paths, including environmental health, digital technologies and data analysis, public health nutrition and global public health.

This course explores the factors contributing to the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations including the influence of social, cultural, environmental, lifestyle and economic factors. You’ll interrogate the integrity of information sources to develop an evidence-based practice, utilising relevant research methods and assess the effects of policies on public health with an emphasis on tackling inequalities in populations. 

You’ll graduate with an understanding of modern digital technologies and a range of media platforms used to promote and deliver public health messages. Our postgraduate courses in health also give you the opportunity to further your studies after graduation.

Top reasons to study with us

  • Benefit from real-world experience in your chosen discipline with an optional work-placement year, or spend a year studying abroad
  • Your assessments will be based on workplace scenarios to provide you with experience in key aspects of working in public health
  • Course content has been created based on input from key stakeholders in the public health industry, ensuring that you’ll develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers
  • Many members of the course team have worked in public health, providing you with valuable insight on what working in the field will be like 
  • The range of modules available allows you to explore the various directions you could take your career in, from environmental health to public health nutrition and epidemiology
  • You can benefit from the option of studying a language alongside this course thanks to our Polylang programme
  • We offer a range of postgraduate courses in the subject of nutrition and public health, allowing you a clear pathway should you wish to pursue further study upon graduation

Course structure

The course responds to the rapidly changing government priorities, economics, global disease challenges and healthcare settings to meet the demand for multi-skilled, social media and digitally skilled, confident, globally aware public health professionals. Our teaching and learning strategy is designed to produce graduates who are critical and creative thinkers, literate and effective communicators, entrepreneurial, global in outlook and engaged with communities and socially, ethically and environmentally aware; in addition, public health graduates will demonstrate competency in empowering and developing communities. The teaching and learning methods of the course are directly related to the aims and learning outcomes identified above.

The course is designed to lead students through key theoretical concepts, broad understanding, and basic skills across all course subjects, to focused knowledge, synoptic understanding, and expert skills.

The following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

Subjects of study include:

  • Environment, Health and Sustainable Development Core
  • Evidence-Based Public Health Practice
  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Professional Development in Science (PRoDS)
  • Psychology and Sociology of Health and Wellbeing 
  • Applications of Biological Sciences
  • Principles of Human Nutrition 

Credit Level 4

Subjects of study include:

  • Contemporary Global Challenges in Biology 
  • Data Management and Analysis in Public Health 
  • Global Public Health Priorities 
  • Health Economics and Policy 
  • Research Methods 
  • Applied Nutrition 
  • Diet in Health and Disease 
  • Human Parasitology 

Credit Level 5

Professional experience or study abroad year

Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement year in industry. Completing the placement year will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Public Health with Professional Experience.

Alternatively, you can undertake a period of study abroad at one of Westminster’s partner institutions. Successful completion will lead to the final award Bachelor of Science with Honours – Public Health with International Experience.

Subjects of study include:

  • Application of Digital Technologies in Public Health 
  • Final Year Project in Life Sciences
  • Global Ethics 
  • Public Health Promotion and Protection
  • Applied Public Health Nutrition 
  • Designing a Sustainable World 
  • Nutrition in Emergencies 
  • Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition

Credit Level 6

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Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

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Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

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Get in touch

Contact us for general course enquiries:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm GMT)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm GMT)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Careers

The Public Health BSc has been aligned to the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (2019) and other professional frameworks such as the Good Public Health Practice Framework from the Faculty of Public Health and the UK Public Health Register: registration standards for Public Health Practitioners (2019). This means that in addition to helping you to develop key transferable skills, this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills crucial to a career in public health.

Industry-informed teaching

This course has been designed with input from employers to ensure you develop the desired skills and knowledge.  

Gain real-world experience

Enhance your CV with an optional year-long work placement or study abroad experience. 

Work-based assessments

Prepare for a career in public health with assessments based on real workplace scenarios. 

Industry links

This course aims to offer students knowledge and skills crucial to a career in public health. Stakeholders from London Councils, the government, charities, NGOs and social enterprises have been consulted during the development of this course in order to improve students' employability and provide students with networking opportunities.
 

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course will be well-equipped for employment at organisations including:

  • Charities
  • Government
  • Local Government
  • NGOs
  • Public Health Industry
  • Social Enterprise

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:

  • Academic
  • Community officer
  • Public health consultant
  • Public health data analyst
  • Public health nutritionist
  • Public health policy officer
  • Scientific officer in public health

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.

Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.

Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.

Westminster Employability Award

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

  • Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
  • Attending an international summer school or field trip
  • Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leader

Course Team

Our course team is made up of experienced academics, some of whom have experience of working in public health for organisations including Public Health England. Their expertise will help you gain an insight into a career in public health. 

Why study this course?

Aligned to professional frameworks

This course has been aligned to the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework (2019) to ensure you develop the skills employers want. 

Experienced teaching team

Members of the course team and guest lecturers will provide you with valuable insight from their own careers working in public health. 

Make a positive impact

Develop the skills and knowledge to give you the power to make a difference in people's health and in fighting inequalities.

Entry Requirements

  • A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points) 
  • T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM in Applied Science
  • BTEC Diploma – DD in subjects including: Applied Science, Health and Social Care
  • Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course including: Science, Allied Health Professions, Health and Caring Professions, Social Care

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

  • GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level AND GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.


View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

  • International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

More information

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects. 

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £15,400 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and Assessment

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

  • Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
  • Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
  • Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into two broad categories:

  • Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts  
  • Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Research groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

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Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

  • Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
  • Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
  • Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
  • Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course location

With state-of-the-art science and psychology labs and refurbished computer suites, our Cavendish Campus offers our science and technology students a range of learning spaces that are both dynamic and inspiring,

Located in central London, our Cavendish Campus is just a five-minute walk from Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

For more details, visit our Cavendish Campus page.

Contact us

Call our dedicated team on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

[email protected]

Start live chat

Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday

More information

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