Name: BSc (Hons) Public Health
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BSc (Hons) Public Health

UCAS CODE: PUBH (Full-time) or PUBY (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Overview
Course Details
Entry Requirements
Modules
Fees
Employability
Teaching Team

Study Mode: Full Time
Location: High Wycombe
Duration: Three or Four Years
Start Date: September 2025

Our communities are more interconnected than ever. As a global citizen your actions can have an impact around the world. Whether its tackling climate change, or taking the fight to global pandemics, show off the difference you can make with a degree from Buckinghamshire New University.

If you’re motivated by convictions, or thinking about your career choices, you could find inspiring roles in the NHS, local government, non-profit organisations, or charity. Our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree is the first step on the ladder to change.

1st in the UK for teaching quality for Allied Medicine courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

1st in the UK for graduate prospects for Allied Medicine courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

1st in the UK for student experience for Allied Medicine courses*

*The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

University of the Year for South East England*

*WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2025

Top 5 Students' Union in the UK*

*Based on responses from taught BNU students (NSS 2025)

Why study BSc (Hons) Public Health?

Gain in demand skills

Public Health has increased in popularity, relevance, and demand ever since the covid pandemic, as governments and organisations take steps to prevent another pandemic happening again. You can be at the heart of disease prevention, public awareness and pandemic control with the skills you gain from a degree from BNU. You can make sure our societies and organisations are protected from health complications relating to obesity, genetics, viruses and pandemics and educate people.

Get work ready

On successful completion of our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree, you will be well equipped for a range of different careers in different sectors. You will be well set up for a role in the NHS, health related organisations, charity, social work, health promotion and local and international government positions.

Globally focused degree

As part of this public health degree course, you will study public health prevention and treatments from a variety of perspectives which are relevant to both the UK, Africa, Asia and other parts of the world. With this degree you can take your knowledge anywhere in the world.

Four female BNU students sat on a bench each with an ice cream in their hand looking at one another and smiling in High Wycombe town centre

Staff and students discussing student work with one another whilst sat around a table

What makes BNU special is the fact our course team have been a part of teams who have influenced, formed and fought for public health agendas before. We don’t just provide a theoretical education at BNU, we offer a unique insight into what your career will really look and feel like, based on personal experience.

At BNU, it’s not just about what we tell you is important. We want you to develop your own ideas, to challenge the issues that matter to you, to experiment and debate, discuss and inspire. We encourage you to develop your own opinion on public health policy and equip you with skills to properly present them. You’ll be joining a community that's interested in you, wants the best for you, and cares about your wellbeing and the wellbeing of our planet.

What facilities can I use?

At our High Wycombe Campus, we have purpose-built facilities, including well-equipped simulation clinics and rehabilitation teaching rooms, where you will be taught throughout your course. Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments, and there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study.

We will also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment, which means you will have access to lots of online resources wherever you are!

During my time at BNU, I took part in a range of societies and clubs including horse-riding, pole fitness, gaming and circus skills. I also went on days out that the Students' Union arranged such as trips to London and beach cleans. The SU also provided lots of skills workshops which I was glad to take advantage of. First Aid, public speaking, singing classes. They were all free and helped boost my skills and CV. I attended lots of nights out and events with the SU and because of this, I made more friends and tried new things.

Juliet Salter

What will I study?

On our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree, you’ll follow the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework, and gain the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your career. You gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of how societies affect individual and community health. Whether this is policy, government initiatives or other cultural factors. You'll learn about what influences our health while exploring local, national and global approaches to improving general population health.

Throughout our course, you'll develop important knowledge and skills enabling effectiveness in a health-promoting role. We cover important topics like public health and promotion theory, ethical decision making, health education and motivational interviewing skills. We’ll encourage you to debate, add to your lessons and bring your own thoughts to the table. You’ll be able to discuss with your classmates and learn together with people who are passionate about the same things you are.

We’ll closely study societies, cultures and communities as well as topics focusing on epidemiology, safeguarding, patterns and trends, global public health, research methods and at-risk populations. In your final year you will also work on a dissertation project in an area of your choice. This is the perfect way to focus your attention on an area of public health that you feel truly passionate about, with the support of your personal tutor.

You’ll take part in student-led events and health promotion projects and will have opportunities to network with public health employees, meaning this course is so much more than textbooks and lectures. The practical, highly relevant experience you’ll gain will put you in a strong position for building your public health career.

The public health course team regularly liaise with local public health groups to deepen their knowledge of current public health promoting initiatives and to understand in real-time what the developmental requirements are for securing employment within the sector. We use these links to tailor your learning to support your individual needs and aspirations and, thanks to our strong network, you get a chance to meet and build relationships with the professionals working on the front lines of public health.

BNU female student in library with lots pf books round her and laptop

students chatting on the concourse High Wycombe campus

How will I be taught and assessed?

We tailor our teaching styles to your individual needs and aspirations, and your personal tutor will be on hand to support you on your learning journey.

You’ll be assessed on the course through several methods:

essays
projects
presentations
portfolio
reports and case studies
dissertation project

BSc (Hons) Public Health Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

You will also need a minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Those with no previous study, work experience, or who do not meet the specified entry requirements, including demonstrating the necessary knowledge and understanding, are welcome to apply for the 3-year BSc (Hons) degree, however may be offered the four-year programme which includes a Foundation Year.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Core Academic Skills for Health and Social Care

The module covers fundamental academic skills. You’ll engage in interactive sessions that emphasise academic writing, research techniques, and the ability to evaluate relevant literature. Practical exercises will enhance numerical literacy, a skill integral to understanding health and social care-related data.

Personal Development and Teamworking in Health and Social Care

The course covers self-awareness, goal setting, and resilience. There’s a strong focus on teamwork and collaboration within appropriate care settings. Practical scenarios and group projects facilitate the development of effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaborative problem-solving skills.

Communication in Health and Social Care

This is designed to prepare you to communicate effectively as health & social care professionals. We’ll consider anti-discriminatory language, conflict resolution and communicating with patients, service users and people with lived experience who are disengaged. Models in relation to verbal, non-verbal and written communication will be covered.

Evidence in Health and Social Care

This module emphasises the importance of evidence-based practice in delivering high-quality care. You’ll learn principles of evidence-based care and develop the ability to identify and to appraise reliable literature. Ethical considerations, inherent in the utilisation of evidence within health and social care settings, are also explored.

Enquiry Based Care

Building upon previously acquired academic skills and taught sessions during the module, you’ll work in discipline specific action learning sets to complete a project. You’ll need to collaborate to investigate, understand and analyse issues arising from a discipline-specific person-centred scenario.

Introduction to Ethics in Health and Social Care

You’ll explore ethical theories and principles, examining their practical application in real-world scenarios across different care disciplines and their impact on patient/client care. You’ll gain an awareness of the moral responsibilities inherent in professional practice care, considering the diverse ethical challenges that may arise.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Policy and Politics in Public Health

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with an overview of political, social and economic circumstances influencing public health within the United Kingdom. Our module will enable you to explore policy development and gain an appreciation of the influence of policy drivers in the context of the public health agenda.

Introduction to Epidemiology

Credits: 20

The aim of the module is to provide a grounding in the key concepts of epidemiology. It provides an overview of early studies in epidemiology and explores measures of morbidity and mortality and their significance in current society. Additionally, it explores the role of public health surveillance and demographic profiling.

Society, Culture and Community

Credits: 20

This module introduces you to key concepts from sociological, anthropological and psychosocial theory to explore aspects of social discrimination and the impact of this on specific communities and social groupings. The use of tools, such as advocacy and anti-discriminatory practices will facilitate and promote greater understanding.

Foundations for Public Health Practice

Credits: 20

This module provides a foundation for studying, and later working in, public health. The module aims to introduce you to the core components of public health practice, and to facilitate the development of requisite knowledge and skills required in public health work settings.

Safeguarding: A Public Health Approach

Credits: 20

The module aims to provide you with an introduction to the concepts and principles of safeguarding from a public health perspective. The module explores population-level reduction of abuse and neglect. You will be provided with opportunities to explore both historical and international perspectives of safeguarding.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Health Promotion in Action

Credits: 20

The aim of the module is to enable you to develop an understanding of health promotion. You will be given an opportunity to critically explore the key principles that underpin health and society.Models and approaches to health promotion will be examined, and their application to practice settings investigated.

Collaborating for Success in Public Health Delivery

Credits: 20

The aim of the module is to prepare you for working within public health organisations. You will learn the theory relating to leadership and develop knowledge and skills required for effective team working and collaborative practice.

Patterns, Trends and Innovations

Credits: 20

This module builds on learning from ‘Introduction to Epidemiology’ to deepen knowledge of epidemiological approaches in improving health, and to facilitate application of knowledge in preparation for future public health practice. The learning outcomes are underpinned by UKPHR (2018) Public Health Practitioner Standards (standards 2, 3, and 4).

Research Methods

Credits: 20

This module will explore the various ways in which research is conducted in public health and dive into various methodologies used such as qualitative and quantitative research. 

Optional Modules

Credits

Inspiring Individuals to Improve Health OR

Credits: 20

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with others in order to improve health. Building on year one learning, you will be supported to adopt a reflexive approach understanding the influence of personal behaviour on others.

Placements

Credits: 20

You will gain hands on real-life experience of the workplace where you can connect and expand your academic knowledge acquired to develop and enhance your employability skills, linking to the real world. Benefits include the development of general skills, confidence, professionalism, improved academic performance plus greater prosperity for employm...

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

At Risk Populations and Mental Health

Credits: 20

This module will enable you to increase knowledge and understanding of mental health. You will have the opportunity to examine mental health. Underpinning frameworks and principles for mental health care will be identified, and public health strategies for improving mental health and reducing related health inequalities will be explored.

Educating for Improved Health

Credits: 20

This module aims to develop your as health educators. Building on knowledge of communication theories, your will extend skills to learn how to engage with and communicate with groups. The module will include teaching and learning theory, equipping your with the knowledge and confidence to deliver health education interventions.

Extended Independent Work

Credits: 40

This module will give you a thorough understanding of the fundamental topics needed to manage projects within a complex and ever-changing environment. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of project management and gain the essential skills necessary to plan, monitor, control and deliver successful projects...

Global Public Health

Credits: 20

The aim of the module is to enable you to develop an understanding of public health from a global perspective. You will be given an opportunity to explore international health concepts and critically appraise global health challenges. This module will also enable you to explore how to support populations who are struggling with poverty.

Optional Modules

Credits

Settings-Based Health Promotion OR

Credits: 20

The aim of the module is to develop your confidence and competence in planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion activities within varied settings, in preparation for future employment within a public health role. We build on learning from years one and two strengthening theoretical knowledge of health improvement strategies.

Medical Ethics and Law

Credits: 20

Medical law is continuously evolving and comprises aspects of law, public opinion, ethics and science. Medical law is very topical, often controversial and increasingly questioning of ethics.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 *
Home, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £9,535 per year *

International

Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 *
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2025 - 2026: £15,150 per year *

Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.

Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  

Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  

Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  

We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.

The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

We see your journey with us as much more than a degree, we are committed to supporting you to carve out the route to your chosen career and life beyond university. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good business leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

We always encourage you to participate in public health volunteering opportunities to further broaden your experience and understanding as well as build a personal network too. On successful completion of our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree, you will be well equipped for a range of different careers in different sectors, such as: