BA (Hons) Public Health
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three Years
- Start Date: September 2023 and January 2024
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 BA (Hons) Public Health degree is the first step on the ladder to change.
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.
Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
Why study this subject?
The Covid-19 pandemic has increased media and political attention on public health, elevating the significance and importance of this key subject area. If you are keen to make a difference by promoting inclusion, reducing health inequalities, prolonging the health and wellbeing of individuals, and informing our society about health and environmental policy, a career in public health is for you.
Our global community is at risk from environmental hazards like air pollution, the use of plastics and, of course, pandemics. Never has public health been more significant. That’s why now is not only an interesting time to study public health but also a deeply important one for the planet.
On our BA (Hons) Public Health degree, you’ll explore how best to protect and promote the health of the public on a local, national and international level and gain vital skills and knowledge for an exciting career in an important sector.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Studying at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU), you become part of a community of likeminded, friendly and inspiring people. Our lecturers are truly passionate about what they teach, and you’ll be able to benefit from their experience and gain the critical skills you need for your future career.
Our public health lecturers are in direct contact with current practitioners, sharing knowledge and expertise to ensure you receive the most current and significant lessons from the global health scene. All our teaching staff also actively participate in national health forums.
By studying with us you’ll gain a deep knowledge and understanding of policy and decision making, as well as exploring health promoting initiatives, designed to solve complex public health problems.
What makes BNU so special is that your lecturers have all really been a part of the teams who have influenced, formed and fought for public health agendas. 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.
At BNU, it’s not just about what we can give you. We want you to develop your ideas, to challenge the issues that matter to you, to 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 is interested in you, that 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 BA (Hons) Public Health degree programme, you’ll follow the Public Health Skills and Knowledge Framework, and gain the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your career.
This course will help you gain a broad and comprehensive understanding of how the society in which we live affects individual and community health. You'll learn about factors that influence health while exploring local, national and global approaches to improving general population health.
Throughout the programme, 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 could get a chance to meet and build relationships with the professionals working on the front lines of public health.
How will I be taught and assessed?
We tailor our academic and pastoral support to your individual needs and aspirations, and your personal tutor will be on hand to support you on your learning journey.
The course team provides a 'learning event support package' with learning materials and resources before and after each weekly seminar or lecture.
There is a focus on real world learning throughout the public health degree course. We aim to use assessment formats that reflect work practices within public health, for example report writing and oral presentations. Inclusivity is key and assessments are designed for a range of backgrounds and academic experience.
You’ll be assessed through several methods including:
- essays
- projects
- presentations
- portfolio
- reports and case studies
- dissertation project
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)
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.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
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.
This course has Opportunity modules.
Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.
You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.
In addition, you must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024
£9,250 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024
£15,000 per year
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 BA (Hons) Public Health degree, you will be well equipped for a range of different careers in different sectors, such as:
- The NHS
- Public Health England
- Local government e.g. housing officer
- Social care support workers
- Charity worker
- Health promotion worker
- International agencies
- Drugs and alcohol services
- Sexual health services
- Public health practitioners
- Environmental health officer
- Health administration
- Epidemiology
- Nutrition
- Health policy and planning
Graduates can also choose to study a postgraduate course to take your study to the next level.
Course leader
