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BA (Hons) Public Health

UCAS CODE: PUBH (Full-time) or PUBY (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three Years
  • Start Date: September 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.
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No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*
*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)
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No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)
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Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
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5th for learning opportunities*
*NSS 2023
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Top 10 for student support*
*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

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.

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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 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
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.

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students chatting on the concourse High Wycombe campus

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

BA (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.

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 your first 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.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£15,150 per year

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.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

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

A head and shoulders shot of a smiling Susan Perryman wearing a land yard with a black jumper
Susan Perryman
  • Senior Lecturer
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Sarah Thirtle
  • Senior Lecturer
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Annette Palmer
  • Senior Lecturer
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Carole Trespaderne
Carole Trespaderne
  • Senior Lecturer
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Dr Marianthi Alexandropoulou
  • Senior Lecturer
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Gail Goddard
  • Senior Lecturer
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BA (Hons) Public Health
BA (Hons) Public Health with Foundation Year