Course Overview
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.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
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
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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.
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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.
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.
Course Leader
Dr Xanthi Maragkoudaki
Lecturer
Xanthi is a Lecturer on public health and nutrition. After completing a BSc (Hons) in Biology, she worked as a researcher on non-communicable diseases before undertaking an MSc in Public Health Nutrition at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Following that, she worked as a scientific consultant at Public Health England. Her PhD was in the field of developmental programming at King’s College. She carried on her work with King’s College as a Postdoctoral associate and published her work in peer-reviewed journals. Her research area panned from prebiotics during pregnancy to energy expenditure. Before her current post as a lecturer, she worked as a nutrition professional supporting charities and social enterprises assisting families and early years providers on nutrition practices.
In public health you are aiming to protect the populations’ health but if with your programs you touch and improve the life of one individual, you are still a winner.
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.
- Dr Teddy Seyoum - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Ihab Tewfik - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Regina Keith - Senior Lecturer, Course Leader MSc IPHN
- Dr Claire Robertson - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Stuart Thompson - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Dipankar Sengupta - Senior Lecturer
- Justin Haroun - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Heidi Sowter - Senior Lecturer
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 in Science, Allied Health Professions, Health and Caring Professions, Social Care
- 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. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
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 Westminster Enterprise Network 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: £17,000 (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:
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
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
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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