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Public Health

BSc (Hons)

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Key information

Key information for 2027-28

Start date:
October 2027
Study route:

  • Three years full-time, on campus


    UCAS code: N124

  • Four years part-time, on campus

  • Four years full-time, on campus with Foundation Year


    UCAS code: N125

  • Six years part-time, on campus with Foundation Year

Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck campus and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:
Full-time | Part-time | On campus | with Foundation Year

Course Overview

This new BSc Public Health is jointly run with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine to equip you with the skills and knowledge to improve population health, prevent disease and reduce health inequalities. Health is a growing area of employment and investment, so this course focuses directly on developing skills for effective public health practice, including working co-operatively and collaboratively to enhance health and health equity worldwide.

  • Why choose this course?
    • Expert academics from both Birkbeck and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) jointly teach on this BSc Public Health.
    • It offers you the chance to explore a wide range of topics related to public health and is ideal if you are interested in health promotion and health improvement, and the social context of population health.
    • It is especially designed to develop work-relevant skills to support your career development.
    • Graduating with a 2:1 or above provides a progression opportunity to LSHTM’s globally recognised MSc Public Health.

  • What will I learn?

    This course is structured to cover both breadth and depth of public health knowledge to enable you to gain employment skills and develop academic expertise. You will consider some of the most pressing issues facing the public health sector. You will explore areas such as epidemiology, the social determinants shaping health inequalities, health promotion, health economics, health data, global health, and planetary health and social justice.

    You will be able to choose from either a career development or micro-placement module to allow you to focus specifically on developing your employability.

  • How will I learn?

    You can study this course either full- or part-time. Classes are mainly taught in the daytime, though some option modules may also be taught in the evening. Teaching includes workshops, seminars and tutorials, supported by rich online materials available on our virtual learning environment.

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time: One to three classes a week (usually daytime), October to July.

    Part-time: One to two classes a week (usually daytime), October to July.

  • Foundation year

    If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study during an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This option is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

    Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main full-time degree.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More Highlights

  • This BSc Public Health is jointly delivered with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), one of the world's leading public health institutions, combining their globally recognised expertise with Birkbeck's expert flexible teaching to give you a strong foundation in UK and global public health.
  • You will benefit from access to the facilities, resources and academic communities of both Birkbeck and LSHTM, including seminars, a range of events and networking opportunities.
  • The course will equip you with skills and knowledge relevant to a wide range of careers in the public, voluntary or private sectors.

Modules and Teaching

School of Social Sciences

The school offers an invigorating and enriching educational experience, and students are taught by internationally renowned researchers with an exciting range of expertise. 

Visit the school

Entry Requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

  • Full-time study - how many UCAS points do I need?
    • Three years full-time: 112 points (e.g. A-levels BBC)
    • Four years full-time with Foundation Year: 48 points

    For full-time study on this course, you apply via UCAS. The UCAS tariff score applies if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a tariff calculator for you to work out what your qualification is worth.

  • Part-time study

    For part-time study our standard requirements are a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent.

  • What GCSEs do I need?

    You will normally be expected to have GCSE grade C or grade 4 or above (or equivalent) in mathematics.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please Global Recruitment at Birkbeck or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

Clearing for 2026 is open
Apply now

Fees

Three years full-time, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £10,050 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Four years part-time, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students: £14,490 per year

Four years full-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Full-time home students: £5,760 per year
Full-time international students: £19,320 per year

Six years part-time, with Foundation Year, on campus

Academic year 2027-28, starting in October 2027

Part-time home students, Year 1 and 2: £2,880 per year
Part-time international students, Year 1 and 2: £9,660 per year
Part-time home students, Year 3+: £7,530 per year
Part-time international students, Year 3+: £14,490 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully completing this BSc Public Health you will have gained a range of valuable transferable skills including in:

  • information literacy
  • competency in using information technology
  • robust written and verbal presentation skills.

You will also have gained a foundation of skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide variety of careers and employment opportunities in the NHS, local authorities, the social care sector, voluntary organisations and many private sector organisations.

As well as public health, you could work in areas such as:

  • environmental and climate health
  • epidemiology and data analysis
  • health protection
  • health services management and administration
  • child protection
  • health promotion or community health
  • housing
  • health policy.

You will find public health graduates in the following kinds of roles:

  • Public health practitioner or officer
  • Public health intelligence analyst
  • Health improvement practitioner
  • Environmental health officer
  • Community health worker or health promotion practitioner
  • Policy officer
  • Outreach or engagement officer
  • Research assistant
  • Children and young people’s development officer
  • IAG officer for vulnerable service users
  • Population health coordinator
  • Advocacy worker
  • Service improvement officer

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student Support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to Apply

You apply via UCAS for our full-time undergraduate courses or directly to Birkbeck for our part-time undergraduate courses. For more detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to apply, visit our How to apply page.

  • How do I apply to study full-time (UCAS entry)?

    If you are applying for a full-time undergraduate course at Birkbeck you apply through UCAS. Use the Apply now button on this course page which will direct you to UCAS. There you will be prompted to sign in and create an account. You will have to give UCAS a few personal details, including your name, address and date of birth, and then you can start working on your application.

    The first UCAS deadline is in January, and the majority of university applications through UCAS are made by then. Find the exact deadline date on the UCAS website. We welcome applications outside of the UCAS deadlines, so you can still apply through UCAS after the January deadline, depending on the availability of places. We also take late applications via the UCAS Clearing system in August.

  • How do I apply to study part-time?

    If you are applying for a part-time undergraduate course (usually four or six years), you apply directly to Birkbeck online by using the Apply now button. You will need to prove your identity when you apply.

    Please note that online application opens in September.

  • When should I apply?

    You are strongly advised to apply now, to ensure there are still places left, and to give you enough time to complete the admissions process, to arrange funding and to enrol.

    You don't need to complete your current programme of study before you apply - Birkbeck can offer you a place that is conditional on your results.

  • How can I get help with my application?

    Get all the information you need about the application, admission and enrolment process at Birkbeck.

    Our online personal statement tool will guide you through every step of writing the personal statement part of your application.

  • International agents

    If you are an international agent applying to Birkbeck on behalf of an international student, please use Birkbeck's agent portal.

Related courses

Study routes for Public Health (BSc (Hons))

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Important: Applications to study part-time in 2027/28 will open in October 2026.

2027-28

Full-time