BSc (Hons) Public Health with Foundation Year
Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand population health, prevent ill-health, promote wellbeing and contribute to healthier communities.
Improve health. Strengthen communities.
Explore public health practice, health promotion, epidemiology, inequalities, research, global health, leadership and community development.
Build the skills to make a difference in public health
Public health is concerned with protecting and improving the health of communities and populations. It considers the wider factors that influence health, rather than focusing only on the treatment of individual illness.
These wider factors can include housing, income, education, employment, behaviour, environment, culture, public policy and access to health and community services.
The BSc (Hons) Public Health with Foundation Year provides an accessible route into undergraduate study while preparing students to understand the complex and multidisciplinary nature of modern public health.
The Foundation Year is designed to build academic confidence and introduce students to health, wellbeing, collaborative working and university-level study.
As you progress through the degree, you will explore public health through subjects including psychology, sociology, communication, epidemiology, health promotion, health inequalities, policy, research, digital health, environmental health, global health and leadership.
You will learn how health information and research can be used to understand populations, identify inequalities, develop interventions and support evidence-based public health decisions.
Why study Public Health?
Build academic knowledge, practical understanding and transferable professional skills that can support a future career in public health and related sectors.
Foundation Year Support
Develop academic writing, reading, research, digital and study skills before progressing into the main degree.
Population Health
Understand how social, economic, behavioural and environmental factors affect health and wellbeing.
Health Promotion
Explore approaches used to prevent ill-health, encourage healthier behaviour and improve population wellbeing.
Research & Evidence
Develop the ability to find, understand and use evidence when considering public health challenges.
Health Inequalities
Examine why some communities experience poorer health outcomes and how public health can respond.
Career Development
Build communication, teamwork, research, leadership, analytical and problem-solving skills.
What you will study
The programme combines a Foundation Year with three further years of undergraduate Public Health study.
Year 1 · Foundation Year
Develop the academic, personal and professional skills required for successful degree-level study while exploring health and wellbeing.
Health & Health Behaviour
Explore relationships between psychology, health and behaviour. Consider why people make choices that can improve or harm health and examine different approaches to supporting healthier behaviour.
Interprofessional Working
Explore how professionals work together to support individuals, families and communities. Group activities help develop collaboration, communication and teamwork.
Perspectives on Health and Well-being
Examine the factors that influence individual and community health and consider why health outcomes can differ between groups.
Preparing for Undergraduate Study
Develop academic reading, writing, referencing, research, digital literacy, problem solving and collaborative learning skills.
Valuing the Self & Others
Explore values, equality, diversity, professional behaviour and respect for others, and how these influence practice.
Year 2 · Foundations of Public Health
Develop the core knowledge and competencies that support modern public health practice.
Career Competencies
Develop professional and employability skills relevant to public health, health services, community organisations and the voluntary sector.
Communicating Public Health
Explore communication theories and methods used to explain health information to individuals, communities and wider populations.
Health Psychology
Study psychological influences on health, illness and behaviour and how psychological evidence can inform health interventions.
Principles, Philosophy and Practice of Public Health
Explore public health principles, professional roles, ethical issues, policy, health improvement and collaborative practice.
Surveillance and Assessment of Population Health
Develop an introduction to surveillance, epidemiology, statistics and the use of population-health data.
The Sociology of Health and Illness
Examine how social circumstances influence health, illness and life expectancy and explore factors including class, gender and ethnicity.
Year 3 · Public Health in Practice
Develop deeper knowledge of communities, policy, health promotion, inequalities, technology and research.
Community Health Development
Explore community participation, engagement and empowerment and consider how communities can identify priorities and improve health.
Health Promotion: Policy & Practice
Study health-promotion theory and practice, including policy, communication and the wider determinants of health.
Infodemiology and Digital Health
Explore digital health information, misinformation, technology and the influence of digital environments on public health.
Power and Inequalities
Examine relationships between power, identity, disadvantage and health inequalities and consider approaches to improving health equity.
Research Methods for Health
Understand qualitative, quantitative and evidence-based approaches used to investigate public-health questions.
The Politics of Health
Examine political, economic and social influences on health, healthcare, policy and inequalities.
Year 4 · Advanced Public Health
Bring together advanced public-health knowledge, epidemiology, sustainability, leadership, research and global health.
Environmental Management and Sustainable Health
Examine connections between human health, sustainability, climate change and environmental management.
Epidemiology
Study patterns, frequency, trends and causes of disease and how epidemiological evidence supports public-health practice.
Global Health: Issues and Actions
Explore global health inequalities, health systems and political, economic, social and cultural influences on health.
Health Protection and Improvement
Develop knowledge of prevention, health protection and population-health improvement.
Leadership and Collaborative Working
Explore leadership, management, organisational change, teamwork and collaboration in public-health settings.
Research for Health Project
Apply research knowledge to a focused public-health project and develop an appropriate evidence-based research approach.
How you will learn
Different learning and assessment methods are used to help students build knowledge, confidence and practical public-health skills.
Teaching and Learning
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Interactive workshops
- Case studies
- Group activities
- Presentations
- Independent study
- Research activities
- Digital learning
Assessment May Include
- Written assignments
- Essays
- Reports
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Case studies
- Portfolios
- Research projects
- Examinations or quizzes
Career opportunities after Public Health
Public-health knowledge can support careers across healthcare, local government, community organisations, charities, research, policy and health-improvement services.
What skills will you gain?
The course develops subject knowledge alongside transferable academic and professional skills.
2026/27 tuition fee
The tuition fee for this full-time course during the 2026/27 academic year is shown below.
Full-Time Tuition Fee
Per academic year for the full-time programme, including the Foundation Year.
Available intake options
The tuition fee is £9,790 per academic year for 2026/27.
This is the fee for one academic year and not the total fee for the complete four-year course.
Tuition fees may be reviewed for future academic years. Intake availability may also change. Green Valley Academy Admissions will confirm the available start date and applicable fee before enrolment.
Understand your finance options
Funding eligibility depends on residency status, personal circumstances, previous study and the applicable funding rules.
Tuition Fee Support
Eligible students may be able to apply for a tuition-fee loan through the relevant UK student-finance service, subject to eligibility.
Maintenance Support
Eligible students may be able to apply for support towards living costs. The amount available depends on personal and household circumstances.
Self-Funding
Students paying their own tuition fees should contact Green Valley Academy for payment information and available payment arrangements.
Your route into Public Health
Applicants may enter through the standard academic route or, where appropriate, through a Foundation preparation route.
Academic Requirements
- Minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points
- A Levels may include DD
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma may include PPP
- Access to HE qualifications may be considered
- Relevant T Level qualifications may be considered
- Other recognised Level 3 qualifications may be accepted
English and Mathematics
- GCSE English Language at Grade 4/C or above
- GCSE Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above
- Accepted equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered
Prepare for Foundation Pathway
Applicants who have not achieved the standard Level 3 qualifications may still be considered where they can demonstrate a strong interest in the subject or relevant recent experience.
Applicants entering through this route may be asked to complete a Foundation preparation event before an offer can be made.
The event may include a written assessment and subject-related activities designed to assess your interest, experience and readiness for foundation-level higher-education study.
Green Valley Academy Admissions can provide guidance about this pathway.
Other Requirements
- Applicants must be 18 years old or above when the course begins
- Qualifications are subject to admissions review
- Additional evidence or assessment may be requested
Unsure About Your Eligibility?
Green Valley Academy Admissions can review your qualifications, experience and preferred intake and advise you on the appropriate application route.
Check Your EligibilityStart your application
Green Valley Academy Admissions can guide you through the application process and explain the documents and information required.
Submit Your Enquiry
Tell us that you are interested in the Public Health with Foundation Year course.
Eligibility Review
Admissions reviews your qualifications and relevant background.
Provide Documents
Submit the academic and supporting documents required for your application.
Application Review
Your completed application is considered against the entry requirements.
Receive Next Steps
Eligible applicants receive information about their decision, offer and enrolment.
Everything you need to know
How long is the course?
The course is a four-year full-time programme, including the Foundation Year.
Is the Foundation Year part of the degree?
Yes. The Foundation Year is the first year of the four-year programme and prepares students for undergraduate-level study.
How much is the tuition fee?
The tuition fee for the 2026/27 academic year is £9,790 per academic year.
Is the Foundation Year charged at the same fee?
Yes. The published tuition fee for the Foundation Year during 2026/27 is £9,790.
Is £9,790 the fee for the complete four-year course?
No. £9,790 is the tuition fee for one academic year. Tuition fees may be reviewed for future academic years.
Which intakes are available?
September, January and May intake options may be available. Green Valley Academy Admissions will confirm the available start date before enrolment.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants normally require at least 48 UCAS Tariff points together with GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade 4/C or above, or accepted equivalents.
Can I apply without standard Level 3 qualifications?
Applicants may be considered through a Foundation preparation pathway where they can demonstrate strong interest in the subject or relevant experience.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes. Applicants must be at least 18 years old when the course begins.
Do I need previous Public Health experience?
Previous specialist Public Health experience is not normally required for the Foundation Year route.
Do I need previous biology or anatomy knowledge?
Specialist previous knowledge of biology or anatomy is not normally required. The course focuses on population health, prevention, health improvement, research, inequalities and public-health practice.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment may include assignments, reports, presentations, group work, case studies, portfolios, research projects and examinations or quizzes.
Can I apply for student finance?
Eligible students may be able to apply for tuition-fee and maintenance support through the relevant UK student-finance service. Eligibility depends on residency, personal circumstances, previous study and current funding rules.
What careers could I consider after graduating?
Career areas can include public-health practice, health improvement, health promotion, public-health intelligence, community development, research, policy and related health services.
Can I continue to postgraduate study?
Graduates may progress to postgraduate study in areas such as Public Health, Global Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy or related disciplines, subject to entry requirements.
How do I check my eligibility?
Contact Green Valley Academy Admissions or submit an enquiry. The team can review your qualifications and advise you about the correct application route.
Ready to start your journey in Public Health?
Speak to Green Valley Academy about your eligibility, preferred intake and application.