Public Health and Population Studies BSc (Hons)

BSc (Hons)

Attendance mode

Entry year

Typical offer for 2027: 104
Duration: 3 years
UCAS code: B992
Start date: September
Location: City Campus

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Suitable for UK and international applications.

Overview

Are you passionate about improving lives and shaping healthier futures?

If you are, Public Health and Population Studies is the first step towards a rewarding career.

You will explore how social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors influence health.

You will learn how to:

understand patterns of health and disease in different populations
analyse and interpret public health data
design and evaluate health improvement programmes
explore global health issues and policy responses
communicate health information clearly and effectively

The course combines theory with real-world application.

Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to think about fairness, ethics and social justice in health. This will help you understand how public health professionals work to reduce inequalities and create healthier societies.

A degree in Public Health and Population Studies opens the door to a wide range of careers.

You could work in:

public health teams within local authorities or the NHS
health promotion and community development
global health organisations and charities
research and data analysis roles

After you graduate, you may choose to continue your studies at postgraduate level in public health, global health, epidemiology, health policy, or related fields.

Wherever you choose to go next, this degree equips you with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to create positive change.

By understanding the bigger picture of health and wellbeing, you will be ready to contribute to healthier communities locally, nationally and globally.

Programme title change

The title of this programme changed from Public Health and Community Wellbeing to Public Health and Population Studies for the September 2026 intake. The new title will be used for future intakes.

Some information on this page and in other areas of our website refers to the course by its previous title, and we still have students from the 2024 and 2025 intakes studying the programme under it's previous title. All the information accurately represents the current programme - only the title of the course has been amended, the programme content remains unchanged.

City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council

This programme has been developed in partnership with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Entry requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 104 UCAS tariff points.

Gain work experience to help your application

Bradford Care Association and SkillsHouse can help you gain crucial health and social care work experience, to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen course.

Both organisations can help you access a variety of roles, as well as progression opportunities, training, and support.

A levels

BCC, to include at least one full A level. There are no specific subject requirements.

T levels

Merit - there are no subject specific requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM. There are no specific subject requirements.

Applicants on Access Programmes

104 UCAS tariff points. There are no subject specific requirements.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

104 UCAS tariff points, to include 1 HL subject. Plus English A at SL5 or HL5 with no subskills below 4, or English B at HL5 with no subskills below 5, or SL 7 with no subskills below 6.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English at grade C or grade 4. Level 2 equivalencies are accepted.

English language requirements

6.5 overall with no sub-test less than 5.5

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

Transferring from another university

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry.

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to admissions@bradford.ac.uk

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2026/27 entry and is subject to change.

First year

Core

Introduction to being a public health professional

This module will provide you with the support you need to develop key skills required for public health professionals, based on the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR). In this module, you will work on developing your portfolio, which can be used for future registration with the UKPHR. You will also self-assess on a range of professional and inter-personal skills, IT and academic skills, and develop an action plan to enhance your skills and prepare you for a successful public health placement experience.

Teaching, learning and assessment

This course offers an inclusive, future-focused learning experience grounded in Universal Design for Learning.

You'll benefit from a structured, supportive journey that promotes independence and confidence.

Core academic and digital skills are integrated into every stage, with tailored support evolving to match your growth.

Teaching methods include interactive lectures, small group seminars, practical case-based sessions, and digital learning.

While studying, you will:

engage with cutting-edge technologies, immersive visual tools and AI-integrated platforms
learn through both synchronous and asynchronous formats
with support, develop your professional portfolio, aligned with the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) standards
conduct a 100-hour placement with a public health organisation
develop a health improvement project, preparing you for public health careers

The programme incorporates diverse perspectives, offering flexibility in assessment types and placement choices. You're encouraged to explore areas of personal interest and cultural relevance.

Assessments are authentic and varied, including essays, reports, portfolios, presentations, podcasts, and the production of digital health content. Research and digital literacy are embedded throughout, and you are encouraged to engage responsibly with generative AI.

Formative assessments, tailored feedback, and peer collaboration will help you build independence and confidence.

This programme develops graduates who are critically engaged, digitally skilled, and professionally prepared to tackle public health challenges on regional, national, and global levels.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

UK: £10,050 per year
International: £16,500 per year

The University of Bradford will charge home rate tuition fees up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. For 2027/28, those fees are still to be confirmed.

Should the UK Government choose to increase the maximum tuition fee allowed in the second and subsequent years of your course, the University will raise tuition fees in line with UK Government policy and approvals.

Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)

From January 2027, the UK government will introduce the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE), offering a more flexible way to study. It is designed to support learners at different stages of their student journey or career, whether you want to retrain, upskill, or change direction. For further information about the variety of options available to help fund your studies and maximise the support available, see our funding your studies section.

Additional course costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Career options for graduates of this course include:

Health Improvement Officer
Public Health Department Officer
Public Health Analyst
Epidemiologist
Reducing Health Inequalities Officer

Discover more about these careers in our Five careers in public health blog.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the careers section.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions. We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment. In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

Got a question?

Make an enquiry about this course, and sign up for news updates about studying at Bradford.

Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.