Two students standing and looking through books together next to a library shelf
BSc (Hons) Available in Clearing

Public Health

Learn how to research, analyse, report, plan and implement measures for health improvement, protection and care on our Public Health degree.

Start date
September 2025
Location
Chelmsford
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
B912

Start date
September 2025
Location
Cambridge
Chelmsford
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
B913

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year in Cambridge or Chelmsford before starting our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree in Chelmsford.

1st

in the East of England for undergraduates employed as managers, directors or senior officials.

Source: GOS 2025

On this degree course, you’ll develop a thorough understanding of health inequalities, and how these are evaluated and addressed.

Whether your interests lie in supporting individuals and communities to improve their health and wellbeing, preventing the spread of communicable disease, or ensuring the accessibility and suitability of health and care services, you’ll learn how to interpret real and simulated health data, propose public health measures, and communicate your findings.

UK Public Health Register

Our Public Health degree aligns with the UKPHR practitioner competencies, ensuring that through a combination of employment-focussed content, work placements and lectures, our programme will help you prepare for UKPHR registration.

UK Public Health Register logo
Why ARU?
  • Study real-world public health challenges and gain global health insights

  • Gain practical skills through work placements

  • Take part in hands-on projects with industry partners

  • Prepare for UKPHR registration with career-focused course content and expert-led lectures

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Once you graduate, you could work for a range of local, national, and international organisations.

These include local government, the NHS, education, consultancy, the not-for-profit sector, and international agencies like the World Health Organization or UNICEF.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as MSc Public Health and Community Wellbeing or MSc Global Public Health. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Teaching and modules

We’ll begin by examining issues impacting health, lifestyle choices, the human body and promoting good health.

We’ll also look at how disease is reported and monitored.

You’ll go on to develop your research and communication skills, preparing for your future career and considering different methods of encouraging individuals and populations in the UK and internationally to adapt or change their behaviour.

Finally, you’ll put your knowledge and skills into action with a work experience placement and research project, where you’ll investigate and propose solutions to a real-life public health issue.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Practitioner in Public Health
  • Human Systems and Disease
  • Promoting Health and Wellbeing
  • Understanding Epidemiology
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Global Health and Sustainability
  • Data Analysis in Public Health Research
  • Health Communication
  • Healthcare Systems
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Driving Change in Population Health
  • Responsive Public Health Practitioner
  • Engagement in the Public Health Community
  • Strategies to Enhance Health
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year in Cambridge or Chelmsford before starting our BSc (Hons) Public Health degree in Chelmsford.

Year 1
  • Foundation in Optometry, Medical and Life Sciences
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

As a Public Health student at ARU you’ll take part in up-to-date, relevant simulated healthcare scenarios.

You'll also benefit from studying on a course that’s been designed in collaboration with public health bodies, carrying out research in the community to support your learning, and a community experience module.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Public Health

Clearing places available

UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start

Apply by phone

UK students, call our Clearing line

01245 686868

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct