Public Health (Extended), BSc Hons

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Greenwich

Program Overview

This is a 4-year full-time degree (including a foundation year) giving you a strong grounding in public health with both theoretical and practical components. It’s ideal for students who are passionate about improving population health (in the NHS, local government, NGOs, etc.) but may not yet have the qualifications to enter directly into a 3-year degree.

During the degree you’ll cover topics such as epidemiology, health promotion, inequality in health, policy development, behaviour change, research methods, and you’ll also gain real work placement experience to build employable skills.

Curriculum Structure

Here’s how your learning will progress over the years:

Foundation Year (Year 0)
In this year you’ll build foundational academic and study skills to prepare you for degree‐level work. Modules include Study Skills, Academic Writing, Software Tools for Academic Practice, and Introduction to Public Health and Wellbeing. These help bridge any gaps in prior qualifications and ensure you can engage confidently with more advanced material in later years.

Year 1
You’ll start core public health concepts: things like Introduction to Concepts and Theories of Health, Health Promotion, Health & Social Policy, Behaviour Change in Public Health, Cultural Competency in Health and Social Care, Environmental Health and Health Protection, and Introduction to Statistics. This year builds the basis for understanding how health is determined, how policy works, how communities can be engaged, and the role of environment.

Year 2
Here things get more advanced. You’ll study modules like Applied Ethics for Health and Public Health, Analysis of Health Needs, Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion, Life, Health and Wellbeing: Bio-Psycho-Social Perspectives, Introduction to Epidemiology, and Introduction to the Research Process. The focus shifts to deeper understanding of data, ethics, and how to analyse health needs in different populations.

Final Year (Year 3 / Work Experience Year)
In your final year, you’ll apply all you have learnt: there is a structured work experience placement (or equivalent) within a public health setting, a dissertation or major research project, and specialised modules covering issues like global public health, policy implementation, campaigns, and inequalities. You’ll get exposure to real public health practice, which helps in networking and readiness for your first paid role.

Learning Outcomes

“Ability to analyse population health data; design and evaluate public health interventions; understand policy development and health inequalities; communicate health issues to different audiences; work ethically with communities; conduct independent research; apply theory to practice in real work settings”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is closely tied with public health providers, NHS, local government, and voluntary sector organisations, meaning good alignment with what employers want.
At present, I did not find a mention of international accreditation (e.g. APHEA or CEPH) specific to this degree in the publicly available material.
The degree structure includes required work placements, which help in meeting practical experience expectations in the field.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

University of Greenwich has been awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, meaning outstanding student experience and outcomes.
Students are supported via a Careers & Employability Service, and there is strong feedback that graduates from public health roles move into jobs in local authorities, NHS & third sector.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one (including the foundation year) this extended degree is very hands-on. You won't just learn theory — you’ll gradually build up skills in research, data analysis, health policy, community engagement and more. In later years there’s a structured work experience assignment so you can apply what you’ve learned in a real public health setting. The teaching is led by research-active tutors, so your projects and assignments often reflect current issues (e.g. health inequalities, epidemiology, campaign design) and you’ll often discuss them in group work, seminars, workshops. You also get chances to do independent study & research, including a dissertation in the final year.

Facilities, tools, placements etc.: what Greenwich provides for this degree

Here are the specific practical and facility-based elements of the programme:

Work placements / Work experience:
In your final year, you’ll complete a structured work experience assignment (a module) in a public health setting. This gives you direct workplace exposure and networking opportunities.
Foundation year support:
The Extended/Public Health (Extended) starts with a foundation year if you don’t have all entry requirements. That foundation year includes modules like Study Skills, Academic Writing, Software Tools for Academic Practice, Leadership & Enterprise etc., which prepare you for the rest of the programme.
IT, computing & software resources:
Greenwich provides open access computer labs (Windows & Mac) across campuses with specialist software available via the Managed Desktop system.
There is software support / training when needed (for modules, research & presentations).
Library & research support:
- The Public Health, Health Management and Wellbeing LibGuide gives you access to subject-specific literature, journals, databases etc, with help from subject librarians.
- The university’s libraries provide workshops, drop-ins, academic writing help, referencing help etc.
Greenwich Learning and Simulation Centre (GLASC):
Although it's more directly used by health and social care programmes, this facility gives experience with simulation-based education: virtual/mixed reality, lifelike manikins, patient communication simulators, video/audio feedback & more. These simulation suites help you bridge theory to practice in clinical / community health scenarios.
Assistive and accessibility technologies:
If you need them, there are tools like screen-magnification software, large keyboard, literacy support tools (e.g. Read&Write), etc.
Living Labs & student-led projects:
There are opportunities to work on sustainability, environmental health, or wellbeing-oriented projects using real campus spaces (e.g. “Living Labs”). These projects let you test ideas in real settings.

What you won’t get (or isn't clearly stated)

There is no specific mention (in the official course details I found) of field trips for all modules, though some modules might include site visits or community work.
The course doesn’t seem to promise large lab-based experiments (like a wet lab or public health lab) specific to all students of this programme, though simulation and computing labs are provided.
Detailed lists of the exact statistical or epidemiological software you’ll use aren’t fully spelled out in the official descriptions.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Public Health (Extended) from the University of Greenwich are well-equipped to embark on impactful careers aimed at improving health outcomes and promoting well-being across communities. Typical roles include:

Public Health Practitioner
Health Improvement Specialist
Health Policy Analyst
Community Health Coordinator

These positions are supported by the university's robust infrastructure and industry connections, ensuring that students are prepared for the workforce upon graduation.

University Support and Industry Connections:

Work Experience Opportunities: The program offers valuable work experience opportunities through excellent links with the NHS, local authorities, and the charity and voluntary sectors.
Student-Led Initiatives: Students can engage with the vibrant Public Health Society, which organizes events and collaborative opportunities with the faculty, fostering a strong professional network.
Accreditation: The program is designed to build the experience necessary to become a registered public health practitioner, aligning with industry standards and expectations.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the BSc (Hons) Public Health (Extended), graduates have the opportunity to pursue advanced studies to deepen their expertise and enhance career prospects. Options include:

MSc Global Public Health: This program allows students to explore complex public health issues on a global scale, with specializations in areas such as child and maternal health, ethics and human rights, and migration.
MPhil/PhD in Human Sciences: For those interested in research, the MPhil/PhD program offers the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in fields such as psychology, social work, public health, and sports science.

With relevant work experience (typically three years), graduates may apply for Public Health Practitioner Registration with the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) — a recognised professional benchmark for those working in public health.