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An image to illustrate the BSc (Honours) Public Health and Wellbeing
Public health is a rapidly evolving field. Through this degree, you’ll gain a critical understanding of public health and wellbeing, along with the policies and practices that shape them. You’ll explore how to prevent infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, and non-communicable diseases, like heart disease, and how to promote health and enhance wellbeing. You’ll examine how social determinants of health and illness lead to inequalities, and study evidence-based interventions to prevent ill health and promote good health. You’ll also learn about the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) standards and develop skills for effective practice in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment.
This health and wellbeing degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You’ll study two 60-credit modules: one on wellbeing across the lifecourse, and one optional module in either health and social care or health sciences. This stage introduces you to the diverse factors that influence health and wellbeing while developing your essential underpinning knowledge and study skills.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Wellbeing across the lifecourse (K119)60Oct
You’ll choose one from:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb

You’ll study one compulsory 60-credit module and choose a further 60 credits from a range of health and wellbeing options. You will develop your knowledge of public health and critical issues in health and social care while exploring contemporary perspectives in your chosen areas of study.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)60Oct
You’ll choose 60 credits from:
Critical perspectives on mental health in society (K243)60Oct
Death, dying and bereavement (K220)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct
Brain, mind and mental health (SK298)30Oct
Human biology (SK299)30Oct
Infection, immunity and public health (SK297)30Oct

You’ll study two 60-credit compulsory modules to finish your degree. You'll gain a sound and critical understanding of public health practice and complete your study of the United Kingdom Public Health Register standards for practice and how they can be employed. You'll also develop your own investigation and collect evidence that could justify a change in public health policy or practice.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Investigating health and social care (K323)60Oct
Public health: health promotion and health security (K310)60Oct

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
Wellbeing across the lifecourse (K119)60Oct
You’ll choose one from:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You'll study the following:
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)60Oct
You’ll choose 60 credits from:
Critical perspectives on mental health in society (K243)60Oct
Death, dying and bereavement (K220)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct
Brain, mind and mental health (SK298)30Oct
Human biology (SK299)30Oct
Infection, immunity and public health (SK297)30Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study both of the following:
Investigating health and social care (K323)60Oct
Public health: health promotion and health security (K310)60Oct

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time.  That’s 60 credits of study each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
Wellbeing across the lifecourse (K119)60Oct
Stage 1 | Year 2
You’ll choose one from:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)60Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll choose 60 credits from:
Critical perspectives on mental health in society (K243)60Oct
Death, dying and bereavement (K220)60Oct
Supporting children and young people's wellbeing (KE207)60Oct
Brain, mind and mental health (SK298)30Oct
Human biology (SK299)30Oct
Infection, immunity and public health (SK297)30Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Investigating health and social care (K323)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with:
Public health: health promotion and health security (K310)60Oct

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, high-quality learning materials, online tutorials, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BSc (Honours) Public Health and Wellbeing upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 10 years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
For a year-by-year breakdown of modules, take a look at our 3-year degree pathway in the Course details section.
You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
For a year-by-year breakdown of modules, take a look at our 6-year degree pathway in the course details section.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 25th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
That’s 18% less than the cost of an equivalent qualification offered at most other universities in England.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£28,605
£28,605
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£23,352
£23,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,070
£19,070
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£15,568
£15,568
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,535
£9,535
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£7,784
£7,784
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£28,605
£28,605
£23,352
£23,352
£5,253 (18%)
£5,253 (18%)
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,070
£19,070
£15,568
£15,568
£3,502 (18%)
£3,502 (18%)
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,535
£9,535
£7,784
£7,784
£1,751 (18%)
£1,751 (18%)
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 25/26 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
The BSc (Honours) Public Health and Wellbeing (R64) focuses on defining the nature of public health and builds knowledge of the United Kingdom Public Health Register (UKPHR) standards for evidence-based public health practice. It also emphasises how public health requires crossing professional boundaries and understanding the service user perspective. You'll acquire a strong set of highly valued transferable skills, including skills in written communication; finding, evaluating and presenting research and other sources of information; problem-solving and time management. You'll learn to work independently and as part of a team.
Completion of this qualification would not in itself provide the working experience of public health practice that is required to apply to the UKPHR. You will have to source your own working experience of public health practice via employment or other equivalent means. However, certain modules in this qualification, such as Wellbeing across the lifecourse (K119) and Critical ideas in wellbeing and public health (K212), introduce you to the UKPHR. When you get to Stage 3, the module Public health: health promotion and health security (K310) is fully mapped against the UKPHR standards, and completion of the module or degree provides all the underpinning knowledge of the UKPHR Standards to support your application.
This degree is focused on providing underpinning knowledge for public health practice but is also applicable to a wide range of health and social care careers in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors, though some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
Some of our students include:
This degree provides underpinning knowledge for UKPHR registration. It doesn't include a practice opportunity in public health. Applications for UKPHR registration must demonstrate how the applicant had met UKPHR standards through their own practice.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public and voluntary sectors. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree:
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 25th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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