There’s so much more to the field of health than just medicine. Studying health develops knowledge about personal and community wellbeing, which are the key to making informed choices and living a fulfilling life.
Studying health gives you a holistic understanding of the factors that contribute to individual and societal wellbeing. It covers areas such as public health, nutrition, epidemiology, and healthcare management. It looks at topics from disease prevention to health policy, giving insights into the social, environmental, and behavioural influences on health.
Studying health opens up many career paths. Graduates or apprentices might find themselves in roles such as public health specialists, healthcare administrators, wellness coordinators, or health educators. There are also exciting newer careers like digital health, offering opportunities in health informatics and technology-driven solutions.
The impact you could make
- Help shape regulations that impact public health.
- Contribute to disease prevention in communities.
- Tackle health and wellbeing inequalities in the local area where you practise.
What you could study
- Communication in healthcare
- Health care practice
- Wellness in body and mind
- Holistic care
- Wellness in society
Chat to a current health student
Chat to a current health student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Chat to students
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UCAS Media Service
Example module
"My favourite was epidemiology, as it talks about diseases in analytical ways. Research is another module that really opened my understanding of how research is done and what's required for a good research outcome."
Second year public health student, Bedford College Group
Example assignment
"Working with real-life clients has given me loads of confidence and was something practical."
Second year health, nutrition, and exercise science student, Solent University Southampton
English
Psychology
Health and social care
Sociology
Biology
Chemistry
Hard skills you'll develop
- Plan, implement, and evaluate health programs
- Analyse health data and using digital tools
- Understand patterns of disease and risk factors on public health
Soft skills you'll develop
- Strong team working ability
- Problem-solving
- Cultural competence
Average salary
£32,726
Up to £54,824
Available jobs
73,371 vacancies in the past year
5.25% growth over next eight years
What is a… workplace health consultant?
Being a workplace health consultant, you use your expertise to create healthier and more balanced work environments. You collaborate with organisations to develop wellness programs, promote healthy habits among employees, and enhance overall workplace wellbeing. Whether it's designing simple workspaces, organising stress management workshops, or implementing fitness initiatives, you play a key role in creating a healthier and happier workforce.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study health at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from health applicants.
A levels
CCC
Scottish highers
AABBB
Vocational
BTEC MMM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
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The Health Foundation podcast
A series looking at the most important issues affecting the future of health and care for people in the UK. -
Radio 4 – Inside Health
Series that demystifies health issues, bringing clarity to conflicting advice.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Have you always been fascinated by our bodies and what keeps us healthy?
- Are you a passionate advocate of our NHS?
- Perhaps a personal health experience has inspired your interest to become an expert on the topic of health.
- Can you demonstrate that you’re good working in team environments?
- What have you previously studied that required critical thinking and evaluation of complex information?
- What extracurricular activities do you take part in that prove your communication skills?
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