Program Overview

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Health Sciences BSc (Hons)

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: BSc: L400, BSc with Foundation: L401
• Level: Undergraduate
• Duration: Full Time: 3 years, Full Time Foundation: 4 years, Part Time: 4 - 6 years
• Starting: September
• Entry Requirements: BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC
• UK Fees 25/26: Full Time: £9,535, Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credits), Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
• International Fees 25/26: Full Time: £15,700, Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700
• Location: Waterside

Overview

The University of Northampton’s Health Sciences BSc (Hons) degree offers students an in-depth study of the holistic nature of health and disease and a detailed coverage of the integrated health disciplines.

This Health Sciences Degree will include looking into: health psychology, health sociology, medical anthropology, human biology and physiology, human nutrition, public health, health promotion, health policy and biomedical ethics. The Health Sciences programme takes as its point of departure the WHO definition of health which states that ‘health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease’ (WHO 1947).

Highlights

• This health sciences programme highlights the interdisciplinary and multi-factorial approach to understanding health.
• Assesses current debates and contemporary health issues at local, national and global level.
• Combines the biological and social sciences to develop evidence-based solutions to health issues
• Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
• HP Laptop and software included with this course. Terms and Conditions apply

Entry Requirements

A typical offer for a BSc degree in Health Sciences would be around:

• BCC at A Level or,
• DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
• Pass (C and above) at T Level

The University of Northampton welcomes international applicants and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications, and also applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

Admission to this foundation course is normally:

• DEE at A Level or,
• MPP at BTEC or,
• Pass (D or E) at T Level

However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

English Language Requirements

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

• IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content

Stage 1

• Health and Healers: Histories of Disease and Disability (20 Credits)
• Health and Society (20 Credits)
• Introduction to Physiology (20 Credits)
• Introduction to Human Nutrition (20 Credits)
• Concepts of Health (20 Credits)
• Global Health (20 Credits)

Stage 2

• Health and Disease (20 Credits)
• Public Health (20 Credits)
• Nutritional Perspectives of Exercise, Health and Disease (20 Credits)
• Health in Later Life (20 Credits)
• Research Methods in Health (20 Credits)
• Epidemiology (20 Credits)
• Theories, Perspectives and Concepts in Health Sociology and Health Psychology (20 Credits)
• Reproductive Health (20 Credits)
• Professional Work Based Learning (20 Credits)
• Health Physiology (20 Credits)

Stage 3

• Health, Risk and Environment (20 Credits)
• Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Health (20 Credits)
• Integrated Perspectives on Disease (20 Credits)
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 Credits)
• Advanced Public Health (20 Credits)
• Health Sciences Dissertation (40 Credits)
• Psychology of Exercise and Health (20 Credits)
• Physical Activity and Society (20 Credits)

Student Perks

At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

If you join our full time BSc Health Sciences degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your health sciences course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study in Health Sciences you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a Health Sciences Degree at the University of Northampton, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

FAQs

• How will I be taught on the BSc Health Sciences degree? Students will be taught using a range of teaching methods and styles including lectures, seminars, and technology enhanced interactive activities. In all modules, the emphasis is on active blended learning, student participation and student engagement.
• How will I be assessed on the Health Sciences course? Students will be assessed using a variety of of assessment strategies including essays, reports, presentations, posters and exams. In all modules, at all levels, the assessment is aligned with the learning outcomes.
• Are there any specialist facilities and features? The BSc Health Sciences programme is delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team with expertise in the areas of sociology, psychology, physiology, biology, nutrition and ethics. We adopt the philosophy that health and illness are socially and psychologically, as well as ethically, constructed. The University of Northampton’s teaching and research facilities enable all of our students to learn their skills in a supportive environment. Our Additional Student Support and Inclusion Services Team (ASSIST) works with students with disabilities to help achieve their full potential and to promote equal opportunities. Library and Learning Development support available. Careers and employability advice and guidance.

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees
  • UK – Full Time: £9,535
  • UK – Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535
  • International – Full Time: £15,700
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700
• Additional costs There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2025. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

Scholarships and Bursaries

For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

Careers and Employability

The University of Northampton offers an innovative approach to enhancing the employability of our BSc Health Sciences graduates. Through our Health Sciences course, we help develop your awareness of your subject-specific skills, transferable skills and provide you with a reflective approach to learning. Our course includes career planning aspects and opportunities which will allow you to develop an awareness of both subject-specific and transferable skills. We are confident that this experience gives our graduates an advantage when applying for employment or master’s training.

Graduates in our Health Science courses will have the knowledge, skills and competency to work in diverse roles such as working for the National Health Service, Public Health and Public Health England, health promotion, health journalism, the pharmaceutical sector, and education. Many graduates are likely to progress onto higher research degrees such as a Masters degree or further specialist degrees such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

Related Courses

• Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)
• Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
• Sport Rehabilitation and Conditioning BSc (Hons)
• Physical Education and Sport BA (Hons)