Health Sciences

Health sciences is an umbrella discipline that draws together the scientific, social, and clinical knowledge needed to understand and improve human health across the full life course and at the level of both individuals and populations. It encompasses areas including anatomy and physiology, public health and health promotion, epidemiology, health policy, social determinants of health, and the systems and organisations through which healthcare is delivered. The breadth of the discipline reflects the breadth of the challenge: improving health is a scientific problem, but it is also a social, economic, and political one, and health sciences education prepares students to work across all of these dimensions.

At the University of Northampton, this programme is offered on a part-time basis, making it accessible to people who are already working in healthcare, social care, or related fields and want to develop their knowledge and qualifications alongside their existing commitments. You will study the biological and social foundations of health, the structure and challenges of the healthcare system, the evidence base for different approaches to health promotion and disease prevention, and the inequalities in health that persist across different social groups and communities. Research methods and critical appraisal skills are central to the curriculum, preparing you to engage with the evidence that underpins professional practice in health and social care.

Graduates in health sciences enter careers across the NHS and the broader health and social care sector. Roles in health promotion, public health practice, health education, and community health are direct applications of the degree. Management and administrative roles in NHS trusts and health organisations draw on the combination of scientific and policy knowledge the degree provides.

Research roles in public health, health policy, and health services research are further options, particularly for those who continue to postgraduate study. The part-time structure of this programme particularly suits people who are combining study with existing careers in nursing, allied health, social work, or related fields, and the degree provides a platform for progression and professional development in those contexts.