Wellbeing

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

University

You could do a degree in a subject like:

• health promotion
• public health policy
• behavioural science
• health studies

You might be able to do a subject like psychology, social sciences or education.

You could also start by doing a foundation degree in health and social care.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could do the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care to get some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job.

If you're 19 or over, you could do an Access to HE Diploma as a way to get into university.

You could do Access to Health and Human Science or Access to Health Science.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

For more information

• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could do a Public Health Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could start as a health promotion assistant or an NHS 111 health advisor and complete training to work your way up.

Volunteering and work experience

You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary work experience in healthcare before you apply for a course.

Direct application

You could apply directly to health promotion specialist roles.

You'll usually need a qualification and experience in medicine, nursing, teaching or social work.

It might also help to have experience of working with communities.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• You might need a driving licence for some jobs.
• pass enhanced background checks

More information

Career tips

You could work for different types of organisations like the NHS, local authorities or charities.

You can also find details of current health campaigns and initiatives through the Royal Society for Public Health.

Further information

You can find out more on careers in health promotion as a public health practitioner through Health Careers.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:move into a senior role and be responsible for planning projects and strategies; get a postgraduate qualification and manage projects and a team or health promotion specialists; work as a freelance consultant