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Public Health and Promotion

Public health is about helping people to stay healthy and protecting them from threats to their health.  

Defined as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society” (Acheson, 1988, cited by WHO, 2020), public health extends beyond mere disease prevention.  Sometimes public health activities involve helping individuals. At other times they involve dealing with wider factors that have an impact on the health of many people, for example an age-group, an ethnic group, a locality, or a country.  It encompasses an holistic approach that includes lifestyle choices, community engagement, and policy-driven interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for populations worldwide.  

This 3-minute video   from the Faculty of Public Health explains further. 

The public health sector operates through three main providers: the public sector, encompassing local government and national health services; the private sector, which includes independent companies and consultancy firms; and the third sector, consisting of charities and social enterprises.  

If you decide to work in public health, you'll be developing knowledge on subjects such as: 

  • differing health needs
  • what influences our health and wellbeing
  • how to prevent ill-health and promote health. 

And you will be developing skills in areas such as: 

  • analysing and interpreting information on people and health
  • reviewing literature on what works to make a difference
  • effective communication, joint working and leadership. 

For further research: 

Job Profiles 

There are various career options within public health from academic research and epidemiology to health promotion and policy. Roles can be varied from health visitor to directors of public health. See  Health Promotion Roles | IHPE 

Explore Prospects and core public health roles to find out what careers in this sector involve and how to get into them.  

NHS Health Careers - YouTube . This play list provides 15 short profiles of professionals working in this sector talking about their jobs.

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  The following list should be meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and adverts for each role you consider. However, it is possible to assume that employers will want: 

  • A strong interest in public health - Genuine interest in public health demonstrates motivation and commitment to drive engagement with communities, an understanding of health inequalities, and enthusiasm for developing effective interventions.
  • The ability to handle and interpret data and statistics - Data is central to identifying health trends, assessing needs, and evaluating interventions to make evidence-based decisions.
  • An investigative mind and the ability to organise and carry out research - Health promotion often involves exploring new health challenges or evaluating the effectiveness of campaigns. This skill supports literature reviews, designing research studies, conducting interviews or focus groups, and synthesizing findings into actionable strategies.
  • The ability to project-manage, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and work with minimum supervision - Health campaigns have many moving parts—planning events, producing materials, liaising with partners. Effective project management ensures activities stay on schedule and within budget, especially when working independently in community or outreach settings.
  • Leadership - to drive health initiatives, managing small teams and community engagement. It’s crucial for motivating others, setting a vision for health projects, and influencing stakeholders and policymakers.
  • The ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams - Health promotion involves collaboration with healthcare providers, educators, local government, and community organizations. This skill ensures effective teamwork, communication, and coordination across different sectors.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills – from writing reports, delivering presentations, creating public information materials, and engaging communities. Clear communication ensures that health messages are understood and impactful.
  • The ability to understand legislation and policies - Understanding health-related laws and policies (e.g., tobacco control, food safety, workplace health) is essential for developing compliant and relevant interventions and advising organisations or communities on health-related legal obligations.
  • Attention to detail - Whether evaluating data, designing educational materials, or ensuring ethical compliance in research, attention to detail ensures quality, accuracy, and professionalism in all aspects of health promotion work.
  • A logical and methodical approach to problem-solving - Health promotion often deals with complex social and health issues. A methodical approach helps in identifying root causes, developing strategic interventions, and systematically evaluating outcomes to improve future effort. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Building Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.   

Gaining Experience

Those wanting a career in public health should look at information relating to specific roles to identify the qualifications, skills and experience they will need. See for example the NHS careers website and case studies. Staying informed about public health issues is crucial. Regularly checking the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the Faculty of Public Health websites is recommended. For a broader perspective, research the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the WHO. Consider joining a relevant professional body/industry network (see listings in the further study section below) All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs and societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider: 

Recommended reading 

  • The Public Health Jobs blog has a useful article on finding work experience. It also links to relevant charities. 

Volunteering 

Gaining work experience through volunteering for public health-related charities or completing additional learning is an impressive way to catch the attention of potential employers. 

  •  RSPH | RSPH Learn for introductory online learning courses
  • Any opportunity to become a Health Advocate or Mental Health and Wellbeing Champion will help to demonstrate your commitment. See RSPH’s Young Health Champions programme. 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

Events 

  • Royal Society for Public Health organises a variety of public health related events throughout the year. Many are open to professionals or the general public, while others are exclusive to RSPH Members (you can Join Here).  

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Use online magazines and journals to follow news from your industry. Reading about trends and developments is important for applications and interviews. Examples include: 

Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  Collection for placements  

Graduate schemes and internships 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Professional bodies often run networking events, post vacancies on behalf of their members and have member directories, useful for speculative applications.  

To find opportunities outside the UK

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally.  

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

There are a wide range of relevant university courses that equip you with the in-depth knowledge and specialist skills, including degree and Masters’ programmes in public health, health sciences, biostatistics, nutrition and exercise and health. Aspiring to a high-level role in public health, such as consultancy, can be boosted by pursuing a Masters’ degree.  

Other options include the Faculty of Public Health Specialty Training Scheme. This is a five-year training scheme, the first year requiring students to complete and pass a master’s in public health. 

Note it is important to verify if your chosen programme is accredited by the Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation or includes core modules approved by the Royal Society for Public Health. This will significantly enhance your career prospects in the field of public health. 

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

Professional societies/institutes 

Research councils/institutes 

Government agencies 

Non-governmental organisations/charities 

Advice  

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.