Mercy College

What you'll study

The programme combines core health science knowledge with specialist study in health promotion and community wellbeing. You will study the principles of public health, health behaviour and communication, epidemiology and biostatistics, programme planning and evaluation, and health policy. Practical modules typically include community needs assessment, health education techniques, health promotion in diverse populations, digital health and social marketing, and ethics in public health.

Teaching methods mix lectures, seminars, case studies and applied workshops. A key feature is supervised practice through community placements and project work, where students design and implement a health promotion initiative. Research methods and a capstone or honours project help develop skills in data collection, analysis and evidence-based practice.

• Core topics: foundations of public health, epidemiology, research methods, health systems and policy.
• Health-promotion-specific topics: behaviour change theory, programme planning & evaluation, health communication, community engagement, workplace wellness, and digital interventions.
• Practical experience: community placements, practicum projects, and a final-year research or practice project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to have completed secondary education equivalent to a high-school diploma with satisfactory grades in relevant subjects. Good passes in biology, health science or social sciences and strong literacy skills are typically preferred. International applicants should meet English language requirements.

Mature applicants with relevant work or volunteer experience in health, social care or community settings are encouraged to apply and may be considered through a recognition of prior learning process. Successful applicants will usually need to provide evidence of immunisations and may be required to undergo background checks before beginning placement work.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles in health promotion, community health, workplace wellness, and public health support. Typical entry-level jobs include health promotion officer, community outreach worker, wellness coordinator, public health assistant and health education specialist. With experience, graduates can move into programme management, policy roles, consultancy, or specialise in areas such as sexual health, mental health promotion, chronic disease prevention or workplace health.

Many graduates also choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level in public health, health promotion, health education, or related allied-health disciplines. The programme’s practical placement experience and project work help build a portfolio useful for employers and postgraduate study applications.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College offers a community-focused learning environment with relatively small class sizes that promote close student-faculty interaction. The Health Science (Health Promotion) programme emphasises experiential learning through community placements and collaborative projects with local health organisations, providing real-world experience and professional networking opportunities.

Students benefit from multidisciplinary teaching staff with backgrounds in public health, nursing, social work and community practice, and from career support services that assist with placement searches, CV preparation and employer linkages. The programme’s practical orientation and local partnerships make it well suited for students aiming to work directly in community and organisational settings after graduation.