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Bachelor of Science (BSc) Specialization in Public Health
Discover advanced science-based training in public health. From cells to society, this program equips you to investigate and address the complex drivers of chronic and infectious disease in human populations.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Specialization in Public Health
Discover advanced science-based training in public health. From cells to society, this program equips you to investigate and address the complex drivers of chronic and infectious disease in human populations.
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Specialization in Public Health
Discover advanced science-based training in public health. From cells to society, this program equips you to investigate and address the complex drivers of chronic and infectious disease in human populations.
About the program
Launch your career with Western's comprehensive Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Public Health.
This program will train you to work with evidence, navigate uncertainty and engage with communities to prevent disease and promote human health. The curriculum has been designed to prepare you for careers in health intelligence, health protection, and health promotion, as well as graduate and professional school.
Prospective students are advised that the program is still subject to formal approval.
- Program name: Bachelor of Science (BSc) Public Health
- Degree level: Undergraduate
- Duration: 4 years
- Application deadline: January 15
- Contact: ugpublichealth@uwo.ca
Reasons to study
Methodological training
You’ll receive advanced methodological training in epidemiology and biostatistics, program evaluation, and policy analysis that is often limited to graduate study in this field.
Hands-on experience
You’ll undertake a project in your fourth year to address a real-world public health problem in a community-based setting.
Breadth and flexibility
You’ll choose from a range of courses across the medical and health sciences to align with your interests and career goals.
Areas of study
Health intelligence
You’ll be introduced to the skills needed to engage in health surveillance, epidemiology and biostatistics.
Health protection
Learn to create policies and programs that protect the public from infectious diseases and environmental hazards.
Health promotion
Courses in health promotion and program evaluation emphasize behaviour change and community engagement to evaluate health programs.
How to apply
Admission to this program happens in Year 2.
When applying from high school, you should apply and be accepted into Medical Sciences (ESM) or Health Sciences (EW) ( See required courses and admission averages below) through Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC). When applying, you'll be asked to choose a subject area, Public Health. Doing so only indicates an area of interest and doesn't guarantee admission to the undergraduate program in Public Health in Year 2.
At the end of Year 1 you’ll apply to enter the Honours Specialization in Public Health in Year 2. If you’re admitted to another faculty in first year, Social Science for instance, you may still apply to the Honours Specialization in Public Health for Year 2, provided you meet your first-year admission requirements.
High school prerequisites and admission averages
| Medical Science (ESM) | Health Science (EW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Requirements |
|
|
| Admission Average | Mid to High 80s | High 80s to Low 90s |
Apply online through OUAC
This is a competitive, limited-enrollment program that accepts 100 students annually into Year 2. This includes 50 students accepted from the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and 50 students accepted from Western’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Admission priority is given to students completing their first year at Western. Transfer opportunities are limited.
Can transfer students apply?
Year 2 admission:
- Connect with a coordinator in the BMSUE Office if you are interested in transferring into Year 2 of the program.
- 100 students are admitted to the program in May of each year. Preference is given if you’ve completed the admission requirements at Western. If all 100 spots are filled by Western students, no additional spaces will be available for transfer students (including second-degree students).
Year 3 admission:
- Connect with a Coordinator in the BMSUE Office to if you are interested in transferring into Year 3 of the Public Health Program.
- Entry into Year 3 is not guaranteed and depends on available space.
- Openings occur only if:
- Some of the 100 students do not meet progression requirements or choose to leave the program.
- You have completed the required courses with competitive grades.
Next steps
If you’re considering transferring, we strongly recommend early planning and connecting with an advisor to explore your options. Please contact academic advising for guidance.
Plan your finances
Tuition and fees
- Estimated Year 1 Canadian tuition and fees: $8,000 to $9,400 CAD
- Estimated Year 1 international tuition and fees: $45,000 to $61,000 CAD (Int’l Yr 1 fees are approx. $49,000)
Estimates are based on 2023-24 tuition. You won't get your exact tuition and fees cost until you are registered in courses.
Living expenses
Approximate living costs for one academic year (September-April): $14,500 to $32,000 CAD.
If you’re coming from another province or country, be sure to factor in the cost of trips home. International students should also account for expenses related to visas and study permits.
Support available
Career resources and opportunities
Plan your career
Frequently asked questions
You don’t apply to the Undergraduate Program in Public Health from high school. You will apply to enter the Honours Specialization in Public Health in Year 2. Public Health is identified as a subject of interest on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) site under both Medical Sciences (ESM) and Health Science (EW) options. When applying, you’re asked to make a choice of subject area. This is only an indication of interest and not a guarantee of admission to the program in Year 2.
The Public Health Program is a collaborative program between the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western. It is completed in a BSc degree.
With your Honours Specialization in Public Health, you’ll be prepared for exciting careers in:
- Health informatics (e.g., healthcare data analyst, clinical systems analyst, medical data scientist)
- Health protection (e.g., health protection practitioner, occupational health and safety specialist, epidemiologist)
- Health promotion (e.g., health promotion specialist, health educator, environmental health officer)
- Education
You will have the foundation to pursue graduate studies and continue your education with a Master of Public Health, MSc or PhD.
Or, you can apply to professional programs including medicine, education, law, public policy, occupational therapy, social work, dentistry and other health-related programs.
The Public Health program at Western will provide you with a strong science and medical science background with courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, microbiology and immunology, one health and more, while providing a strong balance in health sciences as well. You’ll study topics like health promotion, health policy in populations, health equity and more.
To be eligible for admission to the Public Health Program, first-year students must have a minimum average of 70% with no marks below 60% in:
- Biology 1001A and 1002B;
- either Chemistry 1301A and 1302B, or Health Sciences 1001A and 1002B; and
- your best 1.0 additional course.
Keep in mind 1.0 1000-level math course must also be completed, but it is not a part of your admission average. See Western's Academic Calendar for the full list of math courses to choose from.
The Public Health program is a limited enrollment program at Western, which means that if more students apply than space available, then applicants will be competing with one another based on their admission average.
100 total, 50 students from Medical Science and 50 students from Health Science. Students from other faculties (i.e. the Faculty of Science) are encouraged to apply as well and will be considered with the pool of applicants.
Yes, provided you don't repeat the course(s) at Western, your AP/IB credits can count towards your admission to Public Health. If, however, you choose to repeat the course(s) at Western, you must achieve 60% at Western in the courses identified as principal courses for admission to the module (50% for all other courses taken) and you will lose the AP/IB transfer credit. If you have questions about what other course(s) to take, or how to include these courses in your requirements, please consult with Academic Advising in the Faculty of Science.
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