Tertiary degree · Level 8 · Health & Social Care

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion starting in Kilkenny

A four-year honours degree about improving the health and wellbeing of communities. It is approved by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education. It suits people who want practical skills to work with different groups on topics like mental health and physical activity.

How tertiary degrees work: you apply directly to the further education college, not through the CAO, and you don't need CAO points. You start in the further education college and then move on to the university or technological university to finish the full degree. Applications usually open early in the year; 2026 closing dates ranged from March to May.

Key facts

How long
4 years full-time (Year 1 in further education, Years 2-4 at SETU)
Award
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Public Health and Health Promotion (SETU)
Where you study
  • Year 1: College of FET, Kilkenny (KCETB) → Years 2–4: SETU Waterford Campus

Entry requirements

  • Leaving Cert: 2 subjects at H5 and 4 at O6/H7, including English or Irish and Maths at O6/H7
  • Or a Level 5 major award, or an equivalent qualification
  • Mature applicants (23 or over at the start) assessed on life and work experience
  • Non-native English speakers need B2 English in all four skills
  • If oversubscribed, priority goes to applicants with the greatest local need

How to apply

Apply directly to the College of FET, Kilkenny through the fetchcourses.ie link, not through the CAO.

Apply to College of FET Kilkenny (fetchcourses.ie) ↗ Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Health promotion in schools, workplaces and communities
  • Epidemiology, public health and research methods
  • Nutrition and mental health
  • Facilitation, motivational interviewing and behaviour change
  • Work placement and a dissertation

Where it can lead

  • Youth or community worker
  • Health promotion and improvement officer
  • Workplace health promotion
  • Health screening and lifestyle counselling
  • Physical activity promotion

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Biology, Home Economics, LCPE

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Apprenticeships in Health

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

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Information from the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie), checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.