Course overview
Understand health, wellbeing and care across the life course.
Explore evidence-based and person-centred health and social care across biological, psychological, social, ethical and policy contexts, beginning with an integrated Foundation Year.
Foundation Year
Develop academic writing, communication, research and critical-thinking skills while exploring care, compassion, community health, wellbeing and the professional foundations of health and social care.
Year One
Build core knowledge of biological, psychological and social determinants of health across the life course. Examine ethics, communication, culture, policy, evidence and employability through practical and collaborative learning.
Year Two
Apply research to professional practice while studying equality, social justice, healthy ageing, mental health, safeguarding and work-based development across health and social care settings.
Year Three
Evaluate evidence, quality, leadership, management, vulnerability and social justice in complex sector contexts, then integrate your learning through a substantial 40-credit capstone project.
Curriculum
Four years from academic foundations to a capstone project.
00Year 0
Foundation Year
120 credits
Year 0
Foundation Year
- Academic Writing Skills for Success 120 credits
- Academic Writing Skills for Success 220 credits
- Care, Compassion and Communication in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Health and Social Care 1 - An Introduction20 credits
- Health and Wellbeing Across Communities, and in Health and Social Care Environments20 credits
- Professional Foundations of Health and Social Care20 credits
01Year 1
Level 4
120 credits
Year 1
Level 4
- Biological Psychological and Social Determinants of Health Across the Life Course20 credits
- Careers and Employability in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Communication and Ethics in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Culture and Society in Health20 credits
- Health and Social Care 2 – Policies and Practice20 credits
- Introduction to Using Research and Evidence in Health and Social Care20 credits
02Year 2
Level 5
120 credits
Year 2
Level 5
- Applied Research in Practice20 credits
- Equality and Social Justice in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Health and Social Care 3 - Professional Development Through Work-Based Learning20 credits
- Health and Social Care for Healthy Ageing20 credits
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Across the Life Course20 credits
- Safeguarding Children and Adults in Health and Social Care20 credits
03Year 3
Level 6
120 credits
Year 3
Level 6
- Challenging Evidence Health and Social Care20 credits
- Evaluating and Managing Quality in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care20 credits
- Social Justice, Equality and Vulnerability20 credits
- Capstone Project40 credits
Module availability and content may change as part of the provider’s ongoing academic review.
Assessment
Practical ways to show what you know.
Assessment is designed around realistic health and social care situations and supports the development of evidence-based judgement, reflection and evaluation.
Methods can include essays, reports, individual and group presentations, group debates, small-group projects and real-life simulations.
Independent research, homework and group work form an important part of the programme. Assessment methods are reviewed regularly with external academic oversight.
Entry requirements
Your route onto the course.
Applicants aged 18+
- A Level 3 qualification equivalent to 60 credits or 80 UCAS tariff points.
- Five GCSEs at grade 4/C or above, including English, or equivalent qualifications.
- An admissions interview assesses listening and speaking, while writing is assessed through a personal reflection statement.
Applicants aged 21+
Applicants without the standard qualifications may be considered if their commitment and related academic, professional or vocational experience demonstrate readiness for the course.
Application process
- Complete the application form.
- Provide supporting documents when requested.
- Attend the panel interview and complete the supervised personal reflection statement.
- The course provider makes the final admissions decision.
Fees & funding
Understand the full cost.
Fees shown apply to new and continuing Home students from August 2026.
Tuition fees may increase in later years in line with government policy and inflation.
Funding your study
Eligible students may be able to apply for a UK Government Tuition Fee Loan to cover course fees.
A Maintenance Loan may also be available to help with living costs while studying. Eligibility depends on personal circumstances, the course and the provider.
What you’ll achieve
Skills for ideas that move forward.
Develop evidence-based and person-centred knowledge alongside communication, research, safeguarding, work-based learning, quality management and leadership skills for health and social care settings.
Career opportunities
Where this course can take you.
Career outcomes depend on your experience, further training and the requirements of each role.
Health and social care provision
- Care coordinator
- Community support worker
- Health improvement officer
- Social care manager
Public and community services
- Local authority caseworker
- Public health officer
- Housing support specialist
Education and youth services
- Family support worker
- Education welfare officer
- Early years practitioner support
Charities and non-profits
- Outreach worker
- Project coordinator
- Charity advocate
- Sector adviser
Frequently asked questions
Course questions.
Who is this course designed for?
It is designed for students who want to understand health and social care provision and develop the evidence-based, person-centred and professional skills needed to contribute across the sector.
What will I study?
The programme covers determinants of health, communication, ethics, culture, policy, research, equality, ageing, mental health, safeguarding, quality management, leadership and social justice.
How practical is the course?
Work-based learning, realistic simulations, group projects and applied research help connect academic study with health and social care settings and professional decision-making.
When are classes available?
Classes are delivered on campus on weekdays and/or in the evenings, subject to availability at the selected location and intake.