Course Overview
The programmes provide students with the knowledge and skills to pursue additional professional courses or gain employment in healthcare, government, non-profit, sales or research settings. Against this background a key aim is to meet the needs of employers by the provision of graduates ready to work at an intermediate level and in some cases senior management roles in the public sector. This is in accord with the aim to ensure academic and personal and professional development to meet the changing needs of students who are potential employees in the public and third sectors.
The main awards offered as part of the portfolio include: Health and Social Care, Health Management, Children and Young People, Health Informatics.
The Health and Social Care programme is offered as a BSc., HND, HNC and certificated awards on a full time or part time basis. Students new to this field of study will find our programmes challenging, causing you to reflect on your personal attributes and values and what you have to offer health and health care practices. Our courses have a strong vocational emphasis and a Health Industry module offering work experience.
The programme is well-suited for individuals with prior school, college or work experience who wish to complete a 3 year bachelor's degree in a health and social care related field. Alternatively they may wish to enrol onto the 2 year HND programme; most students graduating with an HND in Health and Social Care choose to proceed to the BSc. programme (1 year top-up). Direct entry onto year 3 of the BSc. is also available to students with evidence of appropriate entry qualifications. Graduates may choose to go onto further graduate programmes or professional programmes such as nursing, social working or enter the workforce.
Modules are mostly 20 credits and delivered over one academic year, equating to 6 modules a year.
Key Features
This programme offers an academically challenging, vocational experience which incorporates innovative teaching and assessment methods. Students will be expected to be active in managing their learning experience, to be creative and to take initiatives to develop themselves.
The opportunity to take on public or voluntary sector work experience is a rewarding intellectual experience which also provides a well-grounded base for future career development. The University's international perspective and integration with employers and professional associations guarantee relevant and current content. The wide range of extracurricular activities both subject related and social, further enhance the student experience.
The friendly approach of the University allows early diagnosis of learning needs and support for skill enhancement. This includes respect for specialist needs. There is a learning support team who run regular workshops and tutorials in basic and advanced skill development. The close working relationships between tutors and students and students and their classmates allows a positive active learning environment.
The programme boasts a high employability rate for graduating students who are in work within six months of completing the degree. A significant number of graduates also progress to postgraduate studies.
Modules
Year 1 provides an introduction to the key Health and Social Care disciplines, including communication and counselling, Law. Ethics and professional practice, Psychology and sociology of health and illness.
Year 2 covers Children and young people, principles of practice, public health, understanding abuse and the opportunity of an internship in the health industry to enhance and enforce understanding of the health care profession.
Year 3 develops the themes of strategy, leadership, and management. Students will also study either a dissertation or a research project in a contemporary public health sector topic.
Assessment
All modules are 20 credits. Assessments include; essays, exams, reports, presentations and reflective blogs.
Level 5 (second year) includes an assessed internship 20 credit module.
Career Opportunities
Graduates exit with significant subject knowledge and up to date skills designed for the modern workplace. Possible careers are very diverse which reflects the diversity of the health care profession. Students either go onto work in the health care industry or further postgraduate study.
The programme's interaction with employers, the possibility of integration of work based learning and internships further accentuate the employability of graduates and the currency of the programme content.
Related Courses
- HND Health and Social Care
