Health and Wellbeing Practice with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Foundation year
Student working on a laptop in a bright and open study space.

The Health and Wellbeing Practice with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in health-related disciplines.

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

Course code

L613

Start date

September 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
May 2024
July 2024

How to apply
Open days
Download a prospectus
Contact us

The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

The Health and Wellbeing Practice with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in health-related disciplines.

The strength of the course lies in preparing students, who are unable to follow the more traditional route onto a degree course in health & wellbeing.

  • The foundation year focuses on core skills required for academic progression, alongside equipping you with the principles of foundation topics taught on many of our degree courses. In addition, we will also make sure you are fully prepared to undertake a degree within public health by teaching you key skills, such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques.
  • Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons).
  • The Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree part of the course has been developed to provide a range of practitioners to work within the public, private and third sectors, with groups and individuals in roles that are inter-professional, and multi-disciplinary.
  • The course is designed to be broad based and focuses on a number of related areas of work that are pivotal in supporting people within organisations and communities. The curriculum provides students the opportunity to acquire a deep understanding of how health and wellbeing practices operate to shape policies, procedures and processes in workplace settings. This aims to be an engaging, values-led degree course and therefore provides students with the chance to gain the skills and holistic understanding needed to work effectively in multidisciplinary, and community-based work settings upon successful completion of the course.

Why CU Coventry

We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. Wherever possible we aim to provide career-focused courses, coupled with placement opportunities2 to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, so you have the opportunity to study topics in-depth and give assignments your full attention before moving onto the next.

Accreditation and Professional Recognition

The Health & Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree part of the course is accredited and recognised by the following bodies1:

Chartered Managers' Institute (CMI) logo

A distinctive feature of the course is that in addition to the academic qualification gained upon successful completion of the BA (Hons) Health and Wellbeing Practice course, students will also obtain the Chartered Managers’ Institute (CMI) Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring.

It should be noted that students will qualify for the CMI level 5 certificate only upon successful completion of the BA (Hons) Health and Wellbeing Practice course. Please visit the CMI website for full details on the CMI accreditation.

Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules, but is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems.

What you'll study

The foundation year aims to provide you with an understanding of key concepts such as behavioural influences and effective health promotion techniques.

The Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree part of your course is a specialist degree in a new and emerging field of work and offers the opportunity for a progressive development in the theory, practice and in-depth knowledge and approaches of health and wellbeing. The study program focuses on statutory and non-statutory perspectives guiding current legislation, initiatives and policy. It aims to produce graduates who, upon successful completion, are critically informed about and engaged with contemporary issues in health and wellbeing practice, in a range of sectors.

The course aims to develop students into knowledgeable, resilient and adaptive individuals who can progress successfully into health and wellbeing practitioners, operating at an advanced level, and/or continue into postgraduate study upon successful completion. The embedding of the professional body qualification Chartered Managers Institute Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring provides the chance for further vocational relevance to the student portfolio (subject to successful completion of the study program, please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section for further information).

As part of the degree, students are encouraged to develop a critical and reflective perspective throughout the course to ensure that they develop a personal philosophy of health and wellbeing practice, which will inform their practice in their chosen career pathways upon successful completion.

Your foundation year is a common first year for other courses which could mean you will work alongside students doing similar courses to you which would widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You may also have the potential opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

This course shares a common foundation year with Public Health and Community Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and Early Childhood Development and Learning with Foundation Year BA (Hons).

Modules

  • This module is aimed at creating a culture of careful learning and self-reflection. You will learn to recognise personal strengths and weaknesses and take ownership of your development. You will be introduced to a range of skills that will aid you throughout the programme and further study, such as time management, cultural awareness and resource management.

    In addition, you will also look to gain employment skills such as digital proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc.), team management, communication, planning skills and more. We will also cover plagiarism, referencing, library skills and professional standard skills throughout the module, so that you receive thorough, full-circle academic and professional training.

    Compulsory

  • This module examines life span development and supporting psychological theories to enable you to develop an understanding of human behaviour. It emphasises the importance of psychology in the context of learning and behaviour and its application to enhance relationships with service users. By understanding the factors that influence people’s behaviours we can provide interventions that will help people change their lifestyle choices. With this in mind, you will cover essential topics such as psychological perspectives, learning and behaviour, stages of lifespan and even participate in the lively discussion of nature versus nurture.

    Compulsory

  • The human body is a complex system performing a multitude of functions every day and like any system it can malfunction for a variety of reasons. You will delve into the reasons why, gaining fundamental knowledge of anatomy, physiology and its relationship with health and disease in the process.

    This module is underpinned with exciting practical elements, meaning you will have the opportunity to undertake activities such as taking measurements of cardiovascular/respiratory systems.

    Compulsory

  • After identifying the concepts of inequality in society and the resulting impact, you will get the opportunity to work assessing, planning and implementing health promotion. You will take into account various approaches such as social change and empowerment and consider current programmes including national campaigns, social marketing and mass media.

    With developed knowledge and confidence, you will get to showcase your understanding of health and wellbeing by producing your own health campaign. At the end of this module, you will be equipped with the necessary skills and competencies to progress further onto your selected degree course.

    Compulsory

In the second year, the course is designed to draw upon the fundamentals of health and wellbeing, focusing on the human lifecycle, to include anatomy and factors affecting mental health (Brain, Mind and Contemporary Mental Health); on personal and professional behaviours and on international, national and regional policy decisions affecting communities within this area. In addition, students should begin to implement skills related to robust academic rigour and integrity, as well as professional behaviours. You are taught using a variety of teaching strategies to include exploration of contextualised learning, and problem-based learning pedagogy.

Modules

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

The third year of the course aims to broaden the agenda to include wider theoretical perspectives of the impact of a range of interventions and approaches used within the public, private and third sectors (Dynamic Organisational Cultures; Global Health and Wellbeing; Coaching Theory and Practice and Placement Practice). It is within the placement modules where you should start to apply and should be able to further your understanding as well as evaluate contemporary practices within your chosen professional settings. At this level, you are introduced to research methods, utilised more fully in the research project at the final stage of the course.

Modules

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Optional

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

In the final year of your Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) you will have the opportunity to accumulate a range of skills, knowledge and professional behaviours, which should enable you to advance into professional placements, so that you should be able to put theory into practice. In addition, you should begin to formulate individual plans for a special project, which you will be encouraged to explore and a relevant supervisor will be assigned to support in the development of the chosen area of study. This year is designed to unveil the culmination of the embedded professional qualifications, together with the chance to acquire accredited learning and accumulation of professional skills and appropriate behaviours to be successful in the workplace and/or further study, upon successful completion.

Modules

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

  • Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Your initial foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.

After your foundation year, you will have the option to do either another three years full-time or another four years full-time (sandwich), the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods for the degree courses are varied depending on which course/modules you take, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our current online learning platform, Aula.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.

Teaching contact hours

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week each year (excluding placement year). Additionally, you will be expected to undertake up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

On the Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree part of your course, each module is worth 30 credits, which will require the equivalent of 300 study hours, of which 120 hours are direct contact hours in form of lectures, tutorials, seminars, workshops, independent structured activities, and enrichment activities appropriate to the module subject.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, CU Coventry may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), CU Coventry may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

During your foundation year, the learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.

Assessment methods vary and include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, oral presentations, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block. This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the degree selected or the module.

Foundation year course breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Phased tests

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022 entry.

40 UCAS tariff points. All Foundation courses require 5 GCSEs at A-C including Maths and English, and at least one A2 level or a BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you don’t fulfil the entry criteria your application may be considered on an individual basis, taking into account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK TBC   Not available
International TBC   Not available

We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

  • Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
  • Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and opportunities

The Health and Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree part of the course aims to enable students to develop an independent, reflective and self-managed approach, to use skills appropriate to successfully developing academic integrity, as well as providing the opportunity to explore a toolkit of the skills required to pursue a career in this field, and/or further postgraduate study upon successful completion.

On successful completion of the Health & Wellbeing Practice BA (Hons) degree, students will able to:

  • Foster and maintain positive relationships with a range of stakeholders, groups, networks and organisations by developing an understanding of the individual and their role within an organisation or community.
  • Display confidence in decision making by effectively and appropriately prioritising and delegating tasks, reflect on own performance and that of others constructively and manage personal self-development.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism in the context of self and organisation, recognising statutory and legal obligations and responsibilities, and apply ethical codes of conduct to a given environment.
  • Recognise and critically appraise contemporary health issues and the effects on wellbeing in local, global, and planetary contexts.
  • Develop skills in the use of digital media in undertaking research and appreciate its wider application in the workplace.
  • Identify and classify key anatomical, neurological and physiological factors that contribute to health and wellbeing in a contemporary world.
  • Demonstrate effective evidence-based critical thinking and research skills in the field of contemporary health and apply to a research project.
  • Recognise and examine opportunities for talent development and motivation through effective communication, team building, and leadership.

The entry-type roles envisaged after successful completion of the degree could include, but are not limited to: Community Wellbeing Coordinator; NHS Wellbeing Coordinator; Organisational Development Officers in private and public sectors; working in mental health charities; Engagement Coaches within educational settings and wellbeing charities.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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