HE Short Course - Healthcare and Professional Skills

Study level: CPD/Short courses
students chatting in a break out area

This online short course is designed to prepare learners for a career in social care or healthcare. The module consists of five units that are based upon the core principles necessary for working within the Health and Social Care sector and has been developed in conjunction with key health and social care stakeholders.

Course code

CUCC028

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Part-time
Online/Blended

Duration

Up to 1 year part-time

Fees

£1,975

Start date

March 2025
May 2025
June 2025

Course overview

While there is no qualification associated with the framework, it has been developed in line with the FHEQ Level 4 descriptors as outlined by the QAA..

The course examines the importance of the professional values, standards and working practices required to support person-centred care. It is designed to equip you with the skills to acquire new knowledge that can be applied in and across the sector.

This course also examines the central importance of effective communication and inclusive practice and its importance for good service delivery across a range of service users and groups in diverse contexts, enabling you to develop an understanding of communication and inclusivity.

Why you should study this course

You will look to develop practical skills for academic success, including paraphrasing, American Psychological Association – 7th edition (APA7) referencing, source location and application of theory. You will also seek to gain an understanding of the importance of reflection and continuous personal development as you continue your learning and professional journey. By studying online, you will have the flexibility to work around your existing work and life commitments.

the skills network logo


This online HE Short Course is being delivered in collaboration with the online education provider The Skills Network. The Skills Network currently provides distance learning courses through a cloud-based learning platform EQUAL.

Course detail

Unit 1: Academic skills – mandatory

This unit has been developed to help you succeed, regardless of whether you are just beginning an academic journey or already excelling as a student. This unit will take you through some of the essential skills required to succeed in both your higher education journey and in professional practice.

Unit 2: Professional Practice and Occupational Standards – mandatory

This unit will examine the issues impacting upon professional practice and give an understanding of the regulatory standards within the health professions.

Unit 3: Communication – mandatory

This unit will give you an opportunity to explore the complexity associated with effective communication. You will analyse a range of communication methods, systems, and contexts, while critically reflecting on your own communication skills and ability to work with diverse individuals and communities.

Unit 4: Values and Qualities – mandatory

This unit will give you the opportunity to explore the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in health and social care settings.

Unit 5: Reflection and Evidence-Informed Practice – mandatory

This unit will give you an opportunity to explore the importance of reflection as a concept, and the need for evidence-based practice in the delivery of health and social care.

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

This course is 100% online learning based on The Skills Network platform EQUAL.

Students will need to spend approximately 300 hours studying and completing assessments over 12 weeks.

Students will study this module in a part-time mode which will span across one or two, CU Group blocks. As such, there will be up to five possible entry points for students throughout the academic year.

Teaching contact hours

The number of contact hours may vary from module to module; however, on average, it would be 300 learning hours over the 12 weeks of the course.

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

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

Students are required to keep an online reflective portfolio (2,500-3,000 words total) documenting their competencies on a range of skills throughout the module.

At the end of each unit, students will draw on the module learning so far to answer the question(s) posed. Each entry will be approximately 500 words in length.

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

At CU Group, we are committed to recognising achievements in the context of which they were achieved as we understand that barriers may make it more challenging for some applicants to achieve course entry requirements. We aim to reduce the barriers that may be preventing access to higher education by looking beyond the grades that applicants have achieved or expect to achieve.

UK

Potential applicants will be either working in, or aspiring to, work within the health and social care sector. The minimum entry requirements to this course are that candidates should normally possess one of the following: A minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points, including two full A-Levels or equivalent for an HNC. BTEC National Certificate or Diploma (equivalent points to those noted above) in a relevant subject. Appropriate Foundation/Access qualification where the standard achieved is deemed equivalent to the above.

Candidates will be expected to have passed maths and English language GCSE with minimum grade 4 and hold a minimum of 5 GCSEs in total (level 2 alternatives such as functional skills are accepted).

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.

International

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.

  • IELTS: 6.0

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. 

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

Fees and funding

Students may be able to borrow money to help pay for the course tuition fees once accepted onto an eligible Higher Education (HE) Short Course.

You may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan that would be paid directly to Coventry University Group two weeks after your course starts and your attendance has been confirmed. Eligibility for an HE short course loan depends on your course, nationality or residency status. Loan eligibility does not depend on your previous study or current qualifications held. You may get funding for a 30-credit short course up to a maximum amount of £2,310. You do not have to borrow the full cost of your course, you can pay for some of it yourself.

You will need to repay any loan you borrow. You will only start repaying your loan once you earn over a certain amount. The size of your monthly repayments will depend on how much you earn, not what you owe.

Please note that there is no loan available to support with your living costs when studying an HE short course.

The above information may be subject to change so for full details and guidance on HE short course loans, repayment plan and how to apply, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/higher-education-short-course-loans.

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 the 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.

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.

  • How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

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 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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Careers and opportunities

This short course has been designed to be highly transferable, attractive to employers and flexible for learners who are not,or perceive themselves not to be in a position to access the ‘traditional’ HE offer. The skills and the learning outcomes achieved will prepare learners for their chosen pathways; the principles can be applied to developing in the healthcare sector or continuation of level 4 study.

Once you have successfully completed this course you should be able to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • demonstrate an understanding and application of academic writing skills appropriate for use in higher education and professional practice
  • examine the issues impacting upon professional practice, and understand the regulatory standards within the health professions
  • discuss factors that influence communication, and outline methods of promoting effective communication used to overcome such barriers and enable equality, diversity and inclusion
  • explore values and behaviours required to support person-centred care
  • develop an understanding of the role of evidence-informed practice and critical reflection.

Further study

There are a number of progression pathways into higher education available at CU Coventry.

The following courses available as either part-time or full-time study:

The following are taught as full-time only:

How to apply

To apply for the Higher Education Short Course - Healthcare and Professional Skills please complete our online form.  

Apply online

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

Call : +44 (0) 24 7765 8787
Email :  ac6064@coventry.ac.uk

  • 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

    Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    5Placements

    Enhanced DBS check and health clearance always required:

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Enhanced DBS check required but health clearance dependent on provider:

    Satisfactory health clearance may be required. However, an enhanced criminal record disclosure will be required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    Enhanced DBS and health clearance may be required dependent on provider:

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure may be required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    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.