Health & Social Care BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Two Health & Social Care students sat down with a tablet

This Health & Social Care BA (Hons) degree is composed of theoretical and practical learning modules that underpin the core concepts of health care.

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

Course code

L512 / L511 / L513

Start date

July 2023

How to apply
Open days
Download a prospectus
Contact us

Course overview

The content taught is relevant to both current health care practice and the changing context of health care delivery, while reinforcing the impact of care delivery on patients, their families, carers and the wider health care sector. The aim of this course is to supply knowledgeable, enthusiastic and skilled individuals for employment and to support the delivery of health and social care within the NHS, Local Authority Services, private health provision, and third sector services.

Why CU London

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. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities 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, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.

How can we help?

How can we help?

Chat with an advisor now or leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

What you'll study

This degree aims to equip you with specialist knowledge of the fundamental concepts and processes used in the deployment of health and social care in communities.

The course covers a broad range of subjects from contemporary advances in health and care social policy, to the challenges of successfully integrating health promotion into everyday practice.

This year, you'll examine the skills, behaviours and techniques of a reflective practitioner and define safe and effective practice in health and social care. You will also become confident in the fundamentals of collaborative working within the sector, with solid knowledge of services, roles and responsibilities of practitioners. Students who complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Health & Social Care.

Modules

  • You will be introduced to the concepts of enablement, self-care and self-management. You'll also begin to understand the role of the health and social care worker in the delivery of safe and effective practice. Underpinning this module is the importance of effective interpersonal communication and how this impacts working within in a team and with service users.

    Compulsory

  • Managing expectations is a key component of safe and effective practice. In this module, you will cover risk management and the complex nature of safeguarding whilst working with vulnerable adults. You will identify lines of reporting for safeguarding issues and the challenges this often presents in health and social care.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to explore the concepts of working with different professionals to effectively manage health and social care. The principles of collaboration will be explored, along with the benefits and barriers to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approaches to health and social care delivery.

    Compulsory

  • This module encourages development towards becoming a reflective practitioner, who can appreciate the importance of your personal role in the delivery of safe, effective, evidence based care. Concepts of decision making, thinking critically, processes of reasoning and collaborative action are explored. You will also explore your own personal values and principles using a reflective model.

    Compulsory

Working at an advanced level, you will explore life stages and development, critically analysing social and cultural influences on an individual’s health and wellbeing, discussing methods of improvement and promotion. Students who complete year two are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Health & Social Care.

Modules

  • This module focuses on how to support individuals with self-care through health promotion models. You will assess the challenges in health and social care and explore social and cultural influences on individuals’ health and social wellbeing. 

    Compulsory

  • This module develops knowledge and understanding of social policy, communities and mental health through the integration of theory and practice. You will define the role of the health and social care professional while engaging with key legislation in relation to the care of clients with mental health conditions. 

    Compulsory

  • Engaging with relevant theories, you will focus on how health can be promoted and maintained at each life stage. This application of theory to practice will be encapsulated within the assessment strategy, as you deliver a presentation and critically examine challenges to health status and the role of health care professionals.

    Compulsory

  • This module will develop your understanding of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative.  You will be introduced to ethical issues surrounding practitioner based research, including positionality and researching practice in health and social care settings.  

    Compulsory

An optional placement or sandwich year gives you the chance to gain further insight into the industry or career you are seeking to follow, enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. You can also choose to take an optional year abroad between years two and three. If you decide to take advantage of a placement year this version of the degree will help you acquire valuable work experience and gain an understanding of what employers seek in graduates. It is your responsibility to find a placement with an employer within your chosen sector. The careers and employability department, alongside the course team, will support you throughout your placement year.

Modules

  • Optional

In the final year, you will work at a highly proficient and skilful level, engaging critically with the principles and evolvement of local, national and international perspectives on health and social care. You will research, compile and integrate project relevant knowledge from a variety of sources, demonstrating self-management skills and competence in your chosen subject area. Professional skills are refined this final year, preparing you for further advancement down your chosen career path. Students who complete the final year are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Health & Social Care.

Modules

  • This module aims to develop an understanding of the complexities of providing contemporary health and social care within the community setting. Alongside this, you will explore the impact of the local, national and international public health agenda. By the end of this module, you will have a solid understanding of the impact of epidemiology upon local health and social care practice.

    Compulsory

  • You will gain skills and knowledge required to better assess the health status of populations. Using a range of epidemiological methods, you’ll consider ethical issues in epidemiological research and sampling techniques, while developing the skills needed to plan, research and implement health and social care services.  

    Compulsory

  • Throughout this module, you will perform a critical analysis of international perspectives on health and social care. Exploring integrated service models, you’ll cover global health and social care issues and approaches while identifying factors that influence the status of populations.

    Compulsory

  • In this final module, you are required to work autonomously and demonstrate your awareness of health and safety issues, ethical considerations and time management skills. You'll collate knowledge gained throughout the programme and put together focused, secondary research on a related subject of your choice.

    Compulsory

How you'll learn

This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. Additional support is available via email and our 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.

You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

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

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, laboratory experiments, tutorial tasks and assessments, which take place at the end of each six-week block.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2022/23 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Your offer of a place is subject to receipt of satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer a number of programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on a degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Foundation Year
This degree programme has an integral stage 0 attached to it, so if you do not meet the entry requirements you may enter at the foundation level. Successful completion of our Health & Social Care Foundation Year will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with UK admissions

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

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Your offer of a place is subject to receipt of satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. Upon successful completion our Health & Social Care Foundation Year will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2) or 6.5 (Degree/Top Up - year 3).

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. 

Chat with International admissions

Tuition Fees

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.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £8,050 per year Not available
International £15,300 per year Not available

  • 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

You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment.

You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites.

Careers and opportunities

With specialist, vocational skills and knowledge of the health sector, graduates form our Health and Social Care BA (Hons) Degree have a range of rewarding career paths to progress onto. Specialist roles include Care Worker, Social Worker, Community Support Worker, Occupational Therapist and End of Life Carer.

How to apply

  • Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the CU Group. A copy of the 2022/23 contract can be found here. 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 CU Group will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at CU Coventry.

    Tuition fees

    The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.

    For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.

    Accreditations

    Many 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 CU Group maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. 

    Facilities

    Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating 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.

    Placements and study abroad opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.

    Additional costs

    This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas.

You may also like

CU London (Dagenham, London) Two Health and Social Care students in discussion

Health & Social Care Foundation
CU London (Dagenham, London) Two Public Health students using an exercise bike for testing

Public Health & Community Studies

Your next steps

Student life
Accommodation
Fees and funding

Discover Uni stats