Health and Social Care BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Two students sat down with a tablet

This Health and Social Care BA (Hons) course explores the core concepts of healthcare through theoretical and practical learning.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

UCAS codes

L512 / L511 / L513

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026


Course overview

This course aims to help you become a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and skilled individual ready to support the delivery of health and social care within the NHS, local authority services, private health provision or third-sector services. It provides the opportunity for the development of the knowledge and skills required of healthcare support workers, community healthcare workers and those with roles in health and social care, and can offer a Continuing Professional Development opportunity for those in the sector.

This course is designed to: 

  • analyse the interaction between sociology, social policy and health
  • prepare you to work in this dynamic and demanding sector by exploring health on an individual and societal level
  • explore how society is organised and how we care for the vulnerable, the challenges facing modern society and the importance of caring for our environment.

Why you should study this course

The curriculum is diverse and contemporary and is designed to cover:

  • collaborative approaches to teaching and learning that introduce students to a broad range of local services
  • visits, activities and collaborations that expose students to a variety of local providers
  • opportunities for learning outside the classroom and an approach to teaching that includes applying your learning2.
  • potential opportunities in a range of health and social care careers with local employment options.

Choose to study at CU London and you will can also benefit from:

  • A diverse team of experienced tutors with a range of backgrounds in areas such as health care, social care, community work and leadership.
  • opportunity for international trips2
  • opportunity for sandwich year2.

What you'll study

The first stage (HNC) of the degree element of the course gives you a theoretical grounding in the fundamentals of health and social care. There is an early focus on safe and effective practice and safeguarding. The course also provides you with an introduction to the sociological perspectives of health, the importance of environmental issues and community approaches to healthcare. You will learn about health and social care delivery and the importance of collaborative working. This stage aims to develop your understanding of the wider determinants of health and allows you to explore historical approaches as well as understand the challenges of modern society. 

Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Health and Social Care.

Modules

The second stage (HND) of the course allows you to develop an in-depth understanding of life stage development, exploring the physical and psychological development of individuals from pre-conception to end of life. Consideration will be given to the factors that impact this and how we identify and support the vulnerable and marginalised in society. Critical discussion will be introduced to discuss the challenges facing health and social care systems supporting these groups. You will also be introduced to the topic of mental health and social policy ensuring that you are prepared for health and care-associated issues across a wide spectrum of age ranges. At this stage you will also be introduced to research methods which will be used in the research project at the final stage of the course.

Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Management and Leadership.

Modules

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.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time, you will receive guidance from your employer or participating institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

In the final stage (degree), you will engage critically with healthcare-associated issues as you explore agendas influencing current policy, theory and practice both in the UK and abroad. You will examine the challenges of communicable and non-communicable disease and how they spread. You will also study the skills needed for leadership and management within health and social care. Finally, a research project will be undertaken to explore an area of interest and these may be shared at a research conference where local healthcare collaborators may be invited to attend.

Modules

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 available as a full-time three-year or optional four-year sandwich course, with the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field2.

We take an active and varied approach to teaching and learning. Teaching sessions will be active and applied and utilise a variety of teaching styles. You may also have the opportunity to collaborate with local service providers to understand the local health and social care sector. 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

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary depending on year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


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, tutorial tasks and assessments.

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 entry requirements:

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.

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

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.

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.

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

You can view our full list of country-specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page. For information regarding specific requirements, please ask a question.

English language requirements

  • Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component part lower than 5.5. (HNC - year 1/HND - year 2/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.


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees-£7,950 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - as UK per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£18,300 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC*
2024/25 fees -£18,300 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 of £1,250 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

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.

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 UK (home) students, if Parliament permits 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.

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.

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).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

CU London Dagenham campus is in the Civic Centre building and is easily accessible by road, bus and rail. Facilities include:

  • classrooms with interactive teaching capabilities
  • comprehensive library and learning services
  • study areas, laptops/open-access computers and social spaces
  • student support and careers advice teams
  • onsite free student parking.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to be able to succeed in the health and social care sector. You will develop communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Through teaching and assessment, you will have developed a range of digital skills that are required for work and be able to demonstrate a range of competencies.

On successful completion you could explore roles in a variety of health and social care settings, such as working with those experiencing mental health issues or domestic violence, tackling environmental health issues or in public health teams. You may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level in areas such as nursing, social work or postgraduate teacher training.


How to apply

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