Health and Social Care with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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The Health & Social Care with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in health and social care related disciplines.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU London (Dagenham, London)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years full-time
5 years sandwich

UCAS codes

L509

Start date

September 2023
November 2023
January 2024
March 2024
April 2024
June 2024

How to apply
Open days
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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.

Available through Clearing

Clearing applications for September 2023 are now closed to international students due to visa and immigration requirements. Check out our January 2024 entry courses.

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Course overview

The Health and Social Care with Foundation Year BA (Hons) course aims to provide you with a solid grounding for building a career in health and social care 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 and social care.

  • Students who successfully complete their foundation year will then progress onto the Health and Social Care with BSc (Hons).
  • The Health and Social Care BA (Hons) degree part of the course is composed of theoretical and practical learning modules2,5 that underpin the core concepts of healthcare. The content taught is relevant to both current health care practice and the changing context of healthcare delivery, while reinforcing the impact of care delivery on patients, their families, carers and the wider healthcare sector.
  • The aim of the Health and Social Care BA (Hons) degree part of the 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. 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.

What you'll study

The foundation year aims to provide the skills and knowledge relevant for progression onto a degree in health, social work or social care in the statutory, voluntary or private sectors. It sets a foundation for your journey to employment, creating great opportunities in health promotion and health development sectors through addressing health inequalities and tackling the damaging effects of smoking, alcohol, drugs and poor nutrition, in line with contemporary government initiatives.

The Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) degree part of the course 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.

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 (CU London Dagenham only). 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).

At CU London Dagenham, this course shares a common foundation year with Applied Psychology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons), Primary Education and Teaching Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and Public Health and Community Studies with Foundation Year BA (Hons).

Modules

  • The module is aimed at creating a culture of careful learning and self-reflection, where you will be encouraged to recognise the 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, resource management and interpersonal skills.

    You will also look to gain highly-regarded employment skills such as digital proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint etc.), team management, communication, planning skills and more, alongside lectures on ethics, health and safety and technical skills, so that you receive thorough, full-circle training.

    Compulsory

  • This introduction begins with exploration of health and social care services, roles and responsibilities of people working in this sector. You will understand the key influences that affect the provision and delivery of these services in UK contemporary society.

    This module also explores the role of multi-agency/disciplinary working, using real life situations to highlight the strengths and limitations of partnership working. A key part of working in health and social care is being able to assess the holistic needs of a service user and plan for their care using the care planning cycle. Concepts such as personalisation, empowerment, the Care Value Base, effective communication, equality and diversity, legislation, safeguarding and ethics will also be covered.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with knowledge of the life processes in the body. In this exciting module, you will have the opportunity to undertake practical activities which require you to take measurements of the cardio-vascular system, the respiratory system and body temperature using non-invasive techniques.

    You will even investigate normal responses to routine variations in body functioning. Knowledge and understanding of the needs of service users, types of illness and disease is developed by exploring some of the more common disorders, their causes, symptoms and effects. Factors influencing changes in patterns of health and disease in a community are investigated and how the prevention of ill-health can reduce the occurrence of disease. Approaches and models used to achieve positive health in individuals are explored.

    Compulsory

  • A sociological module, this topic focuses on developing your critical awareness of the impact social factors has on the life chances of individuals and groups in society. You will complete analysis of demographic changes, patterns of behaviour and lifestyle highlights of social groups. The inequalities in life chances of social groups has been a major focus of governmental, national and local initiatives following the release of the Black Report in 1980. You will begin to understand how social care compliments and supports the wider healthcare agenda. You will study the concepts of relative and absolute poverty and the impact of this within society. There will also be an opportunity to investigate domestic violence and depravation.

    Compulsory

In the second year, you will examine the skills, behaviours and techniques of a reflective practitioner and define safe and effective practice in health and social care. You will also have the opportunity to become confident in the fundamentals of collaborative working within the sector, with solid knowledge of services, roles and responsibilities of practitioners.

Students who successfully complete year two 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. As a broad introduction, you will 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 on 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 and critically analyse social and cultural influences on an individual’s health and wellbeing. Throughout the year you have the opportunity to develop key professional skills through a number of placements2,5 and practical teaching methods, which provide you with invaluable hands-on experience.

Students who successfully complete this year are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Health and 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 healthcare 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

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 Social Care BA (Hons) you will work at a highly proficient and skilful level, engaging critically with the principles and evolution 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 in this final year, preparing you for further advancement down your chosen career path. Students who complete final year are awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Health and Social Care.

Modules

  • This module aims to develop an understanding of the complexities of providing contemporary health and social care within the community. 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 on 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 will 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 will 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 will collate knowledge gained throughout the programme and put together focused, secondary research on a related subject of your choice.

    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 year sandwich course where you undertake 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 all 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.

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 one and during your degree, assessment methods vary and include, written reports, presentations, portfolios, tutorial tasks and assessments which take place at the end of each six-week block.

During your degree 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.

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

Clearing places available on this course

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Additional requirements may apply

Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £7,950   Not available
EU Not available Not available

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will 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.

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)

  • 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 building4, which provides an outstanding learning environment. You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, which hosts multiple study areas and loanable laptops, fully-equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites. Our laboratories are home to industry-standard equipment, so that you learn using the same equipment as many industry professionals.

You’ll be based in the contemporary Mitre Passage building4, 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

  • 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

    Some of our degree 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

    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.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. 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 CU Group 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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