Health and Social Care Foundation Year

Study level: Foundation year
Health and Social Care students studying together

This is an ideal course if you want a preparatory period of study before progressing onto a degree in a range of health and social care subjects.

Year of entry

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

UCAS Code: L510

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

Our Foundation Year courses offer an introduction to your chosen subject and are an ideal route to degree level qualifications, helping you develop the necessary skills for further study.

Essential academic skills are embedded into all the work to ensure you can excel in future learning.

The foundation course is also useful if you have the academic ability to succeed at degree-level study, but do not have the appropriate subject background knowledge. Successful completion of all modules in this course means you could progress onto year one of a relevant degree course, subject to meeting the entry requirements.

Why CU Scarborough

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.

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How can we help?

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What you'll study

This course 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.

Modules

  • The module is aimed at creating a culture of careful learning and self-reflection, where you’ll be encouraged to recognise the strengths and weaknesses and take ownership of your development. You’ll 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 also 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’ll 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’ll 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’ll 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’ll 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’ll 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

How you'll learn

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

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.

Full-time
If you choose to study full-time 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.

Part-time
If you choose to study part-time you'll usually receive up to eleven hours per week of blended learning, including classes, tutorials and online learning. Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support. Please note: part-time courses run subject to numbers.

Assessment

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.

Course Breakdown:

  • Coursework
  • Phase Tests

Job ready

On completion, you should be able to:

  • Discuss the underpinning values and qualities required within a range of health, education and wellbeing settings.
  • Examine the importance of cultural difference and individual circumstances when working with people in occupational settings.
  • Compare statistics from different locations in relation to social groups, age, ethnicity, gender, disability and sexuality.
  • Understand migration and the impact of multiculturalism in modern society.
  • Discuss the extent to which inherited characteristics or acquired characteristics account for human behaviour.
  • Outline the biological levels of the organisation of the human body and the characteristics of each.
  • Actively engage with learning through class participation, group work and independent study tasks.

Entry requirements

Health & Social Care Foundation Year

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. We will take in to account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Please call or email for further information.

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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

Health & Social Care Foundation Year

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. We will take in to account any work experience, other qualifications and/or any training you have completed. Please call or email for further information.

CU Scarborough welcomes international students from all around the globe. If you are an international student and are interested in applying for a Foundation Year, HNC, HND or Degree course you can do so by completing our online application form.

Once your application form has been processed you will receive the outcome of your application via your given email address.
Please be aware you will need the following information in order to make your application:

  • All academic transcripts
  • Copies of degree/diploma certificates or work reference if employed
  • One academic reference
  • International students are required to have English language proficiency level to IELTS 6.0
  • Your personal statement
  • Copy of your current passport

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Fees and Funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £7,950 per year Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Funding and Finance page.

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

We’ve spent £14 million on a brand new campus building. It’s a purpose-built, state of-the-art development that is one of the most modern facilities in the UK.

It includes a library, IT suites, mock law court, engineering and science labs, cafe and lots of individual and group study spaces. Next to us is Scarborough’s new leisure village. The complex includes an Olympic legacy swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite, all weather pitches and the new Scarborough Athletic football ground.

Careers and opportunities

If you successfully pass a Foundation Year, you will be guaranteed a place on an Honours Degree course at CU Scarborough, subject to meeting specific entrance criteria.

The strength of the course lies in preparing students, who are looking for an alternative to a traditional university experience, for progression on to a related degree course within CU or at other institutions.

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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