Applied Social Care and Health Studies (Joint Honours) BA (Hons)

• Overview

  The course aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and values appropriate for working in a variety of Health and Social care settings. The teaching and learning is delivered by academic staff actively engaged in research, consultancy, internationalisation, the student experience and publication. Joint Honours courses are flexible and you can tailor modules around your interests, which is ideal for those who want to study diverse subject areas.

  We will support you to achieve your career and study ambitions, which is why if you complete our Employability Plus Gold programme or Changemaker Gold certificate alongside your studies and if you haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating* we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you, or support you into postgraduate study.

  *with a 2:2 degree classification or higher

  Course

  Highlights

  • Progression courses available.
  • Flexible module choices to tailor your degree to your needs.
  • Optional placement opportunities.
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.

  HP Laptop and software included with this course.*

  *Terms and Conditions apply

  Apply Now Open Days

  
• Course Details

  The programme adopts an interdisciplinary perspective to the study of health, illness and disease in modern Western and developing societies. You will study areas of sociology, psychology, social policy and ethics. The ethos that underpins the Social Care aspects of this programme is anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice that will prepare you for employment with a variety of individuals and communities.

  Students that have completed the Health and Social Care undergraduate degree have gained employment in a number of areas such as teaching, the police, housing and the third sector. Students can also continue studying at post graduate level and areas of interest have included medicine (General Practitioner), youth and community justice and social work.

  You will have the opportunity to explore answers to questions like; Why are some people more likely to become ill than others? Why do women live longer than men? Why are older people, disabled people and people from minority ethnic groups often discriminated against in healthcare?

  The programme aims to engage you in developing your knowledge and understanding of the role of community development in a range of social and political contexts, taking into account the emerging global knowledge. You will be supported to develop a critical and analytical approach to knowledge and its application to social issues and social systems. It is expected that you will emerge as innovative, self-directed and self-motivated learners with an ability to critique theoretical perspectives and research findings. Through this course you will be able to identify and offer challenges to the issues of inequality, oppression and discrimination through a sound grasp of the role of community development in providing social interventions to social problems.

  This degree programme is designed to prepare you to answer the call by health and social care employers for workers at all levels in the healthcare sector and to develop graduates who are better prepared to take the health and social care sector in new directions.

  Stage one

  At stage one, your knowledge of Health and Social Care practice is developed and you will be introduced to major concepts of health, illness and disease from a multidisciplinary perspective.  You will also have the opportunity to take the Health Studies Skills module, which will equip you with the knowledge and ability to achieve greater academic success in your assignments.
  The value base of social care is emphasised and you will engage in teaching designed to support your learning and understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice in a model that promotes social justice and person-centred practice. You will also study contemporary issues in the introduction to health studies module. This module provides a taster to modules offered at level 5 and 6, in Health Studies.

  Law, Social Policy, Concepts of Health, Health and Society, Introduction to Health Studies, Study Skills and Perspectives on Human Behaviour are just a few of the key modules you will undertake at Stage One. You will also participate in Volunteering in the local community to further understand the diverse human nature.  You will be introduced to the Community Development Occupational Standards (CDNOS) and how to apply them to your practice which ensures you meet the necessary professional standards. You will study perspectives of human behaviour from both psychological and sociological perspectives to gain an understanding of individual and group motivation towards human behaviour.

  Stage two

  At stage two, you will have the opportunity to further develop your interests in each subject area whilst learning new approaches and topics. Topics such as Body Matters, Public Health and Organisational Behaviour will be addressed.  You will also explore your own motivation using a cultural and gendered lens to gain a better insight into yourself which will enhance your community practice. The Community Involvement module gives you the opportunity to gain some valuable experience in working with communities for communities. Agency approaches to social issues provides an insight into inter-agency working to address social issues within contemporary society.

  Within Health Studies you will have the opportunity to expand your knowledge of important and topical matters in health, in the Contemporary Issues in Healthcare module. Body Matters offers you the chance to explore in-depth issues in reproduction and healthy bodies from different perspectives. The Research Methods modules will equip you with essential and transferable skills in quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative skills include collecting, analysing and presenting data, using numbers. The qualitative component does the same using words, images, pictures and interviews. An additional module that concentrates on life over the age of sixty is health issues in later life which provides an insight into the ageing process from different perspectives including positive ageing.

  Stage three

  There is an optional placement year available to students studying on the Social Care course between stages two and three.
  At stage three, students will undertake a double weighted module in Social Care that focuses on motivational interviewing. This is designed to provide an insight into motivation to change behaviour. The second part of this module sends you on a field trip to a deprived area where you will develop a community profile using academic methods and develop an intervention based upon your findings.

  In Health Studies there is also a focus on the nature of health and disease from an integrated perspective on health and disease (IPOD) covering current health issues such as depression and obesity. Up until now, modules have covered several different topics, but in IPOD, two topics are examined in great detail, from a number of different perspectives. You will have the option to choose the modules, ethical, legal and social issues in health, which focuses on a range of ethical debates and dilemmas, underpinned by theory on topics such as human cloning, stem cell research, transplants, abortion and euthanasia. The second module that you could choose is researching population’s health, which considers worldwide health comparisons in developing and affluent countries and reasons for this difference. You will also complete your dissertation in Health Studies, which is on any topic, of interest to you, within the area of health.

  You will also be able to study the field of bio-ethics which will enable you to understand ethical issues and debates which forms the basis of understanding ethical considerations whilst undertaking research.

  You will be expected to complete a dissertation at stage three that can major in your preferred subject or your dissertation can be equally weighted between the two subjects of Health and Social Care. This will enable you to select an area of interest and develop your knowledge through a literature-based research process.

  Module information is quoted for 17/18 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

  Schedule

  Three years full-time or flexible part time. Students can complete an optional work experience year, making the course a potential total of four years.

  Assessments

  Students are assessed both in theory and practice. Assessment is mainly through coursework, although some modules involve examinations.

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Optional Work Placement Year

  There is an optional placement year available to students studying on the Social Care course between stages two and three.

• Careers and Events
  • The Northampton Employment Promise.

    *We promise to secure paid experience for you, if you need it.

    We work with employers to understand what they’re looking for and we’re confident that if you follow one of our structured awards, as well as committing to your studies you’ll be in a competitive position when it comes to applying for graduate jobs.

    We’re so confident, that we promise to secure a paid 3-6 month internship for you, if you need it. Find out more about the Northampton Employment Promise, including how it works and who is eligible.

    
  • Open Days

    See for yourself

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying at The University of Northampton.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
• Requirements

  A typical offer is BCC at A Level or DMM at BTEC. Standard entry requirements apply. Applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or career qualifications are also welcome.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Stage 1
  • Stage 2
  • Stage 3

  • Concepts of Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS1016

    Core Module Y
  • Health and Society (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS1005

    Core Module Y
  • How to be Successful at University (20 Credits)
    Module code: SPO1039

    Core Module Y
  • Contemporary Social Issues (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK1061

    Core Module Y
  • Developing Professional Skills for Employment (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK1065

    Core Module Y
  • Understanding Social Development (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK1066

    Core Module Y

  • Health Studies Research Methods (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS2009

    Core Module N
  • Public Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS2012

    Core Module N
  • Health Later in Life (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS2022

    Core Module N
  • Health Matters (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS2023

    Core Module N
  • Developing Research Skills (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2063

    Core Module N
  • Applying Law and Policy to Social Change (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2064

    Core Module Y
  • Work Based Learning and Reflective Working (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2065P

    Core Module Y
  • Skills for Working in Mental Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2066

    Core Module N
  • Models and Experiences of Disabilities (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2067

    Core Module N
  • Effective Partnership Working (10 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2068

    Core Module N
  • Working with Addiction (10 Credits)
    Module code: SWK2069

    Core Module N
  • (Optional Placement Year) The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (40 Credits)
    Module code: HRM2053

    Core Module N

  • Health Studies Dissertation (40 Credits)
    Module code: SLS4006

    Core Module N
  • Health Studies Joint Dissertation (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS4001

    Core Module N
  • Health Studies Interdisciplinary Dissertation (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS4002

    Core Module N
  • Integrated Perspectives on Disease (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS3007

    Core Module N
  • Ethical, Legal and Social Issues in Health (20 Credits)
    Module code: SLS3006

    Core Module N
  • Substance Use in Context (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK3027

    Core Module N
  • Professional Report/Dissertation (40 Credits)
    Module code: SWK4011

    Core Module N
  • Applied Social Care Joint Dissertation (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK4012

    Core Module N
  • Applied Social Care Evaluation Report (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK4013

    Core Module N
  • Housing and Community Living (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK3023

    Core Module N
  • Enhancing Leadership and Employability Skills (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK3028

    Core Module N
  • Advocating for and with Children and Young People (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK3029

    Core Module N
  • Working with an Ageing Population (20 Credits)
    Module code: SWK3030

    Core Module N

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  • this course prepares you for professional socially, psychologically and biologically constructed health issues
  • we adopt the philosophy that health and illness are socially and psychologically, as well as biologically, constructed
  • we develop your skills and knowledge in working with other professionals
  • raise political awareness and encourage you to be creative, critical and reflective thinkers
  • we encourage you to be a critical thinker who is autonomous and empowers not only themselves but communities
  • you will become change makers of the future. The social care modules are closely aligned to the University of Northampton’s Changemaker programme
  • delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team
• Further Studies
  • Research

    We are committed to delivering outstanding research that makes a difference to society. Our Research Institutes and Centres work closely with external partner organisations, locally, nationally and internationally. We produce internationally renowned and relevant research and disseminate knowledge on an international scale.

    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU
  • International

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,450 per 20 credit module

  Additional costs

  Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associated with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £9,250
  Part Time: £1,400 per 20 credit module

  2020/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  Full Time: £12,900

  Additional costs

  Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associated with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.

  2019/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  International: £12,500

  Scholarships

  EU and International Scholarships

  We’re committed to offering the opportunity to study in the UK to the best and brightest students from around the world.

  Sir Thomas White Scholarship

  The Sir Thomas White scholarship will support and acknowledge an academically gifted student, with the proviso that the selection panel is confident that there is…

  TD Lewis Scholarship

  The T D Lewis Scholarship provides both undergraduate and postgraduate students with financial awards of up to £1,000.  This scholarship is awarded on educational excellence…

  The Chancellor's Fund

  The Chancellor’s Fund is a bi-annual fund providing students with awards of between £100 and £1,000. You must be a current student to apply.  The…

  Wilson Endowment Scholarship

  The Wilson Endowment Scholarship provides a £1,500 scholarship to undergraduate students from the Northamptonshire area. The endowed scholarship was donated in memory of Mr Lynn Wilson,…

• Joint Honours Study

  This award combination will always be a BA. Please refer to the Academic Regulations for more information on Joint Honours Degree designations.

  If you choose to study a Joint Honours degree at the University of Northampton you can select a programme that suits your interests and strengths. This option opens up a host of possibilities to you, offering a wide range of opportunities for careers and further study at your fingertips. In the Joint Honours programme, you will select two subjects as joint for stage one. You may continue with equal emphasis on two subjects as a joint degree in stages two and three, or switch to a major or minor split. The degree title is derived from the two subjects.

  With a Joint Honours degree you can ensure that your programme has:

  • Breadth: you are not focused on a single specialism, but are able to study across two disciplines
  • Flexibility: you can adjust the balance of your programme depending on the interests and skills you develop during your time with us
  • Embedded skills: you will have all the graduate level skills that employers are looking for
  • Student support: your own personal tutor will work with you as you learn and progress.

  Click here for further information on Joints Honours.

  Read more

*Course data provided by Unistats