Health and Social Care Practice BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The aim of this three-year health and social care practice degree is to move away from traditional Health and Social Care courses, to prepare students to meet the changing demands of a global Health and Social Care sector.

  • Year 1 is aimed at providing you with the relevant academic skills to succeed in your studies and introduces you to the key skills associated with being a professional.  You will learn about Mental Health and Well-being as well as Global and contemporary issues in Health and Social Care.
  • Year 2 provides a focus on how policy, practice and research have attempted to address the diverse needs in Health and Social Care. There is also an opportunity to undertake work-related experience to provide you with relevant practical skills and knowledge. The work-based learning experiences in Year 2 of the degree in health and social care practice will provide you with relevant practice experience and transferable skills to take to employers. The opportunity to choose two out of four designated modules within Year 3 will aid with specific routes to employment.
  • Year 3 gives you the opportunity to specialise with optional modules around working with older and younger people as well as modules in Mental Health & Addiction and the End of Life.  You will learn how to be a leader. On successful completion of the Leadership module, you can apply for a CMI level 5 Principles of Leadership Practice award.

  You will learn about new ways of working in Health and Social Care including the use of technology. You will also have the opportunity to undertake research into an area of Health and Social Care that is of particular interest to you.

  Work-related experience

  On the degree in health and social care practice, you will have the opportunity to undertake 100 hours work-related experience. This can be anything from a traditional placement with a Health and Social Care provider, to a project to develop good practice in Health and Social Care.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

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• Entry Requirements

  Minimum academic requirements are:

  • Applicants will normally need to have GCSEs including English at Grade C/4 or above.

  In addition, you will need one of the following qualifications (or equivalents):

  • A Levels at CCC or above
  • BTEC graded DMM in a related subject
  • T Level at Pass (C and above)
  • Alternative level 3 qualifications, such as Access to Higher Education, International Baccalaureate will also be considered

  Integrated Foundation study entry requirements

  Admission to this Foundation Framework is normally:

  • DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC or Pass (D or E) at T Level
  • For students who do meet GCSE English or equivalent requirements, can study a Level 2 equivalency 20 credit module as a part of their Foundation Year.
  • We would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  English Language Requirements

  We welcome international applications and applications from students with a range of non-traditional educational or professional qualifications.

  • International students whose first language is not English, must hold IELTS at a minimum of 6.0 as per University policy

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application for the health and social care practice course, please see our How to Apply page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted for the health and social care degree relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year (IFY): £9,250 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BA/BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £14,750
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year (IFY): £14,750

  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.

  Scholarships and Bursaries

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Health and Social Care Practice degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your health and social care course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks for the degree in health and social care practice, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a health and social care practice degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for the degree in health and social care practice, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  Will this degree enable me to do nursing?

  No, however this course will allow you to have a wider choice of employment careers within the health and social care sector such as public health, commissioning, project management or humanitarian areas.

  Can I work abroad for the work related experience?

  We are willing to look at a range of options, however the student may be expected to cover/contribute to the costs of travel and accommodation.

  Will I need to have a Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check for the work related experience?

  The need will depend on the service provider requirements and will not generally be needed for university led projects.

  What is the purpose of the work related experience?

  The work related experience will enable you to undertake practical activities to develop your skills and knowledge that are important for future career development and evidence to employers of your capabilities.

  Will I be able to do this course part-time?

  You can undertake this health and social care course part-time and it can be completed in four years or more depending on the number of modules undertaken each year.

  Can I do further postgraduate study after this health and social care course?

  On a successful completion of this undergraduate programme, you can apply for postgraduate courses, such as MA Youth and Community Leadership or MA Social Work.

  Who can I contact for further information?

  For more information, or to register your interest, please contact the Health and Social Care Practice Programme Leader Christine Collymore.

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