BA (Hons) Health and Social Care

Why choose this course?

  • If you're interested in social policy, equality and mental health and social care services, then this practical course is for you.
  • This course will give you the knowledge and skills you'll need to become a confident, reflective worker in health, social or community settings. If you're already working in these areas, this course will really boost your career.
  • You'll go on work placements in a range of settings, so you can use the knowledge and skills you have learned in the classroom, in a real work environment.
  • You can study this course full time for three years, or part time for up to six years, so you can study at a pace to suit you and your commitments.
  • In the 2012 National Student Survey, 97% of our students said that they were satisfied with the quality of the course overall.

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Fact file

UCAS code: L590

Start date: September

Course length: Three years full time or up to six years part time

Campus: Britannia Mill, Derby

About this course

Health and social care involves working with vulnerable adults and children in society. It entails supporting people with their needs, working with their families and carers and other professionals. If you’re interested in helping to plan and deliver health and social care services then this course is for you.

Providing help to those who are vulnerable or need that extra care at home, in hospital or in residential settings, will give you a great deal of personal achievement and career fulfilment. During this course you'll develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a confident, reflective worker in health, social or community settings, such as the NHS, Social Services or the voluntary and private sector.

You'll study alongside students on other courses, such as radiographers, social workers and occupational therapists, to give you experience of working closely with other professionals and to develop you as an all round healthcare professional - something you'll need to do every day in your job.

What you will cover

Entry requirements

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

How to apply

UK/EU students

International students

Information for international applicants

Applying for an undergraduate degree

Fees and finance

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

  • Full time: £7,700 (each year)
  • £965 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

  • Full time: £9,945 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

How you will learn

How you'll learn

You will learn through small group discussions, practical activities and lectures. You will also go on a placement to give you a flavour of the different environments you could work in and to put the theory you’ve learned into practice. A personal tutor will give you one-to-one support for your personal and professional development.

How you're assessed

You will be assessed on your coursework, including reports, essays, presentations and projects. There are no exams.

Careers and employability

There's a growing demand for health and social care workers who can respond to everyday patient needs and promote healthy living and prevent illnesses. So, when you graduate, you'll be able to apply for jobs in health and social care organisations, health promotion, community work, social and public administration or similar fields. You could also go into the voluntary sector which offers a range of career opportunities.

You could work with a range of health and social care services offering support for children and families, the disabled and elderly, drug and alcohol abusers, mental health patients or for young people.

Emmanuel Neba Fuh is a former refugee from Cameroon who recently graduated from this course. He received the CSV Partnership Volunteer of the Year 2007 from MP David Blunkett for his voluntary work. Emmanuel worked with organisations such as Amnesty International, to integrate fellow refugees into society.

What our students say

Tammi-Jay Cooper, current student:
"University has been a great experience. It's given me a lot of confidence."

Mohammed Hassan Khan, current student:
"The experiences from my placement have really reassured my faith in the degree I'm doing."

Ciara O'Keefe, current student:
"I want to help to make a difference in other people's lives and this course gives a range of opportunities to help me to do this along with developing new skills."

Wentlope Chaunzva, current student:
"I am happy to get the chance to study at my age as well as working and balancing home life as a mother."

Clarisse Makanga, current student:
"I am gaining a lot of experience as a student on this course. It's giving me a lot of confidence."

Contact details

General enquiries about admissions and applications, UK and overseas

T: +44 (0)1332 591167
F: +44 (0)1332 597724
E: askadmissions@derby.ac.uk

Course enquiries

Cath Williams

T: +44 (0)1332 594055

Where will I study?

Britannia Mill, Derby