BA (Hons) Health and Social Care

UCAS code: L590

Start date: September and January

Course length: full time: three years, part time: up to six years  

Campus: Britannia Mill, Derby

Health and social care concerns the general wellbeing of people and ensuring that they are happy and leading a healthy lifestyle. 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.

You'll be taught in several ways, including small group discussions, practical activities and lectures. You'll also go on placements in a variety of practice settings in your second and third year to give you a flavour of the different environments you can work in when you graduate. And you'll have the chance to put the theory you've learned into practice.

You'll be assessed on your coursework, including your reports, essays, presentations and skills assessments. You won't have to take any exams. You'll be allocated a personal tutor who will give you one to one support for your personal and professional development.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

• Social Policy
• A Basis for Interprofessional Practice
• Equality, Diversity and Citizenship
• Introduction to the Sociology of Health
• Working with People in Health and Social Care Settings
• The Psychology of Health and Development

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

• Mental Health
• Promoting Health
• Research Methods for Practice
• Management and Evaluation of Services
• Development and Practice in Safeguarding Services
• Interprofessional Progress

Stage three

You'll study these modules:

• Improving Health and Social Care Services
• Bidding and Funding in Health and Social Care Organisations
• Counselling for Human Service Workers
• Practice Based Learning
• Independent Study

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

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £7,700 (each year)

We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the 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.

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.

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."