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What makes Health and Social Care at Worcester special?

When you choose to work in Health and Social Care, you face a wide range of opportunities. At Worcester, we help you explore your options and discover evidence-based and contemporary issues pertinent to many aspects of the health and social care sector. Our Foundation Degree is all about experiencing a variety of roles and supports students in developing skills including reflective practice, self-awareness and interpersonal skills essential for a career in health and social care. 

The Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care is a full time, two year course designed to support students wishing to work within the health and social care sector as well as those currently practicing within the field who may be looking for career development and promotion into management positions. Students will be equipped to work within a range of different settings such as schools, community centres, care settings and hospitals. The University of Worcester has excellent links to a variety of community organisations, to support students to identify and undertake a placement, as part of work-based learning.

You can complete the one year, level 4 CertHE programme or stay with us for two years to complete the level 5 foundation degree. If you wish to progress after the two-year foundation degree onto the one-year top-up degree in Applied Health and Social Care you can complete further study at Worcester such as Masters degree in Nutritional Therapy, Physician Associates and PhD study.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • You will be working with a team of academics, clinicians and work-based learning tutors who hold a range of expertise and experience relevant to health and social care.
  • You will identify a suitable placement to complete two practice placement modules to apply your skills and knowledge in an area of practice that interests you. As part of this you will complete a minimum of 150 hours a year in placement to enhance your employability.
  • You will examine the theoretical concept of reflective practice and apply system-based knowledge of anatomy and physiology to practice.
  • You will develop and enhance your self-awareness and interpersonal skills alongside gaining an insight into the importance of evidence-based practice within health and social care.
  • Progression routes exist on to the BA Applied Health & Social Care or Child and Adolescent Mental Health top-up degree programmes. Students can also apply to the BA Top-up degree Working with Children and Families. In addition, students can apply to progress onto professional courses, such as nursing (adult or mental health), Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Psychology.
  • Flexible locations: study at the University of Worcester, In addition, students can apply to Herefordshire and Ludlow College, North Shropshire College 

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Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) and Foundation Degree: Health and Social Care

The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) offers University of Worcester and partner college students the opportunity to complete a one-year course, studying at level 4.

This course has become a recognised route into careers within the NHS, independent and third sector organisations, including Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Paramedics, Midwifery, Psychology and Social Work, for students who did not meet the initial entry criteria. Progression onto such professional programmes is subject to successful application and therefore not guaranteed.

Students registered for the Cert HE who successfully complete the requirements for the award, may choose to continue to study in the following year towards the Foundation degree rather than exit with the Cert HE. This will enable students to undertake the two year Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care, after which they may then choose to then complete a top-up degree.

Jade Haile - Foundation Degree, Health and Social Care

My experience of the foundation degree has been fantastic and has benefited me greatly. Before  the course, I had no experience in the health and social care field, however, my experience, knowledge and confidence has blossomed and allowed me to progress on to further related studies and to win awards. The staff on the course are amazing, very supportive and passionate about the subjects, which really made the course for me. Another excellent part of the course is placement, where you can apply what you learn in classes into your practice to get a real sense of understanding and professionalism. The modules in the course have been hugely beneficial and have shaped me into the practitioner I am today.

Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

32
UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff: A minimum of 32 points at A level which must include at least one 6-unit award.

  • The normal minimum entry requirement for Foundation Degree courses is the possession of 4 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) and 1 A Level (or equivalent Level 3 qualification).
  • Details of acceptable level 3 qualifications, policy in relation to mature students or applicants with few or no formal qualifications can be found in the prospectus or on the University webpages. See the University’s Admissions Policy for other acceptable qualifications and the section below specific to recognition of prior learning.
  • Candidates with non-standard entry applications will be considered on the basis of relevant work experience and attainment of skills. They will be invited to complete an essay, which will demonstrate an ability to study at this level.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained on the UCAS website. 

Other information

  • Students whose first language is not English must have a minimum standard of English at IELTS 6.0
  • All places are conditional upon a UW Occupational Health Clearance.  
  • Students will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check carried out by the University and there are further details on our website. Students will not be able to commence practice until clearance is confirmed.  

If your qualifications are not listed, please contact the Admissions Office for advice on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

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Course content

What will you study?

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and by feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course.  If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

 

Year 1

 

Certificate in Higher Education (Health and social care) Year 1, Level 4

  • Preparing for Practice in Health and Social Care
  • Contemporary Issues in Health and Wellbeing
  • Ethics, Values and Use of Self in Practice
  • Communication Skills for Practice
  • Human Development across the Life course 
  • Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology (optional module) 
  • Working with intersectionality in social care (optional module)  

Year 2

Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Year 2, Level 5

  • Innovative Working in Health and Social Care
  • Understanding Health Conditions in Person-centred Practice 
  • Research and Evidence-based Practice
  • Understanding Teamwork in Professional Practice 
  • Promoting Health and Wellbeing 
  • Equality, Diversity and Anti-oppressive Practice 

We also refer to the Programme Specifications produced by the Academic Quality Unit for content for this section.

Course timetable

The course is one day a week at University and one day in placement. We have designed the course to be flexible enough to be accessible to those with work, caring or parenting responsibilities.

Level 4 (CertHE and Level 4 of FD)

  • Tuesdays 9:15-5:15 (on campus)
  • Wednesdays 10-1 (online)

Level 5 (Level 5 of FD)

  • Thursdays 9:15-5:15
seweryn szaja profile image

Seweryn Szaja - Herefordshire and Ludlow College

“Having worked in a health and social care environment for the past 4 years, I was eager to start a relevant qualification that would help me with future career progression and the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care was a perfect fit for me. 

I am now working for Adult Social Care as an Assessment and Enablement Officer. I feel that in this role I am able to use my skills and knowledge learnt from the course to continuously develop myself professionally. I am hoping that by the time I complete my foundation degree I will be able to enrol onto a social work apprenticeship through my employer, which would allow me to achieve a full degree whilst learning on the job.

I would really recommend this course for anyone who is looking to build up their skills and knowledge in Health and Social Care.”

Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.  A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support via the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

Meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course. Additional support is available from your module tutors, Student Services and Library Services.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures and seminars. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures and are focused on developing subject specific skills and applied individual and group work.

Each work-based learning module requires the completion of a minimum of 150 hours of work-based learning. Students will identify and apply for placement in a relevant area of practice that interests them and best suits their career aspirations. The timing of practice-based learning will allow for some flexibility, although it is essential that certain parameters are met to ensure opportunities to link university-based learning to practice, facilitate reflection on work-based learning and ensure that assessment deadlines can be met.

Practice

You will undertake at least 150 hours of practice in each academic year in a relevant placement setting (subject to clearance). You are responsible for arranging your placement and support from the work based learning team is available to do so. You will be supported in the placement setting by a mentor and a visiting University tutor during your placement. They will enable you to achieve the most from your experience, agree your learning, as well as practice set goals.

Contact time

In a typical week, students will normally have 10 hours of contact teaching, of this, 7 hours will be delivered on-campus and 3 hours synchronous will be delivered online. At our partner colleges, a part-time student studying up to 75 credits per year, students, in a typical week will have around 5 hours of contact teaching of this, 4 hours will be delivered on-campus and 1 hour will be delivered synchronously online. N.B. This depends upon the modules studied each year.

Typically, on-campus contact time will be structured around:

  • Lectures and seminars
  • Workshops
  • Group work

Online contact hours will be structured around:

  • Tutorials
  • Assessment workshops
  • Problem based learning.
  • Skills development workshops

The delivery model of on-campus and online contact hours may vary across different partners. An example of two delivery models could include: At University of Worcester on-campus contact hours would normally be delivered over 2 days, with delivery of online contact hours taking place across 1 afternoon and 1 evening. However, at partners organisations, on-campus contact teaching hours may be delivered on one day with online contact teaching hours delivered across the week.

Independent self-study

In addition to this contact time, you are expected to undertake around 18 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including The Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. 

Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.  Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations and a final year placement project.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1

  • Communication Resource
  • Case Study Essay
  • Group Presentation
  • Written Essay
  • Work-based Learning Portfolio  
  • Patchwork (quizzes and written work)

Year 2

  • Written Essay
  • Literature Review
  • Reflective Essay
  • Individual Project in the Workplace
  • Report

 

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

 

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.  

Duration

  • The Foundation Degree in Health and social care runs over 2 years full time.
  • The Certificate in Higher Education for Health and social care is 1 year full time.

Part-time mode of attendance will be delivered over four years at partner colleges only and is available at:  Halesowen College.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners and work-based learning tutors all with industry experience.

Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy, and (as at February 2021) 80% per cent of lecturers have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. This may differ for students studying at partner collages.

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. 

Becka

Rebecca Weston

Rebecca is the course leader for the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care and teaches extensively across this course, the Foundation Degree in Mental Health and also across some Counselling Psychology modules too.

Like many, she started her journey at Worcester as a Foundation Degree student, beginning these studies as a mature student. Once qualified as a counsellor Rebecca completed her Master's degree to complement her counselling work and previous teaching experience. She then started lecturing on the courses and modules mentioned above.

Teresa Ellis

“The Foundation Degree has benefitted more than I can express. During the two years my confidence soared and I felt I had finally found a subject matter that I understood and could relate to - this hasn’t changed in recent years as I am still passionate about Health and Social Care. In my everyday practice I draw on knowledge gained at University and experiences I had whilst on the work placement element of the course. Every module that I took part in on the degree has been useful to my everyday work in the community. In my current role I am a valued member of a professional team and have built trusting relationships with my client base - I owe this to the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care.”

Careers

Where could it take you?

Employability

Career opportunities and links with employers

Through the substantial work-based learning infrastructure maintained across the University, we hold established links to the statutory, voluntary and independent sector. This includes the local geographical area and beyond. Combined with research and feedback from students the course is constantly revised and updated to ensure that it remains fit for purpose. Students are able to locate their own practice within a diverse variety or placement contexts and are encouraged to seek out placement opportunities best suited to their future career aspirations. To ensure that the Foundation Degree remains updated and relevant it has been designed in collaboration with representatives from health, education and social services. Service user involvement is key to the development of the curriculum content.   

Service integration, collaboration and multi-disciplinary working in health and social care settings has informed the dynamic context for this programme. In consultation with employers the course seeks to prepare students for future careers in a range of operational contexts as identified in the section graduate destinations below. 

Graduate destinations 

Graduates are expected to seek employment working in statutory, voluntary and commercial organisations. Examples of the types of paid employment in health and social care contexts include: 

  • Care services 
  • Advice and guidance services 
  • Police and probation 
  • Advocacy and rights-based services 
  • Preventative health, care and welfare services 
  • Housing support services 
  • Health care provision 

Student employability 

The Course will enhance student employability in a variety of ways. Sound work-based practice and values will be established and strengthened during the one-year Cert HE. This includes the ability to meet deadlines, to prepare well, and to communicate effectively within a professional context. Fundamental to this is the consistent analysis, within the course’s design and delivery, of the workplace and classroom. Thus, students enhance their employability by using and developing a range of different skills in different contexts, and by bringing learning from one context to the other.  

Student employability remains a high priority which reflects both university aspirations and the vocationally focused nature of the course.  The University’s dedicated Career and Employability Services ensures that students can receive support and guidance relevant to their own particular situation and employment ambitions.

Two students are walkng next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential.
Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £14,700 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students registering on this course in the academic year 2023/24 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20-credit module, £2,312 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £122 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £207 per week (2023/24 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.
How to apply

How do you apply?

Applying through UCAS

Health and Social Care Cert HE (one year): L513
Health and Social Care FdSc (two year): L511

 

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

Cert HE - L513 FdSc - L511

Apply Via UCAS Health and Social Care Cert HE

Apply via UCAS

Apply Via UCAS Health and Social Care FdSc

Apply via UCAS

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Rebecca Weston

Course leader for Certificate in Higher Education and Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
r.weston@worc.ac.uk
01905 542956

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