Health and Social Care BA (Hons)
This Health and Social Care BA (Hons) course explores the core concepts of healthcare through theoretical and practical learning.
About The Program
This course aims to help you become a knowledgeable, enthusiastic and skilled individual ready to support the delivery of health and social care within the NHS, local authority services, private health provision or third sector services. It provides the opportunity for the development of the knowledge and skills required of healthcare support workers, community healthcare workers and those with roles in health and social care, and can offer a Continuing Professional Development opportunity for those in the sector.
What You'll Study
he course is designed to analyse the interaction between sociology, social policy, and health, preparing you to work in this dynamic and demanding sector by exploring health on both individual and societal levels. It also examines how society is organised, how we care for vulnerable populations, the challenges facing modern society, and the importance of caring for our environment.
Course Details
BA (Hons) Degree
Full Time
Duration 3 Years
UCAS code - L509
Start Dates:
2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
NOVEMBER 20525
2026
JANUARY 2026
MARCH 2026
MAY 2026
JUN 2026
Entry Routes
Option 1 - Academic Route
Have qualifications? You can start directly at Level 4, skipping the Foundation Year, and dive straight into core modules. This route fast-tracks your journey, helping you build advanced knowledge and leadership skills.
Option 2 - Non Academic Route
No qualifications? No problem. Start with our Foundation Year, designed to build your skills, confidence, and understanding of key business concepts. This route prepares you for success in the later stages of the degree and beyond..
Foundation Year
The foundation year aims to provide the skills and knowledge relevant for progression onto degree-level study.
MODULES
1. Academic Skills for Health & Social Care - 30 Credits
2. Working in the Health & Social Care Sector - 30 Credits
3. Life Processes for Healthcare - 30 Credits
4. Social Care Perspectives - 30 Credits
Year One
The first stage (HNC) of the degree element of the course gives you a theoretical grounding in the fundamentals of health and social care. There is an early focus on safe and effective practice and safeguarding. The course also provides you with an introduction to the sociological perspectives of health, the importance of environmental issues and community approaches to healthcare. You will learn about health and social care delivery and the importance of collaborative working. This stage aims to develop your understanding of the wider determinants of health and allows you to explore historical approaches as well as understand the challenges of modern society.
Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Health and Social Care.
MODULES
1. Contemporary Health & Wellbeing - 30 Credits
2. Working in Health & Social Care - 30 Credits
3. Modern Society - 30 Credits
4. Health Environments - 30 Credits
Year Two
The second stage (HND) of the course allows you to develop an in-depth understanding of life stage development, exploring the physical and psychological development of individuals from pre-conception to end of life. Consideration will be given to the factors that impact this and how we identify and support the vulnerable and marginalised in society. Critical discussion will be introduced to discuss the challenges facing health and social care systems supporting these groups. You will also be introduced to the topic of mental health and social policy ensuring that you are prepared for health and care-associated issues across a wide spectrum of age ranges. At this stage you will also be introduced to research methods which will be used in the research project at the final stage of the course.
Students who successfully complete year one are eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Health and Social Care.
MODULES
1. An Introduction to Healthy Development - 30 Credits
2. Working with Vulnerable in Society - 30 Credits
3. Mental Health & Social Policy - 30 Credits
4. Research Methods - 30 Credits
Placement Year
There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur before your final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.
MODULES
1. UK Work Placement - 0 Credits
2. International Study / Work Placement - 0 Credits
Final Year
In the final stage (degree), you will engage critically with healthcare-associated issues as you explore agendas influencing current policy, theory and practice both in the UK and abroad. You will examine the challenges of communicable and non-communicable diseases and how they spread. You will also study the skills needed for leadership and management within health and social care. Finally, a research project will be undertaken to explore an area of interest and these may be shared at a research conference where local healthcare collaborators may be invited to attend.
MODULES
1. Global Health - 30 Credits
2. Leadership & Management in Health and Social Care - 30 Credits
3. Tackling Diseases - 30 Credits
4. Research Project - 30 Credits
How You'll Learn
Foundation Year
Your initial foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high-intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
During your foundation year, assessment methods vary and include, written reports, presentations, portfolios, tutorial tasks and assessments which generally take place at the end of each six-week block.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Degree
This course is offered full-time over three years or as a four-year sandwich course with a work placement or study year. It is also available part-time at CU Scarborough, though part-time arrangements vary and depend on applicant numbers, so further details should be requested directly. The teaching approach is active and varied, with opportunities to collaborate with local service providers and support available through an open-door policy and online platforms. Students develop key academic and professional skills throughout the course, and assessment is based on coursework and phase tests rather than traditional exams.
As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.
Teaching hours vary depending on year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.
Assessment methods vary and may include, practical class and project performance, written practical reports, project thesis, tutorial tasks and assessments.
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Careers and Opportunities
On successful completion of the course, you will have the knowledge and skills to be able to succeed in the health and social care sector. You will develop communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team. Through teaching and assessment, you will have developed a range of digital skills that are required for work and be able to demonstrate a range of competencies.
On successful completion you explore roles in a variety of health and social care settings, such as working with those experiencing mental health issues or domestic violence, tackling environmental health issues or in public health teams. You may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level in areas such as nursing, social work or postgraduate teacher training.
Please note that further study opportunities are subject to competitive application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements and additional costs may apply.