BSc (Hons)
Health & Social Care

Key Facts

Start Date:

February 2024

Format:

Online

Awarding Body:

University of Sunderland

Award:

Honours Bachelor Degree

Duration:

3 years fulltime

Credit value:

360 credits

Please note the BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care is not an Applied Social Care Degree. It was not designed to train Social Care Workers for CORU registration.

Enrolment Deadline: 31st of August 2023

Why choose this course?

This is an internationally recognized social science degree course which combines academic theory with practical experience. It gives students the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and skills and apply it directly to practice and management in the health and social care sectors, both locally and globally.

Students are challenged to develop a critical understanding of integrated health and social care welfare structures and processes.

This course also incorporates at least one (and optionally two) supervised placement which will enable students to gain practical, real-world experience of a health and social care environment of their choosing. Examples of placement providers include day services, drug rehabilitation centres, domestic violence support services, LGBTI support and advocacy services and sex worker support and advocacy services.

This course aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of health and social care theory, policy and practice. Students will also be supported to understand key contemporary issues that influence health, social care and the wellbeing of individuals and communities within a global context.

How it works

  • Students log in to the Virtual Learning Environment and engage with weekly study resources at times that suit their own schedule.
  • They listen to their weekly lecture, engage with their weekly workshop and complete their weekly educational action for each module for each week.
  • There are fortnightly live webinars which many students find really useful. These are recorded; if students cannot attend the content is accessible online after the live session.
  • Students complete weekly ‘educational actions’ and these are designed to prepare them to successfully pass the assessment for their modules. Once completed students post these to the activity forums. Once students complete the activity the tutor provides individual and group feedback and feedforward to support students to complete the end of module assessment.
  • By the time the module is completed all students will have developed the knowledge and understanding and weekly feedback to support them to complete their final assessment.

Learner supports and help

  • If students are struggling to understand weekly content they can post a question to the support forum and their tutor will post a response to their query. Tutors also have three two-hour Open Zoom meetings each week so students can pop in to have a chat about module content if they so wish.
  • The Studies Advisor is available to support students throughout the semester to support with academic writing and referencing skills and to support students to develop a realistic study schedule for each module.

Course Summary

New: Students can choose different degree routes within the programme after completion of Stage 1.

Route 1 The BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care

This route is broadly focused on topics and theories relating to health and social care. Students will develop ways of thinking and practicing in Health and Social Care and they will apply these to contemporary issues such as mental health, substance use and domestic abuse.

Route 2 BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care: Management and Leadership

This route focuses specifically on skills for management related to working effectively with other employees and understanding the importance of wellbeing at work. Students will develop ways of thinking and practicing in relation to management and leadership such as project management and social entrepreneurship.

Course content

Stage 1 (120 Credits at level 4)

Students will learn to interpret and compare central biopsychosocial theoretical arguments, within a variety of health and social care multi-agency contexts. Students will also be challenged to reflect on the links between the individual experience and wider structural elements in health and social care. An understanding of legislation, policy and models of practice, applied in the multiagency field of health and social care will be scaffolded. Students will further learn to evaluate social, political, and historical development of the welfare state, with reference to the principal organisations involved in health and social care. Students will also develop applied knowledge of current legal and policy frameworks for how partner agencies safeguard children and vulnerable adults. Alongside this, students will gain social science research skills and be able to apply the basic principles of research, including ethical and professional conduct and digital technology skills, in relation to the study of health and social care.

Stage 1 Core Modules

  • HSc 103 Foundations of Policy, Practice and Inequalities in Health and Wellbeing (30 Credits)
  • HSc 104 Biopsychosocial Theory (30 Credits)
  • HSc 105 Everyone’s Accountable: Safeguarding to Promote, Prevent, Protect (30 Credits)

Electives

  • HSc 106 Living with Disability: Culture and Identity (30 Credits)

OR

  • SOC134 Social Policy in Action (30 Credits)

Stage 2 (120 Credits at Level 5)

Students will develop the ability to explain, analyse and apply theories in health and social care settings, whilst considering issues such as: needs; well-being; rights and responsibilities; social welfare; poverty; inequalities; globalisation; social exclusion; and social justice. Students will further develop their research skills by collecting, analysing and presenting qualitative and quantitative data as appropriate to the study of health and social care. Students will learn how to demonstrate ethical conduct as a researcher and professional and demonstrate understanding of the management, effectiveness and limitations of Private, Public and/or Third sector workplaces, through completion of a work-based placement. Students will be challenged to reflect on the links between individual experience of health and wellbeing issues, and the wider structural elements relevant to health and physical and mental wellbeing and also to reflect upon their own values and beliefs, in relation to health and social care issues. At this stage of the programme there will be evidence of increased confidence in developing an independent and responsible approach to learning, including use of digital technologies

Route 1 The BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care

Core Modules

  • SOC233 Researching Society with Placement (30 Credits)
  • HSC203 The Individual and Society across the Lifecourse (30 Credits)

Plus 2 Electives

  • HSC204 Health Inequalities and Lifestyle ‘Killers’ (30 Credits)
  • HSC205 Counselling Skills: Theory into Practice (30 Credits)
  • HSC206 The Medical Gaze: Surveillance, Medicine and Social Control (30 Credits)
  • SOC236 Gender, Diversity and Human Rights: Global Perspectives (30 Credits)
  • CRM203 Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice (30 Credits)

Route 2 The BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care: Management and Leadership

Core Modules

  • SOC233 Researching Society with Placement (30 Credits)
  • HSC205 Counselling Skills: Theory into Practice (30 Credits)

Plus 2 Electives

  • HSC204 Health Inequalities and Lifestyle ‘Killers’ (30 Credits)
  • HSC203 The Individual and Society across the Lifecourse (30 Credits)
  • HSC206 The Medical Gaze: Surveillance, Medicine and Social Control (30 Credits)
  • SOC236 Gender, Diversity and Human Rights: Global Perspectives (30 Credits)
  • CRM203 Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice (30 Credits)

Stage 3 (120 Credits at Level 6)

During the final stage of the degree programme student abilities to critically evaluate and apply biopsychosocial and/or other emerging theories, to inform understanding of complex practice and/or societal issues in health and social care will be scaffolded. Students will conduct, and present, an extended and independent piece of research, that demonstrates specialist knowledge of an area of health and social care, drawing upon authoritative research and research methodologies to locate, review and evaluate research findings. Students will sharpen their abilities to critically evaluate complex current issues, relating to a specific topic area in health and social care. Students will develop a critical understanding of state intervention in the private sphere and its impact on clients, professionals and/or society as a whole. Students will develop advanced analytical and critical skills to carry out sustained, holistic and reflexive reports, including the use of digital technologies. Students will develop advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical issues and values such as: societal responsibilities; environmental impact; sustainability; and globalisation in the context of health and social care studies

Route 1 BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care

Core Module

HSC303 Drugs, ‘Madness’ and Violence as Responses to Liquid Modernity? (30 Credits)

Select Option Modules totalling 90 Credits

  • SOC332 Social Science Dissertation (30 Credits)
  • SOC333 Social Science Work Based Dissertation (60 Credits)
  • HSC304 Theorising Ethics in Practice (30 Credits)
  • HSC305 Who Knows Best? Effective Assessment and Intervention Strategies in Welfare Services (30 Credits)
  • HSC306 Entering the ‘Dragon’s Den’: The Entrepreneurial Health & Social Care Manager (30 Credits)
  • HSC307 Taking Control: Counselling and Help Strategies (30 Credits)
  • HSC308 Pain or Happiness? Understanding Somatic Illnesses (30 Credits)
  • SOC335 Our Planet: Global Health, Inequality and Poverty (30 Credits)
  • CRM304 Pathologising Crime: Disability, Confinement and Justice (30 Credits)
  • CRM303 Selling Sex: Theory, Policy and Practice (30 Credits)

Route 2 BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care: Management and Leadership

Core Module

  • HSC306 Entering the ‘Dragon’s Den’: The Entrepreneurial Health & Social Care Manager

Select Option Modules totalling 90 Credits

  • SOC332 Social Science Dissertation (30 Credits)
  • SOC333 Social Science Work Based Dissertation (60 Credits)
  • HSC303 Drugs, ‘Madness’ and Violence as Responses to Liquid Modernity? (30 Credits)
  • HSC304 Theorising Ethics in Practice (30 Credits)
  • HSC305 Who Knows Best? Effective Assessment and Intervention Strategies in Welfare Services (30 Credits)
  • HSC307 Taking Control: Counselling and Help Strategies (30 Credits)
  • HSC308 Pain or Happiness? Understanding Somatic Illnesses (30 Credits)
  • SOC335 Our Planet: Global Health, Inequality and Poverty (30 Credits)
  • CRM304 Pathologising Crime: Disability, Confinement and Justice (30 Credits)

CRM303 Selling Sex: Theory, Policy and Practice (30 Credits)

Learning outcomes

By the end of stage 1 successful students will be able to do the following:

  • Interpret and compare central biopsychosocial theoretical arguments, within a variety of health and social care multi-agency contexts
  • Define, compare and reflect on the links between the individual experience and wider structural elements in health and social care.
  • Exhibit the ability to understand legislation, policy and models of practice, applied in the multiagency field of health and social care
  • Interpret the social, political and historical development of the welfare state, with reference to the principal organisations involved in health and social care
  • Demonstrate applied knowledge of current legal and policy frameworks for how partner agencies safeguard children and vulnerable adults
  • Evidence an awareness and application of the basic principles of research, including ethical and professional conduct and digital technology skills, in relation to the study of health and social care

By the end of stage 2 successful students will be able to do the following:

  • Make evident the ability to explain, analyse and apply theories in health and social care settings, whilst considering issues such as: needs; well-being; rights and responsibilities; social welfare; poverty; inequalities; globalisation; social exclusion; and social justice
  • Collect, analyse and present qualitative and quantitative data as appropriate to the study of health and social care, demonstrating ethical conduct as a researcher and professional
  • Demonstrate understanding of the management, effectiveness and limitations of Private, Public and/or Third sector workplaces, through completion of a work-based placement
  • Reflect on the links between individual experience of health and wellbeing issues, and the wider structural elements relevant to health and physical and mental wellbeing
  • Evidence the ability to reflect upon own values and beliefs, in relation to health and social care issues
  • Evidence increased confidence in developing an independent and responsible approach to learning, including use of digital technologies

By the end of stage 3 successful students will be able to do the following:

  • Exhibit the ability to critically evaluate and apply biopsychosocial and/or other emerging theories, to inform understanding of complex practice and/or societal issues in health and social care
  • Conduct, and present, an extended and independent piece of research, that demonstrates specialist knowledge of an area of health and social care, drawing upon authoritative research and research methodologies to locate, review and evaluate research findings.
  • Evidence abilities to critically evaluate complex current issues, relating to a specific topic area in health and social care
  • Demonstrate critical understanding of state intervention in the private sphere and its impact on clients, professionals and/or society as a whole
  • Demonstrate advanced analytical and critical skills to carry out sustained, holistic and reflexive reports, including the use of digital technologies
  • Present advanced knowledge and understanding of ethical issues and values such as: societal responsibilities; environmental impact; sustainability; and globalisation in the context of health and social care studies

Qualification gained

  • BSc Hons Health and Social Care

Exit awards:

  • Certificate of Higher Education (120 Credits) (Year 1)
  • Diploma of Higher Education (240 Credits)  (Year 2)
  • Ordinary Degree in Health and Social Care (300 Credits) (60 Credits from Year 3)

Entry requirements

  • Any QQI Level 5 major award (120 credits)
  • If English is not your first language:
    • IELTS score 6.0 or above
    • Duolingo score of 95 or higher
    • Cambridge score of FCE or higher
    • Any assessment CEFR B2+ or higher
  • If you do not hold a QQI Level 5 major award, please contact us to discuss further
  • Sufficient IT skills
  • Learners will be required to have a laptop which runs Window’s, with 4GB RAM

Career opportunities

Our graduates work in areas such as:

  • Mental health
  • Domestic abuse
  • Substance abuse
  • Older people
  • People with disabilities

Successful students will also be prepared for further academic study and many choose professional routes such as:

  • Social Work
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Counselling
  • Teaching
  • Graduate entry Medicine
  • Health Promotion
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Business management e.g in Human Resources
  • Research master’s degree
social care

Teaching and learning strategy

All students entering this degree programme complete an intensive induction process. This induction prepares the novice learner to transition successfully to study in an online Higher Education environment. Our tailored induction process is comprised of a 1:1 induction meeting and skills session with their personal Studies Advisor. This 1:1 induction session will teach the student how to access our virtual learning environment and how to use zoom. These sessions are tailored to meet the needs of individual students. At Chevron College we are aware that IT skills vary between students. These sessions are therefore designed to meet each student at their own level. By the end of this 1:1 session each student will have learned how to access our VLE and online zoom meetings. All students will therefore have developed the skills to participate in the intensive 4 day class induction sessions.

The four induction sessions for the class group take place during the month prior to course commencement. At these sessions, students will be introduced to their course tutors and their class community. These sessions will teach students the skills required to succeed in an online Higher Education environment where continuous active engagement with resources and formative assessments is required. Students will learn academic writing and presentation skills. They will learn critical reading writing and thinking skills and they will learn how to conduct literature searches. These sessions teach the students the foundational thinking and IT skills required to participate in our blended learning degree programme.

Each semester runs for 12 weeks; students study 2 modules each semester. Students should allocate a minimum of 10 hours per week for each module.The weekly module content is released on the Virtual Learning Environment on a Monday morning at 6am. Each week there is a recorded lecture, a workshop/webinar and an Educational Action to complete for each module.

The lectures function to provide a content overview of the week’s learning and establish the expected aims and learning outcomes as well as the criteria for measuring their achievement. During the lecture key concepts, ideas and theories are introduced and contextualised. This reinforces the relevance of the material for the students with the use of examples

The workshops and webinars function to support students to investigate, question and develop critical thinking skills about the weekly topics. Students are supported to take part in active discovery within their class community. This supports students to develop their Higher Order Thinking Skills and to apply these ways of thinking and practicing to Case Studies, Problem Solving Scenarios and Ethical Dilemmas. The skills required to perform educational actions for example writing skills, analysis, using info-graphics, evaluation of a source etc are also scaffolded during the workshops/webinars.

Each week students are required to complete an educational action. This provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. If they take part students are provided with feedback and feedforward on performance on the Learning Outcomes and expectations are clarified for demonstrating achievement in the final module assessment.

Fees

  • Year 1: €4,000 or 16 monthly Chevron instalments of €250
  • Year 2: €5,000 or monthly Chevron instalments
  • Year 3: €5,000 or monthly Chevron instalments
  • Finance options also available from humm (Ts&Cs apply)

How to enrol?

Enrolment and payment are completed over the phone. To secure your place, please complete Click Enrol in the following chat:

Meet Our Students & See Their Work

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