Why choose the School of Society, Community and Health
In the National Student Survey 2025, our health and social care courses rank in the UK top 15 in their subject field for teaching, organisation and management, and student voice.
The course is designed in partnership with local employers, offering a practice-led and competency-based curriculum based on the NHS constitution.
Our external partners and practice experts contribute to the course delivery, providing support, additional specialist knowledge and experience.
About the course
This practice-based Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) is aimed at those working in a health or social-care setting who want to move into a more specialist role (minimum two years’ experience). You learn to assess an individual’s complex needs arising from disability, accident or illness, and develop a package of care that meets those needs. You work with a multi-professional team that includes nurses, doctors and social workers, acting as an expert guide to the regulations that apply to continuing healthcare.
Course accreditation
This Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and meets the occupational standards needed to work in the health and care sector.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Fully immersive simulation suites with environments to prepare students for different scenarios in a supportive environment
- High-quality teaching spaces; informal learning spaces; and lecture theatres
Industry links
The course has been designed and delivered in partnership with local health and social-care employers, who have shaped the curriculum to be practice-led and based on the NHS constitution.
Your student experience
Develop essential skills to offer support, care and advice when acting as the first point of contact for your clients, their carers and family.
It covers theory and practice in both real and simulated environments, ensuring you qualify with the competence and confidence to hit the ground running.
Our external partners and practice experts contribute to course delivery, providing support, additional specialist knowledge and experience.
Learn a range of transferable skills including problem-solving; decision-making; having professional conversations; and presenting arguments.
On successful completion of the course, you can progress to a top-up course in a related subject, leading to a full degree and registration with the regulatory body for your chosen profession.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Year 1
Introduction to academic study and the workplace – Learn the skills needed to be a successful learner in a university setting and in your future professional practice. Foundations of healthcare practice – Examine your role in assessing complex health and social care needs as well as planning and commissioning services. Principles and practice of associate continuing healthcare practitioners – Explore medical conditions that may need continuing healthcare, assessing care needs. Virtual placement 1 – Demonstrate your skills through direct and simulated practice alongside virtual placements.
Year 2
Skills for employment - Prepare for graduate employment with a realistic understanding of the workplace and the skills, knowledge and experience needed for success. Establishing role identity in continuing healthcare practice - Use current best practice and research to assess care needs and achieve better outcomes. Advanced principles and practice of continuing healthcare practice – Solve problems in complex situations, balancing care needs and available provision to offer effective care plans. Virtual placement 2 – Demonstrate your ability, knowledge and skills in action in direct practice, simulations and virtual placements.
Multiple teaching and assessment methods are used to ensure students’ personal learning style and preferences are accommodated as far as possible and reflect the real world of work in Continuing Healthcare.
Careers
As a result of gaining subject specific skills and knowledge, graduates will be able to obtain employment with private and NHS healthcare related services / providers. In addition, learners with develop the skills required for lifelong learning so will be well prepared for a range of similar careers.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2026/27 is £9,535. These are the full course fees covering each year of study.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Virtual Tour
