Why choose the School of Society, Community and Health
In the National Student Survey 2025, our health and social care courses scored student satisfaction rates of 90% and over for teaching, learning opportunities, assessment and feedback, and academic support.
They rank in the UK top 15 in their subject field for teaching, organisation and management, and student voice (NSS, 2025).
Collaborate with local charities, policymakers and community influencers through our #SASS Change Maker initiative, which aims to increase awareness of topical issues.
About the course
This practice-led course is designed for students with or without a health and social care background who aspire to support or manage transformative health and care projects; it would also suit professionals who want to approach leadership in care settings with a strong grasp of data-driven decision making. With specific focus on health inequalities, challenges across the lifespan, integrated care and leadership, you graduate able to address the challenges confronting policymakers and professionals grappling with fast-changing, contemporary social issues.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Seven-storey library with an extensive range of physical and digital resources
- Bespoke lecture theatres, presentation rooms and group study spaces
- Simulated learning facilities mimicking workplace scenarios
Industry links
We work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary agencies in Luton, Bedford, and the surrounding areas on health and social care projects and large-scale research. Our staff and alumni work on the Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care Board in policy development and analytical roles; these staff are engaged as practice partners on the course. Students work on projects in collaboration with statutory and voluntary agencies.
Your student experience
Gain core knowledge in health care, social policy, data analysis, governance and leadership while exploring areas such as health inequalities; mental health and addictions; digital health; health and care policies; health prevention and social outcomes.
From your second year, tailor your studies to your interests or chosen graduate career with a range of optional units and the choice of a final-year community-based project or research dissertation.
Actively prepare for the workplace while you study with virtual placements that develop professional skills and competencies.
Virtual placements take place in simulated learning facilities that mimic workplace scenarios, building your understanding of professional behaviours and enhancing your employability skills.
Study with an academic team with wide experience in the field, actively involved in health and social-care research. Their expertise feeds back directly into their teaching.
Staff areas of expertise include population health; safeguarding children, young people and adults; elderly care; research methods; career planning; health inequalities; and strategic leadership and management.
Develop resilience and innovation - core skills to navigate the complex and fast-changing landscape of the care sector.
Learn from guest speakers at the forefront of the field in our interactive workshops and seminars. Several Seats, Tuff2Talk, Space2Talk and ice&fire (Actors for Human Rights) are some examples of our guest speakers.
Broaden your horizons with subject-relevant field trips. There is an excellent synergy between campuses, with students frequently attending events together and visiting each others’ campuses.
The Health and Social Care teaching team undertake a range of research studies as part of the Health and Social Care Interdisciplinary Research Group (HSCIRG). We carry out interdisciplinary and community-based participatory research that involves service users and stakeholders in health and social care, with a focus on a co-production and bottom-up approach to involving all citizens in health-related matters.
To promote how our research informs world-class teaching on our degree programme we run a series of webinars throughout the year.
Find out more and register your interest in our series of interactive webinars
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.
Course Leader - Aduke Asha Urhobo
I have worked as a teacher and trainer in a number of educational settings for the last twenty-five years. My interest ranges from Young People, adult learners, health and Creative Arts.
Course Leader - Aduke Asha Urhobo
I have worked as a teacher and trainer in a number of educational settings for the last twenty-five years. My interest ranges from Young People, adult learners, health and Creative Arts.
Course Leader - Aduke Asha Urhobo
I have worked as a teacher and trainer in a number of educational settings for the last twenty-five years. My interest ranges from Young People, adult learners, health and Creative Arts.
Course Leader - Lynne Reynolds
I have been teaching criminology in a number of educational settings since I qualified with a degree in criminology in 2007. I developed a keen interest in many aspects of criminology, the criminal justice system and mental health in relation to criminal behaviour. I am now the Course Coordinator for the Foundation Degree program (SASS Cluster).
Course Leader - Lynne Reynolds
I have been teaching criminology in a number of educational settings since I qualified with a degree in criminology in 2007. I developed a keen interest in many aspects of criminology, the criminal justice system and mental health in relation to criminal behaviour. I am now the Course Coordinator for the Foundation Degree program (SASS Cluster).
Course Leader - Dr Joana Almeida
I joined the School of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire in January 2018, after being a Teaching Fellow in Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London from 2014-2017 and a Mildred Blaxter Postdoctoral Researcher from the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness in 2013/2014. I have been teaching Sociology since I qualified with a PhD in Medical Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2012.
I also hold an MSc and a BSc in Sociology, taken back in Portugal, where I am from. My main research interests lie in the areas of Sociology of Health and Illness and Sociology of the Professions. I am particularly interested in professional work, regulation, and change.
Course Leader - Dr Joana Almeida
I joined the School of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire in January 2018, after being a Teaching Fellow in Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London from 2014-2017 and a Mildred Blaxter Postdoctoral Researcher from the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness in 2013/2014. I have been teaching Sociology since I qualified with a PhD in Medical Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2012.
I also hold an MSc and a BSc in Sociology, taken back in Portugal, where I am from. My main research interests lie in the areas of Sociology of Health and Illness and Sociology of the Professions. I am particularly interested in professional work, regulation, and change.
Course Leader - Dr Joana Almeida
I joined the School of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire in January 2018, after being a Teaching Fellow in Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London from 2014-2017 and a Mildred Blaxter Postdoctoral Researcher from the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness in 2013/2014. I have been teaching Sociology since I qualified with a PhD in Medical Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2012.
I also hold an MSc and a BSc in Sociology, taken back in Portugal, where I am from. My main research interests lie in the areas of Sociology of Health and Illness and Sociology of the Professions. I am particularly interested in professional work, regulation, and change.
Course Leader - Dr Joana Almeida
I joined the School of Applied Social Studies at the University of Bedfordshire in January 2018, after being a Teaching Fellow in Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London from 2014-2017 and a Mildred Blaxter Postdoctoral Researcher from the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness in 2013/2014. I have been teaching Sociology since I qualified with a PhD in Medical Sociology at Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2012.
I also hold an MSc and a BSc in Sociology, taken back in Portugal, where I am from. My main research interests lie in the areas of Sociology of Health and Illness and Sociology of the Professions. I am particularly interested in professional work, regulation, and change.
Studying our Integrated Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) course will equip you with in-depth knowledge and skills in the areas of sociology, population health and health inequalities. You will explore the Foundations of Health and Social Care Practice while discussing the historical importance and explore the contemporary developments of the health and social care sector. This will allow you to address the needs of people in the UK in health contexts, including for vulnerable people or people with protected characteristics, while considering the current legislation and policies that shape health and social care practice. Building on this, you will study the interaction between society, health and illness in our Sociology of Health unit that will introduce you to the various social determinants, such as race and ethnicity, class, gender, etc., that influence health outcomes and disparities. You will also examine the various sociological theories that can elucidate these disparities. At the same time, Inclusivity and Diversity in Health will better your understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion in public healthcare by equipping you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to address systemic barriers that impact health outcomes for marginalised communities. To prepare you with the essential skills and competencies needed for effective learning throughout your degree, you will also study Introduction to Academic Skills.
You will build on this knowledge in your second year with our unit in Integrated and Inter-professional Responses to Care across the Lifespan that will provide you with a deeper understanding of how systems and processes respond to needs and mitigate health inequities and inequalities in health and social care delivery. Furthermore, you will expand your study to areas such as our unit in Living with Mental Health Conditions that will give you an insight into what it means to live with a mental health condition and to be a recipient of mental health care. This will be crucial to your practice, as you will learn to provide appropriate support based on the main sociological and psychiatric perspectives of mental illness that this unit will expose you to. As an opportunity to apply your skills, you will undertake Work Based Experience in Health and Social Care that comprises of 300-hours of work-focused learning and virtual placement experience. Among our optional units, you may choose to develop a theoretical understanding of addictive behaviours in our Addictions and Society unit such as gambling, gaming, substance misuse, pornography and food. Our unit in Population Health Management will allow you to focus on key concepts of population health such as health inequalities, groups at risk, service delivery and the wider determinants of health. Alternatively, you may choose to explore Social Prescribing, its concepts, processes and approaches to promote social change.
In your final year, you will examine the process of Safeguarding in Health and Social Care to identify the possible and wider risks of harm as well as the strengths and limitations of safeguarding legislation. You will also consider the diverse needs of populations, inequity and factors contributing to health inequalities in our Leading Improvement in Health and Care Services unit. This will allow you to navigate the tools used to enhance, improve and design services to mitigate inequities while developing the leadership skills to bring about this change. Our optional units in Year 3 include Young People, The Urban Environment and Social Determinants of Health, where you will explore the relationship between the socio-economic environment and young lives in the city. Alternatively, you may be interested in exploring health issues that affect an ageing population with our unit in Health and Social Care in an Ageing Society. Here, you will focus on key challenges including dementia care, palliative care, and the provision of pensions and age-related benefits for older people. In areas of technology, our unit in Digital Health will allow you to explore the emerging technological innovations in the healthcare field and learn to apply this to different healthcare settings to address inequalities and improve services. You may also choose to study our unit in Promoting Better Health Outcomes that will enable you to critically appraise strategies and campaigns in promoting health and wellbeing.
Finally, you will have the choice of completing a SASS Change Maker Project Dissertation or Research Dissertation where you will develop and demonstrate academic and professional skills. In the project-based dissertation, you will have the opportunity to work with a community-based organisation to deliver a project while building on your research, presentation and project management skills. If you choose to undertake a research dissertation, this gives you an opportunity to develop a research proposal, consider the ethical implications of your work and conduct an in-depth, focused research enquiry around an area of professional interest. To equip you with the research skills in the field of social sciences, you will explore debates and theories in social research, identify quantitative and qualitative data research methods, and learn to interpret and analyse this data across different levels of your study with our units in an Introduction to Research and Social Enquiry, Research Methods 1: Collecting Data and Research Methods 2: Exploring Data. To prepare you for your career, our unit in Career Planning for Social Scientists will support your career development journey by allowing you to identify your transferable skills and articulate them in a confident, meaningful and positive manner.
The academic skills unit in level 4 develops both students' study skills and Academic English skills required to succeed. The feedback given to students as part of the assessment process will enable self-assessment and development of learning and skills and promote progress to overcome any learning problems identified. Tutors will also refer students onto appropriate services in the event of issues that lie outside the boundaries of the tutor.
Careers
This degree’s emphasis on applying theory to practice in areas including social policy, social research, and strategic leadership and governance will help you thrive across a range of exciting roles in integrated health and social care and be a ‘Change Maker’ locally in your community, nationally or internationally. It opens up employment opportunities in the NHS; central and local government; the third sector; consultancy; and private business.
You may also choose to go on to further study at postgraduate level in an associated area, such as our MSc Integrated Healthcare Practice and Strategic Leadership.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Virtual Tour
