About the course
If you are already working or volunteering in the health and social care sector, this foundation degree will build on your experience to expand your career horizons.
Designed to give you a thorough grounding in key aspects of health and social care, the course has a strong vocational focus.
The two-year course includes units on practice skills; the law and contemporary social issues; the human services; global health and welfare systems; mental health; and multi-agency working. Active learning is encouraged and you’ll apply theory to practice tackling real-life work problems.
Why choose this course
- Develop your understanding and skills, and learn to use critical reflection for personal and professional development
- Study with an experienced academic team
- Interact with potential employers through guest lectures
- Take up opportunities to visit health and social care workplaces
- Enjoy guided learning via our Virtual Learning Environment which includes directed reading and research, podcasts and interactive activities such as quizzes and discussion boards
- Benefit from opportunities offered by the University of Bedfordshire’s new Health & Social Care Academy, run in partnership with local councils and NHS Trusts, to recruit, train and develop health and social care workers
We support you every step of the way
We offer a Merit Scholarship, worth £2,400* over 3 academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 112 UCAS tariff points or more for UK and EU applicants.
We also offer a range of financial support for those of you applying from outside of the UK and EU.
Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Health And Social Care Practice Skills (ASS078-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Academic Study And Work-Based Learning In Health And Social Care (ASS079-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Health And Social Care (ASS072-1) Compulsory
- Law, Society And Controversy (ASS071-1) Compulsory
- Evidence-Based Health And Social Care Practice (ASS088-2) Compulsory
- Global Public Health (ASS007-2) Compulsory
- Managing And Applied Experience Within A Work Based Learning Environment (ASS083-2) Compulsory
- Multi-Agency Working In Mental Health (ASS109-2) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
The assessments are closely aligned to the course learning outcomes and graduate impact statements with a range of assessment methods, for example, action plans, reports, case studies, posters, portfolios, self-reviews, oral presentations, and closed book examinations. Assessments will also develop key skills needed for working in health and social care settings, such as the ability to communicate clearly, self-appraise practice and be a team player. Most units include elements of individual and group activity to reflect the type of work undertaken in an organisation though if group work is used as part of the unit's assessment strategy, it is primarily individually assessed often with a requirement for reflection on the process and learning from collaborative work. You will also be assessed in your ability to become an independent learner, to reflect and to self-appraise your skills development and evaluate your learning and its relevance to professional and vocational practice using evidence from your course work and workplace. You will be required to ensure that the work you submit for assessment is your own. All coursework submitted is subject to university procedures for the detection of plagiarism.
Why Study in the School of Applied Social Sciences?
- Courses developed in partnership with practice agencies
- Our research involving robots, shows that they can improve mental health and loneliness in the elderly
- Part of the SASS change makers initiative
Entry Requirements
A Foundation Degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation Degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 32-48 points, based on your level 3 studies.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don't have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
Extra entry requirements
This Foundation degree requires you to be in paid employment or undertaking voluntary work for the duration of the course in a relevant health and social care setting.
The setting can be of your choice and would usually coincide with your career goals.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
This Foundation degree prepares you for a variety of roles within the wider Health and Social Care sectors including the not-for-profit (voluntary), private sector and public sectors.
Roles include:
Direct work with service users in areas such as:
- children and families
- drug and alcohol misuse
- mental health
- services for older and disabled people, young people
Work in other areas of the human services such as:
- health promotion/public health
- welfare
- community development
If you are already in employment you will be encouraged to engage with career development and progression opportunities with your employer.
f you are undertaking voluntary work, you will be encouraged and supported to grow your work experience with a view to seeking employment opportunities in the future.
In terms of further study, an opportunity exists for a final year top-up to the University of Bedfordshire’s BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice or BA (Hons) Health and Social Care awards.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree delivered at our Partner Institutions for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £6,165 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £6,165 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Fees and Funding
UK
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree delivered at our Partner Institutions for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £6,165 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £6,165 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Extra costs for this course
Students must fund their own employment/volunteer work where travel and subsistence is concerned.
Students must fund their own travel to the University of Bedfordshire if they opt to visit the University Library.
In some units there will be arranged visits to employers/organisations (estimated maximum cost for the course is £120).
For certain jobs and/or voluntary work a disclosure barring service check will be necessary.
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here
Extra Costs
Facilities
Bedfordshire is a small county with lots to offer.
However you enjoy spending your free time, you won’t have to look far in Bedfordshire to find somewhere to relax, socialise or explore the great outdoors.
We are also conveniently located around 30 minutes by train from London, offering you the city experience with a homely feel.
Bedfordshire offers:
- A range of pubs, clubs and restaurants
- High street and independent shopping
- Museums, galleries and theatres - and our own University Theatre
- Entertainment centres
- Stunning countryside
- Professional sport and world-class facilities
- Headquarters of a number of notable UK and international companies
- Luton International Carnival and Bedford River Festival
Campuses in Buckinghamshire
We also have campuses in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
