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About the Course

The Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) degree is designed to help you develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to start a professional career in the health and social care sector. This undergraduate programme is aligned to the standards set by Skills for Health (the Skills Council for the NHS) and upon completion you’ll be able to demonstrate that your health and social care skills conform to the National Occupational Standards (NOS).

This course is designed to support the development of your academic skills as well as equipping you with the personal and professional skills necessary for undergraduate studies and graduate-level opportunities in the workplace. It is also fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), making you eligible for free student membership of the CIH if you wish to specialise in housing.

This is a four-year Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) degree with a built-in foundation year (Year 0), which offers an alternative route into higher education if you don’t have traditional qualifications or don’t meet the entry requirements for a UK undergraduate degree.

 

Course Details

What will I study?

Each year of the course identifies a particular stage of your development as a student. Following the foundation year (Year 0), year one begins as The Inquiring Student, the second year casts students as Emerging Practitioners, and year three will establish students as Effective Graduates by the end of the course.

Key modules in years one and three will begin with extended induction periods to support your achievement through greater understanding of course requirements and the establishment of student learning syndicates, developing group cohesion and a sense of community. You will also take part in Personal and Professional Development (PDP) and Academic Skills and Literacy (ALS) modules each year, which will further support your learning and academic achievement.

The Personal and Professional Development modules also contribute to the development of your employability and will consist of self-management and empowering activities to develop the values and skills necessary to work effectively in models of service delivery.

How will I be taught and assessed?

You will be taught through a variety of teaching methods including:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Observation/field trips

You will be assessed through a mix of:

  • Group work
  • Coursework
  • Presentations
  • Podcasts

Blended Learning

At London Metropolitan University, we’re focused on a digital future and your degree plays an important part in preparation for this, helping you to achieve your employability goals and life ambitions.

As part of your studies, we aim to equip you with the key skills you’ll need to enhance your employability and prepare you for success in your career. Blended working is now a permanent feature for many businesses around the world and the experience you gain by studying through a blended learning model will help prepare you for this, increasing your confidence and readiness for a digital workplace.

The number of live contact hours that you have with your lecturers remains the same:

  • You will have timetabled sessions delivered face-to-face on-campus, building relationships and engaging with your student community
  • You will have timetabled live online sessions that will allow you to participate and ask questions throughout the session
  • Support services can be accessed remotely, and your campus is open, allowing you to book in and use campus facilities and services at a time that works for you, either during timetabled on-campus days or otherwise

Our blended approach offers the best of both live, online, and on-campus learning opportunities, and your blended timetables will typically follow one of the below:

Daytime students – you will typically have two days of tuition per week and your sessions will be on campus for one of those days. The other day will take place live online.

Evening and weekend students – your blended timetables will typically follow one of the below patterns each week:

  • Two evenings live online and one weekend day face-to-face on-campus
  • Two evenings face-to-face on-campus and one weekend day live online

Weekend only students – you will typically have face-to-face sessions on a Saturday and online sessions on a Sunday.

Please note that the blended timetable pattern will be decided by the scheduling team.

Find out more about blended learning.

Evening and weekend, and weekend only timetables

Alongside our daytime timetables, we also offer evening and weekend, or weekend only timetables. These options offer the same levels of study support with the flexibility to balance your full-time studies with personal commitments.

Modules

All modules are core and are worth 15 credits unless otherwise specified.

Foundation Year

Critical Thinking
  • Clarify what is meant by critical thinking, reasoning, and argument
  • Explore the importance of examining knowledge critically in academic practice
  • Provide the opportunity for you to apply your understanding to academic practices in your pathway
  • Develop your critical thinking and reasoning skills so you can assess, appreciate, and defend a variety of beliefs and values
  • Encourage you to consider the importance of different points of view
  • Encourage you to recognise the complexity surrounding many issues
  • Develop a rational approach to analysing and evaluating arguments
  • Develop the skills needed to form and defend well-reasoned arguments, both orally and written
Reflecting on Self and Society
  • Introduce you to academic study in the Social Sciences and Humanities at undergraduate level
  • Encourage you to reflect on your own identities, as well as your skills and qualities, and how you might further develop them through your studies
  • Introduce and develop academic literacy, critical thinking, and analytical skills through engagement with and production of a range of short Social Science and Humanities themed texts
  • Introduce the reflective practice and support you to become an effective, self-aware learner
  • Introduce and develop digital literacy skills
  • Develop organisational, planning, and time management skills
  • Guide you to constructively use feedback to improve academic work
Media, Crime, and Race
  • Introduce you to the study of media, crime, and race
  • Enable you to develop reading and seminar skills and to respond critically and analytically to a range of texts
  • Enable you to search, find, and use appropriate digital resources, and further develop and consolidate academic skills to enhance your learning experience
Researching Discrimination
  • Investigate the basic principles of research
  • Critically analyse published research
  • Develop and practise research skills
  • Develop writing skills required for effective report writing
  • Develop strategies to use feedback to improve writing
Researching Inequality
  • Increase your knowledge and awareness of current research in your subject area
  • Source and critically analyse published research in your area of interest
  • Further develop and practise research skills
  • Further develop writing skills required for effective report writing
  • Further develop strategies to use feedback to improve writing
Interventions for Change

This module will follow a task-based approach involving a process of critically examining an issue, historical or current. You will be involved in the process of identifying an issue and conduct research into it to gain a critical understanding. There is a focus on collaborative group work, during which you will explore a past and/or potential intervention to the issue.

You will critically reflect on the process and your own learning.

Social Issues in Context: Text to Essay
  • Improve academic literacy through essay writing and feedback in the context of Social Science and Humanities debates
  • Develop critical analysis and evaluation of academic source material
  • Select and integrate source material appropriately in academic writing
  • Develop your voice in academic writing
  • Integrate reflective practice throughout the essay writing process
  • Further develop organisational, planning, and time management skills
  • Guide you to constructively use feedback to improve academic work
Fundamentals of Health and Social Care

During this module, you will consider principles, knowledge, values, and policies that underpin good health and social care practice and explore the formal and informal mechanisms required to promote good practice by individuals in the workforce.

The principal aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the values and principles that underpin the practice of all who work in health and social care.

Year One

Introduction to Health and Social Care: Concepts of Health and Well-being (30 credits)
  • Understand different health and social care approaches and provisions
  • Identify health and social care issues within a specific population
  • Describe selected health and social care policies
  • Identify the social determinants of health and the relationship to health inequalities
The Context of Health and Social Care: Cultural, Social, and Ethical Perspectives (30 credits)

This module considers issues of culture, society, and ethics and their implications for professional contexts in health and social care. Current policy, professional frameworks, and legislation relating to identity, diversity, rights, and inequality will be examined. The professional role in challenging inequalities and implementing ethical and anti-oppressive practice will be explored. You will reflect on your own identity and experiences and keep a reflective journal throughout the module.

Introduction to Effective Practice in Health and Social Care
  • Develop the ability to communicate effectively and professionally
  • Develop key skills in teamwork and problem solving
  • Promote understanding of key values and ethical principles in health and social care
  • Develop self-awareness and self-reflection in relation to key issues in health and social care
  • Develop ability for evaluation, analysis, and critical thinking using case studies and problem-based learning
An Introduction to Knowledge and Inquiry in Health and Social Care

This module begins by asking “what do we mean by knowledge” in the context of health and social care and goes on to explore answers to this question. A key purpose of the module is to help you locate the concepts of evidence and research within a broader understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice but also to introduce you to the contested and contentious nature of what we mean by knowledge.

Personal and Professional Development: Self-Management
  • Develop your personal and professional development skills and competencies for effective interpersonal and professional relationships
  • Develop your knowledge and skills for effective interpersonal and professional communication
  • Enable you to develop self-awareness and emotional intelligence for effective practice with service users and carers
  • Develop the knowledge and skills for effective reflective practitioners
  • Develop your ability to use reflective techniques in relation to work with individuals and groups in the health and social care settings
Academic Skills and Literacy: Finding and Presenting Information
  • Develop key skills essential to all years of higher education, including researching, reading, writing, referencing, and critical thinking
  • Develop the ability to effectively read and comprehend academic literature
  • Develop the ability to present academic literature, both written and verbally
  • Develop an understanding of the quality and validity of different sources of information
  • Provide opportunities for self-development and reflection

Year Two

Advancing the Health of the Population: Understanding Public Health (30 credits)
  • Develop an understanding of the Public Health discipline
  • Develop an understanding and knowledge of population health data and skills to interpret this data
  • Provide a social science-based contextual and critical understanding of the impact of the social determinants of health on population health outcomes
  • Develop an understanding and knowledge of population health issues and how to take an evidence-based approach to tackle these issues
  • Explain and discuss the three pillars of Public Health: Health Protection, Healthcare Public Health, and Health Promotion
  • Understand and discuss the determinants of health
  • Interpret and explain population health data
  • Take an evidence-based approach to public health decisions
  • Think critically about contemporary issues in public health
Ethical Research in Professional Contexts (30 credits)

This module introduces you to both ethics and research through an exploration of principles, theories, and practices that inform decision-making in professional contexts. It is taught in two interconnected parts:

Part One: Study ethics using sector-specific professional codes of ethical conduct and examine normative ethical theories. Explore contemporary moral issues and situations in professional contexts.

Part Two: Learn about ethical research processes and the research skills relevant to professional and academic development. Understand social research and evidence-based practice design.

Becoming Employable
    • Apply prior knowledge and relate specific knowledge and skills to real-life situations in a work environment
    • Develop new capabilities and skills relating to employment
    • Engage in career development planning
    • Undertake a work-based placement

This module is structured in two stages to enhance employability. During the Autumn semester, you will engage with activities to help clarify career goals and identify personal developmental needs. After that, you will undertake a placement to focus on specific learning needs identified during the seminars.

Issues in Health, Illness, and Society

This module introduces sociological perspectives of health, illness, and society (medical sociology). It challenges bio-medical approaches to health and illness and explores how these are defined, measured, and treated. You will examine the role of social factors in the distribution of illness and develop critical thinking on contemporary health issues.

  • Explore a social science approach to health, illness, and society
  • Examine contrasting perspectives on health and illness experiences
  • Consider the role of social factors in the distribution of illness
  • Develop critical thinking and analysis on contemporary health issues
Personal and Professional Development: Managing Professional Relationships

This module enables you to apply prior knowledge to relevant work environments and develop new capabilities in teamwork. It builds on the skills learned in the first year and explores intra- and inter-personal skills. Emphasis is placed on appropriate communication within teams, especially involving service users and carers.

It will also examine theoretical aspects of teamwork, stages of team development, and conflict resolution. In preparation for the final PPD module, you will explore the role of followership within teams and its relationship to leadership.

Academic Skills and Literacy: Developing Critical Thinking

This module builds on academic skills learned in the first year and extends your ability to critically analyze and synthesize information to form well-reasoned arguments. You will enhance your skills in research, evaluating sources, and processing information for problem-solving.

  • Undertake research to provide new knowledge of well-established theories
  • Utilize various approaches to analyze and evaluate collected information
  • Synthesize information to inform problem-solving
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the contested nature of knowledge in health and social care

Year Three

Effective Responses to Emerging Issues in Health and Social Care (30 credits)
  • Provide a critical understanding of emerging issues in contemporary health and social care at policy and practice levels
  • Consider the relationship between social determinants of health and policy and practice responses
  • Critically examine theoretical perspectives underpinning approaches to tackling health inequalities
  • Develop an understanding of theoretical perspectives related to health creation and initiatives like social prescribing, asset-based approaches, and community development
  • Consider the practical and ethical implications for the health and social workforce of emerging responses to issues
Health Project (30 credits)

This module integrates knowledge from previous modules, including the Introduction to Knowledge and Inquiry in Health and Social Care, and Ethical Research and Practice. It focuses on applying that knowledge to specific projects in health and social care contexts, drawing on a broader understanding of the field.

Personal and Professional Development: Management and Leadership of Others

This module focuses on preparing you for graduation, with an emphasis on the development of graduate skills and competencies related to management and leadership. It prepares you for professional practice and further studies by developing the skills necessary for leading and managing others in health and social care contexts.

Academic Skills and Literacy: Effective Critical Thinking

This module builds on your prior academic knowledge and skills to help you produce work at a high academic level. It specifically focuses on critical thinking and the standards required for the Health Project.

Optional Modules

Homelessness and Housing Policy (optional)

This module examines the history and shift in UK housing policies, focusing on the causes of the current housing crisis in London and the UK, particularly in the context of neoliberal policies from the 1980s.

Mental Health and Well-being (optional)
  • Develop an understanding of key concepts in mental health and well-being
  • Raise awareness of mental health diagnoses and their implications
  • Explore key policy and practice issues in mental health
  • Critically evaluate models and theories of mental health and well-being
Global Health (optional)
  • Study global health and healthcare challenges across nations
  • Examine global health crises and their effects on health inequalities
  • Critique the role of global actors and interventions in promoting health equity
  • Develop a critical understanding of interconnectedness in global health
  • Analyze complexities in solving global health problems using case studies
Housing Issues and Housing Solutions (optional)
  • Examine changes in housing management in the context of wider social and economic changes
  • Identify practical issues facing housing professionals and best practices
  • Explore ways housing service users and community workers can challenge poor performance
  • Examine the benefits and challenges of partnership working in housing
  • Discuss the balance of rights and responsibilities for social housing tenants

The course information displayed on this page is correct for the academic year 2024/25. We aim to run the course as advertised, however, changes may be necessary due to updates to the curriculum (due to academic or industry developments), student demand, or UK compliance reasons. 

Entry Requirements

To study this programme, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:

Academic requirements

  • 32 UCAS points, or
  • at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, e.g. BTEC/Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma)

English language requirements

  • GCSE English at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent)
  • IELTS 5.5 with no component less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants can sit the QA Higher Education English test.

Interview

Additionally, during the admissions process, you will be asked to attend either an academic or admissions interview.

  • During the admissions interview, we will ask you questions about your choice of programme and will learn more about you.
  • The academic interview provides an opportunity for entry to applicants who do not meet standard entry requirements or have not been in education for a while. During this type of interview, we will assess your knowledge in a specific field.

We encourage and will consider applications from mature students who haven’t recently undertaken a formalised course of study at A-level or equivalent, but who can demonstrate workplace, indicating their ability to complete the course successfully. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you have higher qualifications, we also have a 3-year Health and Social Care BA  that will allow you to directly start your undergraduate study.

Please note: We are not currently able to sponsor International students to study this programme at London Metropolitan University Centres, therefore if you require sponsorship to study as an International student, this course will be unavailable to you.

If you are an international student interested in this course and would like to discuss alternative options available to you, please contact 020 3944 1243.

Fees and Funding

UK tuition fees 2024/25

£9,250 per annum

UK tuition fees 2025/26

£9,535 per annum

Your tuition fees cover the cost of teaching, access to resources, registration costs, and Student Support Services. They do not include the cost of course books, stationery and photocopying/printing costs, accommodation, living costs, travel, hobbies, sports or other leisure activities.

Additional costs

Access to a laptop/PC with a microphone, speakers, webcam and a reliable internet connection is required for accessing your live online sessions and to complete your assignments.

Student Finance

If you’re an undergraduate student from the UK, you may be able to receive financial support from the Government to help fund your studies.

The Government currently offers two types of loans that cover:

  • Tuition fees (paid directly to the university)
  • Living costs (paid directly to your bank and often called a maintenance loan)

Repayment

Both loans will need to be repaid after your studies, however generally you won’t have to start paying anything back until the April after you have finished your course once you are employed and earning above a specific amount. For more information on when you’ll start repaying, please refer to your student finance repayment plan.

How to apply

If you would like to find out more information about Student Finance loans and how to apply, please refer to the following:

Careers and Future Study

Health and social care provides career opportunities in a wide range of roles and contexts. Successful completion of the degree offers excellent career opportunities in the NHS, voluntary or independent sectors, for example in social enterprises, charity organisations or housing associations (accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Housing is a considerable advantage in following this option).

Within these contexts, it is possible to focus on a number of areas including:

  • Quality
  • Commissioning
  • Policy
  • Research
  • Public health
  • Service management

Careers can also be followed in roles such as:

  • Health administration
  • Care management
  • Education
  • Community development
  • Social work [social work will require additional qualifications to enable graduates to practice]

By studying a degree in our blended learning model, you will enhance your employability by demonstrating you successfully studied in a blended learning environment as part of your degree – a key requirement in today’s digitally focused businesses.

Apply Now

You can apply online to study this programme through the application links on this page.

As part of your application, you are required to provide some supporting documents (examples below):

  • Your passport personal details page
  • Copies of previous qualifications, including final certificates and transcripts, translated into English (if not in English)
  • Copy of your Personal Statement (more than 250 words)

Next application deadline: View Important Dates

Apply online

Select your chosen intake, location and study timetable and apply online using the links below to the QA Higher Education application portal.

April 2025 intake

Birmingham

London

Manchester

August 2025 intake

Birmingham

London

Manchester

Information for disabled applicants

We welcome applications from disabled students and are committed to ensuring an equal and accessible application journey. Your application will be considered on an equal basis to all other applications. Please contact us if you require any assistance. This website is continually optimised to adhere to accessibility best practice guidelines; tools to assist users with specific accessibility requirements have also been provided. More information is available in our accessibility statement.

  • Fees

    £9,250 per annum (24/25)
    £9,535 per annum (25/26)

  • Study Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    4 years (3 year option also available)

  • Start dates

    April
    August
    November

  • Entry Requirements

    32 UCAS points (or equivalent)

  • English Language Requirements

    GCSE English Language at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent). Alternatively, applicants can sit the QA Higher Education English test.

  • Mode Of Study

    Full-time blended learning: Daytime, Evening and Weekend, or Weekend only delivery

  • Assessment Methods

    Coursework including presentations, portfolios and podcasts

  • Locations

    London
    Birmingham
    Manchester

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