Health and Social Care
Understand how health and care services support people and communities, and build skills for meaningful careers helping others.
- Foundation Year options available
- Flexible study options
- Support from application to enrolment
Is Health and Social Care right for me?
You might like it if you:
- Want a career where you make a genuine difference to people's lives
- Already work in care or support and want to progress into coordination or management
- Are interested in health, wellbeing, social policy and how services are run
- Care deeply about fairness, inclusion and supporting vulnerable people
A Health and Social Care degree does not qualify you as a registered nurse or social worker on its own. Those regulated professions require specific accredited degrees, though this degree provides an excellent stepping stone.
What you will study
You'll explore how health and social care services operate, covering areas such as health and wellbeing, safeguarding, social policy, mental health and person-centred care. You'll build skills in communication, research, reflective practice and collaborative teamwork, which are in high demand across NHS trusts, local authorities and care organisations.
Where it can lead
Entry-level roles
- Senior Support Worker
- Care Coordinator
- Healthcare Assistant
- Community Development Worker
- Health Promotion Assistant
- Care Team Leader
With experience
- Care Home Manager
- Health Service Manager
- Public Health Practitioner
- Commissioning Officer
- Social Worker (with postgraduate training)
- Occupational Therapist (with accredited training)
Careers such as nursing, social work and occupational therapy require specific accredited training and professional registration (HCPC or NMC). Salaries vary by trust, sector and location.
Do I need care qualifications to apply?
No prior healthcare qualifications are required. Foundation Year courses welcome adult learners returning to study, people with NVQs, or those bringing life and caring experience.
Common questions
Does this course make me a qualified nurse or social worker?
No. Registered nursing and social work require specific professional degrees. Health and Social Care prepares you for management, coordination, public health, and care leadership roles, or postgraduate entry.
Can I study while continuing to work in care?
Yes. Many partner universities offer flexible timetables (such as two full days or blended sessions) to accommodate care shifts.