Course Overview
This course is for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in health or social care, for example; nursing, occupational therapy, social work or youth work. The course is taught by a team of professional staff, with strong teaching and vocational experience. The two-year course is equivalent to 3 A-Levels and is worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*).
These qualifications provide a practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a theoretical background, giving learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare for employment. Learners are also ready with the skills and academic capability they require to enter Higher Education Study. You will spend three days in college and one day per week in work placement in a care setting. You will get up to three placements over two years, developing skills and knowledge which will help you in your assignments, enhance your career prospects and prepare for university.
There are opportunities for learners to go on both national and international trips, for example, Poland (Krakow), France (Paris), and university visits to UCLan, University of Cumbria and Edge Hill.
During their programme learners will learn functional skills, these are a set of standards that establish a benchmark in English, mathematics and ICT, and these skills will be embedded in unit delivery.
The course allows you to specialise in your chosen area and study the following units:
- Human Lifespan Development
- Working in health and social
- Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
- Work Experience in health and social care
- Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
- Psychological Perspectives
- Nutritional Health
- Health Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Research methods
- Promoting Public health
- Caring for individuals with Dementia.
All sessions involve a range of activities, including lectures, supported workshops, group and individual research, presentations and role play. Presentations by the tutor and students will be used to develop communication and other transferable skills. To support differentiation a tiered level of questioning and case studies, for the different levels will be used, as well as mixed and same ability group work to challenge and support learning. Additional study support will be given when needed, either one to one or as a group.
The units are assessed both externally and internally, and this assessment is ongoing over the duration of the course. There are 4 externally set units, three of these are exam based, and one is a controlled assessment. Evidence for the internally assessed assessments can be generated through a range of activities, including, controlled assessments, role play, verbal presentations, essays, reports, case studies, witness testimonies, observation, portfolios, posters and leaflets.
All of our learners will be given support with their English and Maths skills where relevant to their main course. Those students who have not yet achieved a Grade 4 (or C) at GCSE in these subjects will continue to work towards these important qualifications at a level suited to them. However, students will still have to achieve the stated Entry Requirements before they start the course.
Entry Requirements
You will need five GCSEs Grade 4 or above, or a level 2 in Health and Social Care or a related vocational area at Merit or Distinction, plus satisfactory tutor reference. You must also have a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English Language.
As part of the entry criteria for this course you will need to have a check completed by the Disclosure and Barring service. This does not mean that if you have any previous convictions or warnings that you will not be able to join this programme, but an assessment will be completed as to your suitability to progress on to the programme. Please discuss with us in confidence if you have concerns about the content of your check.
You will be given an interview to assess your suitability for the programme. Mature learners may present a more varied profile of achievement that is likely to include experience of paid and/or unpaid employment.
NB: Enrolment on this course is dependent on meeting the Entry Requirements stated above.
After Your Course
The majority of learners progress onto Higher Education to study a range of degree programmes, these include; All four branches of nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Health studies, Midwifery, community studies, sociology, psychology, radiography, chiropody and other health related degrees. Other learners have progressed onto apprenticeships in health and social care and some learners have gone directly into employment within the sector.
Fees
£2882.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time courses and per course for part-time courses.
There may be other costs associated with this course, e.g. kit, equipment, books, trips etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses Fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2023/24 academic year.
Level 3-6 Courses
Advanced Learning Loans are available for students aged 19 or over and studying eligible level 3, 4, 5 & 6 courses. If you are on an Access course, the loan will be written off if you complete a degree.
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a Level 3 qualification if you do not already have a Level 3 qualification (this will depend on the course & your age on 31/08/23).
Please speak to Student Services for more information on course fees.
A-Levels
The fees displayed are for the one-year AS-Level course. If you would like to progress onto the full A-Level, please get in touch with us for the cost of the second year, as it will be different.
16-18 year olds
There are no course fees if you were aged 16-18 on 31/08/23 and are not studying at another institution.
