Health and Social Care - Foundation Degree (FdA)
- Approved by:
- University of Lancashire
- Start:
- September
- Location:
- University Centre and Healthcare Campus
- Level:
- 4-5
- Institution code:
- H65
- UCAS code:
- L512
The Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care was originally developed by the Faculty of Health at University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in response to the needs of health and social care providers in the voluntary, private and public sectors. It aims to enhance staff training and qualifications to meet service quality and performance agendas. It combines academic understanding and skills, with generic and specific work-related skills, and incorporates occupational standards for health and social care workers. It aims to equip you with the relevant knowledge and skills, as well as addressing your continuing professional development needs.
Within their placements, undergraduates will develop key skills such as communication skills, empathy, time management, team work, ownership and leadership styles. The course will also provide students with the understanding of how to meet the needs of a range of clients from a multitude of cultures and backgrounds. The importance of providing a patient centred approach, promoting healthy lifestyles, empowering and encouraging independence and maintaining the dignity of all individuals will be embedded throughout the course. Key legislation and policies that underpin health and social care practice will be drawn upon and undergraduates will apply a variety of theoretical perspectives to practice.
The course will be relevant to those working, or intending to work, with individuals, families, groups or communities in residential and community-based health and social care related settings, for example, families and children, older people, people with physical or learning disabilities, young people or those with mental health or drug related problems.
Assessment will take the form of essays, case studies, presentations, reports, research activities and group work. You will have access to learning resources at the Hugh Baird University Centre and at the University of Central Lancashire. Delivery of modules will include seminars, presentations, group discussion, debate, case studies, reflective journals, portfolio building and independent study.
- Care Worker
- Health Care Assistant
- GP Practice Assistant
- Health promotion advisor
To find out more information about this course, or to speak to a tutor, please make an enquiry:
Ask a questionEntry Requirements
For students entering via the optional Foundation Entry route, the following admission criteria will apply:
Entry requirements for this course are 160 tariff points at A Level or equivalent, 5 passes at GCSE or above, including GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 or above, a minimum proficiency in English of IELTS 6 or equivalent. Consideration will be given to applicants who have equivalent vocational or experiential learning gained within a Health and Social Care environment. All applicants are interviewed and will be subject to numeracy, literacy and values based assessment, dependant on their chosen progression route.
For students entering directly onto the Foundation Degree, the following admission criteria will apply. We would normally expect applicants to produce evidence of a number of the following:
A minimum of 160 UCAS points or 64 UCAS points (new tariff)
- Two A-Levels
- BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or a related subject
- Access qualification in a related subject
- Substantial work experience in the health field
- International Baccalaureate
Mature students may not meet the standard entry requirements but they may still be considered for a place on the course. Mature students with no qualifications may offer experience in other forms such as life experience, work experience and continued personal and professional development. All students are interviewed and selected on merit. This course offers the opportunity for mature students who may have been out of education for a while, or without traditional qualifications, to up- skill.
UK and EU Entry: Equivalent international qualifications will be considered towards meeting the general entry requirements. Additionally, EU students, for whom English is not the first language, will be required to evidence an IELTS score or 6.0 or equivalent. Equivalences include:
- TOEFL written examination score of 550 plus a test of written English (at 4)
- TOEFL Computer Equivalent score of 230
- Proficiency in English (Cambridge) at Grade C or above
All students must be prepared to undergo and prove they have an enhanced DBS suitable to work with vulnerable adults and children.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
This course will involve you working with vulnerable groups of individuals, including children. In order to ensure that the University Centre offers places on their programmes to suitable candidates, you will all be required to obtain a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (formerly termed CRB). We will be able to guide you through this process once you have been offered a conditional place of study at the Hugh Baird University Centre.
It is important to note that should your Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check proves to be unsatisfactory for the purpose of the course you have applied to, your offer of a place for that course may be withdrawn. If you have already enrolled on a course and your DBS check subsequently discloses a criminal conviction, you may be required to withdraw from the course even if you have already started. If you are aware that your DBS check will disclose a previous conviction, please contact the course leader for advice as not all convictions may preclude you from continuing with the course.
UCAS Tariff Calculator
Not sure how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth? Use our UCAS Tariff Calculator to find out. Quickly convert your A-levels, BTECs, or T-levels into UCAS points and see if you are eligible for this course:
Why choose us?
Small class sizes
You won’t be learning in a large lecture theatre with hundreds of other students, as you could at a traditional university.
Face-to-face learning
With in-person learning and direct tutor support, we offer an engaging student experience.
Extensive Support
Comprehensive and tailored one-to-one academic and personal support, helping you thrive both academically and personally.
How much will this course cost me?
Tuition fee loans cover university/college tuition fees and are paid direct to the university/college by Student Finance England, so you don’t need a pot of money up front.
They are available to all eligible students regardless of household income. The amount you pay back is dependent on how much you earn and not how much you owe and you won’t need to start paying them back until you are earning more than a certain amount.
It’s never too late to learn
We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 years or above). Even if you don't have the entry requirements, you may have gained knowledge and skills from relevant work or life experience, so we would consider your application on an individual basis.
Upcoming Events
Come and explore this course and the University Centre at an open event:
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions that we are often asked:
We want to make your university education as flexible and affordable as possible. We offer a number of financial support options to help you go further by staying local. You don’t need to pay for your tuition fees up front - Tuition Fee Loans cover university or college tuition fees and are paid direct to the university or college, by Student Finance England.
=== They are available to all eligible students regardless of household income. The amount you pay back is dependent on how much you earn. You may also be eligible for a Maintenance Loan to help support your living costs. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/student-finance
Yes. We have a dedicated team of staff on hand to help guide you through the admissions process, from selecting the right course, to completing your UCAS application and applying for financial support.
=== If you have any questions, or need help at any stage, call the Retention and Progression Team on 0151 353 4444, or email careers@hughbaird.ac.uk.
To find out more information about this course, or to speak to a tutor, please make an enquiry:
Important terms, conditions and disclaimer information about our courses can be found on our Wider Information Set.
It should be noted that all courses are subject to periodic review, usually every five years, by the awarding partner organisations. Any potential planned changes made to course content following such reviews shall be communicated on the University Centre website and in writing to individual students / applicants.
While we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place any day of the week.
Please note: Where there is no data, the course will be new, and data will be available from the 1st year of completion.
