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BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year

Healthcare is changing now more than ever. Our BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year course positions you to be ahead of the curve — with the dynamism needed to thrive in a sector that never stands still.

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Course overview

Our BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year course delivers a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare sector, helping you develop the skills and experiences needed to be impactful following your graduation. 

The learning structure during the Foundation Year has been designed to develop your academic skills while uncovering essential topics relating to health and social care. What you learn during this year will provide a fundamental understanding of the sector and support your progression into the following years of the course.

The following three years of the course will progressively build in levels of intensity, exploring key topics including behavioural influences in healthcare provision and how to deliver effective management across the sector. The quality of course materials will be matched by our experienced lecturers — giving you a wealth of experience and invaluable perspectives throughout the course.

The structure of this course ensures that you will be ready to embark on your new career — with the skills, practical experience and industry scope needed to be impactful in health and social care now and into the future.

Intakes
September, January, June

Duration
4 years

Awarding Institution
Oxford Brookes University

Awarded Degree
BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year

Awarded Qualification
BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year

Delivery
Weekdays, evenings and/or weekends

Locations
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds

Fees
£9,250 per year

What will you achieve?

The combination of practical insights, progressive assessments and stimulating course modules ensures that you will be ready to progress into a successful healthcare or social care career — having gained a degree from one of the UK’s top 50 institutions in 2022.

Why should you choose GBS

Flexible study options - Weekdays, evenings and/or weekends

Industry-experienced lecturers with excellent knowledge and insights

Formative learning throughout

Small classes – more attention to students

Free career development mentoring programme

Connect with our very successful alumni

Flexible study options - Weekdays, evenings and/or weekends

Industry-experienced lecturers with excellent knowledge and insights

Formative learning throughout

Small classes – more attention to students

Free career development mentoring programme

Connect with our very successful alumni

This course includes or offers the following modules.

Year 0 (Foundation)

- Academic writing skills for success 1 (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care 1 (20 credits)
- Health and wellbeing across communities, and in Health and Social Care environments (20 credits)
- Professional foundations of Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Care, compassion and communication in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Academic writing skills for success 2 (20 credits)

Year 1

- Introduction to using research and evidence in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

- Health and Social Care 2 – policies and practice (20 credits)

- Communication and ethics in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

- Culture and society in Health (20 credits)

- Biological psychological and social determinants of health across the life course (20 credits)

- Careers and employability in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

Year 2

- Equality and social justice in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Safeguarding children and adults in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care 3 – Professional development through work-based learning (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care for healthy ageing (20 credits)
- Applied research in practice (20 credits)
- Mental health and wellbeing across the life course (20 credits)

Year 3

- Evaluating and managing quality in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Social Justice, equality and vulnerability (20 credits)
- Challenging evidence Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Leadership and management in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

The assessment strategy has been carefully designed to enable students to develop a full range of knowledge, skills and competencies that are key in health and social care. The variety of assessments takes a broad range of factors into account including intended learning outcomes, professional standards in the health and social care industry, student demographics and our pedagogical approach — with each factor helping to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the learning experience.

We utilise a strategic and holistic approach to selection and design in our assessment strategy. Essays, reports, presentations, debates and small group projects have been identified as effective means for assessing student development. Where possible, we will use real-life simulations so that students can develop structured arguments through reflection, judgement and targeted evaluation. Students will also research specific areas and formulate objective conclusions — supported by appropriate referencing. In addition, students will be able to creatively use evidence-based writing skills to apply professional judgement in making recommendations and solving problems for future best practices. All group projects will require measured commitment and input from all members, objectively assessed through peer presentation and review.

Presentations will be performed individually and in groups that address concepts of a particular scenario. These assessments will also include a question-and-answer element. 

Group debates will be conducted around a particular topic or subject area within health and social care. A proposition will be offered and defended within the group context. This will enable students to demonstrate the ability to work effectively with each other, respect inputs from fellow students, effectively present information and prepare persuasive arguments.

Education

80 UCAS tariff points (or above) or 60 Credit Ofqual qualification at Level 3.

All applicants are assessed by the admission team via interview for listening and speaking and for writing via a personal reflection statement.

 

Applicants aged 21+

If applicants do not meet the standard entry requirements, we will also consider those with life/work skills which would make them suitable for undergraduate study with a Foundation programme.

 

All Applicants

All applicants must be assessed by the admission team via interview for listening and speaking and for writing via a personal reflection statement.

 

Documents required:

- Application form
- Supervised Personal reflection statement
- Personal interview

Funding your study

All students can access student finance. 

 

Tuition Fee Loans

A Tuition Fee Loan covers the cost of your tuition fees. This is paid directly to your awarding institution (in this case Oxford Brookes University). Loan repayments only start once you have finished your course and are earning £26,575 a year or more. Both full- and part-time learners can apply.

Students studying with GBS are not eligible to apply for Oxford Brookes University’s financial bursaries.

 

Maintenance Loans

If you are eligible, you can also apply for a Maintenance Loan to cover living expenses. This loan is paid directly into your bank account at the start of the term. Maintenance Loans are repaid after you finish your course, and your earnings are above £26,575 per year. For more information, please visit gov.uk/studentfinance.

 

Maintenance Grants

You can also apply for a Maintenance Grant to help with living costs. Maintenance Grants are paid directly into your bank account at the start of the term. You don’t have to pay them back, but any funds you get will reduce the size of the Maintenance Loan you could receive, should you also wish to apply for one.

New students must prove they have been living in the UK for five years before their course start date to get living cost support from Student Finance England.

For more information please click here for course fees or call us +44 (0)20 8092 9440

This course includes or offers the following modules.

Year 0 (Foundation)

- Academic writing skills for success 1 (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care 1 (20 credits)
- Health and wellbeing across communities, and in Health and Social Care environments (20 credits)
- Professional foundations of Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Care, compassion and communication in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Academic writing skills for success 2 (20 credits)

Year 1

- Introduction to using research and evidence in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

- Health and Social Care 2 – policies and practice (20 credits)

- Communication and ethics in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

- Culture and society in Health (20 credits)

- Biological psychological and social determinants of health across the life course (20 credits)

- Careers and employability in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

Year 2

- Equality and social justice in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Safeguarding children and adults in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care 3 – Professional development through work-based learning (20 credits)
- Health and Social Care for healthy ageing (20 credits)
- Applied research in practice (20 credits)
- Mental health and wellbeing across the life course (20 credits)

Year 3

- Evaluating and managing quality in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Social Justice, equality and vulnerability (20 credits)
- Challenging evidence Health and Social Care (20 credits)
- Leadership and management in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

Enrolling for January 2024

PART OF THE GBS FAMILY

What our students say

It’s my first year here. I chose this university because it gave me the opportunity to have choice. I study two days per week - it’s very flexible. It makes it easy to study.

Manea Bianca Stefana

The campus is very new and comfortable. One of the best I saw. I like because I can work – I have a child and I can study and I can work and be with my family. This is very good for me. Because I have lived in this country only second year and English is a new language for me, when I study here I can teach my child at home new words.

Elena Todorova

My favourite part of studying here is because its close and the class sizes are small. I can have more interaction with the teacher and ask questions. I enjoy learning here - the teachers are friendly and they explain everything well.

Raimon Larrainzer Make
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It’s my first year here. I chose this university because it gave me the opportunity to have choice. I study two days per week - it’s very flexible. It makes it easy to study.

Manea Bianca Stefana

The campus is very new and comfortable. One of the best I saw. I like because I can work – I have a child and I can study and I can work and be with my family. This is very good for me. Because I have lived in this country only second year and English is a new language for me, when I study here I can teach my child at home new words.

Elena Todorova

My favourite part of studying here is because its close and the class sizes are small. I can have more interaction with the teacher and ask questions. I enjoy learning here - the teachers are friendly and they explain everything well.

Raimon Larrainzer Make

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