BA (Hons) Health and Social Care (Top-Up)

Modules may include:

Level 6

Research Methods (20 credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to develop research skills, techniques and methodologies with which to assess the work of others. It will provide underpinning knowledge of research and ethics for conducting your own research. This module links to the dissertation module and provides the proposal for the dissertation and application for ethical approval. 

Protecting from Harm; Safeguarding Individuals, Families and Communities (20 credits)

Reflecting the workplace, in this module you will focus on the practice theory safeguarding vulnerable individuals, children, families and communities in health and social care. It explores societal attitudes within the workplace and government policy regarding whistleblowing and the impact on practice. This module also allows you to reflect and examine your own attitudes and perceptions to safeguarding individuals, families, and communities. 

Specialist Provision in Health & Social Care (20 credits)

You will focus on specialist provision in the health and social care sector within this module, exploring the evolving nature of this provision and examine the political and social context of these changes. This will include the role of statutory, voluntary and private provision to support vulnerable individuals, families and communities. You will have the opportunity to examine the sector and identify an area of specialist provision. The assessment allows you to devise a project to meet the needs of service users.

 Contemporary Discourse (20 credits)

This module gives you the opportunity to unpick contemporary issues in the health and social care sector. This module also encourages you to think deeply and engage critically in debate. The sector has evolved substantially over the years and graduates in the field need to be literate in the main discourses that have shaped current thinking and practice. You will have the opportunity to investigate a contemporary issue, which has an impact upon service users within health and social care. This issue will be self-selected depending upon interest, role in the sector and expertise. 

Dissertation (40 Credits)

You will carry out a major piece of research, within this module, choosing a topic of your choice relating to health and social care. You will develop your skills and knowledge through primary (where appropriate) and secondary research. It links with the research methods module where ethical clearance will be sought prior to the commencement of the dissertation. 

If studying on a full time basis, you will study 120 credits over the 1 year course and the part time basis, you will study 80 credits in the 1st year and then the 40 credit dissertation module in the 2nd year of their course.

The course actively deepens academic, professional and employability skills encouraging your critical thinking in preparation for future practice in the health and social care sector. 

You will develop your research and analytical skills and conduct a large piece of writing in a topic of your own special interest and it is this work which awards the honours of your award. There are excellent opportunities for you to engage in research within an area of your choice, and you can gain dissemination skills through opportunities such as delivering a paper presentation at our annual Research Conference. 

The contemporary discourse elaborates around current and emerging topics pertinent to the sector, ensuring you remain up to date. A variety of skills will be gained with the  range of assessment types this award supports report writing, presentations, and working collaboratively in addition to team and lone working exercises. 

This award allows you to develop your skills from a holistic perspective, a dimension that reflects the sector’s philosophy. Through our excellent links with the sector, working closely with NHS Trusts, charities and local authorities, you will benefit from guest lectures and networking and employment opportunities. We also have established links to community groups, for example Candlelighters (a local charity supporting families facing children’s cancer), Public Health resource centre, and Social Enterprise groups, allowing you to gain insight into a wide range of settings.

You will be assessed through a variety of methods including:

• Projects 
• Presentations
• Reports
• Essays 
• Dissertation

Ongoing assessment and feedback (formative) is integral to the teaching, learning and assessment strategy of the course. You will take part in discussions, seminars, peer review and evaluations on an on-going basis. You are encouraged to share your knowledge with your peers in group work, discussions and seminar groups. 

The assessment process is an essential element of the programme design and methods are designed to replicate activities that are seen throughout the working sector.  In addition to the pedagogic material you will also become proficient with IT skills, another essential part of working in today’s society, particularly in health and across times of living within a pandemic.

This course is delivered in the University Centre.

The award adopts Leeds City College’s admissions policy and criteria.

The minimum entry requirements to the programme are;

• Foundation Degree in a relevant subject, for example, Health and Wellbeing with a minimum grade of a pass.
• Or a relevant HND or equivalent qualification at a Pass.

Students are recommended to have experience of working in the sector, paid or voluntary.

International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria. Speakers of other languages will need to possess an IELTS band score of 6.0 (with no-less than 5.5 in any one element) or a recognised English Level 2 qualification.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not precisely match the academic criteria but can demonstrate experience in their chosen field as well as academic achievement at level 5. Candidates in this category will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application. The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL).

All applicants will be assessed on their suitability for this programme of study from their application and may be asked to provide evidence to support their application.

There may be opportunity for progression onto relevant Masters programmes of study.

You can gain employment in the Health and Social Care Sector in suitable senior or managerial roles.  

• Health administration
• Care management
• Further / Higher Education teaching (further qualifications will be required)
• Community development roles
• Charity Officer
• Research roles
• Public Sector Health and Social Care 

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

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