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Health and Social Care - CertHE / FdSc / Module

Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry.

Do you want to enhance your career in health and social care? Our Certificate in Higher Education/Foundation degree is ideal for those already working a minimum of 30 hours per week within a health and social work setting. You can develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to progress to Assistant Practitioner level or equivalent....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time
  • Location City South
  • School School of Health Sciences
  • Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences

Overview

Do you want to enhance your career in health and social care? Our Certificate in Higher Education/Foundation degree is ideal for those already working a minimum of 30 hours per week within a health and social work setting. You can develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to progress to Assistant Practitioner level or equivalent.

A variety of pathways can be studied including:

  • mammography
  • diagnostic radiography
  • surgical care support
  • maternity

Rated Good by Ofsted 

This course was rated Good by Ofsted in 2019. 

Ofsted Good

Full report 

This course is not open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

The Cert HE/FdSc Health and Social Care are full-time programmes delivered at the City South campus, and have been carefully-designed to provide the skills you and your current or future employer need.  

Expert teaching staff in our School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Sciences provide the guidance needed to make sure you secure the necessary academic requirements and clinically orientated competencies that will advance your career.

The course equips successful candidates for a range of roles in health or social care settings, local authorities, the voluntary sector and private care settings.

In securing this Foundation Degree you will complete an e- portfolio that offers clear evidence of your development. You explore the scope of professional practice in the areas of compassionate care delivery ,risk management,  responsibility and accountability,  infection control, confidentiality, consent, and many more.

The course offers an introduction to anatomy and physiology, and examines social, psychological and cultural influences relevant to your area of work. It covers professional issues relating to the boundaries of practice, patient and client assessment. It also provides a thorough understanding of standard operating procedures and relevant national service frameworks.

You can also choose a negotiated module, if appropriate, that will enable you to undertake more study in an area relevant to your role, practice and service user group.

Why Choose Us?

  • We offer a very supportive environment here, especially for anyone returning to education after a gap or progressing to a university setting for the first time.
  • We offer personal tutors based in the University, ensuring support is on hand to offer advice and encouragement.

  • We provide a wide range of support to introduce you to University level study, including the Maths, English and wider study skills to help you to be successful on the Foundation Degree.

  • This full-time work based learning programme is aimed at  people who are currently working in a health and social care setting.

  • The course is based in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences in the recently extended £71 million City South Campus, which features mock hospital wards, a mock operating theatre, a home environment room, a radiography skills suite with working x-ray machines, and laboratory for you to practice in.

Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic

The University has put in place measures in response to Covid-19 to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus open day where you'll be able to explore our campus and facilities in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

This full-time work based learning programme is aimed at people who are currently working in a health or social care setting

Essential Requirements
Level 2 qualifications
GCSE GCSE English Language or English Literature and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

Please note, if you are wishing to undertake the FdSc to progress onto an undergraduate programme then some courses (including midwifery) will only accept GCSEs and no equivalents. 
Scottish National 5 English Language or English Literature and Maths at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.
Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications
GCE A/A2 level Minimum of one A/A2 Level pass at Grade D or above. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.
GCE AS/A1 level Minimum of two AS/A1 Level passes at Grade D or above. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.
GCE/AVCE Double Award GCE/AVCE Double Award minimum pass at Grade DD. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.
BTEC National Award Minimum pass Grade M required.
BTEC National Certificate Minimum pass Grade PP required.
BTEC National Diploma Minimum pass Grade PPP required.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Minimum pass Grade 24 required.
Cache Award, Certificate or Diploma Full award.
Access to HE Diploma in Health and Social Care Full award (60 credits) must include 12 Level 2 Mathematics credits + 12 Level 2 English Language credits if not already achieved at GCSE or equivalent.
NVQ Level 2 Full award plus a written paper – details of the content will be provided by the admissions tutor post application.
NVQ Level 3 Full award, plus GCSE Mathematics and English Language at Grade C or above or equivalent.
14-19 Progression Diploma in Society, Health and Development Full award.
14-19 Advanced Diploma in Society, Health and Development Full award.

Please check the transferable skills document from Apprenticeship Certificates England to see if your qualifications meet the requirements for a Higher Apprenticeship. 

Other qualifications:

Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis.

Portfolio route

A Portfolio route has been devised for those applicants who are already working in a Health or Social Care setting and who do not meet the formal entry requirements. To follow this route students are still expected to possess GCSE Mathematics and English Language or equivalent.

The Portfolio should include:
  • Two written testimonies (one of which must be from the employer) supporting the application.
  • A reflective piece that draws on current practice, no more than 1500 words.
  • All pieces of work should be endorsed by the line manager.
  • The portfolio is to be submitted within 4 weeks post application, following discussion with the Admissions Tutor.
Stand-alone modules:

Students who wish to enrol for any module on a stand-alone basis will not be required to meet the full entry criteria. Where students wish to enrol for modules above the equivalent of 40 credits, the entry criteria above will still apply.

In addition:

Applicants are strongly advised to attend an applicant day or attend a meeting with the
Admissions Tutor. Applicants must be employed in a Heath or Social Care support worker role (or equivalent) for a minimum of 30 hours per week and have support from their Line Manager in order to apply for this course.
 
Declaration of satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service clearance is required.

Applicants who are self-funding their course will be required to complete satisfactory Occupational Health and Disclosure & Barring Service checks.

You will be required to complete your Care Certificate via your Trust within the two year programme.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: CertHE

Starting: Sep 2023

Pathway: Health and Social Care

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £9,250 in 2023/24

Award: FdSc

Starting: Sep 2023

Pathway: Health and Social Care

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 2 years
  • £6,000 in 2023/24

Award: CertHE

Starting: Sep 2023

Pathway: Mammography

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £9,250 in 2023/24

Award: Module

Starting: Sep 2023

Pathway: Module Only

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Part Time
  • TBC
  • TBC

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.

Application notes

Please indicate on your personal statement which pathway you would like to apply for. See course structure for details on pathways.

All prospective students will be invited to a Foundation degree applicant's day.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

Download course specification

Download now

Course structure

The two year FdSc Health and Social Care programme will incorporate a variety of learning methods in order to support your individual learning style.  The primary focus will be on work-based learning, with the addition of face to face taught sessions, group work; Moodle based activities and paper resources and tutorials.

A variety of approaches to teaching and learning will be utilised to reflect your academic level, session content and outcomes, taking into account your individual leaning needs. The learning methods employed will allow the specific subject matter in the route to be explored in depth through the creation of an environment of critical enquiry for both you the student and staff.

The FdSc Health and Social Care team will support you to develop the skills required that will enable you to critically analyse your own learning journey, and reflect on your personal and professional development. The application of knowledge linked to the development of your clinical skills is an important element of the programme, this is supported during your work based learning by clinical learning facilitators from your area of practice and your personal tutors.  You will select a pathway that is relevant to your current job role.

Course breakdown

Level 4 (Cert HE)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

Level 5 (FdSc)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only

FdSc Health and Social Care (Children)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Mental Health)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

FdSc Health and Social Care (Learning Disabilities)

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:

Level 4 (Mammography)

Download the Cert HE Mammography Course Specification here

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.

Employability

Employment opportunities

The course’s flexible, work-based nature means you’ll become competent as an assistant practitioner in one of a number of areas, such as:

  • Maternity
  • Diagnostic Radiography
  • Mammography
  • Radiotherapy
  • Management in Health and Social Care

If you wish to undertake further study, you can apply to transfer your foundation degree into the second year of a professional practice degree at Birmingham City University such as BSc (Hons) Nursing or BSc (Hons) Radiography, With the completion of additional modules you may also be able to apply for the BSc (Hons) or Dip (HE) Operating Department Practice. 

Facilities & Staff

We have invested £340 million in our facilities, including an upgrade to our Skills and Simulation facilities at City South Campus. We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that you may come across in the workplace. These resources are essential in offering you a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice.

Mock Wards

These are set up to look like typical hospital wards, with four to six bays. Depending on the topic in hand, different manikins can be used as patients and relevant equipment is provided to practise clinical skills. Some of the manikins are interactive and can simulate different scenarios e.g. some allow you to cannulate, check pulses, intubate etc, and some can talk to you. One ward is often used as an adult ward, and the other as a child ward.

These rooms also allow for scenarios to be set up for other professions such as dietetics, paramedic science and social work.

The Operating Theatre and Recovery Suites

The operating theatre and recovery suite gives you the sense of what it would be like in a real surgical environment.

These spaces emulate the full surgical journey from anaesthetics, through surgery and into recovery. ODP students can practice a range of skills including gowning, hand washing, preparing instrument trays, and working with a patient. Nurses and midwives may experience a surgical placement and need to go to theatre or be part of the midwifery team involved with caesarean sections. Many other Allied Health Professionals may also see patients in recovery if necessary.

Home Environment Room

This space is used to simulate non-clinical settings, as not everything health professionals deal with is hospital based. This is used for simulations of home visits and home births. It also houses soft matting and a bubble machine that are used by the Learning Disability Nursing team.

Assisted Living Space

This space replicates a flat and is used for scenarios such as home visits. The sitting room area provides a different space to practise skills and simulations and work with service users and other students.

Assisted Kitchen

This specially designed kitchen has different areas where you can practice cooking, cleaning, boiling the kettle etc., with someone who has actual or simulated visual impairments. There are adapted devices to help, and simulation glasses for you to wear to experience visual impairments.

Physiotherapy Room

This is a space for physiotherapy students to use, with various equipment to practise client meetings.

Radiotherapy Planning Computer Suite

Our computers allow you to plan hypothetical treatments, in terms of angles and directions, ensuring that radiotherapy reaches where it is needed on a patient’s body.

Radiography Image Interpretation and Reporting Stations Computer Suite

These facilities allow you to view and analyse x-rays.

VERT - Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training

This room contains 3D technology to view virtual patients and look at trajectories for treatment.

Radiotherapy

This room contains the same bed/couch used when patients are given radiotherapy treatment. While students of course do not administer radiotherapy in this room, it does allow them to practise adjusting the equipment to make sure both it and a patient would be in the correct position to receive treatment.

Telehealth Room

This room allows for small group teaching in a central area (large boardroom type table) with fiv small telehealth booths down either side. These are to allow all our health professions students to practise delivering healthcare and advice remotely, either over the phone or on a video call. This addition to our teaching reflects moves in the sector to offer more flexible access to healthcare services, particularly as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Imaging Academy

This new facility is a larger version of our existing image interpretation computer facilities and forms part of the West Midlands Imaging Academy hub, funded by Health Education England. These expanded facilities will mean we can further develop our courses and expertise in radiography and imaging.

Speech and Language Therapy Resource Room

Our Speech and Language Therapy Team have developed a collection of tools, books and resources to help you learn and understand the implications of a speech or swallowing limitation. You can practise one to one client meetings and clinics and use the video recording equipment to review role play scenarios.

Our staff

Jody Perry

Course Lead, Admissions Lead for FdSc Assistant Practitioner (Health) and Senior Lecturer

Jody initially joined the University as a Health and Safety Advisor has a back ground in Risk Management/Clinical Governance as well as Learning and Development. Before joining the University, Jody worked in the NHS for almost twenty years.  In 2014, Jody moved into academia as Senior Lecturer to undertake the role of Undergraduate Lead for...

More about Jody

Charlotte Parnham

Maternity Pathway Lead and Deputy Course Lead, FdSc Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship and Senior Lecturer

Charlotte joined BCU in July 2019 as a lecturer. She is also the Maternity Pathway Lead and Deputy Course Lead for the FdSc Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship. Charlotte leads the level 4 and 5 maternity specific modules within the apprenticeship. These range from ‘supporting normal birth’ to ‘supporting the transition to parenting’ and...

More about Charlotte

Dezita Taylor-Robinson

Course Leader Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care / Senior Lecturer FdSc (Surgical Pathway)

Dezita currently undertakes the role of Senior Lecturer (Surgical Pathway) and Interim Course Leader for the FdSc Health & Social Care Apprenticeship Programme within Birmingham City University. She also delivers pre and post registration education within the Operating Department Practice Programme.

More about Dezita