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Foundation Degree
Health and Social Care
- Duration:
- Two academic years
- Start Dates:
- September each year
- Attendance:
- Full Time - Two days per week at the University (Wednesday and Friday)
- Venue:
- High Wycombe Campus
- Cost:
- Available on application
- Key Contact:
- The Enquiries Team
- Tel:
- 0800 0565 660
- Email:
- advice@bucks.ac.uk
Is this course suitable for me?
This is an exciting course which will be of interest to people who are planning a career in, or already working in a range of health and social care settings. This may include (but is not exhaustive!) residential care homes, day care centres, nursing homes, voluntary organisations, drop in centres, special schools, or agencies providing domiciliary care for vulnerable, elderly and disabled groups. You do not always need formal qualifications to start but will need to have an interview with the Course Leader.
Why not try a taster day or an open event
Coming back into education can be daunting, but attending one of our taster days could help ease any concerns or worries you may have, by offering an opportunity to meet the teaching team and other students, familiarise yourself with the Higher Education environment and experience a couple of module taster sessions. If you would like to book a place on our next event, please contact us on 01494 603 171 or e-mail ask@bucks.ac
Overview
What is a Foundation Degree?
A Foundation Degree is equal to the first two years of a three year Honours Degree at a UK university. It can be achieved in two years study and is either work-related or work-based. In this instance it is work related and applied to health and social care.
Currently about 50,000 students (mostly adult and part-time) are following Foundation Degrees in England. Subjects range from Community Development and Early Years to Primary Education! Almost all Foundation Degrees offer progression to an Honours Degree, and Bucks New University offers a top-up to a BSc Honours degree in practice development (Health and Social Care).
The key features of a Foundation Degree are:
- The development of specialist knowledge and skills in care and social care
- Learning structured around your present or future employment
- The Foundation Degree aims to develop motivated and qualified students who will benefit from increased career opportunities
- The course has been planned with employers to meet the needs of the workforce in health and social care.
Structure
How will the course be delivered?
- The course is University based and uses flexible and diverse study methods including work related and self directed learning, lectures, seminars and tutorials.
- You will also be required to use you work experiences (if in employment) or undertake a suitable placement (if not in employment) to underpin you learning. The course leader will arrange this with you and support you throughout. The minimum length of placement is 3 weeks each year of study.
The course team
The course team is made up of lecturers from a range of health social care settings with wide spread qualifications and experience. Practitioners from various settings will contribute to the teaching as required.
Content
The course contains 8 modules;
Module: Aspects of Human Resources and Risk Management in Health & Social Care
The module introduces key issues pertaining to human resource management in social care settings: including generic issues of care and risk management.
Module: Effective Communication in Health and Social Care
This aim of this module is to equip you with an understanding of the basic communication skills required in social care settings.
Module: Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health & Social Care
This module explores the formal and informal mechanisms required to promote equality and the principles of the Care Value Base.
Module: The Psychosocial Influences in Health & Social Care
The module aims to introduce you to both psychological and sociological theories that can be used to inform and direct your understanding, planning and delivery of the holistic care of patients/service users in health and social care settings.
Module: Investigating Health & Social Care Strategies
You will be able to further develop your analytical skills in relation to delivering care that encompasses preventative and rehabilitative approaches.
Module: Managing Care Services in Health & Social Care
The module aims to equip you with an understanding of management and leadership theories and skills so that you may become effective team leaders in health and social care settings.
Module: Professional Practice in Health & Social Care
This module enables you to draw upon previous learning and develop strategies for the care of diverse client groups.
Module: Research Evidence for Health & Social Care Practice
This module will enable you to develop an understanding of the nature of evidence informing and supporting practice.
Entry requirements
Within the philosophy of Foundation Degrees and Lifelong Learning the course offers wide entry to study. Prospective students will normally be expected to have an appropriate:
Further Education level 3 qualification such as NVQ level 3, Access to Higher Education or GNVQ, GCSE/CSE or A Level study.
or
Be mature candidates who, whilst not having the necessary academic qualifications, have relevant work experience and be able to demonstrate that they can study at level 4.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss this further
Employment opportunities
Bucks New University offers a conversion to honours programme BA (Hons) Practice Development. The course has been developed as a work based course to develop skills in analysis and evaluation, with students being supported to undertake substantial projects in the place of work, with a focus on practice development.
How to make an application
Applications should be made through UCAS (University and College Admissions Service), this is the central organisation in the UK through which applications are processed for entry to higher education.
For more information about UCAS and making an online application, you can visit their website at www.ucas.ac.uk. If you would like any guidance about making an application, contact UCAS customer services on 0870 112 2211.
Buckinghamshire New University has a unique institute and course number which you will need to quote on your application form in order that your application is sent to us.
Institution code: B94
Course Code: L510
If you require further information about the course please contact the Enquiries Team on 0800 0565 660 or advice@bucks.ac.uk.
Students funded by the NHS or other employer
If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.