BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care: Practice Development is a top-up degree for health and social care workers who have studied to diploma level.
Why choose University of Cumbria
Whatever your area of professional practice, our multidisciplinary modules enable you to focus your learning to your career. As a result, your working practice will benefit straight away from your academic learning.
- Range of modules to suit your interests and employment needs
- Taught by experienced practitioners and academics, who have extensive experience of working in health and social care
- Close support and guidance throughout your studies from a personal tutor
- Access to a well-established online study skills package to prepare you for graduate level study
- Tutors carry out national and international research, are members of national advisory bodies and publish papers in their areas of expertise - which will enhance your learning
- Interactive online classrooms give you the opportunity to debate and discuss real life scenarios and experiences with fellow students
- We’ve extensive experience as CPD providers
Our aim is to see you become the best practitioner you can be and so we endeavour to support you right along the way.
Graduate destinations
Successfully completing this course will allow you to progress into postgraduate study, with practice development options in named or student-defined pathways, as well as the generic MSc/PgD/PgC award. If you are a Registered Nurse, you may prefer to study the BSc (Hons) Nursing Practice.
Course outline
Course summary
Your programme “will include content which is relevant to the world of work, emphasising problem-solving and the interaction of theory and practice. It will challenge you intellectually, promoting independence and confidence” (University of Cumbria, Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy [LTA] 2017-22). Equally focussing upon one of the key themes from the same strategy we aim to “provide an environment for the development of professionally relevant, research informed and innovative programmes”. This theme not only provides a foundation for your chosen area of study, but it also recognises the importance of using a clear educational curriculum model and framework to structure your programme, with you as the learner being central to this process.
Focussing on the knowledge and skills required for your employment, the curriculum accommodates the latest contemporary practice developments, key elements of reflective practice and transformative learning. Our University of Cumbria graduate attributes recognise the importance of you being “self-reliant, adaptable and flexible” in your thinking and practice. This will be reflected in developing and enhancing your skills of enquiry and encouraging you to be “open to change” embracing the principles which underpin transformative learning. Our collaborative approach to learning has underpinned Practice Development programmes for many years and moving forward together we can support you as you adopt and benefit from the transformative learning process, which indicates an ongoing change and reflects the importance of life-long learning.
In the case of the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care: Practice Development you will be required to complete the following modules.
Following completion of Level 6 study, the framework facilitates seamless progression to Level 7 study including PGCert, PGDip and MSc Practice Development
Modules
Year one
-
Applied Critical Evaluation for Evidence Based Practice (20 credits) - enhance your studies and employability skills, including the ability to retrieve and critically evaluate evidence relevant to your area of practice.
-
Communication Skills in Health and Social Care (20 credits) - explore the importance of effective communication to support the development of skills in practice, when working in health and social care settings
-
Collaborative Working in Health and Social Care (20 credits) - explore the importance of collaborative working and develop the skills required to support effective partnership working in health and social care settings.
-
Contemporary Approaches and Fundamental Principles of Safeguarding across the Lifespan (20 credits) - achieve an in-depth awareness of principles relating to safeguarding across the lifespan.
-
Managing Self and Others (20 credits) - develop leadership and management skills in order to manage effectively in health and social care settings.
-
Negotiated Learning (20 credits) - extend your knowledge and understanding in an area of study that complements previous experience and learning.
Programme Specification
For a detailed summary of all course content please read our programme specification for this course.
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Full details are available in the programme specification.
Timetables
The teaching timetable should be available from the end of August. Access to the timetable is through the Student Hub – you will be able to access the Student Hub after you have completed online registration. The teaching day is 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; please keep your other commitments open until confirmation of your teaching timetable, and bear in mind that many courses will offer placements or fieldwork which sometimes extends into the evenings and weekends.
Entry requirements
Have a question about our entry requirements?
Entry Requirements
120 Level 4 and 120 Level 5 credits.
Selection criteria
- Applicants must have achieved 240 credits, 120 each at levels 4 and 5 (or equivalent) in a related subject.
- Applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. Potential students will be offered advice by an academic tutor on the suitability of the award, this will be dependent on factors such as currency of prior learning, and their personal and professional development needs.
- Students should be able to show the potential benefits of studying for the award
Application information
Making your application
Applications should be made online directly to the university using the apply button above. If you need more details or guidance, please contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk. There is no official closing date but we would encourage you to apply as early as possible, as many courses are competitive.
Please specify in your application that you are applying for the course in London.
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential-evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
- Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa. UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
See the following websites for further details: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk
Student finance
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.
Student FinanceAdditional costs
All students will need to purchase stationery, course books and personal equipment. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc.
Resources and facilities
As one of the UK's leading health departments, we are proud of the high support we offer our students through high-quality courses supported by expert academic and clinical practice staff. You'll enjoy access to fantastic facilities and be well-prepared to take your career to the next level.
