Program Overview

Introduction to the Program

The Dip HE Health and Social Care program is designed to help individuals understand how to support people in living healthier and happier lives. The program explores the factors that influence individual, community, and societal health and well-being, and examines various solutions to address established and emerging issues.

Why Choose This Program?

By studying the Dip HE Health and Social Care program at Wrexham University, students gain access to unique benefits designed to help them succeed. These benefits include:

• Developing a comprehensive understanding of health, mental health, and well-being of individuals and communities
• Utilizing work-based learning opportunities
• Studying a forward-thinking curriculum provided by staff from a range of academic and professional backgrounds who are actively engaged in current research projects
• Benefiting from strong links with local employers to support learning and career progression
• Opportunities to participate in a peer mentoring scheme, which enables students to provide support to and receive support from other students
• Participating in broader learning opportunities, such as guest speaker lectures, conferences, and program sessions

Program Structure

The program includes a foundation year, which is designed to introduce students to key concepts and skills necessary for success in higher education. The foundation year is a full-time, one-year program that provides students with the essential skills and knowledge required to progress to the next level of study.

Foundation Year Modules

The foundation year consists of the following modules:

• Studying for Success: This module provides a solid foundation in academic conventions and time management skills to help students progress through their degree.
• Wellness in Higher Education and Beyond: This module focuses on personal development and wellness, essential for achieving success in higher education and beyond.
• A Day in the Life: This module allows students to explore potential career options and begin preparing their graduate portfolio for employers.
• Living and Working in the Welsh Context: This module provides students with the opportunity to explore their subject area and/or career aspirations in relation to living and working in Wales today.
• Welsh for Beginners: This module introduces students to the Welsh language for those taking their first steps in learning Welsh.
• Numeracy: This module is designed for students who require a level of numeracy for their degree program.
• Professional Communication in the Workplace: This module helps students develop the skills and abilities necessary for effective communication in a professional context.
• Mathematics and Experimental Design: This module is designed for students who require an understanding of numeracy and science for their degree program.

Level 4 Modules

In the second year, students study the following modules:

• Study Skills and Personal Development: This module enables students to develop key skills and knowledge necessary for success in higher education and professional practice.
• Public Health: This module introduces students to the concept of public health, including the factors that influence health and well-being, and the role of various sectors in promoting health.
• Health, Well-being, and the Body: This module provides students with an understanding of human physiology and key health behaviors that contribute to maintaining normal physiology, as well as signs and symptoms of common physical and mental health problems.
• Health Inequalities and Social Justice: This module enables students to recognize health inequalities and understand their role in contributing to the social justice agenda.
• Key Concepts in Health, Mental Health, and Well-being: This module provides a foundation in key theoretical concepts necessary for studying public health, mental health, and well-being.

Level 5 Modules

In the third year, students study the following modules:

• Personal and Professional Development: This module allows students to continue developing their personal, academic, and professional skills, and to explore contemporary issues in the workplace.
• Health Behavior Across the Lifespan: This module provides an understanding of human development and behavior across the lifespan, and explores models and theories that explain health behavior.
• Mental and Physical Health: This module explores the relationships between physical and mental health, including lifestyle factors, preventable diseases, and mental health issues.
• Preparing for Real-World Research in Health: This module introduces students to the nature of research, its value, and its place in the field of health, mental health, and well-being.
• Strategies for Health Improvement: This module provides an understanding of established strategies for promoting health, mental health, and well-being, such as social prescribing, health education, and the 'settings' approach.
• Public Health Policy and Practice: This module aims to provide an understanding of public health policy and a range of skills necessary for delivering health and well-being interventions in real-world settings using a person-centered approach.

Admission Requirements

The general admission requirements for the foundation year are 48 UCAS points at A-Level or equivalent, which includes relevant Access to Higher Education courses. Applicants should demonstrate emotional maturity and the resilience to work with vulnerable people, and the ability to cope with the demands of the sector.

Teaching and Learning

The program uses a range of assessment strategies, including presentations, information sheets, and case studies. The university's support team is available to help students with academic skills, such as writing, note-taking, and preparing for assessments.

Career Prospects

Graduates of this program can pursue careers in:

• Community health development
• Social prescribing
• Advocacy
• Health improvement
• Third-sector project work
• Well-being counseling
• Health education
• Substance misuse counseling
• Peer mentoring and support
• Health and well-being in the workplace
• School and college health and well-being services

Fees and Funding

Students do not have to pay their tuition fees upfront. The fees students pay and the support available will depend on several factors. More information can be found on the university's fees and funding pages.

Accommodation

Wrexham University offers en-suite rooms on campus in its Wrexham Student Village. The private, fully-furnished rooms are located conveniently, providing easy access to campus facilities, study areas, and social spaces. The university is just a 10-minute walk from the city center.

Upcoming Open Days

Prospective students can attend open days to meet lecturers, learn more about the courses, and discover the university's facilities and student life.