Program Overview

Health and Social Care Studies Certificate of Credit

Overview

This course consists of a single 20 credit module, ‘Professional Development in Health and Social Care’ and is the first step to ensuring you have the transferable skills needed to move forward in your role as a health and social care professional.

Study Options

• Part-time: 10 weeks
• UK fee: £875 (2024/25)
• International fee: £875 (2024/25)
• Start dates: September, January, May
• Location: Online

Course Description

Our certificate of Credit in Health and Social Care Studies aims to widen the participation of Health and Social Care courses to practitioners who may not have the level of experience of academic study that is required for UK degrees. It is ideal for those who are looking to take the next step in health and social care, return to study or for those who may need to refresh their academic skills to go onto acquire the relevant qualifications within their role.

What You Will Study

Through studying this course you will be able to:

• Analyse knowledge and understanding required for successful reflective and academic practice
• Enhance your intellectual skills through personal study skills and academic writing
• Engage in reflection on practice, reflective of contemporary professional practice
• Develop your transferable skills through using information technology effectively and efficiently to engage with the evidence-based practice

Core Modules

• Professional Development in Health and Social Care

Module Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

1. Evaluate the professional skills and attributes required of a successful practitioner in health and social care
2. Appraise the skills and knowledge you currently have in relation to your current and future practice
3. Understand the relevance of research and evidence in health and social care

Module Content

This module will give you the opportunity to identify and reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and to consider the opportunities and threats that you perceive for your future development. There will also be a need to produce a continuous professional development (CPD) plan which will incorporate a needs analysis based upon the skills and knowledge that will be required in health and social care.

Module content will include:

• Developing your self
• Self-awareness and presentation
• Self-management
• Communication skills
• Learning styles
• Problem solving skills
• Critical thinking
• Continuous professional development
• Digital literacy
• Motivation and leadership
• Organisational structure and culture
• Managing information
• Current issues in the international health and social care climate
• Study skills and academic writing skills
• Finding, accessing and using evidence
• Approaches to small scale enquiry
• Identifying and specifying relevant research questions
• Conducting a literature search
• Qualitative and quantitative research
• Analysing and presenting data
• Ethical issues in research approach and design
• Writing in academic and professional tone
• Organising and presenting information for audience
• Using electronic resources
• Using word processing
• Referencing in the Harvard System

Careers

Whilst undertaking this programme you will already be employed in a variety of health and social care settings. This programme will support you to progress potentially into supervisory or management positions.

It will also help to prepare you for further study on our health and social care online programmes, such as Health and Social Care Diploma of Higher Education, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Top-up) and BSc (Hons) Integrative Health and Social Care (Top-up).

Entry Requirements

You will need:

• To be working within a health or social care environment. This can be either within a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Evidence of previous study at level 4 or equivalent in the area of health and social care or equivalent experience.
• GCSE English grade C or above.

English Language Qualifications

Applicants whose first language is not English or who have not studied in an English-speaking institution, will need:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.0
• Qualification evidence awarded in your country
• Transcripts of all relevant education/training

Fees and Funding

• 2024/25 for new entrants: £875
• 2025/26 for new entrants: £905

How to Apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

• Apply directly to the University.
• Documents to support your application:
  • Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
  • Written reference supplied on headed paper from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
  • Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications