BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care

*Subject to revalidation

• Our course empowers you to make a difference in people’s lives, particularly in vulnerable or marginalised groups
• Take the opportunity to work with a variety of service users and organisations through the Volunteering module
• Learn from supportive and accessible lecturers who have experience working in a wide range of services
• Our course considers the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
• Study a broad curriculum that can lead to a variety of potential career paths

Working with vulnerable or marginalised adults and children, helping people reach their full potential and supporting healthy lifestyles adds up to a challenging but very satisfying career. And with a rapidly ageing population and cuts to social care, there is a pressing need for qualified workers, particularly in the most deprived communities in the country.

Our Health and Social Care course ensures that students graduate with a clear understanding of the global challenges that relate to health and social care; and the role of individuals, communities and organisations in addressing them. The role of health, community and social care practitioners who can proactively meet global challenges, in innovative and meaningful ways, is vital in creating sustainable futures for us all.

With 1.5 million people employed in the social care sector alone — a figure projected to increase to 3.1 million by 2025 — employment prospects are excellent for those who want to make a difference in people’s lives and seek to promote social justice and tackle inequality.

Our course focuses on the part we all play in making society and its systems fairer for all people. You explore a broad range of issues within health and social care with an emphasis on effective, collaborative work with those who use, design and shape services. Issues within different professional settings are expanded and linked to how practitioners can support people's needs in their communities.

Theory and literature about how people and communities behave and the importance of understanding and reflecting on our own response to service users' needs is also a key focus. There is a core theme of empowering practice and user-led approaches in health and social care practice throughout the programme.

Year 1 is foundational and provides an understanding of the contexts for health and social care. You are introduced to theories concerning how people come to be labelled as vulnerable or marginalised. You also explore the political and ethical influences on service provision and develop effective skills for working with individuals and groups.

During Years 2 and 3 , you gain the knowledge needed to be a proficient worker across a range of community and care settings. You study an array of key issues such as understanding mental health, physical impairments, communities, law and ethics. Optional modules include Autism, Dementia Substance Use and Misuse, and a Volunteering module.

Our talented teaching team has a wide range of practical experience in different health, social care and community settings. They are reinforced by guest lecturers who bring experience and expertise to the programme.

Studying in the library and lecture theatre is balanced by participating in schemes to help members of vulnerable or marginalised groups. You also work alongside service providers and carers.

The fields of health, social care and community offer challenging and rewarding careers. Our graduates work with children, families, people who use substances such as drugs or alcohol, disabled people, elderly people, people with intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities and people with mental health issues. They take up employment in a variety of settings: in residential or daycare services, with the NHS, social services or voluntary and private service providers.

*This course is subject to revalidation. 'Revalidation' is the process by which the University refreshes its existing provision. Revalidation assesses the quality and standards of the programme to ensure it continues to provide a distinct, high-quality academic experience for students, enabling them to acquire the necessary academic knowledge, understanding, and general and subject-specific skills required to pursue a graduate-level career.

The University of Winchester empowers students to reach their full potential and make a difference in the world. Set in Winchester, a beautiful, quintessential English city with a rich heritage and vibrant contemporary culture, the university’s friendly and compact campuses give students the benefit of city and campus living. We are well situated with excellent transport links allowing you to reach London or the coast in an hour, and Southampton Airport is just a 10-minute train journey away.

The university offers a selection of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are taught across our five faculties:

• Faculty of Business and Digital Technologies: A modern, forward-thinking faculty offering a range of disciples including Accounting, Economics, Business Management, Computer Science and Marketing.
• Faculty of Education and the Arts: Has a long and established history of providing high-quality degrees, and is home to the Institute of Education, Department of Education and Childhood Studies, Department of Performing Arts, and School of Media and Film.
• Faculty of Health and Wellbeing: Outstanding degrees that are committed to progressing health and well-being for all life. The faculty includes Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Animal Welfare and Sports degrees.
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Passionate about what makes us human, we offer research-led teaching and outstanding support in Anthropology; Archaeology; History; Psychology; Social Sciences including Politics and Geography; Philosophy; English and Creative Writing.
• Faculty of Law, Crime and Justice: Bringing together the department of Law and the department of Policing, Criminology and Forensics, the faculty uses an interdisciplinary approach to offer a dynamic range of degrees that offer the use of specialist facilities.