BSc Single Honours Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year)

This module, delivered in whole or in part by subject-specific staff, will introduce students to the content and staff of their chosen degree subject. Students will explore the disciplinary conventions, core concepts and professional requirements of their degree. The themes under discussion will vary according to the degree the students are studying, but each degree group will enable students to gain familiarity with their chosen area of study and subject staff. In the tutor group, students will complete a capstone assessment designed by staff in their subject area.

Students will explore big ideas around higher education, society and identity as they develop their academic skills and confidence. Students will be introduced to theory, examples of which include education theories, theories of learning, race theory, gender theory. Students will be introduced to the context and development of these concepts over time, and from literary and philosophic perspectives. The module will explicitly engage with digital literacy and will include opportunities for students to engage with the online learning environment and develop their digital skills.

This module, delivered in whole or in part by subject-specific staff, will continue students’ introduction to the content and staff of their chosen degree subject. Students will explore the disciplinary conventions, core concepts and professional requirements of their degree. The themes under discussion will vary according to the degree the students are studying, but each degree group will enable students to gain familiarity with their chosen area of study and subject staff. In the tutor group, students will complete a capstone assessment designed by staff in their subject area.

This module is designed to facilitate students’ further critical engagement with the context and concepts to which they were introduced in semester one. Students will exploring ideas about childhood, life and old age in a digital world and have the opportunity for the continued development of core academic skills as well as providing opportunities for students to reflect on their progress. The module will include opportunities for students to engage with the online learning environment and develop information literacy skills.

This module introduces students to the key principles, theories, and concepts of health psychology. It aims to provide an understanding of how psychological, social, and behavioural factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. Students will explore topics such as health behaviour change, the biopsychosocial model, stress, and the psychological impact of chronic illness. Students will be introduced to applied health psychology, and its contribution to improving the health of clients in the Health and Social Care field.

This module will explore the underpinning sociological perspectives that underpin equitable health and social care practice. Students will be introduced to key sociological theories and concepts relevant to health and social care. Students will explore how societal factors shape health outcomes and care experiences and will develop critical thinking regarding health inequalities and social determinants of health. The module will adopt an intersectional approach and include contemporary approaches to anti-discriminatory practice. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs/ belief system and how this impacts supporting and working with diverse individuals.

The module will offer students the opportunity to learn about the structure and function of the human body. The students will explore optimal system functions of the body and will also explore the dietary and lifestyle factors that have been shown to contribute to the healthy functioning of the human body.

This module offers a comprehensive introduction to health and social care, covering fundamental principles and dimensions of health and wellness. Students will engage in hands-on learning and discussions, focusing on the current landscape of health and social care and the evolving demands on professionals. Students will explore the development, structure, and delivery of health and social care services, examining roles, responsibilities, and ethical considerations in supporting individual and community well-being. Emphasis will be placed on the discussion of current health and social care challenges, from patient/service user, public and worker perspectives.

This module is the first step to being a professional in health and social care and will engage students in developing their understanding of what professionalism looks like. The module has key strands running throughout: enhancing study skills to ensure everyone has a strong foundation in their academic competencies; becoming familiar with expectations for working both at University level and in practice; as well as considering the values of health and social care professionals and why they are important. Finally, the module will introduce some roles across the health and care sectors and consider what inter/multi-professional working looks like, as well as introducing being a reflective practitioner.

This module builds on the first ‘Being a Professional in Health and Social Care’ module from semester 1, with a stronger focus on evidence-based practice and becoming more confident with understanding and using published research. Students will be engaged with the foundations of good research practice including the fundamentals of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and as the module progresses moving towards an appreciation of how evidence-based practice is linked to clinical and community care. Students will be exposed to examples from research and practice, whilst continuing to develop their own reflective practice to place the module in context.

This module will introduce social epidemiology, exploring the principles of this discipline related to the study of health and social inequalities using current evidence and engaging in current debates. Students will engage in theoretical understandings of how the social environment produces health outcomes, how social phenomena can be measures and how health inequalities can be addressed.

A broad understanding of the concepts of public health, health improvement, heath promotion and health education is essential in the ever-changing policy context. With increasing concern regarding the health society, the ability to influence health and well-being is a vital skill for the practitioner in health and social care. Students will be able to critique and debate theoretical and ethical issues as well as exploring the practical aspects of implementing effective health improvement initiatives. This module will explore creative and innovative ways to convey health messages to individuals and groups.

This module will enable students to explore and understand applied health psychology, focusing upon: models of beliefs and behaviours in both healthy individuals and those will illness; mental health; and health psychology across the lifespan. The module will strengthen student understanding of how theory can be applied to practice through the development of a psychometric took to measure a particular dimension of health.

This module intends to offer a more in-depth understanding of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, and prepare students for their Dissertation. The module will widen the appreciation of research in health and social care: debating the role of research within health and social care; exploring the research process, ethics and methods; and increasing knowledge and understanding of quantitative study designs and qualitative methodologies.

This module will offer students the opportunity to learn about how to prevent illness or diseases in human populations. The prevention, detection, monitoring, containment and treatment of diseases in human populations will be detailed and alternative methods of illness and disease treatment be explored. The students will explore the importance of asepsis in reducing transmission of disease in populations within both the clinical and community settings.

This module will enable students to gain work experience and promote work-related learning. The module focuses on creating an understanding of graduate level roles within the health and social care sector and students will undertake work experience in a setting of their choice (within Health and Social Care). This module will therefore allow students to engage directly with health and social care settings, applying theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. Emphasis is placed on developing reflective practice, critical thinking and professional skills through gaining work experience hours, structured reflection exercises, in addition to developing project ideas to improve practice through their reflections.

This module will provide students with the skills to manage and lead effectively in complex, dynamic and interprofessional/multidisciplinary organisations. Students will critically debate and discuss issues around leadership in healthcare today; styles of management and the development of management skills to balance innovation and risk in an ever evolving arena; and the management of change necessary to manage issues such as the ageing population and the growth of technology in health and social care today.

At level 4 students were introduced to basic quantitative research skills. At level 5 students widened their appreciation of research by exploring the research process, ethics, methods, quantitative study design, and qualitative methodologies. This module builds upon this knowledge and understanding of research and students are required to apply this knowledge and, with supervision, develop, conduct and report their own piece of primary research.

This module will provide students with the opportunity to explore historical and contemporary concerns that have served to shape policy and practice. Students will explore current legislation and its implications for practice for all those working with the young and vulnerable adults. A clearer understanding will be gained of the different roles and responsibilities of those working in the area of safeguarding. Consideration will be given to the impact that abuse can have on the lives of victims and their families.

At level 4, students were introduced to the socio-political and legislative perspectives of social policy at national, regional and local levels. This module advances students’ knowledge and understanding of social policy through exploring current perspectives, and through examining contemporary processes in the commissioning of health and social care services within a mixed economy and the implications for service provision.

This module will explore and examine a range of health interventions designed to improve overall human health across the lifespan (children, adults and older people). Interventions to prevent disease, treat or reduce the impact of disease and improve the functional movement during recovery from illness/disease will be explored and critically examined. Focus will be on current interventions that have been developed to improve or change one or more major health behaviours (e.g. physical inactivity, poor nutrition, stress, smoking etc). The clustered effects of these behaviours directly account for almost half of overall premature deaths in the UK, therefore, the understanding and application of preventive and therapeutic interventions in Health and Social Care practice is important for practitioners to understand.