January 2025

Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year

Honours Degree with Foundation Year, January 2025

Key Details

  • L511 Course Code
  • 4 Years
  • 48 Typical UCAS Tariff
Lecture Theatre students writing

Birmingham Newman University offers a foundation year to complement our undergraduate degrees. The Foundation Year is the first year of a four-year degree in Health and Social Care.

The foundation year provides an alternative route to studying Health and Social Care for those unable to meet the traditional entry requirements for this degree programme. Apply via UCAS for BSc Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) and after successfully completing the foundation year you will progress onto the remaining three years of the degree, dependent on meeting the progression requirements.

 

What is the Foundation Year?

The Foundation Year at Birmingham Newman University is the first year of a four year degree. It is designed for students who do not have the qualifications or experience for direct entry onto a three-year undergraduate programme.

If you’re thinking about returning to education after a break or if you’ve had some tough times in education before, the Foundation Year at Birmingham Newman University will support you and help you succeed.

 

Why should I study a Foundation Year?

Birmingham Newman’s Foundation Year will provide you with opportunities to:

  • Develop confidence in your skills and abilities
  • Develop an understanding of what is needed to be a successful undergraduate student
  • Gain knowledge of your academic discipline

 

What will I study during the Foundation Year?

The integrated foundation year focuses on helping you think critically and feel confident in your studies. It begins with an exploration of how you learn, and gives you the space to learn in your own way.

The goal of the Foundation Year is not just to get you ready for your next year of studies but to make sure you feel connected to your chosen subject and to the university community. You’ll explore interesting topics like identity, inequality, and think about what it means to be human in a digital world.

The combination of seminar discussions, active workshops, online activities and one-to-one support will enable you to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in the rest of your degree.

 

Find out more about the Foundation Year here, or book a free consultation with a member of the academic team.

Birmingham Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Birmingham Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.

Entry Requirements

All students apply through UCAS. Students will ideally require 48 UCAS points to access the programme.

Those with significant work and life experience of a complexity that demonstrates an aptitude to study at degree level, but with no formal qualifications, will also be favourably considered. Different degree pathway options available at the end of the foundation year may have different additional entry requirements.

DBS Clearance

Although not an entry requirement for the course, it is very likely that applicants will need to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) later on within the course for their work experience placement. Students will be advised about this process during their studies. For more information on your DBS application please click here.

If you require any further information or clarification of entry requirements please contact our friendly, helpful Admissions department, who will be happy to help.

International Students
The University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.

Applying Direct Option

You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.

January 2025 Direct Application Link

N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.

Course Fees

Please note that the course fee for January 2025 is £9,250 per year. 

The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

Fees for the following three years are currently £9,250 per year. Please go to the corresponding 3 year undergraduate degree page for details.

Additional Costs

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is not required for entry into this programme, although it is in some cases required by employers before students can begin their level 5 work placement (normally in year 3 of a four year course).  Find out more about completing the DBS application form and the related additional costs.

 

 

Modules

For details on the modules you may study in the second, third and fourth year of your studies, please see the course page for your chosen degree pathway.

Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes or Module Changes page.

  1. Students will explore big ideas around higher education as they develop their academic skills and confidence through the first weeks. This module is designed to facilitate students critical engagement with context and concepts including ideas about childhood, life and old age in a digital world. Students will have the opportunity for the development of core academic skills as well as opportunities to reflect on their progress. The module will include opportunities for students to engage with the online learning environment and develop information literacy skills. 

  2. This module, delivered in whole or in part by subject-specific staff, will continue students’ introduction to the content of their chosen degree subject. Students will explore further 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 examine the themes and approaches underpinning the chosen area of study. In the tutor group, students will complete a capstone assessment designed and marked by staff in their subject area. This capstone assessment will draw on the skills developed and practices in the core modules. 

  3. Students will explore big ideas around society and identity as they develop their academic skills and confidence. Students will be introduced to theory, examples of which include theories exploring race, class and gender. Students will be introduced to the context and development of these concepts over time, and from literary, social science 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. 

  4. This module will facilitate students’ exploration of their chosen degree subject. Students will undertake directed research on a topic related to their degree discipline to assist the further understanding of disciplinary conventions, core concepts and professional requirements of their degree. The project focus will vary according to the degree the students are studying, but each degree project will enable students to examine the themes and approaches underpinning the chosen area of study. Across the course of the module, students will develop a project related to their degree subject, drawing on the skills developed and practices in degree tutor group 2 (FOY014).