Health and Social Care

Health and Social Care - BSc (Hons)

Are you passionate about driving meaningful change in society and supporting its most vulnerable members? Do you aspire to develop the skills to lead and work effectively across diverse health and social care settings? Our Health and Social Care BSc equips you with the knowledge, professionalism and expertise, and practical experience to make a real difference. You'll be prepared to support service users, collaborate with families, and create positive societal impact, while building a rewarding career that transforms lives.

Year of entry

2025 - for 2025 entry see here - for 2024 entry see here

Course type

Single Honours

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area / School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

UCAS code

L550

Duration of study

3 years / 4 years with international or placement year

Enquire about this course Clearing vacancies and entry requirements 2024 Book an open day Chat to students

Why study Health and Social Care at Keele University?

Gain in-demand skills and knowledge in health and social care, making you a highly employable professional

Enhance your practical and professional skills to lead health and social care teams through an integrated, work-based module focused on simulation and skill development

Study modules from nursing and related subjects like sociology, rehabilitation exercise therapy, psychology, and geography, gaining a comprehensive understanding of health and social care from UK and global perspectives

Part of Keele's exceptional School of Nursing and Midwifery which has an excellent reputation in both education and research

Option to undertake a placement year between years two and three

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Next steps

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Teaching Excellence Framework GOLD

Keele University has been awarded the highest rating of gold in the teaching excellence framework (TEF), 2023. The TEF assessment identifies excellence in the educational experience and outcomes of our students, focusing on all undergraduate courses and students.

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Course structure

Modules for Health and Social Care

Our courses are designed to develop the skills, experience and expertise you'll need to succeed in your chosen career, informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student feedback and employer insights. The module details given below are representative of what we intend to deliver on the course.

Please note that modules may change to reflect best practice and academic development. This information should therefore not be seen as a definitive list of available modules.

Compulsory modules

Developing independent learning skills for Health and Social Care
This module will help you to transition to university scholarship and provide you with the academic skills required for success on your health and social care programme. It introduces you to employability and professional skills required for a health and social care degree, through arrange of action focused activities. You will learn vital academic and professional skills, that will allow you to thrive in the 1st year of your undergraduate studies and throughout your degree and future career.

Introduction to Health and Social Care in Context
Health and social care is a complex environment and this first module will introduce you to concepts of health and social care from local, national and global perspectives. You will investigate current health and social care structures, the impact of health and social care and healthcare inequalities. You will explore political influences and the social determinants of health suggesting how health and social care outcomes can be improved.

Introduction to Law, Policy and Safeguarding in Health and Social Care
Protection of the public is an essential requirement of health and social care. Your ability to protect and professional advocate for people in health and social care settings is paramount. This module is key in developing your understanding of relevant laws, policies and responsibilities with regard to your own role in safeguarding those in your care. It will help you to develop confidence, as you learn to effectively communicate with professionals across the health and social care sector.

Life Course Development in Practice
This module will introduce you to biological, psychological and sociological understandings of human development and behaviour, in a national and global context. You will explore early neurological development and the impact of adverse childhood experiences. This module introduces you to the theories and methods of promoting personal, social and emotional wellbeing. During the module you will complete the Oliver McGowan mandatory training. The module provides you with an opportunity to develop digital and presentation skills and to reflect on your own life experience.

Distress and Mental Health
Unfortunately, we all experience distress at times, and our mental health can suffer. What insights can psychology offer? This module will introduce different ways we can think about mental health as well as how we might use psychological approaches to improve mental health and wellbeing, and what challenges mental health research and practice are facing in order to move the field forward.

Optional modules

Imagining Social Order and Deviance

Compulsory modules

Lifestyle and Risk Factor Modification
Unfortunately, we all experience distress at times, and our mental health can suffer. What insights can psychology offer? This module will introduce different ways we can think about mental health as well as how we might use psychological approaches to improve mental health and wellbeing, and what challenges mental health research and practice are facing in order to move the field forward.

Enabling Health and Wellbeing
Increasingly, health and social care practitioners have roles in preventing ill health and promoting concepts of wellness. This module supports you to identify health and social care needs and develop an understanding of the role of health and social care professionals in supporting individuals, families and communities to improve their health and wellbeing. It will also support your development if skills to communicate public health messages that are person centred, anti-discriminatory, culturally competent and inclusive.

Working with Others in Health and Social Care
This module has a placement centred focus and is directed towards enhancing relevant skills for health and social care, either via an internship or as part of an existing role in health and social care. You will enhance skills that you have previously developed, consistent with the care certificate in health and social care through simulated scenario’s and during your internship/existing role. Keele’s careers and employability team will assist you in securing a placement opportunity.

Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care
Understanding factors that influence health and social care outcome from a national and global perspective are essential to the delivery of high-quality health and social care. This module will help you to understand quality improvement frameworks, the influence of literature, policy and data that will enhance health and social care outcomes. You will explore the role of stakeholders and in particular the role of service users in influencing health and social care outcomes.

Family Community and Personal Life
How do we express love, friendship, and community in increasingly diverse social and cultural contexts? Have changes to work and gender roles altered the way we think about the division of labour? This module explores these questions and more against theories and debates about the transformations to personal life. Considering a broad range of examples from love in a digital age to the role of community in health and wellbeing, you will develop skills in analysing what ‘family’ means today and consider its role in shaping individuals and societies.

Optional modules

Social Design

Compulsory modules

Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care Organisations
Working in health and social care is complex, due to the multi-agency nature of the sector. This module will help you develop your concept of yourself as a leader and critically reflect on the leadership skills required for health and social care. It will encourage you to think about the challenges leaders face both nationally and globally and the theories that support you to manage change in a diverse, ethical and sustainable way.

The Role of Digital Technologies within Public Health
Digital technologies play and increasing role in health and social care and digital applications can assist people in managing their own health and wellbeing. This module will help you appraise digital technologies nationally and globally and influence of health informatics on communication in health and social care settings, communities and populations.

Influencing Policy and Practice in Health and Social Care (Independent work/experience-based project)
This more focuses on supporting you to develop an independent work/experienced based project that contributes to your current or future health and social care working environment. It offers scope and flexibility for you to a topic area of interest in health and social care practice and to make evidence informed suggestions to improve health and social care under the guidance of your academic supervisor.

Social and Spatial Justice
This module draws primarily from qualitative research from disciplines such as Geographies of Health and Wellbeing, Sociology of Health and Illness and other health related disciplines, to encourage you to explore, critically consider and build new research avenues for improving human health in environmentally and socially sustainable ways. By taking this module, you will have the opportunity to explore your own interests, with guidance from the module leader. Assessment will be geared towards developing an understanding of how the relationship between health and the environment is researched, analysed and interpreted. Assessments will support you to think critically about how societies can improve in these areas. These skills are valued by employers in the civil service; third sector and research.

Home and Belonging in a Precarious World
What does home mean to you? What does it mean to belong or not belong somewhere? This module explores our relationship to the notion of home. We consider how emotions shape our connections to place and space, influencing feelings of belonging and exclusion amidst the backdrop of border control, debt, the housing crisis, and displacement. You will critically investigate the dynamics of migration within the context of international conflict and climate crisis, analysing how movement across borders redefine notions of home and community.

Optional modules

Beyond Human
Beyond Human explores social behaviour, structures, and interactions among non-human entities, such as animals, artificial intelligence, and other forms of non-human life, seeking to understand the social dynamics present in non-human societies and their interactions with human societies. From examining the ethics of Artificial Intelligence to exploring the implications of environmental degradation on crime patterns, you will critically explore the complexities of human and non-human interconnectedness in shaping societies.

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Additional opportunities

Foundation year Placement year International year GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

Entry requirements

Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer. If you are looking for the 2023 schemes please see here.

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

Health checks and DBS clearance

Offers are subject to Occupational Health clearances and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance. The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

Students with disabilities are entitled to have reasonable adjustments considered in relation to their practice learning. However, while reasonable adjustments may be made to the way that a student meets a competency or standard, the competency or standard itself cannot be adjusted. Therefore a decision will need to be made before a student starts a course, and at relevant points within the programme, as to whether they will be able to meet all the competencies of the course, taking into account what reasonable adjustments can be made if for example they have a disability.

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Preparation programmes for international students

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

A Level: BBC

BTEC: DMM

T Level: Merit

Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

A Level

BBC in three A Levels.

Contextual Offer: CCC in three A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma

DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

Contextual Offer: MMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Diploma / Diploma

Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or Merit and Merit in BTEC Diploma and A in one A Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma

Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and CC in two A Levels, or Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BB in two A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

T Level

Merit in any T Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

554 in three Higher Levels or 29 points.

Contextual Offer: 444 in three Higher levels or 27 points.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme

We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Access to HE Diploma

112 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 15 Level 3 credits.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru

The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.

Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers

BCCCC in five Highers, or CD in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCD in three Advanced Highers.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Core Maths

If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Ireland - Leaving Certificate

H3, H4, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

China - Gaokao

70% in the Gaokao.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

India - Standard XII

Average of 65% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 70% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Germany - Abitur

2.4 overall average in the Abitur.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

France - Baccalaureate

12 in the French Baccalaureate/International Option Baccalaureate/Baccalauréate Français International.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Hong Kong - Diploma

443 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Spain - Bachillerato

Overall average of 7 in the Título de Bachillerato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato

75% in the Esame di Stato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Cyprus - Apolytirion

17.5 / 83% in the Apolytirion.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Portugal

Overall average of 15 in a Secondary Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Canada - Diploma

60% / BCCCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diploma.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Kenya - KCSE / Diploma

We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND

We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

USA - Advanced Placement

443 from three Advanced Placement subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Ghana

We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Sri Lanka - Advanced Level

BBC in three Advanced Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

Malaysia - STPM

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate

We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Singapore - A Levels (H2)

BBC in three H2 Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

European Baccalaureate

70% overall.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

NCUK

Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBC and a C in EAP English Language module.

Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education

BBC in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE

BBC in three Advanced Level subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Additional information

Health checks and DBS clearance

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

Alternative and contextual offers

We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Foundation year

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

This Foundation Year is a is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA (Hons) Social Work. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

You will gain a greater appreciation of historical and contemporary approaches to health and social care within the UK, considering key health issues and challenges facing health and science services. We will develop your understanding of the concept of social inclusion, the factors that lead to exclusion and the impact this may have on individuals, families and communities. At the same time, you will develop academic and professional standards, attributes, knowledge, skills and values, both as a current learner and future healthcare worker.

You will develop subject-specific and broad based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting our homepage.

Course structure

The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Semester one modules

FYO-00245	Foundations in Health and Society	15 credits
FYO-00249	Foundations of Humanities	15 credits
FYO-00213	Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students	15 credits

Semester two modules

FYO-00336	Advancing Health and Society	15 credits
FYO-00245	Advancing Scientific Practice	30 credits

Year long modules (semesters one and two)

FYO-00181

Academic and Professional Development

30 credits

Entry requirements

Whether you have non-traditional qualifications, want to change your subjects, have had a break from education and wish to return or want a change of career – the foundation years at Keele provide an opportunity for those with diverse backgrounds to access an honours degree.

40 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A level, BTEC, Access Course, or T level)
Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview.

How to apply

UCAS Applications

Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Health and Social Care with Foundation Year

UCAS code: L552

Direct entry students

If you are already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.

Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but on a compressed timescale and tailored to a blended learning approach (with the majority of learning taking place online).

For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.

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