Health and Social Care Practice foundation degree

Course structure

You are required to attend university one day a week during term-time, and the equivalent of two days a week in supported/supervised practice. 

You will spend approximately 30% of your course time at the university, 40% in practice undertaking skills and role development, and 30% undertaking independent, guided or private study.

Induction takes place during the first week, during which you'll be able to find out more about the course and the wider university support mechanisms and university life like the Students’ Union, Fresher’s Fair etc.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Syllabus

Our course team recognises that students come from a diverse background within NHS hospitals, community NHS and social care settings, including the private and voluntary sector, and so our course subjects cover a number of different areas. Subjects focus across the age spectrum on different service user groups and types of care from acute to long-term care.

Year 1 

The focus of the first semester is on study skills, the transition from the workplace to higher education (university), and communication skills.

You will cover writing academic essays, learning styles, time management, IT, reflective writing, effective studying techniques and numeracy skills, along with developing communications skills. In practice, you will complete a number of core skills related to practice and role development.

In the second semester you'll develop your knowledge and understanding of key areas related to your practice – anatomy and physiology, and legal and ethical aspects.. Additional skills sessions are built into the semester either within the classroom (knowledge-based) or practice skills rooms (simulated practice-based).

Modules

• Study Skills for Health and Social Care Practice
• Communication in Health and Social Care Practice
• Legal and Ethical Foundations of Health and Social Care
• Anatomy and Physiology to Support Health and Social Care Practice
• Work-based Learning for Health and Social Care Practice

Year 2 

The focus of the second year is enhanced practice development towards associate and assistant practitioner roles. 

Skills on which you are assessed will be:

• negotiated in partnership with the employer
• closely related to your job description
• are applied to your developing role in the work environment.

You also have opportunities to develop your skills in the simulated environments that are available at the university. 

You will develop research awareness and knowledge in the first semester, and undertake a work-based project throughout the year. The projects you will achieve are challenging but often lead to promoting positive practice and changes in the workplace.

Modules

• Using Evidence as a Basis for Practice
• Project Planning
• Work-based Project
• Practice Skills Development
• Integrative Health Care Practice

Facilities

Course fees

This course is an approved Higher Apprenticeship. Higher apprenticeships offer an apprentice the opportunity to combine working while studying for a work-based academic or vocational higher level qualification, with course fees paid from apprenticeship funds.

To find out more you can contact your employer, visit www.gov.uk or contact the course team for more information on becoming an apprentice.

Read more about apprenticeships at Brighton. 

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Health Sciences are listed here.

• Where your course includes a placement, travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund. Paramedic Science students and overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme and travel costs for this course will be your responsibility. Find out more about the NHS learning support fund.
• Specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
• DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
• Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

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