Level 4 HE (Certificate) - Public Health & Social Care - September Start

Our tuition fees for full-time students starting this course is £6,000 per year (subject to change).

How to pay for your course?

You can apply for tuition fee loans and maintenance loans to help with accommodation and everyday living while studying with us. You would need to apply via Student Finance England. The loan schemes mean you only start to pay back your loan once you have completed your higher education course and are in employment earning more than a certain threshold.

Additional support for learners with disabilities:

Students with declared learning difficulties, disabilities and/or ongoing health conditions can also apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). DSA is support that covers the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability, for example, dyslexia. The type of support and how much you get will depend on your individual needs and not your household income. For more information, please visit the DSA website.

This one-year course offers an excellent opportunity if you are looking to enter the exciting world of public health and social care, or if you are already working within the field and looking to advance your career. You will gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of public health policymaking while gaining work place experience through observations and professional reflections. This is an intellectually stimulating course, providing you with contemporary knowledge associated with a career in public health and/or social care.

The course is ideal for those who are looking to upskill their existing skills who are working in public health settings. Additionally, the course will deepen your knowledge and understanding of public health and social care, and develop your academic literacy skills.

An integral part of the learning on the programme takes place through workplace experience. You will need to undertake paid or voluntary work within a public health or social care setting. A minimum of 50 work placement hours are required to enable you to gain experience and reflect on work-based learning.

Suitable work placements may include care homes and family centres, educational establishments, or public health centres. Students are encouraged to find their own placement according to their expectations for their career development.

Advice and guidance are available through the World of Work team or the programme leader. It is advisable that you check with your programme leader to ensure your work placement is suitable to meet the learning outcomes of the programme prior to starting your course.

Note students are required to maintain attendance at 80%.

Students will be studying a suite of modules including:

Year 1 (Level 4):

• Developing Academic Literacy: This module aims to develop students’ academic literacy and equip them with study, search, referencing and writing skills essential to their programme within higher education. Students will complete an annotated bibliography and a reflective essay for this module.
• Understanding Self and Principles of Communication: This module provides a theoretical and practical basis on which students can build personal and professional capabilities in communication. Students will be assessed through a role play and a VLE discussion.
• Sociology of Health Care: This module enables students to begin to consider theoretical concepts of health, the social determinants of health and policies of responsive intervention and preventative measures. As part of their assessment, students will complete a written essay and a report.
• Health Assets and Health Needs: This module aims to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of and impact of health inequalities, examining strategies for health needs assessment of individuals as well as vulnerable groups. Assessments include a poster presentation and a written essay.
• Risk Assessment in Health Care: This module introduces students to aspects of risk assessment incorporated within the Health and Safety at work legislation in approaches to care delivery and Public Health. Assessments include a case study analysis and a written essay.
• Introduction to Professional Practice: This module aims to prepare students to work in an area of public health and/or social care. Assessments include the completion of a work portfolio and a written reflective analysis.

Note modules are subject to approval/change.

The Level 4 Higher Education Certificate in Public Health & Social Care (HECert) will equip you with the knowledge and skills to progress to our BA (Hons) Public Health & Social Care programme through advance entry. This means if you have successfully completed the one year course you can do a further two years of study and gain a Bachelor degree.

Additionally, the course will prepare you for a career as an entry-level social care worker or public health assistant. It’s aimed to equip you with the experience and disciplined characteristics employers look for in a coordinator or assistant role within the Public Health and care sector.

You will experience a range of final summative assessments and formative development activities during your studies.

You can expect to be assessed on each module through coursework including:

• Essays
• Group and individual presentations
• Portfolios
• Poster presentations
• In-class assessments
• Reflective writing
• Observations.

You can expect a variety of teaching and learning methods on the programme including:

• formal lectures
• seminars
• case studies
• role play
• group activities
• group forums.

Learning outcomes for this Level 4 programme will be assessed using different assessment methods including essays, examinations, observations and presentations. The word count for essays and portfolios is between 1,500 and 3,000 words. Presentation timings range from 10  to 20 minutes. Of note, the course is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree.

Programme-specific entry requirements are as follows:

• Must have Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject
• Level 2 English or above
• Level 2 Mathematics or above

International applicants:
International applicants must satisfy the minimum English requirements as published on the College website and updated periodically (currently IELTS 6.0 or equivalent with minimum 5.5 in each of the four components).

Mature Students:
Mature students who do not meet the entry criteria are encouraged to apply and will be considered on the basis of relevant work experience, passing the course entrance assessment (if deemed necessary by the course tutor) and successful interview.

Please note all applicants will need to attend a curriculum interview either online or on campus prior to offer of a place.