Foundation entry guidance
48UCAS tariff points
Entry guidance for the four-year Foundation Year route.
Undergraduate · Health & Social Care
BSc (Hons)Health and Social Carewith Foundation Year in Health and Care
Put people and communities at the heart of your learning. Build academic confidence, explore health and wellbeing, and develop the knowledge and practical skills for your next step in care.
A foundation for degree-level study, with personal guidance from GLP.
starts with a strong foundation.
- Duration
- 4 yearsIncluding Foundation Year
- Study mode
- Full-timeOn-campus learning with digital support
- Entry guidance
- 48 UCAS pointsSee entry requirements
- Intakes
- To be confirmedAsk about the next available intake
- School
- Sport and Wellbeing — subject to confirmation
- Progression
- Foundation Year to Year 1, subject to successful completion
A foundation for what comes next
Understand wellbeing.
Support people and communities.
Explore the connections between health and wellbeing and the issues shaping health and social care nationally and globally. This four-year route begins with a full-time Foundation Year, offering a supported transition into degree-level study.
The foundation route can suit learners who do not have the qualifications for direct degree entry, feel they need more preparation, or are returning to education. Develop academic skills and confidence, explore key concepts and debates, and complete a personal project connected to your interests. Successful completion leads to Year 1 of the BSc (Hons) degree.
Investigate holistic care through biology, psychology and sociology, alongside the role of exercise, behaviour change and client interactions. Later study explores psychological interventions, social prescribing, multi-agency working, long-term conditions, and leadership and enterprise in healthcare settings.
Consider cultural values and beliefs, social justice, relevant legislation and professional standards as you develop your understanding of compassionate, inclusive services for individuals, families and communities. Practitioner-informed teaching and professional placements connect theory with experience.
Additional learning may cover social prescribing, addiction recovery support, disability support, safeguarding and cultural competence. Confirm which training opportunities and credentials are available for your intake.
Compassionate careCultural competenceCritical reflectionCollaborative workingEvidence-based practiceDigital literacy
Find your starting point
Entry requirements
Applications are considered individually, with attention to your qualifications, relevant experience and personal statement. Discuss accepted qualifications and equivalents with the admissions team.
GCSE requirement
C/4or above · GCSE English Language
Confirm accepted equivalents and any additional requirements for your application.
A range of routes into study
A-Levels, BTECs, T Levels and other qualifications may be considered. If your qualification is not listed, seek admissions guidance rather than assuming it is not accepted.
Mature applicants & prior learning
Applications are welcomed from mature learners with few formal qualifications. Relevant work experience and previous learning may be assessed, with alternative ways of demonstrating suitability considered where appropriate.
Discuss your entry requirementsYour learning, year by year
Structure & content
Begin with four core Foundation Year modules, then progress through professional values, evidence-based practice, placement learning and independent study. Expand each year to explore the modules and their focus.
Foundation yearBuild academic confidence and explore holistic care
- Academic Skills and Studying with ConfidenceCore
Develop academic skills in using electronic resources, planning, note-taking, essay and report writing, and presentations. Explore time management, prioritisation and stress management while building confidence in collaborative learning, debate and critical reflection.
- ProjectCore
Explore an area of interest connected to your future specialisation. Workshop tuition supports your choice of assessment and project format, which may include a written report, presentation, film or blog. Develop ideas through peer feedback and explore health and sport career pathways.
- Introduction to Health and Social Care PracticeCore
Explore holistic care through human biology, psychology and sociology, and their contribution to individual and community wellbeing. Examine professional identity, duty of care, accountability and ethics, using case studies to consider safeguarding, personalised care and effective communication.
- Promoting Exercise, Physical Activity and HealthCore
Investigate the role of exercise and physical activity in health from a multidisciplinary perspective. Interactive lectures, workshops and practical activities explore health, wellbeing, behaviour change, health and safety, and intervention design.
Year oneUnderstand people, communities and professional values
- Psychological Perspectives on Health and WellbeingCore
Explore how lifestyle, personality, mental health, motivation and risk-taking influence health and wellbeing. Connect psychological theories with health promotion, disease prevention and treatment, while examining cognitive processes and health literacy.
- Social Influences on Health and WellbeingCore
Investigate social determinants of health, including gender, culture, education and poverty. Consider inequalities affecting minority groups, national and international policy responses to social injustice, and sociological perspectives on health within communities.
- Supporting People with Long-term ConditionsCore
Study examples such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes, examining pathology, risk factors, treatment and self-management in an academic context. Explore public health prevention, interventions addressing health inequalities and the use of health data.
- Developing Values and Principles of Health and Social Care PracticeCore
Examine accountability, ethical practice and safeguarding as foundations for compassionate care. Build reflective practice, communication and quality assurance skills, and explore the competencies associated with the Care Certificate.
Year twoConnect policy, evidence and practice
- Applying Health and Social Care Policy, Ethics and LawCore
Examine contemporary policy and legislation from different socio-political perspectives. Evaluate their influence on service provision and explore ethical dilemmas that arise in health and social care practice.
- Multi-Agency WorkingCore
Explore leadership within multi-professional teams supporting child welfare. Consider collaboration with families, leadership and team dynamics, and the benefits and challenges of working across agencies.
- Professional PlacementCore
Prepare for, undertake and reflect on work-based experience. Develop employability skills, analyse career prospects and maintain a reflective log connecting practical experiences with your theoretical learning.
- Research Methods and Evidence-Based PracticeCore
Explore research methods, ethical conduct and the suitability of different approaches. Learn about designing and conducting research while reflecting on ethical issues relevant to communities and professional settings.
- Personalised Care and Social PrescribingCore
Study personalised care and the role of social prescribing. Develop understanding of motivational interviewing, health literacy, shared decision-making and the integration of care systems.
Year threeIntegrate professional learning and independent research
- Professional Learning Through Work in Health, Social Care, and Community SettingsCore
Undertake a collaborative work-based learning project that connects theoretical knowledge with practice. Develop your ability to design and evaluate a project independently.
- Difficulties Families Face with Therapeutic InterventionsCore
Explore challenges experienced by contemporary families, including parental empowerment and therapeutic support. Analyse the relationship between family rights and state intervention.
- Mental Health, Resilience, and Recovery Across the Life-CourseCore
Consider mental health through positive psychology, resilience and recovery. Analyse health data and policy responses connected to mental health and wellbeing across the life course.
- Independent ProjectCore
Bring together your learning through an independent project linked to your interests. Tutorials support your choice of format and focus, leading to a presentation of your work.
The modules and descriptions are indicative and subject to change. Confirm the programme structure and any additional training or certification arrangements before accepting an offer.
Connect theory with practice
Teaching & assessment
On-campus, in-person teaching is supported by online engagement and digital materials. A three-phase approach helps you prepare, participate actively and reflect on your learning.
How you’ll study
- Preparation: complete set tasks such as recorded lectures, reading or materials for class.
- Live: take part in active learning, discussion and opportunities to clarify your understanding.
- Post: use follow-up activities to check understanding, provide feedback and apply learning in new contexts.
- Collaborative and student-led activities support critical thinking, reflection and independent study.
Personalised support, experienced lecturers, digital tools and links with employers help connect academic progress with professional development.
How you’ll be assessed
- Assessment methods are aligned with module and programme learning outcomes.
- Use projects, presentations and reflective work to demonstrate the knowledge and skills described in the module guide.
- Apply theoretical understanding through real-world and work-based activities.
- Feedback and reflection help identify strengths and areas for further development.
The format and balance of assessments can vary by module. Confirm the current assessment arrangements with the course team.
The learning approach emphasises inclusion, student engagement, digital literacy, employability and enterprise. A clear progression structure supports your academic development while encouraging curiosity, confidence and ambition.
Learn through experience
Professional work placements
Work-based learning connects your academic knowledge with health and social care practice. Placement preparation, practical experience and reflection help you explore different settings and make informed career decisions.
Support may include workshops, events and employer challenges, alongside guidance on finding a placement or arranging your own. Opportunities may be local, elsewhere in the UK or abroad where approved. Confirm placement availability, supervision and any required checks with the course team and host organisation.
- Residential care for adults and older people
- Youth work teams
- NHS and community services
- Children’s and family centres
- Charities and non-government agencies
- Primary care and community development
Relevant experience can help you understand career sectors, develop professional contacts and strengthen your ability to connect theory with practice. Opportunities for study, work or volunteering abroad are subject to approval and availability.
Ask about placement arrangementsLooking beyond graduation
Where could this take you?
Develop professional skills and experience for a range of health, social care and community-focused settings. Areas to explore include:
- Public health
- Digital health specialisms
- Community development
- Health commissioning
- Health and justice
- Psychological wellbeing practice
- Social prescribing
- Health and social care graduate schemes
You may also explore postgraduate clinical and non-clinical study, subject to the entry requirements of your chosen route. Graduate support can include mentoring, CV and interview preparation, and employability events.
These are possible directions, not guaranteed employment outcomes. Clinical and regulated roles may require further study, training or professional registration.
Plan your studies
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
To be confirmed
Contact GLP for the current fee schedule for your entry year, including the foundation year and subsequent degree years.
Ask about fees & fundingBudget for living costs such as accommodation, travel and food alongside tuition fees. There may be additional course costs, including books or resources you choose to buy. Check available library borrowing and the current additional-cost information with the course team.
Funding and fee status depend on your circumstances and the applicable eligibility rules. Confirm which student finance guidance applies to your course and start date before making financial plans.
Before you apply
Confirm your entry route, eligibility, intake availability, modules and current fees with the provider. This page brings together course information and GLP guidance.
GOV.UK student finance eligibility (opens in a new tab)Your next chapter starts here
Build your future
in health and social care.
Explore your next step with personal guidance from Global Learning Pathway.
Not sure where to start? We’re here to help.