Higher National Diploma · Health & Social Care

HNDHealthcare Practice for England (Healthcare Management)Higher National Diploma · Levels 4–5

Connect healthcare knowledge with practical experience. Explore professional values, person-centred care and management while developing transferable skills for work and further study.

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Pearson qualification outline with GLP guidance. Confirm current course availability with GBS.

Healthcare management learners reviewing a staff scheduling board and quality improvement charts in a simulated healthcare administration office — People. Practice. Professional growth.Understand healthcare in context.
Connect learning with experience.

Duration: 2 yearsLevels 4 and 5
Delivery: WeekdaysSupplied timetable · subject to confirmation
Placement: 450 hoursMinimum across the two-year HND
Intakes: January, SeptemberSupplied dates · confirm current availability

Awarding institution: Pearson Education
Listed locations: London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds — confirm availability

A practical foundation in healthcare

Understand care.
Develop your practice.

Check the current qualification

This page preserves the supplied Healthcare Practice for England (Healthcare Management) outline. GBS’s former course URL now opens HND in Health and Social Care Practice, which has a revised curriculum. Confirm whether this exact qualification is available for new applications, or which current route applies to you, before making study plans.

Compare GBS’s current qualification

Explore the healthcare environment in England through academic study and work-based experience. Develop knowledge of professional values, evidence-based practice, integrated care and management, alongside transferable skills relevant to a range of health and social care settings.

The two-year outline combines practical learning with experience in a health or social care setting. It can support people exploring a healthcare career and those already working in the sector who want to build their understanding and plan their continuing professional development.

Year one introduces professional principles, law, policy, public health and operational management. Year two develops reflective and person-centred practice, quality improvement, change, human resources and project management.

Work or further study

The HND can provide a foundation for employment and applications to further undergraduate study in related areas such as health and social care or public health. Progression depends on the receiving institution’s entry requirements and the qualification you complete.

Your experience matters

Explore your entry route.

Academic entry guidance

Level 3qualification or equivalent

The outline also lists an Access to Higher Education certificate. Confirm accepted qualifications and supporting evidence with admissions.

Experience-based consideration

21+years of age

Applicants who do not meet standard requirements may be considered through relevant experience and commitment to study. The outline lists an exceptional route with two years of relevant work experience.

English language and interview

The outline lists accepted CEFR B2 English evidence for non-native English speakers or applicants who have not studied Level 3 in the UK. All applicants must successfully complete an academic interview. Admissions confirms the evidence and assessments required.

Application process

Complete your application.
Provide supporting documents, including your CV.
Attend a panel interview.
Receive the final admissions decision.

The supplied outline requires an Enhanced DBS check before starting the programme. Confirm the timing, process, costs and placement clearance requirements with the provider before enrolment.

Your learning journey

From professional foundations to healthcare management.

The supplied curriculum contains 14 modules and 240 credits across two years, with 120 credits at Level 4 and 120 credits at Level 5.

Year one · Level 4Explore values, evidence and the healthcare environment

Law, Policy and Ethical Practice in Health and Social Care (15 credits)
Demonstrating Professional Principles and Values in Health and Social Care Practice (30 credits)
Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health and Social Care (15 credits)
Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Practice (Pearson-set Project) (15 credits)
Developing Operational Management Skills for Healthcare Practice (15 credits)
Changing Perspectives in Public Health (15 credits)
Effective Reporting and Record-Keeping in Health and Social Care Services (15 credits)

Year two · Level 5Develop reflective practice, quality and management knowledge

Innovation and Improvement through Action Research (Pearson-set Project) (30 credits)
Reflective Approaches in Implementing Person-Centred Practice (15 credits)
Managing Quality in Care Environments (15 credits)
Facilitating Change in Healthcare Environments (15 credits)
Human Resource Management for Healthcare (15 credits)
Global Health and Wellbeing (15 credits)
Project Management for Healthcare (15 credits)

This is the Healthcare Management outline supplied for this page. The current GBS Health and Social Care Practice course has different modules. Confirm the exact qualification and specification applicable to your intake.

Connect knowledge with experience

Learn, reflect and apply.

How you’ll develop

Explore the healthcare environment in England.
Connect professional values and evidence with practice.
Develop reflective, person-centred approaches.
Investigate management, quality improvement and change.
Build practical understanding through work-based experience.

Allow time outside classes for research, homework and group projects. Lecturers provide guidance on independent study.

How you’ll be assessed

Individual presentations and written assignments.
Case-study analysis and reports.
Portfolios of evidence and reflective accounts.
Role plays and professional discussions.
Project and practice-related work.

The supplied outline describes assessment without formal examinations. Confirm the current module tasks, assessment conditions and weighting with the course team.

Learning through practice

450 hours of practical experience.

Level 4 stage

225minimum placement / work-experience hours

Health and/or social care experience supports professional learning at the Level 4 stage.

Full two-year HND

450minimum hours in total

The HND requires at least 450 hours across two years, including the Level 4 hours. It is not 450 additional hours after Level 4.

Your PLAD portfolio

Complete a Professional Learning and Development (PLAD) portfolio, including reflective accounts that connect practical experience with your learning. Pearson’s Healthcare Practice for England specification sets out the qualification’s placement requirements.

Prepare for placement

Submit your CV and confirm the Enhanced DBS process before starting. Ask the provider how placements are arranged and approved, whether your current role can count, the supervision and evidence required, and any travel or other costs. Placement approval and clearance must be confirmed before practice begins.

Ask about placement arrangements

Looking beyond the diploma

Explore your direction in healthcare.

Develop skills and understanding relevant to healthcare organisations, care services and further specialist study. For people already working in the sector, the programme can support reflection on current responsibilities and future development.

Healthcare management pathways
Care home management pathways
Clinic administration
Patient services
Further health and social care study
Public health study pathways

These are possible directions to investigate. Management and specialist positions may require additional experience, training or professional qualifications. The HND does not itself confer nursing or other regulated professional registration, or guarantee employment.

Plan your next step

Understand the cost of study.

Tuition fees

To be confirmed

Contact GLP for the current fee schedule for your qualification, chosen study pace and entry year.

Ask about fees & funding

Confirm fees for this exact qualification and entry year, including any placement, travel or DBS-related costs. Fees published for the differently titled current GBS qualification should not be assumed to apply to this outline.

Funding your studies

Eligible students may be able to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and support with living costs. Eligibility depends on your confirmed course and provider, previous study, age, nationality and residency status. Confirm your individual entitlement with Student Finance.

For most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, applications use Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding. Check the guidance for your intended start date and confirmed qualification 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.

Current GBS Health and Social Care Practice qualification Pearson Healthcare Practice for England specification (PDF) Student finance eligibility — GOV.UK Funding for courses starting from January 2027 — GOV.UK

Your questions, answered

A little more clarity.

Is this course currently available?

Confirm with GBS. Its former Healthcare Management course URL now opens a differently titled Health and Social Care Practice qualification with revised modules. This page preserves the supplied Healthcare Management outline.

Who might this HND suit?

It may interest people exploring healthcare careers and those already working in health or social care who want to develop their knowledge and continuing professional development.

What will I learn?

Explore professional principles, evidence-based practice, integrated care, public health, operational management, reflective practice, quality improvement and healthcare project management.

Where is the course listed?

The supplied cities are London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds. Confirm availability for the exact qualification and your intended intake.

What timetable is described?

The supplied outline lists weekdays, with an indicative 9:45am to 3:15pm schedule. These times and the January/September intakes need confirmation. Placement and independent study also require time outside taught sessions.

What are the entry requirements?

The outline lists a Level 3 qualification or equivalent, or an Access certificate, accepted CEFR B2 English evidence and an academic interview. Experience-based applications may be considered individually. A CV and Enhanced DBS check are also required in the supplied outline.

How much placement is required?

A minimum of 450 hours across the two-year HND, including the 225-hour Level 4 requirement, with a reflective PLAD portfolio. Confirm placement approval, supervision and clearance with the provider.

How will I be assessed?

The outline describes presentations, assignments, case studies, portfolios, reports, role plays and professional discussions, without formal examinations. Confirm current assessment requirements for your programme.

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Your next chapter starts here

Build your future
in healthcare practice and management.

Explore your next step with personal guidance from Global Learning Pathway.