HND in Health and Social Care Practice

The health and social care sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK, with a high demand for skilled and responsible professionals. Our HND in Health and Social Care Practice course is specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Through this course, students will gain in-depth knowledge of the health and social care environment and gain real-world experience through 450 hours of work placement. Hands-on learning in the workplace will further develop students’ professional skills and knowledge.

Course 0verview

The health and social care sector is a vital sector in the UK, employing around 1.3 million professionals. This course will give you the opportunity to enter this sector and also prepare you for specific specialist studies.

This course provides students with a foundational knowledge and practical work experience of the health and social care system. Through this, students can gain skills in a modern healthcare environment and develop skills in a range of patient care, community care, mental health services and social support work.

Key features of the course:

450 hours of work placement: Students will gain direct experience working in health and social care settings, which is crucial for future careers.
Practical training: Various subjects such as healthcare management, clinical practice, patient care, mental health and elderly and child care will be taught.
Advanced skills: Communication skills, problem solving, ethical decision-making and teamwork skills in the health and social care sector will be improved.
Career prospects: After completing this course, job opportunities will be available in hospitals, care homes, NGOs, social welfare organisations and the public health sector.
Higher education opportunities: The course prepares you for further higher education in health and social care or public health in the future.
Guidance from experienced professionals: Students will receive hands-on training and guidance from expert trainers.

This course will not only give you employment opportunities in the health and social care sector, but also provide guidance for your future education.

Year 1:

Changing Perspectives in Public Health (15 credits)
Compassionate Care and Values-based Practice (15 credits)
Developing Leadership Skills (15 credits)
Developing Professional Practice (30 credits)
Evidence Based Practice (Pearson-set) (15 credits)
Planning Care in Practice (15 credits)
Teamwork and Communication (15 credits)

Year 2:

Establishing Professional Practice (30 credits)
Facilitating Change for Quality Care (15 credits)
Growing Careers in Health and Care (15 credits)
Innovation and Improvement through Participatory Action Research (Pearson-set) (30 credits)
Leadership, Mentoring and Coaching Others (15 credits)
Leading Quality Care (15 credits)

There is no written examination for this course. Rather, students will be assessed in various ways, such as:

Presentation
Writing an assignment
Case study analysis
Collecting evidence and creating a portfolio
Writing a report

Students will be encouraged to develop their skills through regular research, homework and group work. Self-study is an important part of this course and lecturers will provide appropriate guidelines to students.

For first time applicants:

Must be aged 18 or over.
Must have a Level 3 qualification or Access to Higher Education Certificate.
Must have a good command of English (GCSE 4/C or CEFR B2).
Must pass an academic interview.

For students aged 21+:

If the standard entry criteria are not met, relevant professional or vocational experience may be applied for.
Must demonstrate English language proficiency (GCSE 4/C or CEFR B2).

Important information:

An Enhanced DBS check must be completed before the course starts. This is necessary as students will be working with children and the elderly.
Students must submit a CV before starting the course.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the HND in Health and Social Care Practice course right for me?

If you are looking to build a career in the health and social care sector, then this course is an ideal opportunity for you. This course will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the key areas of the healthcare system in England and help you develop skills across a range of sectors. If you are already working in the healthcare sector, this course will further develop your current skills and knowledge and help you plan for your future career.

What will I gain from this course?

This two-year course will give you an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system, which will open up new employment opportunities in the future. As well as gaining practical knowledge of the healthcare sector in England, you will also gain hands-on work experience. Your work placement will be in a healthcare organisation, where you will have the opportunity to gain and practice the necessary skills.

What careers will I be prepared for after completing this course?

This course will help you build a strong foundation in the healthcare sector. You will have opportunities to work in the private, public or social healthcare sector. Career options include:
- Healthcare Management
- Care Home Manager
- Clinic Administration
- Patient Care and Support Positions

Where can I study this course?

Our HND in Health and Social Care Practice is offered at our Birmingham, London, Leeds and Manchester campuses. Each campus provides students with the facilities they need to achieve good results in the classroom and develop personally.

What qualifications do I need to apply for this course?

For first time applicants:

Must be aged 18 or over.
Must have a Level 3 qualification or Access to Higher Education Certificate.
Must have English language skills (GCSE 4/C or CEFR B2). If you do not have these qualifications, there is an opportunity to take an English test.
Must pass an academic interview.

For students aged 21+:

If you do not meet the standard entry criteria, you can apply by providing relevant professional or vocational experience.
Must have proof of English language skills (GCSE 4/C or CEFR B2). If you do not have these qualifications, there is an opportunity to take an English test.

Important information:

An Enhanced DBS check must be completed before the course starts, as students will be working with children and the elderly.
Students must submit a CV before starting the course.

Next steps:

Complete the application form by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the website.

What will I learn on this course?

This course will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system in England. It will include a range of practical activities and study materials to ensure your learning progresses.

In the first year:

You will gain a clear understanding of the fundamental standards and practices of the healthcare system.

In the second year:

The topics learned in the first year will be explored in more depth, including:
Global health and wellbeing
Quality management in the care environment
Healthcare project management

How is this course assessed?

There are no written exams in this course. Students will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as:

- Personal presentations
- Writing assignments
- Case study analysis
- Collecting evidence and creating a portfolio
- Writing reports
- Role plays
- Professional discussions

Students will be required to develop their skills through research, homework and group work in their own time. Self-study is an important part of this course, and teachers will provide students with proper guidelines.