Health & Social Care Courses in the UK

Explore programmes related to health, wellbeing, social care, public health and healthcare management. Check each course for its specific level, delivery model, campus options and admissions requirements.

Where to start: 25 programmes, 7 entry points

Pick the entry point that matches what you have already studied. Levels follow the GOV.UK list of qualification levels; the university makes the admission decision.

Foundation Year, then the degree (5): A foundation year is an extra year at the start of the degree, designed to prepare you for undergraduate study. It is not a standalone qualification and it is not the same as a foundation degree; after it you continue into Year 1 of the honours degree.
Foundation Year, then a CertHE (Level 4) (1): A foundation year is an extra preparatory year; it is not a qualification on its own. After it you study for a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), a Level 4 qualification, the first level of higher education. The university confirms whether and how the CertHE can count towards further study.
Honours degree from Year 1 (4): A bachelor's degree with honours (for example a BA, BSc, BEng or LLB) is a Level 6 qualification. You start in Year 1; the duration shown on this page is the one listed for this course.
Level 4 qualification (CertHE or HNC) (3): A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and a Higher National Certificate (HNC) are Level 4 qualifications, the first level of higher education. A relevant Level 4 qualification can be used to apply for Year 2 of some degrees.
Level 5 qualification (HND or foundation degree) (3): A Higher National Diploma (HND) and a foundation degree are Level 5 qualifications. With a relevant Level 5 qualification you can usually apply for a one-year top-up to complete a full honours degree.
Year 3 (Level 6) top-up (4): A top-up is the final year of an honours degree (Level 6). It builds on a relevant Level 5 qualification, such as an HND or a foundation degree, so you can finish with a full honours degree.
Master's degree (Level 7) (5): A master's degree (for example an MSc, MA, MBA or LLM) is a Level 7 qualification, normally studied after a bachelor's degree.

Study patterns listed in this subject

Blended or hybrid (campus + online): 13
Full-time: 9
1–2 days a week on campus: 7
Evening or weekend options listed: 6

Counted from each course's study pattern in the catalogue; a course can list more than one. The university confirms the timetable before you apply.

What the official data says

96,000 — Vacant posts in adult social care in England in 2025/26, with 1.59 million filled posts (vacancy rate 6.2%). Skills for Care workforce estimate for adult social care in England. Many roles are not graduate roles, and a vacancy is not a job offer. Source: Skills for Care — The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England 2026.
£29,600 — Median earnings of Health and social care graduates five years after graduation (one year after: £26,700). Median nominal annualised earnings of UK-domiciled first-degree graduates of English providers, observed in tax year 2023-24. A median for the whole subject, not a prediction for any one person; earnings vary with the job, region, experience and hours. Source: Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023-24.
£32,000–£77,000 — Health service manager salary range, starter to experienced. Typical salary range listed on the official job profile. Pay depends on the employer, region and experience; a degree does not guarantee the role. Source: National Careers Service — Health service manager.

Checked on 28 October 2026. Official figures are medians, ranges or forecasts, not a promise of a job, a salary or admission.

25 current programmes

BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care — Honours degree from Year 1; 3 years; Fitzrovia, Harrow, Holborn, Kingsbury, Southall, Wembley
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care - Top-Up — Year 3 (Level 6) top-up; 1 year; London, Southall, Wembley
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Top-Up — Year 3 (Level 6) top-up; 1 year; London, Southall, Wembley
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care with FY — Foundation Year, then the degree; length confirmed before you apply; London, Southall, Wembley
BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care (Level 6 Direct Entry) — Year 3 (Level 6) top-up; length confirmed before you apply; Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester
BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year — Foundation Year, then the degree; 4 years; Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester
BSc Health and Social Care — Honours degree from Year 1; 3 years; Birmingham, London, Manchester
BSc Health and Social Care Foundation Year — Foundation Year, then the degree; 4 years; Birmingham, London, Manchester
BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Health and Social Care Practice — Level 5 qualification (HND or foundation degree); 2 years; Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester
CertHe in Health and Social Care with FY — Foundation Year, then a CertHE (Level 4); 2 years; Birmingham, London, Manchester
CertHE in Skills for the Workplace (Health and Social Care) — Level 4 qualification (CertHE or HNC); 2 years; Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Swansea
HNC in Health Care Practice (Integrated Health and Social Care) — Level 4 qualification (CertHE or HNC); 2 years; London, Southall, Wembley
HND in Health and Social Care Practice — Level 5 qualification (HND or foundation degree); 2 years; Birmingham, Leeds, London, Manchester
MSc Health Promotion and Public Health — Master's degree (Level 7); 1-2 years; Birmingham, London
MSc Social Care, Health and Wellbeing — Master's degree (Level 7); 1-2 years; London, Southall, Wembley
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care with Foundation Year — Foundation Year, then the degree; 4 years; Salford, Manchester, Sunderland, Derby
MBA Healthcare Management — Master's degree (Level 7); 1-2 years; London
BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management — Honours degree from Year 1; 3 years; London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management with Foundation Year — Foundation Year, then the degree; 4 years (including Foundation Year); London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham
FdSc Health and Care Management — Level 5 qualification (HND or foundation degree); 2 years; London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds
BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management Top-Up — Year 3 (Level 6) top-up; 1 year; London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds
Master of Public Health — Master's degree (Level 7); 1 year; London, Manchester
CertHE Skills for the Workplace: Health and Social Care — Level 4 qualification (CertHE or HNC); 1 year; London, Birmingham
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care (London or Birmingham) — Honours degree from Year 1; 2 years (after the CertHE); London, Birmingham
MSc Public Health and Social Care in Practice — Master's degree (Level 7); 1 year; London, Birmingham

Availability, entry requirements and Student Finance eligibility are confirmed for each programme and applicant before you apply.

Health & Social Care: frequently asked questions

Which health and social care course level should I start at?

It depends on what you have already studied. The 25 programmes on this page start at different points: degree with a foundation year (5), foundation year followed by a CertHE (Level 4) (1), honours degree from Year 1 (4), CertHE or HNC (Level 4) (3), HND or foundation degree (Level 5) (3), one-year top-up (Level 6) (4), master's degree (Level 7) (5). As a rule of thumb, a foundation year can suit applicants without recent qualifications, an HND or foundation degree can lead to a one-year top-up, and postgraduate courses normally ask for a bachelor's degree. The university makes the admission decision.

Can I study health and social care while working?

Of the 25 programmes on this page, 13 list a blended or hybrid pattern, 7 list 1–2 days a week on campus and 6 list evening or weekend sessions, as described in the catalogue (a course can list more than one). The exact timetable is set by the university and confirmed before you apply; check each course page for its current study pattern.

What is the difference between a foundation year and a foundation degree?

A foundation year is an extra year at the start of a degree that prepares you for undergraduate study; it is not a qualification on its own. A foundation degree (FdA or FdSc) is a Level 5 qualification in the GOV.UK list, which can usually be topped up to a full honours degree with one more year.

Will a Health and Social Care degree make me a nurse or a social worker?

No. To work as a registered nurse you must complete a nursing programme approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and register with the NMC. To work as a social worker you must complete a course approved by Social Work England and apply to its register. A Health and Social Care degree can lead to care, support and management roles, and some of it may count as prior learning for a later approved programme.

Is adult social care in England short of staff?

Skills for Care estimates 96,000 vacant posts and 1.59 million filled posts in adult social care in England in 2025/26, a vacancy rate of 6.2%. Many of these roles do not require a degree, and the figure is not a job offer.

Can I get Student Finance for these courses?

Student Finance is a loan, not a grant, and you repay it only when your income is above the threshold of your repayment plan. Eligibility depends on the course, your residency status and any previous study; Student Finance England makes the decision. EduForYou's guidance is free, and you can start with the free eligibility check.