Introduction

The BSc Professional Health Studies will help you to understand the relationship between integrated health and social care systems. This is an increasingly important area of health policy, holding the possibility of reducing healthcare costs and providing a better experience for healthcare system users.

You will develop critical and analytical problem-based learning skills as well as transferable skills which reflect the demands made of today’s healthcare professionals.

The programme is aimed at a range of health and social care professionals such as holistic therapists, support workers, nurses, social workers, paramedics, operating department personnel and other allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, counsellors. Students from Scotland, the UK, Europe and the wider world have the ability to take this programme through face-to-face tuition and blended learning (utilising contemporary educational technology). Flexibility of delivery is a key objective in ensuring the future care workforce is suitably equipped to provide safe and effective care.

The development of professional and graduate skills and attributes, within a spiral curriculum, is seen as an essential feature of the programme and throughout their period of study students will be enabled to become I AM UWS graduates who are universal, work ready and successful and who are prepared for life and work in the 21st century.

About the course

The course has been designed primarily for health and social care professionals such as support workers, nurses, social workers, paramedics and other allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists, counsellors and those providing holistic therapies.

The development of graduate skills and attributes is an essential feature of our course and as such individual module content will encourage you to explore new ideas and challenge existing views on contemporary health issues affecting everyday practice.

By the end of the course, you will have the ability to identify and propose solutions to problems which capitalise on the potential for enhanced health and wellbeing for patients, clients, residents, and wider groups; through the development of health improvement strategies at individual, organisational and wider societal levels.

The modules in our course are aligned to three themes:

Theme 1: Research Skill Development

The ability to make use of current best evidence is often seen key to effective practice (NES, 2015) and is also the first step in research skill development (Newell and Burnard, 2011). Students will be required to draw on relevant theoretical knowledge and be able to locate, review and evaluate research findings relevant to health and related issues across a range of disciplines. Students will also be expected to make use of best evidence as a tool to underpin decision-making and problem solving, in order to improve and advance their practice. These skills are transferable, not only to other modules in the programme, but to the realities of professional practice and multi-agency working (QAA, 2008b).

Theme 2: Professional Development

There are compelling reasons for improving the professional development skills of practitioners which are mainly centred upon sustaining and improving professional competence, enhancing opportunities for career progression and keeping abreast of new technology and practice (Scottish Government, 2013). In addition continued professional development is required to respond to the needs of a much better informed and more sophisticated public who demand a higher duty of care and level of service (Scottish Health Council, 2014).Students undertaking this programme should be keen to explore new ideas and challenge existing views in order to encourage effective and leading edge practice. By improving their ability to lead change within rapidly evolving and complex care systems, honours graduate students will have the potential to positively influence the quality of care and shape future practice locally, nationally and internationally (NES, 2015).

Theme 3: Contemporary Healthcare Issues

Students participating in modules within this theme are expected to be able to critically evaluate outcomes of health and other social care interventions, adjust care accordingly and acquire the skills to contribute with proficiency and confidence to effective multi-professional/ multi-agency working. They should also be able to critically reflect on the links between the health and care issues under study and peoples’ individual experience of health and wellbeing, which are set against a cultural backdrop. Students will also be encouraged to develop a wider view where they see these contemporary issues in relation to the wider structural elements relevant to maintaining and improving health and well-being. These attributes are vital to the development of a future workforce (Scottish Government, 2013) and also in the development of the current workforce which is underpinned by the Four Pillars of Practice (NES, 2015).

You will study at least one module from each theme which will allow you to acquire a holistic range of graduate and other transferable skills that are essential to work successfully and professionally within the health and social care sector.

In your 1st year, you will study the following:
Core Modules:
  • Evidence, Research and Academic Skills (20 credits)
  • Contemporary and Global Issues in Health (20 credits)
  • Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan (20 credits)
  • The Psychology of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
Optional Modules:
  • Fundamentals and Professionalism in Health (20 credits)
  • Working in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
In your 2nd year, you will study the following:
Core Modules:
  • Critical Research Appraisal (20 credits)
Optional Modules:
  • An Introduction to Palliative Care (20 credits)
  • Essentials of Dementia Care (20 credits)
  • Professionalism in Health and Social Care (10 credits)
  • Supporting People Facing Loss (20 credits)
  • The Proactive Learner (10 credits)
  • Therapeutic Communication (20 credits)
In your 3rd year, you will study the following:
Core modules:
  • The Honours Dissertation (40 credits)
Optional Modules:
  • Effective Teaching in Practice (20 credits)
  • Improving Population Health (20 credits)
  • Leadership in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
  • Quality Improvement & Safety in Care (20 credits)

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials as well as individual and group activities either online or in the classroom to ensure your degree provides a you with a strong set of transferrable skills, such as presentational and communicative skills.

Our Professional Health Studies degree uses a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:

  • online class tests
  • asynchronous discussions
  • written reports
  • presentations
  • case studies

Career prospects

This degree prepares you for a successful career in a diverse range of job roles within the health and social services sector in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Previous graduates have achieved promotion in their current workplace while others have gone on to work for local authorities, health boards, local and national government agencies and charities.

Our aim is to provide an enjoyable and intellectually stimulating course of study that will prepare you for a successful career in the health & social care sector.

This may include career prospects in/as:

  • Providing therapies and support activities in specific areas of healthcare such as cancer and palliative care
  • Project management
  • A therapy assistant
  • A senior support worker
  • Clinical effectiveness
  • Bereavement support

Further study

You may want to develop your skills and knowledge further by undertaking one of the University’s health-related master’s programmes.

You can also pursue a conversion course such as our MSc Adult/Mental Health Nursing or MSc Social Work to work as an adult/mental health nurse or social worker respectively.

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis. If your qualifications are not listed here please check our website, which gives the minimum entry requirements for a range of international qualifications.

For Year 2 entry:

  • 120 credits at level 7 from a HNC or equivalent in any subject area. Applicants holding an HNC of 96 credits will be admitted with advanced standing.

For Year 3 Entry:

  • 240 points, at least 100 points of which are at SCQF level 8 or above. This will be from a health related HND, DipHE or equivalent.

For Year 4 Entry:

  • BA/BSc in an appropriate health or social care discipline.
  • 360 points, which is equivalent to a Scottish Bachelor award. This should be in a health related subject such as Health Studies, Nursing, Paramedic Science or equivalent.

Applicants will normally have some experience in a health or social care related role. This may have been as part of a previous learning placement, as an employee or a volunteer.

Consideration will be given to applicants who have gained previous academic credit within the last 5 years, where continued development in knowledge through academic studies or professional development demonstrates currency in certified learning.

Course leader profile

Elaine Stevens
Programme Leader: BSc (Hons) Professional Health Studies

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • Overall score 6.0
  • No sub-test less than 5.5

Common equivalent english language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
  • PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 59 to 64 with no element below 59 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 65 to 75 with no element below 65 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)
  • TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than 17

For further information on English Language qualifications accepted click here.

For applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements above, there is an option to apply for the pre-sessional English language programme combined with chosen degree programme. Find out more here.

Duration

1 year’s duration (full-time) for the Diploma HE in Professional Health Studies.

2 years’ duration (full-time) for the BSc degree in Professional Health Studies

3 years duration (full-time) for BSc (Hons) degree in Professional Health Studies

Intakes in January and September

Course fees

Course fees for 2023/24

Scottish — £9,250

Rest of UK & Northern Ireland — £9,250 per year

International & EU — £15,250 per year

 

Course fees for 2024/25

Scottish — £9,250

Rest of UK & Northern Ireland — £9,250 per year

International & EU — £15,500 per year

Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials and textbooks, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.

For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.

Note: The library will hold some copies of the textbooks but not enough for every student. Students can purchase second hand copies when possible or use older versions if advised by the module cordinator. Students can also sell their copies after the course. This helps manage the cost.

Year 3

Course materials (Optional)

Books and other printed materials are estimated a ÂŁ50 for this year of study.

Technology & equipment (Optional)

It is recommended that you have access to your own laptop or desk top computer to help with assessments. Costs are variable but will start from around ÂŁ250.

Uniform (Optional)

For those that require uniforms, these are currently free.

PVG Health Checks (Mandatory)

Your workplce should organise these on your behalf.

Photocopying (Optional)

It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.ÂŁ40 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.

Graduation fees (Optional for those exiting with BSc award)

These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at ÂŁ10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (Optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.

Year 4

Course materials (Optional)

Books and other printed materials are estimated a ÂŁ50 for this year of study.

Technology & equipment (Optional for direct entrants to Year 4)

It is recommended that you have access to your own laptop or desk top computer to help with assessments. Costs are variable but will start from around ÂŁ250.

Photocopying (Optional)

It is estimated that over the course of the year, you may spend c.ÂŁ40 on photocpying. This is not essential you may choose to spend more, or less accoring to your needs.

Graduation fees (Mandatory)

These fees are set annually by the University and are subject to review. For session 19/20 these were set at ÂŁ10 Registration Fee. Academic dress and official photography (optional) for graduation ceremonies is hired and arranged respectively from an external suppliers.

Apply now

Apply now through our online application system. Before applying, you should check that you meet our entry requirements, and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first step is to create a profile. Then, after submitting your completed application, you will be required to upload your supporting documents listed in our documents checklist page.

Most courses don’t have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment.

Alternatively, if you would like further information or guidance, enquire with us to speak with one of our admissions advisers.