Higher education courses in social care

There is a range of qualifications offered at higher education level by both universities and colleges.

• BTEC Higher National Diplomas (HND) combine academic study with hands-on placement experience
• BTEC HNDs take two-years to complete
• Foundation degrees are delivered in partnership with employers, with flexible study methods
• Formal qualifications are not always required for Foundation degrees
• Upon completing a foundation degree you may attain a full Honours Degree with 12-months further study

If you are looking for higher education study that combines an academic element with hands-on placement experience, you might want to look at a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND). This two-year qualification is available in subjects such as care practice or health and social care.

Alternatively, Foundation degrees are designed and delivered in partnership with employers to equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills for practise in the workplace. The study methods can be very flexible, which means that they are suitable for people already in work, those wishing to embark on a career change, or for those who have recently completed level 3 qualifications (e.g. A-levels, Advanced Apprenticeships or NVQ3).

The universities and colleges set their own entry requirements but formal qualifications are not always necessary, as appropriate experience can be more relevant. Studying for a Foundation degree will give you the specialist knowledge and skills you will need in your job, whilst being underpinned by broad-based academic learning.

On completing a Foundation degree, you may move straight into employment, or you could decide to progress to a full honours degree, with around 12 months of further study. You will find a wide range of Foundation degrees relevant to the social care sector including:

• Supported & community housing
• Intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Visual Impairment
• Playwork
• Working with young people
• Health and social care
• Social & community care
• Care management
• Working with older persons
• Counselling
• Working with families and communities
• Working with vulnerable adults
• Social care
• Youth and community work
• Community justice

Honours degree courses are also available in subjects such as social care, health and social care, working with children and young people and learning disabilities studies. Honours degrees tend to be more theoretical courses, but many will provide an opportunity for some work experience alongside your academic studies. Courses can often be combined with other subjects such as applied psychology, social policy or sociology.

You can

search for courses of higher education

using the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website www.ucas.com.