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Why choose the School of Applied Social Sciences
Our health studies courses rank 1st in their subject table for graduation prospects – outcomes (Complete University Guide, 2024).
The course is designed in partnership with local employers, offering a practice-led and competency-based curriculum based on the NHS constitution.
Our external partners and practice experts contribute to the course delivery, providing support, additional specialist knowledge and experience.
About the course
This practice-based Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) is aimed at those working in a health or social-care setting who want to move into a more specialist role (minimum two years’ experience). You learn to assess an individual’s complex needs arising from disability, accident or illness, and develop a package of care that meets those needs. You work with a multi-professional team that includes nurses, doctors and social workers, acting as an expert guide to the regulations that apply to continuing healthcare.
Course accreditation
This Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and meets the occupational standards needed to work in the health and care sector.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Fully immersive simulation suites with environments to prepare students for different scenarios in a supportive environment
- High-quality teaching spaces; informal learning spaces; and lecture theatres
Industry links
The course has been designed and delivered in partnership with local health and social-care employers, who have shaped the curriculum to be practice-led and based on the NHS constitution.
Your student experience
Develop essential skills to offer support, care and advice when acting as the first point of contact for your clients, their carers and family.
It covers theory and practice in both real and simulated environments, ensuring you qualify with the competence and confidence to hit the ground running.
Our external partners and practice experts contribute to course delivery, providing support, additional specialist knowledge and experience.
Learn a range of transferable skills including problem-solving; decision-making; having professional conversations; and presenting arguments.
On successful completion of the course, you can progress to a top-up course in a related subject, leading to a full degree and registration with the regulatory body for your chosen profession.
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Adrienne Sharples
I have been employed with the University of Bedfordshire since 2014. In August 2022, I joined the School of Applied Social Sciences as a principal lecturer with portfolio responsibilities for Health and Social Care. My previous roles were based in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health education as a senior lecturer, initially aligned to foundation degrees for associate practitioners and nursing associates, and latterly teaching on the MA Medical and Dental Education.
Course Leader - Dr Adrienne Sharples
I have been employed with the University of Bedfordshire since 2014. In August 2022, I joined the School of Applied Social Sciences as a principal lecturer with portfolio responsibilities for Health and Social Care. My previous roles were based in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health education as a senior lecturer, initially aligned to foundation degrees for associate practitioners and nursing associates, and latterly teaching on the MA Medical and Dental Education.
Course Leader - Dr Adrienne Sharples
I have been employed with the University of Bedfordshire since 2014. In August 2022, I joined the School of Applied Social Sciences as a principal lecturer with portfolio responsibilities for Health and Social Care. My previous roles were based in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health education as a senior lecturer, initially aligned to foundation degrees for associate practitioners and nursing associates, and latterly teaching on the MA Medical and Dental Education.
Course Leader - Dr Adrienne Sharples
I have been employed with the University of Bedfordshire since 2014. In August 2022, I joined the School of Applied Social Sciences as a principal lecturer with portfolio responsibilities for Health and Social Care. My previous roles were based in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health education as a senior lecturer, initially aligned to foundation degrees for associate practitioners and nursing associates, and latterly teaching on the MA Medical and Dental Education.
What will you study?
Studying our Associate Continuing Health Practitioner FdSc (HTQ) course will equip you with the specialist knowledge and skills to assess and address complex health and social care needs. You will receive a broad introduction to Continuing Health Care, related legislation and key concepts of frameworks in our Foundations of Healthcare Practice unit. Drawing from this knowledge, you will learn to apply this to practice while developing your understanding of social and health care needs in our Principles and Practice of Associate Continuing Healthcare Practitioners (ACHP) unit. You will then get to engage with a work experience opportunity as part of our Virtual Placement 1: ACHP unit, which will enable you to demonstrate the theory you have acquired in various practice contexts.
In your second year, you will continue to establish your practice in assessment and outcomes with a greater level of autonomy in Establishing Role Identity in Continuing Healthcare Practice. Furthermore, you will shift your focus to an organisational approach in our Advanced Principles and Practice of ACHP unit. You will recognise the limitations and complexities of current service provision and analyse how this affects outcomes for patients. At the same time, you will build on your leadership and management skills, that will enable you to manage professional conflict, navigate appeals or disputes and work with complex health conditions to offer effective care plans to patients.
In your second part of practical work, Virtual Placement 2: ACHP unit will enable you to critically apply theory, communicate effectively in complex situations, develop confidence in practice and make ethical decisions. This unit will also build on your personal skills in practice, such as resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence and stress management. To support you going into your career, our unit in Skills for Employment will develop your professional skills and behaviours while tailoring this to the expectations and attributes that are sought after by employers in your field. Some aspects of this unit include exploring career trajectories, help with job application processes such as CVs and cover letters, as well as support with unlocking your purpose and talent.
How will you be assessed?
Multiple teaching and assessment methods are used to ensure students’ personal learning style and preferences are accommodated as far as possible and reflect the real world of work in Continuing Healthcare.
Careers
As a result of gaining subject specific skills and knowledge, graduates will be able to obtain employment with private and NHS healthcare related services / providers. In addition, learners with develop the skills required for lifelong learning so will be well prepared for a range of similar careers.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering each year of study.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering each year of study.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
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