• Undergraduate

Professional Practice in Health and Social Care CertHE

Overview

Overview

The Certificate of Higher Education in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care offers a practical step towards a full degree for those with level 3 qualifications in the sector. 

The course covers key topics like applied anatomy, lifespan development, and health policies, with a focus on reflective practice for self-improvement. 

To support your professional development, the curriculum is aligned with recognised principles, theoretical frameworks, and current legislation.

This course is designed to enhance the health and social care sector in England and can be pursued concurrently with employment in the field.

Why choose Ruskin College?

  • We put you first. Our teaching is designed for you: your ambitions and your needs. You will study in a supportive learning environment with a small learning group approach that really focuses on you.
  • Career-focused courses. Course content is designed to give you the skills that employers are looking for and are delivered by lecturers with industry experience and connections.
  • Part of a top 30% UK university. Ruskin College is part of the University of West London (UWL), ranked as 32 out of 122 UK universities in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024. You will benefit from access to UWL student support services throughout your time at Ruskin College.
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Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We may offer some of our courses via different study options. All currently available options are listed here.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Professional Practice in Health and Social Care with us?

Why study Professional Practice in Health and Social Care with us?

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What our students say…

I love the range of modules the course provides, this variety means that we have a range of knowledge in all aspects of the industry, which in turn makes us better managers. The course has given me a real life view of the industry and also taught me the ability to network with professionals.

Alex Wiseman*
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Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree, this Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) course enables you to build your knowledge of the principles and practices in health and social care.

As well as exploring current concepts in the sector, you will spend time learning the skills needed for writing at this academic level meaning you are well prepared to find literature for your assignments. 

The modules will provide an understanding of the theoretical perspectives that can be applied in practice. 

Benefits from studying this Professional Practice in Health and Social Care course include:

  • develop an understanding of health and social care principles and practices
  • improve your transferrable writing skills
  • learn from innovative modules
  • expand your digital and technological abilities

The course's aim is to provide you with the underpinning knowledge in relation to practice, building up your confidence to take back into the workplace.

Compulsory modules

  • Research Skills in Health and Social Care at Level 4

    This module is derived from the problem/enquiry-based format of many health science courses and the evidence-based nature of contemporary practice in the healthcare professions. Students undertaking healthcare courses require a comprehensive and thorough grounding in health information literacy in order to complete their studies successfully and perform effectively as healthcare professionals.

  • Using Evidence in Health and Social Care

    This module provides an introduction to the use of evidence to inform and influence the nature of practice in health and social care settings.  It also introduces and develops the skills of using models of reflection to analyse critical incidents and scenarios, in order to seek solution to potential problems, or substantiation for best practice.

  • Policy and Practice in Health and Social Care

    This module contains an overview of how policy and practice are integrated and the impact of this on your practice within the workplace. It enables the critical review of your role in the development, implementation, maintenance and review of policies within your routine practice, including current issues relating to safeguarding service users, their families and staff within the practice context.

  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology

    This module promotes an understanding of the human body and contains an overview of the factors that contribute to both the causes and management of anatomical and physiological disorders. It gives you the opportunity to identify your role as a practitioner in recognising, monitoring and supporting service users.

  • Lifespan Development

    This module contains essential theoretical principles of lifespan development that you will be able to apply to your own practice and work setting. The module promotes the development of assessment methods to identify individual needs and how to plan to enhance and extend holistic development and meeting identified individual needs.

  • The Reflective Practitioner in Health and Social Care

    This module will enable you to consider your personal skills and attributes and to plan, negotiate and undertake the learning activities you need to develop the specialist skills required.  The module will enable you to develop self-evaluation so that you are able to determine your own personal development plan and specify your exact learning needs to gain the skills you require. You will work closely with a work-based mentor and compile a portfolio of evidence that charts your progress.  

    This module is delivered across the first year. This enables you to reflect on the progress that is made as the module unfolds and to review work-related and personal development on a longitudinal basis.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

48 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • DD at A levels
  • PPP at BTEC
  • Pass at T level

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* – C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Mature applicants (aged 21+)

If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

You will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2024/25 academic year are subject to change.

 

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Bursaries and scholarships

If you've completed an access course at Ruskin and want to progress to study a degree course, we offer funding support through the Ruskin College Progression Bursary or Ruskin College Alumni Bursary.

We also offer the The Sanctuary Scholarship to support students who are seeking sanctuary in the UK to study for an undergraduate degree course at Ruskin College.

Information about fees and funding
Study & career progression

Study & career progression

5 notebooks stacked on top of each other

Our Professional Practice in Health and Social Care course is designed to raise the profile and professional skills of students wishing to become level 4, 5 and 6 practitioners.

Students completing this course could consider further study aligned with their career progression such as a:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • HNC
  • HND

You could also use your knowledge to support you in finding a job in an industry you are interested in.

How to apply

How to apply

Important notes for applicants

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National Student Survey 2022 - UWL was ranked as number 1 for student satisfaction based on the average of all scores in the survey.

Student quotes - Ruskin College is part of the University of West London group, student quotes are from students studying on the same or similar course within the group.