How do top up degrees work?
The Undergraduate Level 4/5 Health and Social Care course is a 240 credit course designed to fast track students to the final year of an associated Undergraduate degree within the Health and Social care sector, the final year Top up Degree can be completed at a UK university on campus or via distance learning.
The Level 4 modules and assignments of this course are equivalent to the first year of a University Degree and the Level 5 modules and assignments are equivalent to the second year of a University Degree.
This course is made up of six Level 4 modules and assignments (120 credits) and five level 5 modules and assignments (120 credits), If a student decides to only study at Level 4 they will receive 120 credits and can apply for an exemption from the first year of a university Degree course.
Each module consists of approximately 40 guided learning hours of material with an additional 30-50 hours of optional learning material. These materials comprise recommended exercises, recommended readings and internet resources. A full explanation of how you will be assessed can be found here.
The fee for enrolling onto the Level 4 and Level 5 courses together is £1995. Alternatively students can enrol onto a single level (level 4 or 5) for £1600 each.
Students can make payment using one of the following methods:
All course material, including online modules and written assignments Personal tutor support with 1-2-1 Skype sessions Dedicated student support Access to an online social learning forum Assignment marking and feedback FREE NUS Extra card worth £19.90 FREE laptop Free CV writing help on completion of the course
If you decide to top up to a full Undergraduate Degree through an accredited UK university, the costs are listed below. Please note, the below costs are for distance learning/online only. You have the option of finishing on campus; costs will vary depending on which university you chose to complete the final year at.
Anglia Ruskin University
Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons)
University of Derby
Integrative Health and Social Care (Top- Up) BSc (Hons)
To enrol onto the level 4 course, you must be at least 18 and have a full secondary education. Before enrolling onto the level 5 course, you must have attained a level 4 or equivalent.
Academic study skills
The aim of this module is to enable learners to develop the necessary skills and understanding to study effectively within higher education. This will enable learners to acquire the necessary reflective and critical thinking skills required to achieve individual learning potential.
Communicating in health and social care
The aim of this module is to develop the learner’s awareness of different forms of communication used in health and social care settings and its importance for effective service delivery.
An introduction to healthcare policy
The aim of this module is to develop the learners awareness of different influences on healthcare and their effect on the development of policy. Evaluation of healthcare policy will allow learners to examine what are the key contemporary issues for those making policy, providers and those receiving support.
Reflective practice
This module is designed to introduce the learner to reflective practice in all its forms. Reflections on practice and in practice are important concepts in health and social care and feed into the idea of self -development linking theory to practice.
Managing people in health and social care
The aim of this module is to enable learners to understand the processes involved in the recruitment, management and development of people in the health and social care workplace. In this module learners will investigate the processes involved in the management of individuals in the health and social care workplace and how to facilitate change in the organisation.
Sociology: concepts in health and ill health
The aim of this module is for learners to gain an understanding of sociological concepts of health and ill health and their application to care practice in health and social care. It will enable learners to gain an understanding of the nature of contemporary society and its influences on the perception of health and ill health. Learners will explore how society is structured in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, social class, family and households and its impact on health and well-being.
Principles underpinning health and social care
All health and social care professionals have professional codes of conduct. The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the values, theories and policies underpinning health and social care practice and the mechanisms that exist to promote good practice within the sector.
The management of quality in health and social care
Quality is an essential component of health and social care services and a concept with many different interpretations and perspectives. The aim of this module is for learners to develop an understanding of different perspectives on health and social care service quality and how it is evaluated in order to empower and involve users of services.
Research project
This module aims to develop the learner’s skills of independent enquiry and critical analysis by undertaking a small pilot investigation of direct relevance to their higher education programme or professional development.
Partnership working in health and social care
The aim of this module is to enable learners to develop an understanding of the importance of working positively in partnership with others in health and social care. Learners will explore the nature of partnership on three levels. First, they will examine partnerships with users of services that empower individuals to make informed decisions and encourage independence. Second, they will consider partnerships between different professionals within health and social care and explore inter-agency working. Finally, learners will investigate organisational partnerships and examine different ways of joint working.
Working with service users with complex needs
The aim of this unit is to help learners to understand issues of health, disability and illness and how health care professionals can empower those with complex physical and mental health needs to determine their own care.
Successful completion of the full Level 4/5 Health and Social Care course and final year of an accredited Undergraduate Degree programme will act as a springboard to a professional career in health and social care services. The course pulls together theory and practice for those who wish to work with people in a caring environment. It is suitable as a base for those who wish to move onto one of the many health or social professions or those who want to keep their options open.