Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
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Foundation Degree
- Code
- G05
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credit points
Description
This foundation degree is currently being reviewed and, subject to formal university approval, is likely to be withdrawn.
The Open University’s Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care is suitable for support staff working in a variety of health and social care settings such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy and residential care. Through the degree, students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and competencies which underpin practice across allied health professions in the health and social care sector. The approach of the degree is inter-disciplinary, with opportunities for specialisation where appropriate. The degree is attuned to the NHS modernisation agenda and the Knowledge and Skills Framework.
The degree combines work-based and supported open learning. Responsibility for students’ learning is shared between their employer and the OU. The OU provides study materials and tutorial support and manages the assessment procedures, while the employer substantially manages the practice learning on the programme. The OU is able to offer support in training staff identified as practice assessors. Students remain in employment while they study.
This foundation degree is offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Health and Social Care (E40) for students living in Scotland.
Planning your studies
Although some courses in the degree are available to all students, the full degree is at present restricted to students who live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, are employed within a health and social care setting and are being supported in their practice learning by their employer. Entry has to be made through the employer. It is not possible for individual students to apply direct to the OU. For further information, employers and individuals are invited initially to contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
There is no time limit for obtaining the required credit points for this qualification. You must include at least 80 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded.
Career relevance and employability
The needs of experienced staff already employed as support workers either in a health setting or a social care environment are central to the development of the Foundation Degree. This means it will benefit both the individual and the workplace through enhancing the skill base of the workforce. It values and builds on the experience of such support workers. Level 1 study is interdisciplinary in approach. At Level 2, students will be able to continue with interdisciplinary study or specialise in a client group. On successful completion of the Foundation Degree, it is expected that students will be recognised as 'Assistant Practitioners' or equivalent, within the career structure for support workers as laid out in the Knowledge and Skills Framework and social care skills escalator schemes.
The Foundation Degree is an award in its own right, but for students who wish to progress further, they may have the opportunity to register for a professional training programme. Negotiations are taking place between The Open University and other higher education institutions to facilitate pathways through to professional registration in a number of allied health professions. Details are not currently available.
With the OU, students can also ‘top up’ the Foundation Degree to a BA/BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care (B18) degree by studying a further 120 points at Level 3.
For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
Courses
For this 240-point foundation degree you require:
120 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Feb 2010 |
| or | ||
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
| or | ||
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses K100, KZX100
And 60 points from the compulsory practice-based course:
| Level 2 compulsory course | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 |
And at least 60 points from the following optional courses:
| Level 2 optional courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | |
|
30 | Oct 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
30 | Oct 2010 |
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
|
60 | Feb 2010 FINAL |
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued courses K205, K223, K257
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses students will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after their name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Health and Social Care.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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