BA/BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care: Older adults pathway

Stage 1

Stage 1 introduces you to the study of health and social care and the social sciences – giving you fascinating insight into the organisation of social care in the UK and different disciplinary perspectives on contemporary British society.

In An introduction to health and social care (K101)An introduction to health and social care::We all depend on care services at some time in our lives – at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; in community and residential settings. As a key introductory Level 1 course, K101 provides an authoritative overview of health and social care underpinned by health and social policy, practice expertise and social science. The learning experience is greatly enhanced by real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. This course will help you to build knowledge and understanding of care work and care services, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K101,,1 (60 credits), you’ll examine the experience of giving and receiving care in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; within the family and community; and in residential settings. Introducing the social sciences (DD101)Introducing the social sciences::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,DD101,,1 (60 credits) explores the fundamentals of psychology, social policy and criminology; geography and environment; politics and international studies; and economics and sociology.

These modules can be studied in any order and together they provide an excellent start to your journey towards a qualification in health and social care. As you progress through your studies, you’ll return to their insights time and time again.

Stage 2

Stage 2 begins with Health and illness (K213)Health and illness::This course has a broad appeal to anyone with an interest in health and illness, whether it is for personal or professional reasons, and the variety of case studies that are used will encourage you to think about health beyond any traditional boundaries. You’ll examine health policy and practice relating to different models of health and illness care, including those associated with long-term conditions. You’ll also gain an insight into contemporary and emerging debates about this subject. Throughout the course you will be provided with opportunities to develop your critical thinking skills and to acquire the analytical and conceptual skills needed to link theory and practice.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K213,,1 (60 credits), introducing you to a range of public health concerns. You’ll learn about issues connected with childbirth; the influence of stress, housing and employment on health; the role of complementary medicine; the debate about the relative importance of individual lifestyles and wider public health concerns; and the implications of changes in the NHS. 

Next, you’ll study Dementia care (K235)Dementia care::The rising number of people with dementia and the issue of how care is delivered make this course of interest to anyone involved with dementia care. You will study the impact of this increase; the importance of understanding diversity; current thinking about possible causes and cures; how care is delivered in a residential setting and what it means to improve the management of care. You will also consider ethical dilemmas raised by caring for people with dementia including end-of-life decisions. Real accounts from people affected by dementia, their family members and carers, enrich this highly interactive course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K235,,1 (30 credits) – investigating what we know about the causes and types of dementia and its prevalence, and exploring how dementia impacts on identity, emotions and family life. You’ll examine transitions between caring for someone with dementia at home and residential care. 

Your final module at Stage 2, Death and dying (K260)Death and dying::This is an exciting and revolutionary course in which you’ll engage with real issues based on the experiences of dying people, bereaved people, those who work with them, and their carers, both lay and professional.  This course will be of interest for anyone who works with dying people and their families or students who want to find out more about death, dying and bereavement, and what these mean in different contexts.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K260,,1 (30 credits), examines death, dying and bereavement – engaging with real issues based on the experiences of dying people, bereaved people, those who work with them, and their carers. You’ll explore the diversity of responses to death as well as the rhetoric and reality of end-of-life care, and the limitations of care resources. You’ll also examine the medicalisation and professionalisation of death, and discuss the ethics of end-of-life decisions.

Stage 3

By the time you reach Stage 3, you’ll have mastered a range of study skills and have a substantial knowledge of health and social care.

For the first part of your studies at this stage – Adulthood, ageing and the life course (K319)Adulthood, ageing and the life course::In the twenty-first century many more adults will live for longer than in previous generations. The emergence of an ageing society can be celebrated, but it also poses many challenges. As workers, carers, or as people receiving health or social care support, this course will enable you to explore diverse individual, environmental, policy, and practice perspectives for adults and for adulthood. It will focus on later life, mental health, long-term conditions, learning disability, and drug and alcohol use. The course incorporates a rich blend of multi-media learning resources, including stimulating case material and opportunities for online collaborative learning.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K319,,1 (60 credits) – you’ll focus on adult care. In the twenty-first century, many more adults will live for longer than in previous generations. The emergence of an ageing society can be celebrated, but it also poses many challenges for everyone involved in giving and receiving care. This pathway will enable you to explore later life, mental health, long-term conditions, learning disability, and drug and alcohol use from individual, environmental, policy, and practice perspectives.

In the second part, you’ll deepen your knowledge and critical analysis of the promotion of public health, and learn about the vital contribution of local authorities, education, social care, families, police, prisons, business and voluntary sectors. In Promoting public health: skills, perspectives and practice (K311)Promoting public health: skills, perspectives and practice::Public health is everyone’s business – not just the business of the health sector. The contribution of local authorities, education, social care, families, police, prisons, business and voluntary sectors is now acknowledged as vital. This course enables you, whatever your background and expertise, to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of multidisciplinary public health across the UK and internationally. You'll investigate health projects, experience team working and build your skills in communication, critical reflection community involvement, policy making, and delivering ethical evidence-based practice. The course is mapped against UK Public Health Register and Nursing and Midwifery Council standards.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-2,module,K311,,1 (60 credits)you'll also investigate health projects, experience team working and build your skills in communication, community action, policy making, and delivering ethical evidence-based practice.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.