Professional Development in Health and Social Care BSc (Hons) Top-Up
In partnership with Oxford Brookes University, the BSc Professional Development is designed for people who are typically working in health and social care. These people have busy lives. Flexibility is key, and we design our modules on this course to allow for self-paced learning, with weekly classroom experience supplemented by additional learning resources provided online for independent study at times that fit around students’ commitments.
The programme is geared to stimulate self-directed, student-centred learning that encourages evidence-based practice, critical analysis, and promotes active learning through reflective practice. This is based on a belief that you will learn most effectively if you take responsibility for your own learning and make contributions to discussions drawing from your own experience.
The theoretical components of the degree draw from the latest practice developments arising from research and other current literature. Your contribution adds to the greater diversity of knowledge for the programme and is valued, respected and utilised.
The focus on you as a practitioner provides the opportunity for you to use personal experiences from work as a source of knowledge. You will be encouraged to examine these experiences and in turn integrate the work-based knowledge and skills that you develop throughout the programme within your practice. At a more fundamental level, you will also have an opportunity to explore the values and beliefs that influence your actions and underpin your work practice. The programme is focused on practice so that you can develop your understanding of the experience of illness and care for people effectively. You will be encouraged to use your experience as a source of knowledge and to examine those experiences. This will enable you to integrate practice skills with other knowledge and skills that you develop throughout your programme.
We expect that people joining this course may not have studied for some time or may be feeling nervous about studying at level 6. Learning activities will support your development as university students and professionals in your chosen health and social care field. In addition, carefully curated interactive resources make best use of the engaging aspects of accessible technology. Built-in reflection cycles and formative feedback guide your progress, with crucial milestones supporting you to stay on track and to achieve their goals. This Programme is designed to be completed in one year full-time or two academic years of part-time study.
The programme is designed to run one day a week over the year. Depending on personal preferences and learning styles, you will have the freedom to benefit from collaboration in a community of learners. People learn from and with each other in different ways. Some prefer reflecting on and learning from others in their own time in asynchronous discussion forums or using virtual ‘post boards’, while others benefit more from direct interaction when meeting fellow students in synchronous classroom sessions. You are individuals who come to us with skills, talents and - above all - experience. We aim to meet you on their own grounds, encouraging them to build on already existing knowledge, and to take it further to meet new challenges.
This ‘top up’ degree offers the fundamental knowledge and essential skills required to function in today’s exacting environment. Emphasis is on contextual understanding, both internal and external to health and social care provision, quality, and the personal/organ
Modules
Clinical & Professional Leadership in Health & Social Care
Research Design
Facilitating Workplace Learning
Advanced Communication and Supportive Relationships
Work-Based Learning in Professional Development in Health and Social Care (Double)
Dissertation (Double)
Entry requirements
Applicants must hold a level 5 qualification (with 240 credits) in a health and social care subject. Applicants should also be working in health, allied health or social care.
Future career and study opportunities
Health and social care professionals are increasingly expected to be able to deal with complex sources of information and computer programmes in their daily routine, for administration purposes as well as having to communicate effectively.
The BSc for Professional Development thus increases your employability prospects through the range of teaching approaches. In particular, the modules will encourage you to think critically about the decisions you make in practice, and they will equip you to develop leadership skills and the ability to communicate to a range of audiences. If you wish to progress further in your studies, you find that the digital and research skills developed in this BSc ‘top-up’ will prepare you well for the expectations of master’s programmes.
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We can help you with your application or answer any questions you might have about funding and the course. We understand the application process can be quite daunting and you may still be undecided about your next steps. We’re here to support you through every step of your journey!
