This BA Health and Social Care (Top-Up) is designed for practitioners, supervisors, and community leaders who already hold a Level 5 qualification (HND, Associate Degree, or Nursing/Social Work Diploma).

Course Overview: BA Health and Social Care

• Duration: 9 - 12 Months
• EQF Level: Level 6 equivalent
• Total Credits: 120 UK Credits (60 ECTS)
• Approach: Work-Integrated Learning (No traditional exams)

Module Structure

The curriculum is designed to address the complexities of modern healthcare systems, including aging populations, mental health integration, and digital records.

Module 1: Integrated Health and Social Care Strategy

• Focus: Bridging the gap between medical health and community social care. Analysing multidisciplinary team (MDT) leadership and person-centered care models.
• Assessment: A 3,000-word Strategic Review of a specific integrated care pathway in your local area.

Module 2: Health Policy, Ethics, and the Law

• Focus: Navigating the legalities of safeguarding, mental capacity acts, and healthcare ethics. Understanding the impact of global health policies on local practice.
• Assessment: A Critical Case Analysis of an ethical dilemma or safeguarding incident, justified through current legal frameworks.

Module 3: Managing Quality and Risk in Care Settings

• Focus: Quality assurance (QA) protocols, risk assessment, and clinical governance. Using data to improve patient outcomes and safety.
• Assessment: A Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) for your current care setting.

Module 4: The Health Action Research Project (Capstone)

• Focus: Identifying a "pain point" in your care facility and implementing a solution via IFAL Action Learning. This could range from improving staff retention to implementing a new digital patient-monitoring system.
• Assessment: A 7,000-word portfolio including implementation logs, stakeholder feedback, and a reflective summary of the impact on care quality.

The TCU Advantage

1. Professional Validation (APL) Health and social care professionals often have extensive mandatory training (e.g., Safeguarding Level 3, ACLS, specialized clinical skills, related CPD courses). Through the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), we audit these certifications and map them directly to course credits, reducing the time you spend in "the classroom."
2. The Action Learning Cycle Healthcare requires rapid reflection. We use the Reg Revans (IFAL) model to help you process workplace stress and challenges, turning difficult "episodes" into academic evidence.
3. Global Credibility and Verification With healthcare workers moving globally more than ever, the TCU Global Verification Service is vital. Your degree will be verifiable by hospitals, NGOs, and professional organisations from across the world.

Learning Outcomes (LOs)

• LO1 - Critically evaluate the legal and ethical responsibilities of a healthcare manager.
• LO2 - Lead multidisciplinary teams across diverse social and clinical settings.
• LO3 - Implement evidence-based change using Action Research.
• LO4 - Manage organizational risk while maintaining high standards of person-centered care.