Adult Health and Social Care - Certificate of Higher Education

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Develop the skills to support adults with complex care needs

The Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care is designed for those working in - or aiming to work in - adult care and support services. The course supports learners across a wide range of settings, including health, social care, community and voluntary services.

You’ll develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a compassionate, effective and reflective practitioner, with a strong focus on linking theory directly to real‑world practice.

Who this course is for

Designed for frontline and aspiring care professionals

This course is ideal if you work — or want to work — in settings such as:

  • dementia care and residential care
  • domiciliary and community care
  • drug and alcohol services
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • NHS and voluntary sector organisations

Typical roles include dementia care specialist, domiciliary care worker, substance misuse practitioner and mental health support practitioner.

What you’ll learn

Linking theory to professional practice

The programme helps you apply theory to practice, supporting your development as a safe, ethical and person‑centred practitioner.

You’ll explore:

  • approaches to adult health and social care practice
  • legal and ethical issues relevant to the sector
  • reflective practice and continuous improvement
  • resilience and professional wellbeing
  • collaborative and integrated working across services

These themes reflect current priorities within adult health and social care and support long‑term career development.

Industry‑informed learning

Shaped by sector specialists

A key strength of this programme is its strong links with sector specialists, who help inform and contribute to course content.

This ensures learning remains:

  • current and relevant
  • aligned with workforce needs
  • informed by real practice and lived experience

You’ll benefit from insight into the realities of working across complex health and social care environments.

Progress your career in health and social care

This Certificate of Higher Education supports:

  • progression within adult health and social care roles
  • increased confidence and professional capability
  • further study at higher levels
  • development of valued employability skills across the sector

Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.

  • 86,694 Annual job openings in the North West
  • £25,650 Average annual salary
  • Well-resourced onsite training equipment

What Uni Reviews

Really enjoyed my time at uni, the tutors have unconditional support for all students. *****
- Jessica Halliwell
Amazing course. Learnt so much, tutors are fantastic. *****
- Kelly Broadbent
Tutors and HELMs are fantastic! *****
- Bethany Daniels

Entry Requirements

What you’ll need to apply

To join the Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care, you’ll need:

  • a Level 3 qualification in a related health or social care subject
  • GCSE English grade 4/C or above, or Level 2 Functional Skills in English

These requirements ensure you have the academic skills and sector knowledge needed to succeed at degree‑level study.

Accepted Level 3 qualifications include:

  • Level 3 Health and Social Care (BTEC National Diploma)
  • NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (health‑related routes)

Equivalent or relevant qualifications may also be considered.

Work placement requirement

You must be completing at least 4 hours per week of paid or voluntary work in an adult health or social care setting.

  • This placement must be in place before the course starts
  • Proof of engagement will be required prior to enrolment

This ensures you can link learning directly to real‑world practice throughout the programme.

  • Course code SM1HE127
  • UCAS code L518
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Monday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
September 2026
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

With Level 4–6 qualifications in Adult Health and Social Care, you can quickly move beyond entry‑level roles into more skilled, people-focused careers. Typical next steps include senior support worker, care coordinator or care navigator roles, where you’ll take on more responsibility and support individuals in community settings such as the NHS, local authorities or charities.

As you build experience, there are lots of ways to progress. You could step into leadership roles like team leader or service manager, or specialise in areas such as mental health, public health or social prescribing. With further training, you can even move into professional careers like nursing or allied health, making this a flexible pathway with strong long-term progression.

 

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed the Certificate in Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care, you are ideally place to progress to the second year of our Foundation Degree in Adult Health and Social Care.

Employment Opportunities

Having achieved a Level 4 qualification, you will be able to apply for the following roles:

Senior Support Worker | Care Coordinator | Care Navigator | Healthcare Assistant (progressed/experienced) | Rehabilitation Assistant | Community Support Worker | Housing / Tenancy Support Worker | Activities Coordinator (specialist care settings)

These roles typically involve more responsibility, coordination and specialist support, and are a stepping stone into graduate-level and leadership careers.

On completion of the Certificate in Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care you may wish to proceed to the Foundation Degree in Adult Health and Social Care.

You may also be able to progress to a wide range of careers including drug and alcohol worker. Pastoral team worker, dementia specialist roles, social care worker and a healthcare assistant within the NHS and allied services.

What our students say

I was working part-time in a care home for adults with mental illnesses and I wanted to better myself with qualifications. I chose to come here because I knew I would be getting a Lancaster University degree but, with having children, I wouldn’t have been able to travel all the way to Lancaster. It was perfect really, and so accessible because when I first started I couldn’t drive and it was close to my home.
- Jennifer Marsh, BA (Hons) Adult Health and Social Care

Key information

Qualification obtained

CertHE Adult Health and Social Care

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults, or with disabilities.

Extra costs and equipment

Specialist equipment required to achieve the learning outcomes of this programme are provided by the College, but you will need to buy your own stationery and cover the cost of any printing. Having access to a computer at home would be beneficial to enable you to research and submit your coursework electronically. If this isn't possible, you can access computers on campus and also arrange to borrow a laptop via the library loan system.

A DBS is mandatory for the placement element of the programme. The college does not automatically pay for this so, in some cases, you may need to cover the cost of the DBS.
 

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

What will I learn?

The course is designed to help you to:

  • Understand the key ideas, theories and debates that shape adult health and social care
  • Develop the ability to think critically and reflect on your practice, especially when working with diverse individuals and communities
  • Build knowledge of current health and social care theories and how to apply them in real-world settings
  • Explore legal, ethical and professional principles, including duty of care and best practice
  • Learn how to connect theory to practice, helping you become a compassionate and effective practitioner
  • Develop academic, research and problem-solving skills to support evidence-based care
  • Gain insight into current issues in health and social care, including policy, wellbeing, advocacy and health inequalities
  • Build your confidence in communicating ideas clearly and professionally, using a range of academic and digital tools

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

This is covered in the mandatory voluntary or employed hours in the sector as specified in the Entry Requirements.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Reflective Practice and Professional Development SM4MD174 20 No
    Legal and Ethical Practice SM4MD175 20 No
    Quality Improvement SM4MD176 20 No
    Policy and Legislation in Health and Social Care SM4MD177 20 No
    Safeguarding SM4MD178 20 No
    Academic Skills in Health and Education SM4MD202 20 No

Learning Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group learning support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Learning Support

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

How will I learn?

Supportive, varied teaching methods

During the Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care, you’ll learn through a mix of engaging and supportive teaching approaches, including:

  • lectures and seminars
  • tutorials and small‑scale research tasks
  • collaborative classroom activities

There is a strong emphasis on peer learning and discussion, helping you develop confidence, professional insight and reflective skills.

Learning from sector specialists

Connecting theory to real practice

You’ll benefit from guest visits and sessions delivered by health and social care professionals, helping you:

  • understand current practice across the sector
  • explore different care settings and roles
  • link academic learning directly to real‑world experience

Personal academic support

Guidance throughout your journey

You’ll have a named progress tutor who will support you throughout the programme, offering:

  • regular progress tutorials
  • personalised academic guidance
  • support with planning, workload and progression

You’ll also have access to the Partners for Success team, who provide:

  • additional academic study support
  • careers advice and progression guidance

Time commitment and study expectations

What a typical week looks like

  • Attendance: 1 day per week on campus
  • Taught sessions: 3 sessions per day
  • Tutorials: group and independent progress tutorials included

Alongside taught sessions, you should expect to complete independent study of around 10 hours per module per week, which may include:

  • reading and research
  • planning and writing assignments
  • independent reflection and development

Expert tutors

You will be taught by a range of expert tutors who have a wealth of experience and a wide range of qualifications that relate to the Adult Health and Social Care Sector.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 344 0 0
Independent 856 0 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 1200 0 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

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How will I be assessed?

You will experience diverse forms of assessment during your Certificate of Higher Education including essay writing, report writing and case study work which will specifically link to the skills and attributes required within the vast area of Adult Health and Social Care.

Communication is seen as a significant focus on the programme with the opportunity to develop small scale presentation skills within a group situation. This is necessary to be an effective practitioner when working with health and allied services.

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 80% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 20% 0% 0%