Adult Health and Social Care - Foundation Degree

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Move from Frontline Care to Professional Leadership

Who this course is for

This programme is designed for people working in, or aspiring to work in, adult health and social care across a range of settings, including:

  • Dementia and residential care
  • Domiciliary and community care
  • Drug and alcohol services
  • Mental health and wellbeing support
  • NHS and voluntary sector organisations

It is particularly suited to those aiming to progress into supervisory or team‑leader roles within care and support services.

Linking theory to real‑world practice

The Foundation Degree in Adult Health and Social Care is designed to help you confidently apply theory to professional practice. You’ll develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to become a compassionate, effective and reflective practitioner within the sector.

Skills employers value

Throughout the course, you’ll build industry‑relevant skills that are highly valued by employers, including:

  • Professional and employability skills
  • Research and evidence‑based practice
  • Problem solving and critical thinking
  • Reflective and ethical decision‑making

You’ll also explore key contemporary issues within adult health and social care, such as health inequalities, and examine how policy and practice respond to these challenges.

Industry‑informed learning

A key strength of this programme is its close collaboration with sector specialists and employers, who help inform and contribute to course content. This ensures your learning remains:

  • Current and relevant
  • Aligned with workforce needs
  • Grounded in real practice

These links help broaden your understanding of the sector and support your development as a resilient, confident and professional care practitioner

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
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Entry Requirements

To apply for the Foundation Degree in Adult Health and Social Care, you’ll need:

  • A Level 3 qualification in a relevant health or social care subject
  • English GCSE grade 4 (C) or above, or Functional Skills Level 2

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

Relevant qualifications may include:

  • Level 3 Health and Social Care (BTEC National Diploma)
  • Level 3 Health and Social Care NVQ (or equivalent)
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma in a health‑related subject
  • Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care

Work experience requirement

You’ll also need to be completing at least 4 hours per week of paid or voluntary work in an adult health and social care setting.

  • This must be confirmed before you start the course
  • Evidence of your placement or employment will be required

This experience helps you link your learning directly to real‑world practice.

  • Course code SM1HE128
  • UCAS code L519
  • Duration 2 Years
  • Day/s of week Monday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
September 2026
University Centre
2 Years

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 Foundation Degree  in Adult Health and Social Care, you are ideally place to progress to the  BA (Hons) Adult Health and Social Care - Top Up, a one-year programme to elevate your qualification to a full honours degree.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates may progress into roles such as:

Senior Care Worker | Team Leader (Adult Health and Social Care) | Care Supervisor | Care Coordinator | Lead Support Worker | Practice Leader (Adult Social Care) | Deputy Care Manager | Shift Leader (Care Services) | Senior Support Worker (Mental Health or Dementia Care) | Service Supervisor (Community or Domiciliary Care)

Key information

Qualification obtained

FdA 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 Foundation degree will enable you to:

  • Build a strong understanding of the key theories, ideas and debates shaping adult health and social care
  • Apply your knowledge in practice to deliver effective, person-centred care across a range of real-world settings
  • Develop your ability to think critically, reflect on your practice and drive continuous improvement
  • Use research and evidence to inform decision-making and support quality improvement in services
  • Understand and apply legal, ethical and professional responsibilities, including safeguarding, boundaries and duty of care
  • Analyse current challenges and developments in the sector, including policy, inequalities and access to services
  • Strengthen your ability to work collaboratively across organisations, supporting integrated and partnership working
  • Build confidence to work more independently and take on greater responsibility, developing resilience, advocacy skills and a deeper understanding of the needs of diverse communities
     

  • 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

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Based Learning SM5MD232 20 No
    Developing a Resilient Workforce SM5MD233 20 No
    Service Management and Development SM5MD234 20 No
    Advocacy and Empowerment SM5MD235 20 No
    Health Promotion in Health and Social Care SM5MD236 20 No
    Equity in Health and Social Care SM5MD237 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?

During the Foundation Degree, you’ll experience a range of teaching and learning methods designed to support different learning styles. These may include:

  • Lectures, seminars and tutorials
  • Small‑scale research tasks
  • Group work and peer collaboration

You’ll also benefit from external visits and guest input from sector specialists, helping you connect theory to real‑world practice and gain insight into the adult health and social care sector.

Academic and personal support

You’ll be supported throughout your studies through:

  • Regular progress tutorials to help you stay on track
  • A named progress tutor who provides personalised academic guidance
  • Support from our Partners for Success team, offering help with study skills and careers advice

This support structure is designed to help you succeed both academically and professionally.

Study commitment

This programme is designed to fit around work and other commitments.

  • Attendance: 1 day per week at University Centre
  • Taught sessions: Typically 3 sessions per day
  • Tutorials: Group and individual progress tutorials included

Alongside taught sessions, you should expect to complete around 10 hours of independent study per module each week, including:

  • Reading and research
  • Planning and written work
  • Reflective learning activities

This balance helps you develop independent learning skills while applying your studies directly to practice.

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 344 273 0
Independent 856 897 0
Placement 0 30 0
Total 1200 1200 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.

  • Adult Health and Social Care - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Children, Young People & Families - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Leader in Adult Care - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship

    View course

How will I be assessed?

Assessment on the Foundation Degree in Adult Health and Social Care is designed to reflect real‑world practice and the skills employers value.

You may be assessed through:

  • Essays and written reports
  • Case study analysis
  • Seminars and presentations
  • Work‑based research projects

All assessments are closely linked to professional practice and focus on developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to work effectively across adult health and social care settings.

This approach allows you to apply your learning directly to your role and demonstrate your understanding in practical, meaningful ways.

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 80% 83% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 20% 17% 0%