Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Health & Social Care 2025-27

UCAS code is: BL95
Institution code: S84
Campus name: East Durham College
Campus code: P

This highly practical two-year course allows you to develop your career in health and social care. You'll develop a detailed understanding of health and social care policy and practice, which you can use straight away in any workplace that involves caring for individuals and communities.

This programme is offered by East Durham College working in partnership with the University of Sunderland. The award that you will receive will be from the University of Sunderland.

As our Foundation Degree courses are delivered in partnership with the University of Sunderland, therefore the up to date fees are shown on the university's website, they are not FREE. Please visit the University of Sunderland website, for the up to date fee information by clicking here: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/social-sciences/undergraduate-health…

This Foundation Degree provides a professional development opportunity for those working with young people in nurseries, primary schools, youth centres or similar settings.

The University of Sunderland validated this professional development programme, which is designed to build upon existing knowledge and understanding of children and develop understanding of children in a wide variety of contexts. The programme is classroom based with tutorial and mentor visits arranged in the workplace.

The programme aims to develop a comprehensive curriculum that includes a range of academic knowledge and generic skills, across the subject areas of social work, social policy, health studies and also practical appreciation of the health and social care sector. These skills can be used straightaway in any workplace that involve caring for individuals and communities.

The course can be studied on a full time basis, two days a week on a Thursday and Friday, plus up to three days a week
on work placement / employment in the health and social care sector. The course starts in September.

This is a highly practical course, which combines academic study and work-based learning. The elements of the course which are taught in the college include lectures, discussions, case studies and workshops. Your progress will be assessed with evaluations of work experience, reports, presentations and time-constrained tests. Throughout the course you’ll have one-to-one support from academic staff.

Year 1:
• Independent Learning and Professionalism in the Social Sciences
• Working in Health and Social Care Settings
• Understanding Health and Social Care
• Dimensions of Health
• Applied Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Exploring Psycho-Social Theory

Year 2:
• Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care
• Working in Health and Social Care Settings
• Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Health Improvement and Healthy Lifestyles
• Life Course Approaches to the Health of Children, Young People and Families
• Working with Adults

Health and social care is a diverse field, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as young people, mental health, or drug and alcohol abuse support.

Academic qualifications in Health and Social Care allow you to work in the NHS, charities such as Age UK and MIND, social care organisations such as Turning Point, and other public, private and voluntary sector health agencies.

Some careers, such as social work, nursing or occupational therapy, require additional academic and professional qualifications. When you have completed this Foundation Degree, you will have the opportunity to 'top up' to a BA (Hons) undergraduate degree.

When you have completed this Foundation Degree, you will have the opportunity to 'top up' to a BA (Hons) undergraduate degree.

To apply for this course you need one of the following qualifications in a relevant subject area:

56 UCAS points from a minimum of two GSCEs/A Levels/AVCE or equivalent. We will also accept PPP at BTEC Extended Diploma level.
BTEC Level 3
NVQ Level 3
Modern Apprenticeship (NVQ Level 3 plus Key Skills)

We also require 2 passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

In addition to these academic qualifications, you should have experience in health and social care. The experience can be from paid work or voluntary work.

You may also be eligible to apply if you don’t have formal qualifications but you do have at least two years’ relevant work experience.

You will need a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before you can start this course. If you want to study this course part-time, you will need a satisfactory enhanced DBS check that has an issue date within 3 years of the start date of the course.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Through a range of methods including essays, research tasks and presentations.

September 2025

Full time day time course which will be delivered over 14 hours during the week. The course runs for two years.