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Please note, we are showing standard entry requirements on this page. Clearing entry requirements are subject to change. The points will only be confirmed once you call the Clearing Hotline.

Support. Care. Empower. 

The course is designed to provide you with an introduction to health, education and social care knowledge and skills, including IT and academic research. You will be taught by a range of experienced academics and be supported at every step of your course to ensure an enjoyable experience that will enhance your learning and future employment prospects.  

Academic knowledge and intellectual curiosity are promoted throughout the foundation year, assisting you to achieve your true potential. The progression towards critical thinking begins in this course and will be further developed as you progress onto undergraduate study. The enquiry-based learning approach will empower you to become an active and independent learner with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences through a manner of platforms. 

Our teaching team bring both knowledge and experience in practice and academia. The emphasis and support of a research rich learning environment will equip you with the confidence and skills needed for future study. 

Why choose Northumbria to study Health, Education and Social Care?

98% of our Nursing graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Guardian University Guide, 2025).

Education at Northumbria is ranked Top 20 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2025.

 

What are the courses I can take after completing this foundation year?

Northumbria University has a well-established suite of Health, Education and Social Care related degree programmes. Upon completion of the Foundation Year, you will be able to apply to progress on to the following courses after a successful interview (for professional programmes) and satisfactory occupational health and DBS clearances: 

 

*these progression routes are only available for applicants commencing the foundation year in September 2023 onwards.

Course Information

UCAS Code
B760

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years full-time study

Department
Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location
Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2025

Fees
Fee Information

Modules
Module Information

Department / Nursing, Midwifery and Health

Northumbria's Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health offers students the opportunity to develop caring careers that can transform the lives of patients, families and communities.

Department / Social Work, Education & Community Wellbeing

Book an Open Day / Experience Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year

Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study Experience Health, Education and Social Care. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with 7.0 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications 

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.


International Fee in Year 1: £19,350


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

HS3005 -

Becoming a Professional (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore concepts of becoming a professional working in health, social care, and education (HSCE). You will also engage with and understand the nature of, and challenges to, professional practice. You will also consider aspects of communication between professional groups focussing on such things as the use of “professional language” and professional/service user interactions. The aim of this module is to explore the potential and current issues in developing our own professional practice in health, social care, and education. This will include you considering examples of the historical development of current professions to understand their influence on collective and individual identities including issues of professional identity and professional socialisation. By engaging in exercises which encourage reflection on individual experiences and consider these in terms of concepts from the module and from our changing worlds. You will explore influencing factors such as political debates and agendas which influence the realities of professional working. We will explore how professions are perceived, expected, and enacted within society and how these are contrasted against our own interpretations of a professional identity and role. The impact and influence of ethical considerations on becoming a professional and professional practice will be explored.

More information

HS3006 -

Preparation for Undergraduate Study (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to develop critical thinking along with writing and analytical skills for University study. You will build the foundation of these skills to enable you to prepare for the challenges of studying in a University learning environment. It will equip you to learn how to manage your workload including how to read selectively, learn techniques for reading academic texts, understanding how to reference and make useful notes from sources.

Designed to support you to think critically and consider academic theory and how it informs practice, you will examine theory and practice- based health, education and social care. Alongside this, you will work on the basic principles of writing academic work and explore academic language and how to understand it; explore the different styles and how to edit and proof-read your own work. A key academic focus on this module will be to understand the importance of research and evidence-based practice. You will develop an understanding of quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative method will allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and understanding data. Qualitative methods will allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities to give you the opportunity to gain critical understanding of health, education and social care structures and processes. In addition, you will examine your own personal reflection of your learning and development using self-assessment tools.

More information

HS3007 -

Valuing Self and Others (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to meet the needs of healthcare, education and social care students with differing experiences across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and insight into why it is important to value yourself, as an individual, and to value others. Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities and critically examine aspects of valuing self and others related to personal development, communication and empathy, unconscious bias, health literacy and working in a health, social care and education setting as part of a team. Utilising a SMART model (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound), you will demonstrate an understanding of the pathway to becoming a professional and develop and design a pathway that illustrates your long-term goals.

More information

HS3008 -

Human Development in the World (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore human development in the world, and how this relates to health, education and social care service provision in contemporary society. This module explores development from infancy and toddlerhood, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and finally death and dying. The module focuses on 3 core concepts in relation to human development – physical, cognitive and psychosocial. Arising from these core concepts is a further exploration of beliefs and behaviours and the impact on engagement with health, education and social care. You will use this understanding of development across the lifespan to inform your understanding of your chosen onward area of practice.

More information

HS3009 -

Collaborative working in Health, Education and Social Care (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore concepts of interprofessional working in health, social care, and education. This module explores the various roles of professionals, semi-professionals, and non-professionals, including roles and responsibilities and working across multiple services and roles. You will explore the key influences that affect the provision and delivery of these services in UK contemporary society. This module also explores the role of multi-agency/disciplinary working, using real life situations to highlight the strengths and limitations of partnership working. You will be supported to explore the holistic needs of a service user and concepts such as personalisation, empowerment, effective communication, equality and diversity, legislation in the context of practice. You will reflect upon your own personal experiences and personal values when considering the role and impact of professionals within society.

More information

HS3010 -

Collaborative Project (Core,20 Credits)

The structure of this module has been developed to support your transition to learning in a Higher Education institute. The focus of the group project (showcase presentation) will allow you to continue to cultivate your knowledge, skills and understanding of the essential academic components required for studying at Northumbria University. The design is student centred and has been developed to incorporate project work linked to the national agenda for health, education and social care. Under the guidance of the module team, you will negotiate a topic relevant to your planned onward undergraduate study field and be supported to identify specific learning opportunities. In order to promote your learning about the chosen subject area, you will review and evaluate your field of study.

Due to the student led nature of the module, sessions have been designed to provide learners with a platform to employ an independent approach to study. Students’ will be guided/directed to research, appraise and evaluate a chosen health, social care or education related topic, where they will be given the opportunity be analyse and present findings based on best evidence.

The module themes support and consolidate other Foundation Year modules, developing you towards a sound understanding of professionalism in relation to your onward choice of programme field.

The negotiated group project module will provide you with the opportunity to attend seminars, workshops and face to face sessions where you will be supported to explore and develop your independent learning. It is helpful to note that this module design moves away from the traditional taught lessons.


The group showcase presentation will be the culmination of the Foundation Year programme and will serve not only as an opportunity to demonstrate professional collaborative working through summative assessment, but also a celebratory event to acknowledge the learners journey in preparation for undergraduate study.

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

HS3005 -

Becoming a Professional (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore concepts of becoming a professional working in health, social care, and education (HSCE). You will also engage with and understand the nature of, and challenges to, professional practice. You will also consider aspects of communication between professional groups focussing on such things as the use of “professional language” and professional/service user interactions. The aim of this module is to explore the potential and current issues in developing our own professional practice in health, social care, and education. This will include you considering examples of the historical development of current professions to understand their influence on collective and individual identities including issues of professional identity and professional socialisation. By engaging in exercises which encourage reflection on individual experiences and consider these in terms of concepts from the module and from our changing worlds. You will explore influencing factors such as political debates and agendas which influence the realities of professional working. We will explore how professions are perceived, expected, and enacted within society and how these are contrasted against our own interpretations of a professional identity and role. The impact and influence of ethical considerations on becoming a professional and professional practice will be explored.

More information

HS3006 -

Preparation for Undergraduate Study (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to develop critical thinking along with writing and analytical skills for University study. You will build the foundation of these skills to enable you to prepare for the challenges of studying in a University learning environment. It will equip you to learn how to manage your workload including how to read selectively, learn techniques for reading academic texts, understanding how to reference and make useful notes from sources.

Designed to support you to think critically and consider academic theory and how it informs practice, you will examine theory and practice- based health, education and social care. Alongside this, you will work on the basic principles of writing academic work and explore academic language and how to understand it; explore the different styles and how to edit and proof-read your own work. A key academic focus on this module will be to understand the importance of research and evidence-based practice. You will develop an understanding of quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative method will allow you to test a hypothesis by systematically collecting and understanding data. Qualitative methods will allow you to explore ideas and experiences in depth.

Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities to give you the opportunity to gain critical understanding of health, education and social care structures and processes. In addition, you will examine your own personal reflection of your learning and development using self-assessment tools.

More information

HS3007 -

Valuing Self and Others (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to meet the needs of healthcare, education and social care students with differing experiences across a diverse range of speciality and subject-specific areas. It will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and insight into why it is important to value yourself, as an individual, and to value others. Throughout the module, you will engage in a wide variety of learning activities and critically examine aspects of valuing self and others related to personal development, communication and empathy, unconscious bias, health literacy and working in a health, social care and education setting as part of a team. Utilising a SMART model (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound), you will demonstrate an understanding of the pathway to becoming a professional and develop and design a pathway that illustrates your long-term goals.

More information

HS3008 -

Human Development in the World (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore human development in the world, and how this relates to health, education and social care service provision in contemporary society. This module explores development from infancy and toddlerhood, through childhood, adolescence, adulthood and finally death and dying. The module focuses on 3 core concepts in relation to human development – physical, cognitive and psychosocial. Arising from these core concepts is a further exploration of beliefs and behaviours and the impact on engagement with health, education and social care. You will use this understanding of development across the lifespan to inform your understanding of your chosen onward area of practice.

More information

HS3009 -

Collaborative working in Health, Education and Social Care (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will explore concepts of interprofessional working in health, social care, and education. This module explores the various roles of professionals, semi-professionals, and non-professionals, including roles and responsibilities and working across multiple services and roles. You will explore the key influences that affect the provision and delivery of these services in UK contemporary society. This module also explores the role of multi-agency/disciplinary working, using real life situations to highlight the strengths and limitations of partnership working. You will be supported to explore the holistic needs of a service user and concepts such as personalisation, empowerment, effective communication, equality and diversity, legislation in the context of practice. You will reflect upon your own personal experiences and personal values when considering the role and impact of professionals within society.

More information

HS3010 -

Collaborative Project (Core,20 Credits)

The structure of this module has been developed to support your transition to learning in a Higher Education institute. The focus of the group project (showcase presentation) will allow you to continue to cultivate your knowledge, skills and understanding of the essential academic components required for studying at Northumbria University. The design is student centred and has been developed to incorporate project work linked to the national agenda for health, education and social care. Under the guidance of the module team, you will negotiate a topic relevant to your planned onward undergraduate study field and be supported to identify specific learning opportunities. In order to promote your learning about the chosen subject area, you will review and evaluate your field of study.

Due to the student led nature of the module, sessions have been designed to provide learners with a platform to employ an independent approach to study. Students’ will be guided/directed to research, appraise and evaluate a chosen health, social care or education related topic, where they will be given the opportunity be analyse and present findings based on best evidence.

The module themes support and consolidate other Foundation Year modules, developing you towards a sound understanding of professionalism in relation to your onward choice of programme field.

The negotiated group project module will provide you with the opportunity to attend seminars, workshops and face to face sessions where you will be supported to explore and develop your independent learning. It is helpful to note that this module design moves away from the traditional taught lessons.


The group showcase presentation will be the culmination of the Foundation Year programme and will serve not only as an opportunity to demonstrate professional collaborative working through summative assessment, but also a celebratory event to acknowledge the learners journey in preparation for undergraduate study.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year

Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS

International applicants please apply using the links below

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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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