Diploma of Higher Education in Health and Social Care
Open University
Key Information
Campus location
Online United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
2 - 4 years
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 6,924 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* cost per year full-time; £3,462 - cost per year part-time
Introduction
This diploma develops your critical understanding of health and social care policy, theory and practice, which is essential in today's fast-changing care sector. Health and social care professionals at all levels need to be proactive and flexible to succeed. Through your studies, you’ll develop the skills you need for effective practice in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment. You’ll also gain an understanding of how ethical, legal, social, economic and political factors influence the provision and development of services.
Key features of the course
- Applies new ideas to real-life issues and situations that affect us all
- Helps you to develop as an independent and reflective learner
- Explores the context and processes of change
- Discover new ways of working across agency and professional boundaries
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, the diploma of higher education is also equivalent to the first two-thirds of the BA (Honours) Health and Social Care (R26).
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Health and Social Care uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- working in a group with other students
- using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- finding external/third party material online
- continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays, short answer questions, and in some cases an examination
- using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance.
Program Outcome
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increase as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Curriculum
Course details
This diploma of higher education has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
At each stage, you will study one 60-credit compulsory module focusing on current issues across the health and social care sector.
For the remaining 60 credits of each stage, you will choose between option modules exploring particular issues or client groups in more depth, for example, mental health, older adults, children and young people or health and wellbeing.
Prepare for OU study with an Access module
We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module.