BSc (Hons) Professional Health Studies

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Professional Health Studies program equips healthcare professionals with knowledge and skills in integrated health and social care systems. It emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills, preparing graduates for leadership and multi-disciplinary collaboration in various healthcare roles, including holistic therapies, support work, and nursing. The program offers a blended learning approach with both online and in-person teaching methods, and provides opportunities for further study in related master's programs.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Objectives:

• The BSc (Hons) Professional Health Studies program aims to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to understand the relationship between integrated health and social care systems.
• The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and the development of transferable skills for successful careers in the healthcare sector.
• It targets health and social care professionals such as holistic therapists, support workers, nurses, social workers, paramedics, and allied health professionals.

Program Description:

• The program focuses on enhancing professional development, research skills, and critical evaluation of healthcare interventions.
• It emphasizes contemporary issues in healthcare, including palliative care, dementia care, and end-of-life care, and prepares graduates for leadership and effective multi-disciplinary collaboration.
• The curriculum includes a range of core and optional modules that cover a wide spectrum of health and social care topics, tailored to meet the needs of individual students and their chosen career paths.

Outline

Program Content and Structure:

The program is structured across 3 years, with each year consisting of both core and optional modules.

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Evidence, Research and Academic Skills (20 credits)
• Contemporary and Global Issues in Health (20 credits)
• Health and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan (20 credits)
• The Psychology of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Fundamentals and Professionalism in Health (20 credits)
• Working in Health and Social Care (20 credits)

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
• Critical Research Appraisal (20 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• An Introduction to Palliative Care (20 credits)
• Essentials of Dementia Care (20 credits)
• Professionalism in Health and Social Care (10 credits)
• Supporting People Facing Loss (20 credits)
• The Proactive Learner (10 credits)
• Therapeutic Communication (20 credits)

Year 3:

• Core Modules:
• The Honours Dissertation (40 credits)
• Optional Modules:
• Effective Teaching in Practice (20 credits)
• Improving Population Health (20 credits)
• Leadership in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
• Quality Improvement & Safety in Care (20 credits)

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning and achievement, including:

• Online class tests
• Asynchronous discussions
• Written reports
• Presentations
• Case studies
The specific assessment methods and criteria vary depending on the individual modules.

Teaching:

The program employs a blended learning approach, incorporating both online and in-person teaching methods to cater to diverse student learning preferences and provide flexibility. Lectures, tutorials, individual and group activities are all utilized to enhance student engagement and understanding.

Careers:

The program prepares graduates for successful careers in various health and social care roles within public, private, and voluntary sectors. Potential job roles include:

• Providing therapies and support in specific areas of healthcare
• Project management
• Therapy assistant
• Senior support worker
• Clinical effectiveness
• Bereavement support
The program also prepares graduates for further study in related master's programs or advanced diplomas, such as the MSc Adult/Mental Health Nursing or MSc Social Work, to pursue careers as adult/mental health nurses or social workers.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Tuition fees for 2024/25 Scottish — £9,250 Rest of UK & Northern Ireland — £9,250 per year International & EU — £15,500 per year