Health and Social Care

Health and social care is the interdisciplinary study of how societies organise care for people who need support, whether because of illness, disability, age, or social disadvantage. It draws on sociology, psychology, policy studies, law, and ethics to examine how health and social care systems are designed and delivered, how professional practice is structured, what service users experience, and how the quality and equity of care can be improved. The field is directly relevant to some of the most pressing challenges facing the UK and other societies: ageing populations, growing demand for services, workforce pressures, and questions about how care should be funded and provided.

At the Open University you will study this programme part time through distance learning, making it accessible to students wherever they are and regardless of existing work or family commitments. Many students studying health and social care at the Open University are already working in related roles, as healthcare assistants, support workers, carers, or administrators, and the flexibility of distance learning means they can develop their academic knowledge and professional understanding alongside their practice. Across the programme you will study the social determinants of health, the organisation of health and social care services, the experience of illness and disability, professional ethics, equality and diversity, and the policy frameworks that govern how care is provided.

Research methods are taught throughout, equipping you to engage critically with evidence.

Graduates from health and social care programmes work across the NHS, social care, local government, the voluntary sector, and regulatory bodies. Roles include care manager, service coordinator, health improvement practitioner, community development worker, policy analyst, and commissioning officer. The degree also provides a strong foundation for further professional training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, or public health.

Many Open University graduates use the degree to progress within existing careers in health and social care, moving into supervisory, management, or more specialist roles.