Health and Social Care

Health and social care is a broad field concerned with how services are organised and delivered to support the wellbeing of individuals and communities, and with the policies, structures, and professional practices that shape those services. It draws on sociology, psychology, public health, and social policy to examine how need is identified and met, how power operates in care relationships, and how cultural, ethical, and political contexts shape what health and social care systems look like and who benefits from them.

At the University of Cumbria, this three-year full-time degree provides a grounding in both the knowledge base of health and social care and the practical and professional skills needed to work effectively in the sector. You will explore diverse cultural values, ethical principles, and the contemporary issues that are reshaping health and social care services, from funding constraints and changing demographics to the growing importance of integrated and community-based care. The programme is taught by lecturers with professional experience across a variety of health and social care settings, ensuring that your academic study is connected to the realities of practice.

With a typical entry tariff of 72 UCAS points, the course is designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of backgrounds, including those already working in the sector.

Health and social care graduates are well placed for roles across the NHS, local authority social services, housing associations, the voluntary and charity sector, and private care providers. Community care, support work, care management, family support, healthcare administration, and policy and commissioning roles are all natural destinations. Many graduates go on to postgraduate or professional training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, or healthcare management, using the degree as a foundation for specialised professional qualification.

The breadth of the degree opens a wide range of progressive career routes in a sector that is consistently growing.