Health and Social Care

Health and Social Care is a discipline that examines the systems, policies, and practices through which societies promote health and support people who need assistance with their wellbeing. It draws on sociology, psychology, public health, policy studies, and ethics to understand the complex factors that determine health outcomes, and to evaluate how health and social care services are organised and delivered. As populations age, as health inequalities persist, and as care systems face growing demand with limited resources, the need for graduates who understand both the big picture and the human reality of health and social care has never been greater.

At the University of Winchester, this three-year, full-time programme is designed to develop graduates who understand the global challenges facing health and social care and who are prepared to address them innovatively and effectively. You will explore the social, economic, and political determinants of health and wellbeing, examining why health outcomes vary so dramatically between different communities and how policy and practice can reduce those inequalities. The programme develops your understanding of the roles of individual practitioners, communities, and organisations in creating sustainable and just health and care systems, and builds the critical thinking and reflective skills that effective practice requires.

Graduates of Health and Social Care work in health promotion, social care management, public health, policy analysis, healthcare management, community development, and the voluntary sector. Many pursue further professional qualifications in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, or public health, using the degree as a platform for registration and professional practice. Others move into research, commissioning, service development, and leadership roles within NHS and local authority settings.

The breadth of the degree opens doors across both the clinical and non-clinical dimensions of health and care.