FdA Health & Social Care (with Foundation Year)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Lancashire

Program Overview

This programme gives you the perfect start for a career in health and social care or for further study in the field. It’s ideal for students who are passionate about helping others, enjoy working with people, and want to gain both practical experience and professional skills — the foundation year makes it even easier to transition into higher education confidently.

Curriculum Structure:
Foundation Year (Year 0):
Your foundation year is all about getting ready for degree-level study. You’ll build core skills in academic writing and research with Academic Writing and Studying in Health and Social Care (NUC003), explore how the human body works in Applied Anatomy and Physiology (NUC001), and start developing professional skills like teamwork and communication through Developing Professional Skills for Delivering Health and Social Care (2) (NUC006). This year is about confidence, understanding, and preparing for real-world care environments.

Year 1:
In Year 1, you’ll start applying what you’ve learned to real health and social care settings. Modules will deepen your understanding of anatomy and physiology, explore how services work together to support individuals, and help you practice reflective thinking. You’ll also get hands-on experience through placement modules, giving you a taste of what working in care is really like.

Year 2:
Year 2 focuses on making you job-ready or ready for further study. You’ll dive into evidence-based practice, leadership, and service management, while advanced placement modules let you consolidate the skills you’ve been building. By the end of the year, you’ll be a confident, caring practitioner, ready to take the next step in your career.

Focus areas:
Health and social care essentials, professional ethics, anatomy and physiology, equality and diversity, teamwork, placement-based learning.

Learning outcomes:
By the end of this programme, you’ll be able to work confidently in health and social care settings, think critically and reflectively, communicate effectively with people and teams, and understand the science behind care — all while being ready to move into work or further study.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The course meets the standards of the NHS, the Knowledge & Skills Framework (KSF), and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Reputation (employability rankings):
UCLan’s health studies courses are highly respected, with graduates enjoying excellent career prospects. The university ranks top in the UK for graduate prospects in Health Studies, and students report very high satisfaction with academic support and learning experience.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In this programme, you’ll do far more than sit in lectures — you’ll gain hands-on experience from the very start. You’ll get to practice essential skills in real-world settings, use modern facilities designed specifically for health and social care training, and benefit from guidance and support that helps turn your learning into action. Whether it’s working with service users, exploring anatomy, or reflecting on your practice, you’ll develop confidence and professional skills that employers value.

Some of the exciting experiential learning opportunities and facilities you’ll have access to include:

Practice placement modules where you’ll work directly in health and social care settings, applying what you’ve learned and gaining real-world experience.
Human Anatomy and Learning Suite, giving you access to specialist equipment and resources to understand the human body in a very practical way.
Preston Campus library with study spaces, online resources, and support materials to help with research, assignments, and preparation for placements.
Skills laboratories and simulated environments, including community-flat setups and counselling/consultation rooms, where you can practice professional skills in realistic scenarios.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and digital tools, helping you collaborate on group projects, submit assignments online, and reflect on your learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities
Completing this programme opens doors to a wide range of roles where you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Graduates often step into positions such as Care Support Worker, Health & Social Care Practitioner, Community Services Assistant, or, with further study, move into professional roles like Nursing or Midwifery Practitioner. With the combination of hands-on experience, professional guidance, and UCLan’s strong support services, you’ll be ready to confidently take the next step in your career.

Here’s how the university helps you prepare and what you can expect:

Careers Service: One-to-one guidance, CV and cover letter support, interview practice, and access to careers fairs with over 240 employers.
Strong employment outcomes: Around 95.5% of UCLan graduates enter work or further study within six months of graduation, with typical salaries for this programme around £20,500.
University–industry connections: Graduates have gone on to work with NHS trusts, private hospitals, children’s services, social care providers, and youth justice organisations.
Accreditation and professional recognition: The course aligns with key health and care frameworks, helping you take the next step into professional or academic pathways.
Graduation outcomes: You’ll leave the programme equipped with real-world skills, practical experience, and the confidence to succeed in your chosen career.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing your FdA, you could top up to an honours degree in Health & Social Care or move into specialised fields such as Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, or Physiotherapy. The foundation and main programme give you the knowledge, experience, and confidence to continue your studies and achieve higher qualifications if you want.