This degree builds on your existing experience in health or social care to deepen your understanding of practice, policy and leadership in the field. You’ll be taught to think critically about your work, respond to changes locally and nationally, and generate improvements in services for patients or service users.
Curriculum Structure
Since this is a top-up year, there isn’t a multi-year progression (Year 1, 2, 3) as in a full undergraduate course. Instead, in this one year you’ll cover core and optional modules that both consolidate and extend your current role. You’ll study things like:
There is also practice-based learning embedded in the course, so your experience in your job or volunteering is an active part of your learning.
Focus areas
Health & social care policy; reflective & evidence-based practice; leadership and management in health/community settings; mental health; adult health; service user & volunteer roles; local + national drivers of health care.
Learning outcomes
You will be able to analyse and respond to political, social and regulatory changes affecting health/community care; reflect on and improve your own professional practice; generate ideas to enhance care/services; specialise in areas you choose through optional modules; and move into advanced, specialist or leadership roles.
Professional alignment (accreditation)
This is not a regulated profession degree (unlike e.g. nursing, speech therapy etc.), so there isn’t a statutory registration tied to it. But it is professionally relevant: it supports career development, specialist/management roles, and serves as a stepping stone to postgraduate study (such as the MSc Health & Community Care).
Reputation (employability rankings)
This programme is designed to deepen your experience if you already work or volunteer in health or social care, while building new skills for leadership, community engagement, and evidence-based practice. You’ll apply theory directly to real settings, reflect on your professional role, and strengthen your ability to make informed decisions in complex care environments. The learning goes beyond lectures — you’ll gain hands-on experience through workshops, simulations, and practice-based learning.
Here are the specific ways you’ll gain practical experience:
Practice-based Learning & Work Experience
You’ll integrate your professional or voluntary experience in health and social care with academic learning. Modules encourage you to analyse real-life decisions and reflect on your professional practice.
Optional Modules Aligned to Your Interests
You can tailor your degree to focus on areas such as adult health, mental health, or community and social care, helping you specialise in the field that matters most to you.
Use of Specialist Facilities
You’ll train using modern facilities like clinical skills suites and laboratories, designed to simulate realistic care environments and support applied learning.
Reflection and Decision-Making in Practice
You’ll explore how policies, social issues, and community needs shape health and social care delivery, developing the ability to respond effectively in your current or future role.
Facilities, Tools & Resources That Support You
These are the key facilities and tools that help bring your learning to life:
Clinical Skills Suite (Portland & Calverley Buildings)
A fully equipped suite with realistic healthcare environments for simulation and practice.
Biomedical & Environmental Laboratories
Used for developing scientific understanding relevant to public and community health.
Sheila Silver Library & Computer Training Rooms
Access to digital resources, specialised health databases, and spaces for group or independent study.
City Campus Gym
Supports health and wellbeing modules and promotes holistic learning around physical health.
Digital Platforms & Learning Technologies
Includes CAE Healthcare’s LearningSpace simulation technology for recorded practice and observation, and an advanced Virtual Learning Environment for blended learning.
Why This Matters for You
You’ll graduate with both theoretical knowledge and applied, reflective experience that connects directly to health and social care careers.
You’ll learn to make confident, informed decisions in dynamic care settings.
You’ll practise using professional tools and simulations that mirror real-life environments.
You’ll be equipped to work collaboratively across community, clinical, and social care contexts.
Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Health and Community Care at Leeds Beckett University often move into roles such as:
Health Service Manager
Community Development Worker
Health Promotion Specialist
Medical or Healthcare Sales Representative
Because this is a top-up degree, it’s ideal for people already working or volunteering in health or social care who want to progress into more specialist, leadership, or management positions. It builds a strong bridge into public, private, or voluntary sector roles within health and social care.
What Makes THIS Program Strong: Benefits & Outcomes
Here’s what Leeds Beckett offers through this degree — and how it supports employability and long-term career growth:
University services & employability support
Leeds Beckett’s dedicated Beckett Careers team helps with CVs, interview preparation, and employer connections. The Leeds Talent Hub also connects students to job and volunteering opportunities specifically in health and social care.
Practice-based learning & facilities
Learning is hands-on, with modules that include practical and community-based experience across health, social care, and mental health settings. You’ll also have access to specialist facilities such as the clinical skills suite and modern learning spaces.
Program flexibility & tailored study
The course is designed as a one-year full-time (or part-time) top-up degree, allowing students to apply theory directly to their ongoing practice in the workplace.
Strong career & sector connections
Leeds is a major hub for health and science professions, giving students opportunities to connect with local health services, social care providers, and NGOs. The program also explores real policy and leadership challenges within the regional and national health sectors.
Employment outcomes & salaries
Leeds Beckett graduates in health and social care report excellent employability rates. While exact figures vary, typical starting salaries for related roles in the UK range from £20,000–£30,000+, with higher earnings possible in managerial or specialist positions.
Long-term value & recognition
This degree equips you with key transferable skills in health policy, social care, community development, and service management. While not a statutory registration program, it is highly regarded by employers across health and community sectors and offers a strong platform for career advancement.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BSc (Hons) Health and Community Care, students can continue their academic journey through several routes:
Master’s study: Progress to postgraduate degrees such as the MSc in Health and Community Care to develop specialist expertise or move into senior management roles.
Professional development (CPD): Gain additional qualifications in leadership, health policy, public health, or mental health practice.
Research opportunities: Pursue postgraduate research such as an MRes or PhD in areas like health and social care policy or community health.
Leadership pathways: With experience and further study, graduates often move into roles such as service manager, policy advisor, or strategic leader within public health or voluntary organisations.



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