Course summary
Why study this course? Are you passionate about caring for others, seeking career progression or looking for a practical and accessible way to enter or grow within the health care sector? By studying an HNC in Healthcare Practice, you gain foundational knowledge and real-world skills, paving the way for a fulfilling and impactful career in areas like adult care, midwifery, mental health or community health. Healthcare roles are highly secure and well-regarded in society. The course builds critical skills such as communication, empathy, teamwork, and problem-solving. These skills aren't just useful for healthcare - they enhance your personal development and confidence too. It can be a stepping stone to further studies, such as a degree in Nursing, Midwifery or Allied Health Professionals. About the course This course is ideal for those who want to progress to study and work in the healthcare industry. This course will focus on helping you to develop the knowledge, skills and values necessary for continuing education, employment and professional development within the health and social care sector. You will be encouraged to develop and reflect on your learning within a continuous learning environment. How will it make me more employable? This programme will provide you with the skills to enable you to meet the demands of a challenging Health and Social Care sector including care workers, or can lead to progression to nursing or allied courses. The course will help learners develop a wide range of skills including, but not limited to: Employability Skills • Critical Thinking • Emotional Intelligence • Entrepreneurship • Leadership • Reflective Practice • Decision Making • Team Working Where will it take me? Related Degree Programmes- Progression routes include further study or employment in the relevant field. This qualification will give you a minimum of 120 credits which you can use to apply to related Degree programmes. Previous SERC Graduates have successfully applied to Degrees in Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Youth work and Speech & Language Therapy. In 2023/24, over 85% of HNC students received their 1st choice University offer with the majority progressing to Queen's and Ulster University to study Nursing and Social Work. Employment- The course can lead directly into a career in Health and Social Care, for example previous students have sought employment as auxiliary nurses, community care assistants, and residential support workers.
Modules
Level 4 Modules: Unit 1: Law, Policy and Ethical Practice in Health and Social Care- Students will acquire a good working knowledge of the way that legislation supports the development of policy and underpins ethical practice in health and care settings. Unit 2: Demonstrating Professional Principles and Values in Health and Social Care Practice- Students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to complete a professional development portfolio that records evidence of a continuous cycle of reflection and improvement of knowledge and skills and be able to plan for their future career pathway. Unit 3: Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health and Social Care- Students will expand their knowledge and understanding of multidisciplinary working within health, care and support services and develop their transferable communication skills to improve care and better outcomes for individuals within their chosen role. Unit 4: Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Practice- Students will develop the knowledge and pre-requisite skills needed for conducting quality personal research that leads to evidence-based practice, while promoting integrated approaches to care and quality improvement in wider health, care or support service practice. Unit 5: Health Education in Action- Students will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills regarding providing and supporting the provision of health education to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals accessing healthcare services. Unit 7: Effective Health Care Practice Using Maths- Students will learn to apply mathematical principles and appreciate the scientific rationale for the information they are collecting, the methods they are using and be able to understand the significance and scientific basis of the results they obtain. Unit 8: Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Ill-Health- Students will develop knowledge and understanding of how the healthy human body works and physical and mental changes that take place during ill-health, gaining the skills required to contribute to improved care and better outcomes for individuals with complex conditions, in their roles as healthcare workers. Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Assessment method
Students are assessed using a range of different methods. These include examinations, coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and exams. This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study. Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We offer a diverse range of world class courses and study options, and we’re delighted to offer our international students a warm welcome to study at SERC. For more information visit: https://www.serc.ac.uk/international/students
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - CC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MPP
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MM
Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis on application. Alternatively, you can provide evidence of your ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process, either through Accredited Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Further details on APL can be found in the HE admissions process section of our website and the HE Accreditation of Prior Learning SOP.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Other
All applicants must hold GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills- Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification AND GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills- Application of Number, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification AND passes in 4 different subjects (can include English Language and Mathematics as above), with 1 at GCE Advanced (A) level (grades A-E), and 3 at GCSE level (grades A*-C*/9-4), or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Minimum of 5.5 in all skills |
| PTE Academic | 51 | Minimum of 46 in each part |
All applicants must hold a GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills-Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification. Or equivalent UKVI-approved English Language Test For further information please contact our International Department at [email protected]
Click here to find out more about becoming an international student at SERC.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £2940 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £2940 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £2940 | Year 1 |
| England | £2940 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £2940 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £2940 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £2940 | Year 1 |
| International | £7500 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Students must pay for their Access NI clearance, current cost is £32 - please note your own workplace clearance may suffice.
Students will have to pay for production of posters for class presentations. Approximate cost of £30.
Sponsorship information
There are a number of sources of financial support available to students. These vary depending upon your course of study. Apply as soon as possible as closing dates vary between funds. The main types of student finance are tuition fee and maintenance loans, which have to be paid back, and grants and bursaries, which do not have to be paid back. For more information visit: https://www.serc.ac.uk/support/student-finance/full-time
Provider information
South Eastern Regional College
Castle Park Road
Bangor
County Down
BT20 4TD