FdSc Complementary Therapies

Summary 2012/13

• Complementary Therapies play an increasingly important role in mainstream health care, and employment opportunities are excellent;
• Allows you to bring your personality, beliefs and experiences to the programme for discussion;
• Equips you with a rich blend of technical skills, academic knowledge and an understanding of business and management.

The Foundation Degree in Complementary Therapies provides opportunities for you to develop the skills and knowledge required to engage with individuals in this area, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing.

2012 Entry Requirements

Typical offer is a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from one A level, or equivalent Level 3 qualification, in a related subject. Exceptionally, five GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent, will be accepted. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate your ability through accreditation of prior learning / experiential learning (APL/APEL).

Details

Who is this course for?

Primarily the FdSc is for people working within a healthcare setting to enable them to develop their skills and expertise in the field of complementary therapy.

What will I gain from this programme?

In addition to entering higher education and experiencing university life, you will develop the knowledge and skills to equip you to competently support clients in a holistic approach to health and wellbeing using complementary therapies. You will focus on specific subject areas such as reflexology or aromatherapy.

How we will support you

You will have a personal tutor who will support you throughout the programme. A work-based learning facilitator will support your development in practice.

What will I study?

Modules undertaken will prepare you to understand a range of issues pertinent to the practice of complementary therapies, and to develop the skills necessary to follow an academic programme. Year one consists of essentials for learning, social inclusion, rights, wrongs and legalities and year two focuses on topics such as collaboration, stress management and entrepreneurship. You will also focus on either aromatherapy or reflexology.

Successful students will achieve 120 credits at Levels 4 and 5 (Foundation Degree).

How will I study?

A variety of methods, such as seminars, lectures, work-based learning and tutorials will be used to deliver this programme.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by partners from the Health and Social Care strand of the Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network - a collaboration between universities and colleges in the region providing you with educational pathways that support your career development.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment in both theory and practice is continuous. Students are required to demonstrate evidence of their achievement in practice via the successful attainment of competencies. A range of theoretical assessments is used, including assignments, exams, presentations and a portfolio of work.

What are my career prospects?

This programme will provide you with the skills to enable you to work in a multi-professional practice. Possibilities include employment within a healthcare setting, private practice, health spa or complementary medicine clinic.

Further study at Edge Hill University

Once you have successfully completed this Foundation Degree, you can progress onto the BSc (Hons) Complementary Therapies.

How do I apply?

Please contact your preferred partner college for information on the application process to join this programme. Visit www.sthelens.ac.uk for contact details and more information on studying at St Helens College. Visit www.wmc.ac.uk for contact details and more information on studying at Wirral Metropolitan College.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £6,000pa for full-time foundation degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Barbara Hunter-Douglas, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657084
• Email: hunterb@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Year 1

FDH1100 Essential Study Skills for Undergraduates (20 credits) encourages you to identify individual needs, backgrounds and experiences in relation to study skills and explore how these may be developed within your programme of study. This module will enable you to develop advanced study skills to enhance your time and organisational management and thus prepare you to be able to take advantage of further studies and new situations.

FDH1101 Communication Skills (20 credits). Effective communication skills are essential for anyone dealing with the public in order to work collaboratively as members of a team. You will be supported to develop self-awareness in communication skills, by facilitating your listening skills, and the ability to empathise. The skills of giving unconditional positive regard and how to act as an advocate for others will also be addressed.

FDH1105 Healthy Developments and Its Promotion (30 credits) provides the underpinning knowledge that will enable you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that may impact upon an individual client’s physical, psychological and social development. In this way, a holistic awareness of the diversity of ‘normal’ and ‘healthy’ in relation to development will be acquired. Consequently, through gaining a greater appreciation of developments, you will increase your sensitivity and understanding of your clients’ experience and needs.

FDH1106 Essential Skills for Health and Social Care (20 credits). Individuals who work within a health and social care setting need to have an understanding of the basic concepts essential for safe and competent practice. This module addresses these elements and provides opportunities for you to develop and enhance your understanding of diverse working environments, encompassing both people and environmental issues. It is considered essential that you are aware of individual needs, inter-professional working and holistic care provision in order to enhance safe competent practice. This will enable you to work effectively both independently, whilst under supervision, and as part of a team.

FDH1108 Applied Approaches in Complementary Therapies (30 credits) enables you to develop your academic and practical abilities within the field of complementary therapies. You will be encouraged to explore your own natural therapeutic potential and guided to incorporate this into your work with clients. Self-enquiry and reflective practice is actively encouraged throughout to enable you to identify areas for development.

Year 2

FDH2077 Work-Based Learning (20 credits) allows you to negotiate with academic staff, and the workplace if appropriate, to focus on an area of study of particular interest. This may be for the enhancement of practice or for the achievement of more in-depth knowledge and skills. It involves identifying the chosen area for study, developing and negotiating a learning contract. The module will provide a rigorous framework for the approval of such study, ensuring the necessary academic level and assessment is fulfilled.

FDH2100 Legal and Ethical Perspectives (20 credits). Within the field of health and social care there are a range of professions and groups whose ability to provide safe and competent practice is determined in the context of professional, legal and ethical considerations. Indeed, these are the hallmarks of any profession, and those wishing to work in this sector, potentially across professional boundaries, need a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of such frameworks.

FDH2110 Entrepeneurship (20 credits) develops in you an understanding of social enterprise and the motivation to establish your own business to support the local community. You will analyse and reflect upon your own qualities and skills in relation to business acumen within the area of complementary therapies.

FDH2111 Understanding Addictive Behaviour and Its Management (30 credits) introduces you to the underpinning knowledge required to gain a comprehensive understanding of factors that lead to addictive behaviours. You will also consider the effect that addictive behaviours can have upon physical, mental and emotional health.

FDH2105 Vulnerabilities, Individuals and Groups (30 credits). The concept of vulnerability is the central tenet of this module which will be fundamental in providing and developing a greater understanding of the meaning of the term vulnerability and its impact on those termed to be vulnerable. The vulnerability of individuals and groups will be examined, together with the varying policies and strategies designed to empower the very same.

FDH2112 Intergrative Health Practice for Long Term Conditions (30 credits) allows you to further examine and enhance your pre-existing aromatherapy or reflexology knowledge and skills. The module provides an in-depth exploration of mind-body techniques for the restoration of ‘whole person’ health, the main focus of which is treatment of long term conditions. Critical evaluation of the evidence for the use of such treatments, advanced approaches in complementary therapies and the scientific basis of integrative health practice will also be examined.