What are the main influences on human health and wellbeing? We’ll help you understand the challenges of this area with key theories, policies, and practice. Prepare for a future in the fascinating field of health and social wellbeing.
In the UK there are a wide range of professional roles in health and social care, with around three million people working in the sector. A career in this area gives you the chance to make a difference to individuals, families and entire communities.
Our degree in health and social wellbeing provides you with an in-depth understanding of the wider influences on health and wellbeing, and their application in populations and healthcare environments.
We’ll explore how health and care systems have evolved over time, and the origins of public health, influenced by politics, the economy, society, ethics and legal factors.
You’ll analyse inequalities in health and how they might be addressed. We’ll build your research skills year on year to develop your critical thinking and analysis ready for your Year 3 dissertation project and future career.
Our approach combines theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning to teach you how to promote health and wellbeing across different communities. Boost your employability and experience with placement opportunities during the course.
You’ll explore health in social, cultural, political and economic contexts. With this knowledge you’ll form your opinions on the health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and populations. Explore how health changes over the life course and how life experience and social conditions can feed into this. Study the relationship between health, policies and interventions. We’ll also introduce the academic, professional and research skills you’ll apply throughout your degree and working life.
Health and Social Wellbeing Across the Life Course
Health and Social Wellbeing Across the Life Course introduces you to contemporary and critical approaches in considering health and wellbeing across various phases of the life course and transitions for individuals, communities and populations. These include environmental and place factors, social factors, personal factors, health disorders, as well as activities and participation in everyday life. By the end of the module you will have considered key morbidity, mortality and disability issues as they relate to life course phases and transitions, equality and diversity. You will have the opportunity to observe a relevant health and wellbeing setting and begin to gain an understanding of issues involved in providing a service for people at various stages of their lives. This will enable you to identify the key challenges and issues in health and wellbeing as they emerge across the life course and transitions, for example maternal and new born, child and adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, adults and older adults, and end of life.
Module code: HUG1146
Credits: 30
Introduction to Professional and Academic Skills
Introduction to Professional and Academic Skills enables you to acquire key academic and professional skills on your journey to becoming an independent learner. Your academic skills will be enhanced to include note-taking, presentation skills, IT skills, the reading of academic articles and the development of a personal portfolio. You will also explore effective and ineffective communication strategies, self-awareness, resilience and transferable life skills such as time management, assertiveness, negotiation, active listening and problem solving.
Module code: HUG1137
Credits: 20
Introduction to Research Skills
Introduction to Research Skills provides an overview of research methods. The module equips you with a broad knowledge and understanding of the function and application of research relevant to those working in applied health and social care, including the effectiveness of different models, client issues and groupwork. You will be introduced to both the theoretical and practical aspects of research skills including research terminology, numeric and non-numeric data handling, statistical analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.
Module code: HUG1138
Credits: 20
Social Policy for Health and Wellbeing
Social Policy for Health and Wellbeing enables you to develop an in-depth understanding of how social policies impact upon the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. This will include health and social care provision, employment, education, social security and housing. The module addresses the development of the UK welfare system from its Victorian origins to the present day, making you aware of the challenges facing politicians and policy makers in prioritising the competing needs arising from changing health and social care needs within the UK. You will be introduced to the policy process, gaining an understanding of how political, economic, social, ethical and legal factors influence the development and provision of key aspects of the welfare system. In doing so, you will discover the key political ideologies that influence the policy process.
Module code: HUG1144
Credits: 20
Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing
Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Health and Wellbeing provides a theoretical underpinnings of the study of health and social wellbeing. The module will introduce you to the major theoretical perspectives in psychology and sociology and help you to develop an understanding of how these theoretical tools can enhance the analysis of health, social care and wellbeing. You will be introduced to social and behavioural theories that will enable you to analyse how health and wellbeing are the produce of a wide range of social, economic, political, cultural and behavioural factors. You will consider what influences the ways that individuals perceive, think about and react to the world around them.
Module code: HUG1145
Credits: 30
During Year 2, you’ll deepen your understanding of issues like health and place, social policies and housing. Enhance your skills in community health assets and needs assessments, understand how health inequalities develop and how to address them. Develop and apply your research skills in quantitative and qualitative research. Choose an additional optional module from topics such as vulnerability in society, leadership, health and wellbeing in the early years and safeguarding.
Health, Place and Community enables you to critically analyse a local community to assess its status as a ‘healthy community’ and to identify how that community can develop to become ‘healthier’. This community profiling will involve a combination of lectures, seminars and fieldwork. You will be introduced to concepts relating to community development to develop skills in analysing the local community. You will gain expertise in assessing the impact that behaviours, contexts and settings have on the health and wellbeing of a community population, learning more about the micro and macro influences. The module will develop your understanding of the various methods used when profiling varied community settings. You will also gain an insight into the need for healthier communities and discover how healthy communities can be developed, while also analysing and exploring the more intrinsic and nuanced influences of community contexts on the health and wellbeing of people.
Module code: HUG2344
Credits: 20
Housing, Health and Social Welfare
Housing, Health and Social Welfare examines the developing social policy agenda from the Victorian era to the present day in relation to housing, health and social well being in the UK. The major themes which lead to housing becoming and remaining a social policy issue will be explored, including health, social justice, crime and economic imperatives.
Module code: HUG2123
Credits: 20
Inequalities in Health
Inequalities in Health enables you to enhance your understanding of issues and aspects related to health inequalities. The causes of health inequalities will be considered, together with an overview of theoretical and social policy issues relevant to health inequalities and anti-discriminatory practice. The emphasis will be on an exploration of self awareness focusing on the skills used in promoting anti-discriminatory practice.
Module code: HUG2122
Credits: 30
Understanding Research
Understanding Research familiarises you with the nature and variety of research methods and data collection techniques, together with the need for an evidence base to guide the decision-making process. You will evaluate qualitative and quantitative methods, examining the positive and negative aspects of both approaches in a comparative analysis. A key aspect of this module is the literature review. You will be shown how to develop a literature search strategy, learn how to find relevant literature using electronic databases and understand how to appraise the literature you find to identify key themes. Ethical considerations in relation to the development and undertaking of research will also be considered.
Applied Health Psychology in Context focuses on the application of health psychology (theory, research and practice) in a variety of contexts including forensic, occupational, clinical, sport and counselling. The module will highlight key issues concerning structure, policy and practice in the application of health psychology to a range of contexts. You will evaluate the theoretical and methodological contributions made by psychological approaches to health prevention and intervention strategies in applied settings and identify and evaluate the role that health psychologists have in a range of healthcare settings.
Module code: HUG2137
Credits: 20
Exercise, Diet and Health Promotion
Exercise, Diet and Health Promotion provides you with the opportunity to look into the health and physical activity status of different population groups. The module will enable you to assist individuals across the lifespan in adopting physical activity, exercise and other healthy behaviours that lead to increased fitness, wellness and optimal health alongside a well-balanced diet. You will explore strategies for promoting sport and exercise participation and reflect upon the influence of physical and social environments on engagement. The aim is for you to develop the knowledge and skills to create and deliver promotional programmes that enhance awareness about healthy lifestyle behaviour, increase health-enhancing behaviours, decrease health risk behaviours and create environments to support a healthy lifestyle.
Module code: HUG2314
Credits: 20
Leadership and Management in the Workplace and Society
Leadership and Management in the Workplace and Society provides you with theoretical frameworks that can be used to discuss and analyse processes, roles and behaviours of leaders and managers within a variety of settings and within society. You will be facilitated to develop an argument that will extend and challenge the contemporary beliefs of the terms ‘leadership’ and ‘management’. You need to understand these concepts in order to develop these skills within the very families and communities with which you are working.
Module code: HUG2102
Credits: 20
Legal and Ethical Perspectives
Legal and Ethical Perspectives is a module designed to develop awareness of accountability and accountable practice within the legal, professional and ethical frameworks pertinent to a potential future client base. In addition, the module will encourage you to reflect upon your personal and professional abilities and boundaries and consider the importance of the multi-professional team.
Module code: FDH2100
Credits: 20
Negotiated Learning Shell
Negotiated Learning Shell 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 development of more in-depth knowledge and skills with particular significance to the workplace and/or yourself.
Module code: HEA2077
Credits: 20
Nurturing Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years
Nurturing Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years enables you to explore and expand upon your knowledge of holistic development within the early years (conception to five years). You will be introduced to key concepts surrounding supporting resilience and wellbeing in the early years, neuro-biological development, nurturing behaviours, healthy lifestyles, fostering responsiveness to children’s self esteem and confidence needs. There will also be a particular focus on special educational needs in early childhood.
Module code: HUG2315
Credits: 20
Psychological Approaches to Health and Social Wellbeing
Psychological Approaches to Health and Social Wellbeing critically examines a number of key issues in the application of health psychology to health and social wellbeing. The module is structured around four broad themes: health behaviour, health promotion and disease prevention; the role of individual differences and social factors in health and illness; stress, illness and the health-care system; and health communication and intervention.
Module code: HUG2136
Credits: 20
The Safeguarding Agenda
The Safeguarding Agenda introduces you to the safeguarding agenda in the wider context, analysis how it is related to child protection development and screening. A questioning approach in appraising the literature and working through scenarios and case discussions will enhance your knowledge and understanding of how to safeguard children and young people.
Module code: HUG2135
Credits: 20
The Vulnerable Child
The Vulnerable Child recognises the importance of accurate and relevant assessment in identifying the strengths and needs in all children. The module will also analyse the use of the assessment process in order to identify vulnerability and utilise the knowledge and skills of the multi-professional team to ensure the safeguarding and protection of all children.
Module code: HUG2228
Credits: 20
Vulnerability in Society
Vulnerability in Society is a module that has the concept of vulnerability as its central tenet. All people are vulnerable to varying degrees and at different times across the lifespan, hence a key area for clarification and debate will be an appreciation of what exactly is ‘vulnerability’. In identifying individuals and groups who are most at risk, or at what point in their lives they could be seen as vulnerable, the module seeks to highlight and explore these concepts while examining the guidelines policies and legislation in place to protect individuals’ families and Communities.
Module code: HUG2103
Credits: 20
Develop your skills for life after university during 140 hours of work-based placement experience. In lectures and seminars, you’ll focus on inter-professional working and explore health and wellbeing from a global perspective. Critically examine how professionals work and collaborate in multi-agency settings and evaluate the role of agencies such as the World Health Organisation, non-governmental organisations and the wider aid sector. Your research skills will come into play as you complete a research dissertation.
Health and Wellbeing: Global Perspectives equips you with a critical understanding of contemporary global health and social wellbeing. You will analyse the range of factors that drive global inequalities in health. These include the historical impacts of colonialism, contemporary globalisation, international trade and economic policies, the impacts of war, conflict and displacement, the continuing burden of poverty, weak health infrastructure and poor governance, and the changing patterns of communicable and non-communicable diseases across the globe. Alongside this, you will develop a critical evaluation of the role and policy prescriptions of multilateral agencies, such as the World Health Organisation, non-governmental organisations and the wider aid sector.
Module code: HUG3170
Credits: 30
Personal Career Development
Personal Career Development provides the opportunity for work-based learning in a suitable health or public health environment or a related work setting. The placement, for a minimum of 140 hours, enables you to experience your preferred area of the health and social wellbeing sector first-hand. The module also encourages you to identify and reflect upon your own achievements and potential by asking you to examine the links between theory and practice. You will receive additional advice and guidance on writing your CV, preparing for interview, and assembling a personal portfolio of work. The module will play a key role in preparing you for the transition from study to employment.
Module code: HUG3101
Credits: 20
Working and Collaborating in Integrated Care Systems
Working and Collaborating in Integrated Care Systems addresses themes such as inequalities, power and intersectionality. You will be introduced to the context of health and welfare provision within the United Kingdom and the impact on the patient, client or service user. The module enables you to consider and critically analyse the meaning and development of concepts such as professionalism, team-working and collaboration, in the context frameworks for 'best practice' and the current policy related to public health initiatives in health and social care.
Dissertation enables you to focus on an area of vocational interest, or concern, which is identified by yourself and agreed with your supervisor. You will engage in a structured review of the literature related to the specific area of study, apply critical analysis to the literature and make recommendations that could improve service provision.
Module code: HUG3100
Credits: 30
Primary Research Dissertation
Primary Research Dissertation focuses on the identification of an area of vocational interest or concern to be identified by yourself and agreed with your supervisor. You will engage in a structured review of existing literature and design and carry out a research project related to your specific area of study. You will apply critical analysis to the established literature as well as the findings from your proposed research and make recommendations that could improve service provision.
Applied Health Psychology in Context focuses on the application of health psychology (theory, research and practice) in a variety of contexts including forensic, occupational, clinical, sport and counselling. The module will highlight key issues concerning structure, policy and practice in the application of health psychology to a range of contexts. You will evaluate the theoretical and methodological contributions made by psychological approaches to health prevention and intervention strategies in applied settings and identify and evaluate the role that health psychologists have in a range of healthcare settings.
Module code: HUG3155
Credits: 20
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Child and Adolescent Mental Health explores the key concepts that shape child and adolescent mental health issues and services. This will include an exploration of child and adolescent mental health from a psychological, sociological and policy perspective. A particular focus will be on child and adolescent mental health issues and services with reference to the current political and economic climate.
Module code: HUG3153
Credits: 20
Children, Young People, Crime and Deviance
Children, Young People, Crime and Deviance explores the journey between deviance and criminality in the children and young people’s sector as opposed to sensationalising child and youth crime. The module presents a contemporary and realistic picture of engagement in deviance and youth offending. It also explores the transitions from deviance to criminality. The aim is to find patterns in behaviours from which interventions can be identified and their applications considered.
Module code: HUG3131
Credits: 20
Exercise, Diet and Health Promotion
Exercise, Diet and Health Promotion provides you with the opportunity to look into the health and physical activity status of different population groups. The module will enable you to assist individuals across the lifespan in adopting physical activity, exercise and other healthy behaviours that lead to increased fitness, wellness and optimal health alongside a well-balanced diet. You will explore strategies for promoting sport and exercise participation and reflect upon the influence of physical and social environments on engagement. The aim is for you to develop the knowledge and skills to create and deliver promotional programmes that enhance awareness about healthy lifestyle behaviour, increase health-enhancing behaviours, decrease health risk behaviours and create environments to support a healthy lifestyle.
Module code: HUG3264
Credits: 20
Gender in Society
Gender in Society provides an insight into the historical and contemporary perspectives of gender in society. The module will examine the varying theories relating to feminism and paternalism and discuss how culture and the media influence our opinions. You will explore beliefs around the ‘traditional’ roles of men and women and discuss issues relevant to the raising of children, such as ‘gender toys’, colours, traditions and employment.
Module code: HUG3130
Credits: 20
Negotiated Learning Shell
Negotiated Learning Shell offers an opportunity for you to study a topic or work related issue at degree level. It involves you identifying the chosen area for study, developing and negotiating a learning contract (which will outline the what, how, when, where and why of the study period), as well as the means of assessment to showcase the acquired learning.
Module code: HEA3065
Credits: 20
Risk, Resilience and Resistance
Risk, Resilience and Resistance examines the current trends, influences and theoretical underpinnings of risk taking behaviours across the lifespan, complemented by a review of the current strategies for managing risk taking behaviours. The module provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary risky behaviours using psychological, sociological and cognitive perspectives, examining why people are exposed to or choose to undertake risks and how these can be managed with 21st century resources.
Module code: HUG3154
Credits: 20
Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People with Special Needs and Disabilities
Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People with Special Needs and Disabilities elaborates on the fundamentals of human development, providing you with the opportunity to explore and expand your knowledge of specific developmental needs and disabilities of children and young people. You will critically appraise interventions which are used to support children or young people with special needs and disabilities, evaluate the role of a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and assess the importance of multi-disciplinary working to meet the individual needs of children and young people, analyse the current and historical context of special needs and disability legislation, and critically appraise the importance of wellbeing and holistic support to promote equality of opportunity and diversity within universal and specialist services.
Module code: HUG3135
Credits: 20
The Wider Determinants of Overweight and Obesity
The Wider Determinants of Overweight and Obesity will enable you to gain an insight into the issues relating to obesity and being overweight, closely associated with modern society and the wider determinants of health and wellbeing.
Module code: HUG3125
Credits: 20
Vulnerable Children, Young People And The Law
Vulnerable Children, Young People And The Law enables you to gain an understanding of current legislation as it applies to contemporary practice with vulnerable children, young people and their families. The module will extend your knowledge of law, ethics and concepts of vulnerability and accountability. It encourages you to critically analyse legislation and to apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles to current practice with children and young people.
Module code: HUG3138
Credits: 20
Optional modules provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
How you'll study
The programme will involve a combination of small group working, classroom debate and discussion, the use of key note lectures, role play, and problem-based learning. There are opportunities to engage in fieldwork and work-based learning to enhance your employability. You will also have access to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) resources that are available.
Throughout the course you will develop research and management skills that will help you to gain an interdisciplinary perspective of the study of health, illness and disease, exploring the factors which contribute to the health and wellbeing of individuals and populations. Through this you will draw on the disciplines of biology, sociology, psychology, social policy and nutrition.
The emphasis is on social experiences of health, the promotion of people’s independence, inclusion, health and wellbeing, policy issues, the delivery and management of services, and the evaluation of evidence.
Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment includes essays, seminar presentations, exams, work-based assessment, interactive workbook, online activities and a third-year dissertation on a topic of your choice. Before these assessments take place you will be given guidance and have the opportunity for your work to be reviewed.
Who will be teaching you
A variety of members of the Applied Health and Social Care team will be involved in the delivery of this programme. The majority are research active senior lecturers who have worked or are still working in a health and social care environment.
Tutors have a diverse range of health-related skills. Their areas of expertise and knowledge include clinical communication, sexuality, ageing, health promotion, domestic abuse, nutrition, youth justice, social policy, safeguarding and behaviour support.
Entry criteria
Entry requirements
Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points. No specific subjects are required.
Example offers
Qualification
Requirement
A Level
BCC-BBC.
BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications)
Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM).
T Level
Overall grade of Merit.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Closed to international applications for September 2023.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
Did you know?
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the
offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine offers outstanding facilities for the education and training of health and social care professionals.
The contemporary teaching and learning resources include leading edge clinical skills facilities, an 860-seat lecture theatre, and a variety of teaching rooms and social learning spaces.
The UK tuition fee rate is subject to final Government approval for academic year 2023/24 entry. The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
Our degree forms a strong foundation for a wide range of careers across the health and social care sectors. The knowledge, skills and experience gained during your time with us will be attractive to potential employers in this enriching and varied industry. Work in sectors such as the NHS, local authorities, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) and the private sector. You could work in areas like:
Public health
Mental health
Criminal justice
Management and administration
Child protection
Health promotion
The housing sector
Previous graduates from our health and social wellbeing degree have gone on to rewarding job roles like:
Healthcare support worker
Social worker
NHS manager
Public health practitioner
Psychological wellbeing practitioner
You might decide to continue your studies with further training. Some students go on to complete postgraduate studies or a Masters in their chosen fields, or practitioner training.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
Track changes to this course
Optional module removal - 22 August 2023
Removal of optional third year module HUG3137 Ageing Today: Differentiating Healthcare in Later Life – HUG3137.
Assessment method - 26 July 2023
Assessment method on HUG3101 Personal Career Development (20 credits) third year module changed from 70% Coursework, 30% Practical to 100% Practical.
Change of modules - 26 July 2023
HUG3180 Working and Collaborating in Integrated Care Systems (20 credits) replaces HUG3265 Working and Collaborating in Multi-agency Settings (20 credits) as a compulsory third year module. Module content remains the same.
Change to assessment methods - 12 June 2023
Assessment method for HUG1144 (Social Policy for Health and Wellbeing, 20 credits) changed from 70% Coursework 30% Time Limited Assessment, to 100% Coursework.
