Course specification and structure
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UDHLSCPY - BSc Health and Social Policy

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Social Professions
Subject Area Health, Social Care and Early Childhood
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS 5 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

Health and Social Policy lends itself to a variety of teaching and learning styles and these are, in turn, reflected in the variety of delivery and assessment tools employed throughout the course. Traditional lectures, seminars and presentations are supplemented by group work and case-study approaches. Seminars and workshops are the main vehicle for cognitive development. Seminar work involves a large element of student choice and self-management. Active learning involves students in making decisions about what they explore (within the parameters of the module) and how they do it.

Teaching methods are tailored to key aspects of the learning situation such as content, task and learner characteristics. In common with the ethos and practice of the faculty, the teaching and learning methods used to deliver the course aims are varied. There is an emphasis upon the link between teaching and research so that staff research provides the basis for teaching on a range of modules.

Supplemented by guided learning and workbooks with exercises are used – available through the VLE.

The course integrates face-to-face with online learning at all levels. All modules also use Weblearn/Blackboard to provide key information and learning resources. Advanced use of VLE on the course includes online tests and assessment, discussions, and feedback.

Course aims

The overall aims of the Health and social policy course are:

  • develop awareness, interests and understanding of students from diverse social backgrounds on the impact of environmental, health and social factors on health outcomes for people in contemporary society.
  • fulfill the role of providing for those who choose to study the discipline for their own intellectual and personal development
  • provide an appropriate education and training for students wishing to pursue careers in health, social and public policy-related fields in the private, public and voluntary and health sectors.
  • equip and prepare students with practical and transferable skills for research in the ‘real world’ by providing modules which address multi-disciplinary concerns and are directly relevant to a variety of health and other public issues.

The above aims are to be met by:

  • encouraging students to develop a critical appreciation of health and welfare issues
  • developing a varied range of teaching and learning experiences,
  • adopting effective formative and summative assessment methods,
  • providing appropriate learning resources and student support.

Course learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Health and Social Policy, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  • deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Health and Social Policy;

  • devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Health and Social Policy;

  • describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in [the subject], recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

  • manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Health and Social Policy);

  • apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;

  • critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;

  • communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;

  • exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;

  • undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

[LO1] Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Health and Social Policy :

SH4001 Introducing Health and Social Care (I)

SS4006 Social Policy and Society (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5002 Health Illness and Society (P)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SS5006 Racism and Ethnicity (P)
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social Policy (A)

[LO2] Devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Health and Social Policy :

SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5002 Health Illness and Society (P)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SS5002 Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity (P)
SH6001 Urban health (A)
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social Policy (A)
SS6057 Homelessness and Housing Policy (A)
SS6058 Housing Issues and Housing Solutions (A)

[LO3] Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Health and Social Policy, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge:

SH4001 Introducing Health and Social Care (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5002 Health Illness and Society (P)
SH5001 Health Promotion and Policy (P)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SS5002 Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity (P)
SS5057 Unequal Cities (P)
SH6001 Urban health (A)
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social Policy (A)
SH6050 Experiences of Later Life (A)
SH6051 Understanding Mental Health (A)
SS6055 Political Sociology (A)

[LO4] Manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Health and Social Policy:

SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SH5051 Self Directed Development Project (P)
SS5002 Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity (P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in Professional Contexts (A)
SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project (A)


[LO5] apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects:

SH4001 Introducing Health and Social Care (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5002 Health Illness and Society (P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in Professional Contexts (A)
SH6001 Urban health (A)

[LO6] Evaluate critically arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem :

SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice (I)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SH5001 Health Promotion and Policy (P)
SS5002 Human Rights, Social Justice and Diversity (P)
SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project (A)

[LO7] Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences :

SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues (I)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SH5001 Health Promotion and Policy (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in Professional Contexts (A)
SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project (A)


[LO8] Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts :

SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice (I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts (P)
SH5001 Health Promotion and Policy (P)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SH5051 Self Directed Development Project (P)
SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project (A)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in Professional Contexts (A)


[LO9] Undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature:

SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice (I)
SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice (P)
SH5051 Self-Directed Development Project (P)
SH5W50 Short Work-based Learning (P)
SH5W00 Work-based Learning (P)
SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project (A)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in Professional Contexts (A)
SH6W50 Short Work-based Learning Placement (A)
SH6W00 Work-based Learning Placement (A)

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Health Studies and Social Policy

Assessment strategy

Health and Social Policy lends itself to a variety of teaching and learning styles and these are, in turn, reflected in the variety of assessment tools employed throughout the course. Within the general principle of mixed mode assessment can be found a diversity of instruments: seen and unseen examinations, short answer papers, practical reports and reviews, case studies, group assessment projects, seminar presentations and essays. Transferable skills have been embedded in the learning outcomes of the core modules. They have been mapped to ensure that they are assessed at every level.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

The Self Directed Development Project is a option module available to students entering their 2nd year. This should help students consolidate their health and social policy competences and skills by undertaking a discrete project related to their personal development by developing networks to explore employment opportunities and career trajectories. There are also two work based learning/placement modules available as options in both years 2 and 3 (levels 5 and 6): the Short Work Based Learning/Placement (15 weeks) and the longer Work Based Learning/Placement module (30 weeks).

There will be opportunities for students to study for part of their degree in another European country. ERASMUS is part of the European Union SOCRATES programme for cooperation in the field of education. Under ERASMUS the University has student exchange agreements with 16 different European countries.

Course specific regulations

N/A

Modules required for interim awards

Level 4:

SH4001 Introducing Health and Social Care

SS4006 Social Policy and Society

SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues

SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice

Level 5:

SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts

SH5002 Health, Illness and Society

SS5009 Social Policy in Theory and Practice

Level 6:

SH6001 Urban Health

SH6P00 Health and Social Policy Project

SS6000 Comparative and Global Social Policy

Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations & exemptions

This course is fully validated by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH).

Career opportunities

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in the health and social care fields this may be within the NHS, voluntary and independent sectors.

The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or postgraduate study.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • English Language GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent) and
  • at least 280 UCAS points from three or more A levels (eg BBC) or
  • 320 UCAS points from a BTEC National (eg DDM), a Level 3 Advanced Diploma (or equivalent)

Applications are welcome from mature students with appropriate Access or other preparatory courses or appropriate work experience. We also welcome mature students without formal qualifications who are able to demonstrate enthusiasm, commitment and the ability to benefit from higher education.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes L400 (Social Policy): 100%
Route code HLSCPY

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SH4001 Introducing Health and Social Care Core 30        
SS4006 Social Policy and Society Core 30        
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues Core 30        
SS4009 Action Learning and Professional Practice Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SH5000 Ethics and Research in Professional Contexts Core 30        
SH5004 Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care 1 Core 30        
SH5W01 Development for Employment Core 30        
SS5015 Social Problems and Social Policy Core 30        

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SH6054 Research Methods and Evaluation Skills Core 15        
SH6P03 Health Project Core 30        
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social Policy Core 30        
SH6001 Urban Health Option 30        
SS6057 Homelessness and Housing Policy Option 15 NORTH AUT THU AM
          NORTH SUM MON AM
SS6058 Housing Issues and Housing Solutions Option 15 NORTH SPR THU AM