Places available for this September. Apply online or call 0330 123 2023.

Health and Social Science

BSc (Hons) Health and Social Science

UCAS CODE: L51L (Full-time) or L52L (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe
  • Duration: Three or Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2023, January, April and September 2024

You can also study this course:

Limited places are still available for this September. Call 0330 123 2023 or apply online.

On this course you will explore the theories, policies, processes and relationships that influence attitudes, beliefs and behaviour within healthcare. This is a part time course, which gives you the flexibility to study around other responsibilities when you need to. 

We will help you develop a portfolio of skills to enhance your employability, such as data analysis and interpretation, increasingly important skills in any sector. You can also volunteer for work experience in a relevant organisation so you can put your knowledge to test. 

An award icon with a star in the middle.
*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023
*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)
A trophy icon with a star in the middle of it.
No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*
*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)
Pound symbol inside of a house icon
Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*
*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023
A star sitting on top of a laptop in an icon drawing.
5th for learning opportunities*
*NSS 2023
A handshake icon.
Top 10 for student support*
*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023
I enjoy that my classes are small because I have found that it has enabled me to get to know my tutors on a more personal level, it’s also helped me to boost my confidence in voicing my opinions when we are in class. The facilities at BNU are great, the library offers a bright, relaxing space to study and see out over the scenery of the town centre and blue sunny skies - when the British weather allows it!
Samiha Ali
Samiha Ali

Why study this subject?

Our course is perfect for anyone who is interested in how society effects our health and wellbeing. We will study society and its impact on our health and wellbeing, including how harmful trends within our society are dealt with. We examine the impact and the cause of poor wellbeing both in terms of national policy and general healthcare practises.

This subject is perfect if you want to pursue a career in the public sector, either working in policy or politics, with ambition to change the landscape of healthcare and the health sector in the UK. Health and social science will help you to attain key transferable academic skills which are needed to pursue a career in the wellbeing, health, social and voluntary sectors.

You’ll be well qualified for positions such as a health assessment officer, exercise coordinators and lifestyle coaches. Social policy positions will also be within your grasp, or you may choose to work in the voluntary sector working with people in recovery.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

In addition to the great employability potential and the skills you gain from the course, there are other benefits to studying at BNU, such as our easy commute location, our quality reputation with local employers and our insightful modules.

Large numbers of students have families and other commitments while they study, that’s why we aim to make our course as accommodating as possible to fit around your lifestyle.  

We also offer this course on a part time basis, which gives you the flexibility to study and work around other responsibilities when you need to. 

With our big deal benefit, all our societies, student union organised trips and extracurricular activities are completely free to you as a student. 

BNU also has opportunity modules, which add additional benefits to your study. You’ll be able to choose modules from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment skills.

Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

What facilities can I use?

Our library is packed with all the information you need for your assessments and there’s plenty of room to settle down for some quiet study. Laptop loans are available if you need a computer and can’t make it into campus one day. 

While studying with us you will use our BNU online service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. This service can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.

What will I study?

Health and well-being are central to this course and we look in depth at problems and issues facing societies in this area. Our course has a strong focus on possible health policy solutions in order to prepare you for a career dealing with these issues.

There is a focus on employability throughout our course and you will have the opportunity to volunteer for an organisation relevant to you so you can apply your knowledge in the field. 

We will study how our society impacts on our lives, including how harmful trends are dealt with. We examine the impact and the cause of poor wellbeing both in terms of national policy influences and our healthcare practises. 

With an emphasis on how we can make a difference to influence culture, policy and practice, we will study modules such as Wellbeing in Society, Policy & society, Media, Communications and more. 

In your second year we move on to employability skills and professional development, contemporary research methods and ethical issues in research. 

We also help you to attain key transferable academic skills which are needed to pursue a career in the NHS, wellbeing and health, social and voluntary sectors.

How will I be taught and assessed?

There are a wide range of assessments which are designed wherever possible to mirror real world problems and issues you may encounter while working in the professional world. The assessments are designed to be positive to your learning, providing feedback and ways to improve. There are a variety of practical, coursework based and exam-based assessment methods throughout the programme.

Assessments vary according to modules and are designed to test your understanding of the modules. Some of the ways you will be assessed include:

  • reports
  • exams
  • presentations
  • coursework

BSc (Hons) Health and Social Science Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

A minimum of 2 A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2023 - 2024

£15,000 per year

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.

You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

Contact our Enquiries Team:

0330 123 2023

advice@bnu.ac.uk

What are my career prospects? 

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our BSc (Hons) Health and Social Science course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in the leisure, health and social sectors, such as:

  • Health assessment officer
  • Exercise coordinator
  • Lifestyle coach
  • Social Policy positions
  • Working with people in recovery.

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.

Course leader

The silhouette of a white head and shoulders of a person against a grey background
Dr George Clerk
  • Lecturer
Read full profile
The silhouette of a white head and shoulders of a person against a grey background
Dr Anne Chappell
  • Senior Lecturer
Read full profile
A head and shoulders shot of a smiling David Black stood outside of the BNU High Wycombe campus near Gateway reception
Dr David Black
  • Lecturer
Read full profile
Head and shoulders photo of a smiling Elaine Welsh stood in front of a book case
Elaine Welsh
  • Senior Lecturer
Read full profile
Head shot of a smiling Keelin Howard wearing glasses stood facing straight on into the camera in front of a green floral wall
Dr Keelin Howard
  • Senior Lecturer
Read full profile
Laura Williams staff profile photo
Laura Williams
  • Lecturer
Read full profile
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Science
BSc (Hons) Health and Social Science with Foundation Year