Support. Care. Empower.

The Northumbria University Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year draws from a wide range of experience across the university and is aimed at students who wish to begin their journey towards a career or Professional Doctorate in Education, Health and Social Care.

The course is designed to provide you with an introduction to health, education and social care knowledge and skills, including IT and academic research. You will be taught by a range of experienced academics and be supported at every step of your course to ensure an enjoyable experience that will enhance your learning and future employment prospects.  

Academic knowledge and intellectual curiosity are promoted throughout the foundation year, assisting you to achieve your true potential. The progression towards critical thinking begins in this course and will be further developed as you progress onto undergraduate study. The enquiry-based learning approach will empower you to become an active and independent learner with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences through a manner of platforms.

Our teaching team bring both knowledge and experience in practice and academia. The emphasis and support of a research rich learning environment will equip you with the confidence and skills needed for future study.

Why choose Northumbria to study Health, Education and Social Care?

Nursing at Northumbria is ranked Top 20 in the UK by the Complete University Guide for 2024.

99% of our Nursing graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Guardian University Guide, 2024).

What are the courses I can take after completing this foundation year?

How will I learn during this Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year course?

The Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year is taught over two semesters and will be completed in one academic year. The course will provide you with a strong grounding in fundamental debates, theory and practice, alongside research skills that are relevant to health, education, and social care. It will enhance your theoretical knowledge of the wider determinants of health, education and social care and provide you with transferable skills relevant to further undergraduate study in these subject areas.

The modules within the course will develop your understanding of collaboration and professionalism, fostering team working, adaptability and academic study skills which are fundamental to future study and employment.  

If you are an international student, you will have access to Academic Language Skills (ALS) sessions to help you develop your academic language, writing and study skills. These sessions will run throughout the course.

Furthermore, you will be continually assessed throughout the foundation year which will provide a gradual development of your ability and self-confidence. Assessment methods will be both formative and summative, to measure not only your learning, but to help shape it and develop your intellectual ability. Overall, assessments are designed to motivate you, stimulate your interest and challenge you to develop your academic and creative skills.

Who teaches the Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year course?

We ensure that our students learn from the best. Our staff are inspirational academics, with a genuine passion for their subject. Our courses are at the forefront of current knowledge and practice and are shaped by world-leading and internationally excellent research.

The foundation year is delivered at an exceptional level from a range of academics across the two departments of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, and Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing. Our academics are active researchers, engaging at a local, national and international level in their chosen fields and routinely impart this knowledge into their teaching, as well as scientific conferences and publications.

Guest speakers may also be part of the course to give a broader perspective and contemporary context to the module content.

We will also provide you with a Personal Tutor (PT) who will support you to reflect on and monitor your own learning journey.

Where will I study during my time at Northumbria?

Technology Enhanced Learning is embedded throughout the course. The most important lecture content is usually recorded so that you can listen again for clarity or revision purposes, or to support comprehension of English language.

You will have access to the libraries both at Coach Lane and City Campus, which host a collection of 500,000 print books, over 843,000 ebooks, and an extensive print and ejournal collection of over 110,000 titles so that our students and staff can access learning resources at the point of need.

How does this course prepare me for my future career?  

Throughout the Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year, we emphasise the development of your professionalism, resilience, communication and decision-making skills which will have value in every workplace. We will give you feedback and specifically assess your ability to craft and present a persuasive argument to others, which gives you confidence and competence.

Northumbria University’s Careers and Employment Service will also support you with CV advice, interview preparation and portfolio development.?

Throughout the Foundation Year, you will develop attributes including reflection and insight. The course prepares you to think and act independently. Independent learning will prepare you for future learning and your career.?

As the nature of health, education and social care continues to evolve, your transferable skills will help you thrive. The Health, Education and Social Care Foundation Year is designed to support your progression and application to undergraduate degree programmes. Your Personal Tutor will be happy to guide you in the process of applying. A degree qualification is widely seen as an essential first step to more advanced clinical, research, educational and management roles within your future career pathway.