BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice at Northampton. The University of Northampton is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and this qualification is nationally recognised.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Explore a global perspective of emerging health and social care issues with the University of Northampton’s Health and Social Care Practice BA. Apply... From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Health and social care graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.0
/ 10
Strong
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent84

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent80

Limited evidence Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Strong75

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 75% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 6 modules
  • Academic and Professional SkillsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to support individuals to gain and develop their academic study skills which are essential at undergraduate level and also prepare the student to recognise and develop the professional behaviours required for future employment

  • Approaches to Mental Health and WellbeingCompulsory20 credits
  • Contemporary Issues in Health and Social CareCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module will help students to explore a range of contemporary social issues influencing Health and Social Care provision. Students should explore causes and potential solutions drawing on relevant health and social care policy. For the assessment, Students will analyse an issue of particular interest to themselves.

  • Global Inequality in Health and Social CareCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module equips students with understanding of the scale of global inequality and an understanding of how inequality has developed. They will consider the drivers of inequality and how acting local impacts on global antioppressive practice. They will reflect on their own positionality, the social justice values and their social responsibility. They will consider how change at community and structural levels can tackle inequality.

  • Identity and Reflective PracticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module equips students with skills in reflective practice, exploring issues around identity and how it relates to well-being. Students consider personal and professional values and the impact upon professional practice.

  • Working with OthersCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module equips students with skills in reflective practice, exploring issues around identity and how it relates to well-being. Students consider personal and professional values and the impact upon professional practice.

Year 2 5 modules
  • Working with Diverse CommunitiesCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module looks at the experiences of diverse communities within different contexts, developing an understanding of intersectional identities and how cultural competence can limit negative experiences occuring. Students will explore how colleagues and service users needs vary dependent on their intersectional identities.

  • Global Health and Social PolicyCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    Students explore the concepts around contemporary global health and social policies and the impact on individuals, communities, and populations. Students gain an understanding of good practice, services, inequalities, drivers, and solutions to challenges within an international context.

  • Research in Health and Social CareCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module develops students¿ knowledge of research methods and methodologies to equip them with the relevant research skills to be able to undertake an autonomous piece of work at level 6.

  • Therapeutic Approaches to CommunicationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module will explore different therapeutic methods of communication such as Art therapy and Play therapy. Students will learn about the theory behind the different approaches and how it is applied in practice.

  • Work-Related Learning in Health and Social CareCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    This module will provide an opportunity, through a work-related learning experience, for students to gain an understanding of the professional, interpersonal, reflective and Changemaker skills needed to work in a global health and social care environment. This will enable students to identify their current employability skills and create a personal plan for future learning.

Year 3 5 modules
  • Advocating for and with Children and Young PeopleCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is ensure that students have the knowledge and skills to work with children and young people in various settings. Within the module students will learn about varying needs of children and young people in complex situations and ensure that children and young people¿s voices are heard and taken seriously in various forums.

  • Working with an Ageing PopulationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to ensure that students have the knowledge and skills required to work with an ageing population. The module will also help students to understand present significant challenges being faced by social care services. Students will be introduced to issues relating to the social construction of ageing, theories of ageing and ideas of active and successful ageing.

  • Leading the way in Health and Social Care PracticeCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module leads to a CMI award in the 526 Principles of Leadership Practice level 5. The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of techniques and methods of ethical leadership and the impact of culture and values on leadership.

  • Sustainable Solutions for Working in Health and Social CareCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to identify the issues/catalysts for change by assessing the outcomes, analysing the challenges, evaluating the new ways of working and technology used to promote the physical and mental well -being of service users throughout their Health and Social Care journey.

  • Dissertation/Needs Assessment PlanCompulsory40 credits
    Module details

    This module provides an opportunity for students to consider their interests, future career, identify specific global issues of interest and focus on either a research or practice route. The knowledge and skills gained throughout the course will culminate in communicating thoughts, ideas, evidence-based solutions and recommendations to an audience.

Foundation Year 3 modules
  • Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
  • Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
  • Foundations in HealthCompulsory40 credits

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course explores a global perspective of emerging health and social care issues. You'll usually begin with foundations in nursing practice, anatomy and physiology, and person-centred care. Year 2 moves into acute and long-term care management, pharmacology, and medicines administration. In Year 3, you'll progress to complex care, leadership and coordination, evidence-based practice, and preparation for professional registration. Throughout, you'll undertake supervised placements in clinical settings, typically around half your time on placement. You can specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, or leadership, with the opportunity to gain NMC nursing registration.

Who it's for

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; 75% of accepted students came in with this background. The typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 48–63 points.

Careers & job market

Across Nursing and Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled work or further study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect national outcomes across the field, not university-specific guarantees. First-year retention stands at 85% of students continuing past their first year.

University & format

The University of Northampton is a university located in Waterland, offering this course full-time at Waterside Campus. The BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice is a 3-year degree taught in English. The university is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, with degrees that are nationally recognised. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
86%
Learning opportunities
88%
Assessment and feedback
80%
Academic Support
88%
Organisation and management
80%
Learning resources
90%
Student voice
78%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryBCC-CCC at A Level, MMM at BTEC typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

Open daysOpen Days

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BCC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent75% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 48 - 63 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent75%
an Access course25%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDEEA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeL515quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code L515). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Northampton whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Northampton funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

National funding for this subject

  • NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£20,500 – £36,00020
3 years after£28,000£19,500 – £32,50055
5 years after£28,500£20,000 – £35,50060

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

80%
in work or further study 15 months on
70%
in highly skilled work or study
75%
continue past their first year
95%
find their work meaningful
90%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£27,000 – £30,500
After 3 years LEO
£28,000
£23,800 – £33,600
After 5 years LEO
£28,500
£27,200 – £38,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,500 – £39,500

National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

80 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

60% working20% working and studying0% in further study70% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 20; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.

This course £28,500Peer median £31,500Middle 50% £28,000–£34,000
27th percentile

Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Welfare ProfessionalsSOC 2020 246 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £39,047
  • Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
  • Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
  • Caring personal servicesSOC 2020 613 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £23,668
  • Teaching ProfessionalsSOC 2020 231 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,660

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 75; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Is BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice worth it?

Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Health and Social Care Practice earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.

Slower payoff: a long break-even relative to what this course adds
break evenyr 0yr 5yr 10yr 15yr 20yr 25graduateWorth it ≈ year 22.1

Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 22.1. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.

+£15,630
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
1.5×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£28,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£4,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)

Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.

Job market & outlook

How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Nursing & Health courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
87%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine documentation and triage support
  • Scheduling and records admin
  • First-pass risk flags from data
  • Standard reference look-ups

More human than ever

  • Hands-on, compassionate care
  • Clinical judgement and accountability
  • Communicating with patients and families
  • Ethics and safeguarding decisions

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • NHS trusts
  • Private healthcare
  • Care providers
  • Community & mental-health services

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.0 out of 10: NSS 84.3% · in work or study 80% · continued 75%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

Subjects allied to medicine across the UK

Students360,360
Aged 25+51.5%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Nursing & Health right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Northampton from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Northampton’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 48 - 63 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Health and social care graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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