Course summary

Become a health and social care professional, with dual registration in learning disability nursing and social work, with this innovative course.

UCAS points

120

This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC or T level qualifications. We do not accept AS levels. For example:

• BBB at A Level
• DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma
• Merit overall from a T level qualification including a B from Core.
• A combination of qualifications, which may include general studies.
• Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered including CACHE.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

• Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents
• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents
  • Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number/ Grade D at GSCE Maths/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
  • Equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
  • Level 2 Literacy
  • Level 2 Key Skills

Other qualifications

Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 15 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.

FdSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care - If you are in the process of completing or have successfully completed the above programme at one of our partner colleges (Sheffield College, Barnsley College, Chesterfield College, North Lindsey College, Dearne Valley College, Manchester College, Stockport College and Doncaster College) and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional within the Health & Social Care sector, we would welcome an application from you via UCAS to start in Year 1.

Successful completion of our Foundation Year in Health, Sport & Social Care.

Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually, and include previous degrees that are grade 2.2 or above

IELTS

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English

Helping your application succeed

Experience

Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.

Reference

You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process:

• unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
• involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
• enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

• you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
• you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
• if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
• where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

Occupational Health Screening

You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.

Immunisations

You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.

Pre-course Day

After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Other professional suitability information

Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.

Disability support

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.

You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

learning disability nursing and social work
teaching and academia
senior management in health and social care
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for

• NHS
• Local authorities
• Private and voluntary sector health and social care organisations
• Higher education institutes
• Government
• Schools
• Prison services

Apply for an undergraduate degree course

How to apply for a foundation, top-up or bachelors degree

For undergraduate degrees, UK applicants need to apply through UCAS, the University and College Admissions Service.

Undergraduate degrees include:

• Foundation degrees (FdA, FdEng, FdSc)
• Top-up degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)
• Bachelors degrees (BA, BSc, BENG, LLB)

Applications open in September for courses starting in October the following year.

International applicants

If you are from outside the UK, you can apply direct or through UCAS. To apply direct, please use the online application form.

Getting started with UCAS

The first step is to register in the UCAS Hub and start a new application. You can save your application as you go, so you can complete a little bit at a time if you want to.

We recommend reading UCAS's guide to filling in the application form.

Your statement and references

As part of your UCAS application, you'll need to write a personal statement. You might also need to give names and contact details for people who can give you a reference.

If you're not sure where to start, try our guides to writing a good statement and choosing the right referees.

Assessing your application

Our admissions tutors will:

• check the subjects you're studying
• check your grades
• read your personal statement
• read the references we've received.

Depending on your course and application, we might also:

• invite you an interview
• invite you to submit a portfolio.

If you are invited to one of these, we'll send you everything you need to know. But if you'd like to know more now, you can read our guides to preparing for an interview and preparing a portfolio.

Application decision

After assessing your application, we will contact you with a decision. We usually start to make offers from November through to March, depending on when you applied.