Course details
This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
Your first module will cover issues around care and caring, including communication, identity and safeguarding. In the second module you’ll study various perspectives in mental health, health and wellbeing and ageing.
We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 17 March 2021.
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- working in a group with other students
- using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- finding external/third party material online
- continuous and end-of-module assessment in the form of essays or short answer questions
- using feedback: continuous assessment involves receiving detailed feedback on your work from your tutor and using this feedback to improve your performance.
For more detailed information, see the Accessibility Statements on individual module descriptions. If you feel you may need additional support, visit Disability support to find more about what we offer.
Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.
Read the detailed learning outcomes here
Credit transfer
If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.
It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
On completion
On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Certificate of Higher Education in Adult Health and Social Care.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification.
At The Open University we believe education should be open to all, so we provide a high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some skills that you'll need to succeed. If you're not quite ready for OU study we can guide you to resources that prepare you, many of which are free.
Answer a few quick questions to check whether you're ready for study success
How much time do I need?
- Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
- This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.
Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner
Preparing for study with an Access module
Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.
You’ll also benefit from:
- feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
- support from a dedicated team throughout your study
- detailed written feedback on your work.
The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:
People, work and society Access module
What you will study
This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with The Open University; you'll get to cover a wide range of subject areas, including childhood and youth studies, social science, psychology, health, business and law.
View full details of People, work and society Access module
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Skills for career development
The certificate builds sector knowledge, develops practical skills and provides a foundation for further study. It will help you demonstrate your understanding of the relationships between policy and practice, and some of the human issues associated with adult health and social care. You’ll also develop a strong set of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers in all sectors, including the ability to:
- draw together, analyse and critically evaluate information
- produce accurate records and make informed decisions
- think logically and propose reasoned solutions
- put together well-judged arguments and question assumptions
- manage time, learn independently and use IT effectively.
Career relevance
This certificate was developed in consultation with employers in health and social care to ensure that it develops the key skills and knowledge base needed to work in the sector. It also draws on the latest research and the experience of practising professionals.
Exploring your options
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice – including online forums, website, interview simulation, vacancy service as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. The health and social care sectors offer many jobs directly related to topics you will have studied in this qualification. While there are many openings, jobseekers in this sector may need to research and network further to uncover the many interesting options. So gaining related experience is invaluable and puts you in a place where you hear about new opportunities through your networks. This experience – and reflecting on it – helps you better focus applications, progress rapidly in the sector, and be clearer before you start a new job that the role is right for you! Here are some of the possibilities (note that most careers will require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your certificate):
- Care home advocate
- Drug and alcohol worker
- Family support worker
- Grants officer
- Victim care officer
- Volunteer co-ordinator
- Community support worker
- Personal care assistant
- Health promotion worker
- Residential support worker
- Social work assistant
- Substance abuse outreach worker