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An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care
Social care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and strengthening communities, and this certificate explores ideas about what social care and social work are. Using case studies involving children, older adults, mental health communities and individuals with disabilities, you’ll apply your learning to practice contexts. You'll also build key skills in digital literacy, effective communication and reflective writing, which will support your understanding and development in the field. Whether starting your career or enhancing existing skills, this qualification equips you with the knowledge and practical abilities needed for meaningful and impactful work in social care.
A recognised qualification in its own right, this certificate of higher education is also equivalent to a quarter of an honours degree in Scotland.
This social care certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
You’ll investigate the organisation of social care in the UK and the different components of good social care and social work practice through real-life practice scenarios. Key concepts around communication will open up your thinking about how professional practice is informed and underpinned by theory, and you’ll make connections between your studies and your own personal and professional experience.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Foundations for social care and social work practice (K123)60Feb
K102 has two presentations per year, in October and February. Students who wish to complete their qualification in the shortest possible timeframe will need to choose the October start.

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, accessible study materials, online activities, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care (Scotland) upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
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.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
Your online module website is your learning hub. You'll access weekly planners, course materials, case studies, and interactive activities. Discussion forums connect you with peers, so you can share insights and feel part of a learning community.
This certificate takes a reflective, enquiry-based learning approach. Through case studies relevant to children, older people, mental health services, and individuals with diverse needs, you'll explore key concepts in social care and social work, such as standards, codes of practice, and the nature of caring roles. You'll also develop digital literacy, communication, and reflective writing skills designed to support practical application in your workplace.
Your academic tutor will guide your learning through online tutorials, assignment feedback, and one-to-one support. You’ll engage in collaborative discussions and activities that help you reflect on theory and connect it to real scenarios in social care contexts.
While this certificate doesn't require formal placement hours, it encourages practical reflection. One of the core modules involves at least a 10-day verified practice experience in a social care setting to help you apply your learning directly at work and to demonstrate your readiness to undertake a full practice placement should you intend to study the social work degree.
Your understanding will be demonstrated through a range of assessment formats, including tutor-marked assignments, interactive assessments, and end-of-module tasks, together with reflective practice evidence from your case-study work and practice experience. This approach ensures you can show both academic insight and emerging professional awareness.
You’ll be supported with high-quality online and printed materials, structured learning experiences, and dedicated tutor guidance. Specialist student support services, the OU library, IT support services, and the wider OU community are also available to help you succeed throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification. However, you must:
You should take all of these points into account before registering for this qualification.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
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 to transfer credit before registering, at least four 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 and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

2 years
£4,088*
A certificate is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 2 years.
£8,176*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.
Find out about all our available funding options below.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
For more information about registering for this certificate, please contact The Open University in Scotland at [email protected].
In addition to specific understanding and skills around health and social care, this certificate will build your confidence by steadily developing and enhancing your study skills – including digital and information literacy and reflective writing – and a range of essential employability skills in areas such as communication, IT, problem-solving, planning and organisation.
The modules that make up this certificate of higher education also form part of the BA (Honours) Social Work (Scotland) (Q41) – so if you’re considering a career in social work, it provides an excellent introduction.
Please note that this certificate does not give automatic entry to the social work degree programme (which requires you to attend an interview and has specific entry requirements, including working in a social care setting and meeting minimum academic requirements in maths and English). However, if you do subsequently gain entry to the programme, you’ll be able to count your certificate study towards your degree.
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 (note that most careers will require further study, training and/or work experience):
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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