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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 nationally recognised qualification in its own right, the certificate of higher education is also equivalent to the first third of an honours degree.
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, flexible learning materials, community forums, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Social Care 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 study hub is your learning command centre. You'll access weekly planners, course materials, case studies, and interactive activities. It also features group forums where you can connect, discuss learning content, and build a sense of community with fellow students.
This qualification combines theory and reflection in meaningful, practice-focused ways. You’ll explore key social care concepts using real-life case studies, covering themes like identity, marginalisation, professional values, and service delivery. The curriculum encourages you to think critically, consider diverse perspectives, and apply social care theory directly to examples that mirror real-world settings.
Your academic tutor supports your learning via online tutorials, constructive feedback on assignments, and one-to-one guidance. Online forums offer additional peer interaction and encouragement. This learning structure helps you reflect on your progress and develop greater confidence in the ideas you explore.
This certificate includes a minimum 10-day verified practice experience, often through job-shadowing or practical work in a social care context. You'll document your reflections and insights, linking them to the theoretical frameworks you study. This hands-on element helps bridge theory and workplace relevance.
You’ll demonstrate learning through a mix of assignments – short-answer questions, case study analyses, and reflective essays – all designed to test your understanding of theory and its application in practice. Continuous feedback helps reinforce learning and build your capability over time.
You’ll receive structured support through a combination of accessible online and printed resources, scheduled tutorials, and feedback from your tutor. Additional help is available from student support teams, the OU library, IT support services, and the wider student community to ensure you’re set up for success.
There are no formal entry requirements to study this certificate.
However, you must:
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*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
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.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
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:
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 also form the first year of the BA (Honours) Social Work (England) and BA (Honours) Social Work (Northern Ireland), 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 (for which you must attend an interview and meet specific entry requirements. These include minimum academic requirements in maths and English and working in a social care setting, where your employer will be required to enter into an agreement with The OU to support your practice learning). However, if you do subsequently gain employer support and 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):
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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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
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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