Health and Social Care
- CertHE
- 1 Years
- Full-time
- October 2026
- Undergraduate
- Colchester Campus
Course summary
Improving the physical, social or emotional lives of adults can take place in charities, homes or creative environments. This programme is an excellent opportunity for new students to gain vital skills and the adaptability to enter the changing UK workforce. It has also been designed in line with The Care Certificate, an agreed set of standards expected of support worker roles in the health and social care sectors.
Our lecturers believe that administering high-quality care begins with the empathy and kindness of the practitioner, and this course is ideal for anyone who is conscientious and eager to receive realistic practice in patient care. You will be able to learn through flexible and social teaching to guide you from the start of your journey to becoming competent and confident to apply for further education or to roles in the sector.
If you're new to health care (or are in work), you will gradually receive simulated learning experiences, lectures and seminars on campus so that when you are caring for individuals in need – you are familiar with equipment, potential hazards and will feel informed to make life-saving decisions.
The opportunity to train in workshops without the real consequences of errors with vulnerable patients will enable you to deliver better support, communication and kindness when you do begin to practice in varying locations across the UK and beyond.
Approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). IfATE work with employers to develop and approve apprenticeships and technical qualifications. IfATE approves CertHE Health & Social Care as a HTQ aligned to the Lead Practitioner in Adult Care standard (ST0007). This means that the course has been developed in collaboration with employers so that students can develop the skills that are needed in the workplace.

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.
Learn more about Higher Technical QualificationsHow to apply
Apply by
14 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- L518
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Chat to student ambassadors
Discover what it's like to study Health and Social Care at University of Essex: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.
Entry requirements
GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4.
Plus a level 3 qualification: For example: A Levels, BTECs, T-level, NVQ Level 3, QAA- approved Access course or Senior Healthcare Support Worker.
Vocational qualifications: We also consider a range of vocational level 3 qualifications for entry. If you are taking or have achieved any qualifications that are not listed here, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Contextual admissions
At Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Fees displayed are for the 2026-27 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Related courses
At University of Essex

