How you learn

This course has been designed in response to rapidly changing workforce demands and policy initiatives – aiming to modernise services and improve quality, productivity and efficiency. You’ll benefit from the latest academic theory and practice-based thinking. 

There’s also an emphasis on developing problem-solving skills in relation to real-world challenges – including the application of research-based knowledge and technology. You’ll have the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers during taught sessions, and you’ll be supported across a range of assessments. 

You’ll experience a blended approach to learning and teaching – on campus, online and in work placements – which mirror how you’ll work in practice. 

You learn through:

• Seminars, workshops and tutorials
• Academic adviser meetings
• Problem-based activities
• Skills development sessions
• Simulation-based learning and courtroom skills
• Scenario-based learning and library support
• Guest lectures and online international events
• Collaborative and self-directed learning
• Group work meetings
• Employer-led learning
• Peer support and critical reflective supervision
• Reflective accounts, presentations and assessments
• A research project

Course topics

This health and social care top-up course is compliant with the Hallam Model – embedding a person-centred approach to your professional knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice. 

You’ll be encouraged to build on your prior experience and knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of health and social care. You’ll explore a range of topics – from leadership and research utilisation to technology integration, organisational adaptation, wellbeing and safeguarding. The course uses inclusive approaches to learning and teaching which value diversity. You’ll use real-world examples and learn from practitioners and people with lived experience.

You’ll also further develop your creative research and enquiry skills while exploring the high-quality research undertaken at Hallam and beyond. You’ll have opportunities to develop your abilities in identifying and using evidence, using methods that enhance your critical reasoning and reflection skills.

Course support

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:

• Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development
• Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
• Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
• Individual and group course support from academic advisers, a research supervisor and colleagues
• Reinforcement and enhancement of topics, writing and study skills covered in prior study
• Activities to build transferable and employability skills, reflecting on your own experiences and learning

Course leaders and tutors

Claire Marsden

Senior Lecturer In Community and Youth Work

I am based in the Department for Social Work, Social Care and Community Studies. I am also the Department Lead for Interprofessional Education.

Applied learning

Field trips

As a department we value the importance of learning from diverse experiences – broadening your professional understanding and becoming a culturally competent practitioner. Through access to the Turing Grant Scheme we have a range of active partnerships across Africa, Europe and India, facilitating volunteering visits to community development or refugee agencies. 

Networking opportunities

We have extra-curricular career-focused activities – from careers and job fairs to employer events, volunteering and leadership awards, and training to assist with professional development. As a department we celebrate international social work with a global audience, so you’ll be able to engage in a range of online international activities and events.  

Our student Social Work and Social Care Society, our Global Majority Student Group and the Diverse Voices Conference are great opportunities for students to come together and share experiences with their peers and academic staff. From the point of student recruitment to assessment, colleagues with lived experience and employer partners enhance your student experience and create real links to practice. 

Future careers

The Health and Social Care Studies top-up course is a principal route for training assistant practitioners –non-registered support staff working with registered health professionals – and other non-registered posts. 

These roles have been developed in a wide range of services, including:

• Long-term conditions 
• Staying healthy 
• End-of-life care 
• Maternity and new-born 
• Acute care 
• Planned care 
• Mental health 
• Children and families 
• Residential care 
• Housing 

Many students go on to further study, including postgraduate qualifications in teaching and social work. 

This course is also suitable if you’d like to start a career in health and social care, but you’re not sure which field of practice you’d like to work in – or perhaps you’re not eligible to access a pre-registration course. 

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 

Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

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Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students studying full-time in 2025/26 is £9,535 for the course. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year.

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.