Top tips for health and social care courses in Clearing

My name is Helen Ogilvie. I’m an admissions tutor for the BA (Hons) Integrated Health and Social Care degree. I am also a senior lecturer and teach a range of subjects.

Through Clearing, you’ve still got an opportunity to find your ideal course starting in September 2024.

These tips will help you do the right research and prepare yourself. You can use Clearing if you:

• have your exam results
• meet the course requirements
• are not already holding an offer from a university

For many people that means waiting for A-level results day. If you already have your results, you can apply when Clearing opens on 5 July.

Start with the course page

Check the course page before you apply to study. You’ll find information about the course and the different units you might take.

You’ll be able to get a really good overview of what the course involves, as well as details of the tuition fees. It’s a full-time course - there’s no part-time option.

Remember, universities offering courses with the same title might take different approaches - so check the detail before you apply for a course.

Explore the subject

The health and social care sector is vast. There is a wide range of roles within it. Health and social care courses in university will equip you with knowledge and skills to kickstart your career, whichever area you choose.

Be keen to explore new ideas. For example, what causes mental health problems, and can someone develop resilience? Why might those with disabilities struggle to receive support? Why do people become homeless?

Also be prepared to look at wider factors that affect health and social care services. Is there enough funding to deliver services effectively? How do governments make decisions about how health and social care?

As well as learning new things, expect to have fun getting to know new people in a friendly and supportive environment.

Beyond academic entry requirements

Apart from the academic entry requirements, we want you to show you understand what health and social care is, and how health and social care services are delivered.

Have a look at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) website. This will give you information about what the CQC does and the different services in the sector.

We’ll be impressed if you can talk about the current issues affecting health and social care. For example, find out whether it is easy for people to access health care services. What problems might people face? 

Make a good impression on the phone

If we need to speak to you on the phone, show us you are keen to do a health and social care university degree.

Make sure you have at least a basic understanding of health and social care.

Prepare a few questions to ask us. We know this might feel a bit daunting but it does help. Although we’ll ask you a few questions, the chat on the phone is mainly to help you, and us, make a decision about whether the course is right for you.

How you’ll learn and be tested

You’ll have formal lectures in traditional lecture theatres. But learning will also take place in classrooms and smaller group rooms. There will also be seminars, group work, and interactive workshops.

In your second year, you’ll be in real care settings for your work placement.

Currently, there are no exams on the course. Assignments may include completing a portfolio, a case study, preparing a presentation, working in a group to produce an animation, writing an essay or producing a poster.