Do you want to develop the skills to excel in leadership and management roles across the health and care sector, but aren’t not sure if you’re ready for university study? Then our health and care management degree with an integrated foundation year is the solution you’ve been looking for.
Designed to equip you with the skills you need to progress to degree-level study, this programme will help you establish a career within the health and social care sector, even if you don’t have the academic qualifications to join a standard undergraduate degree course. The foundation year is perfect if you need a little extra support to start your journey to higher education, offering study-skills and guidance at every stage.
In addition to being a high quality honours degree, the course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). That means that upon successful completion, you’ll receive the CMI level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership, demonstrating your ability to succeed in health and social care management roles. The course is endorsed by the Institute of Health & Social Care Management (IHSCM), meaning it’s recognised for its excellence in teaching both management and health and social care skills.
The academic team behind the development and delivery of the course are industry leaders with vast experience within the health and social care sector, including directors at the NHS/IHSCM and digital health tech firms, ensuring the course is directed by the needs of the industry. This also brings a wealth of professional expertise to your learning, providing you with a myriad of opportunities to develop your skills and practice. Finally, guest lecturers and live case studies from our links with the NHS, IHSCM, and Skills for Care will help you learn from real-world experiences and connect with professionals in the field.
Arden's foundation year modules have been designed to give you a tailored and fully supportive introduction to university study. This first year of study will prepare you for success in higher education by introducing you to the academic skills and subject-specific knowledge required to excel in your chosen degree subject.
An innovative approach to health and care management is the only answer to the extensive changes the sector has experienced in the last years. The course has been developed in correspondence with the ever-growing needs of the health and social care sector, highlighting the emerging digital and leadership competencies required of today’s professionals and managers.
So, if you’re looking for a quality health and social care-oriented degree that will help you take on the sector’s most pressing workplace matters with confidence, look no further than our BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management with Foundation Year.
I chose online learning because I do not currently have the capacity to attend classes as my days are full with running my household, my elderly parents’ household and tending to the needs of my 3-year-old. Online studying has been extremely helpful because it provides the flexibility I need in order to study at random times during the day or night.
You have 4-12 years to complete this course, meaning you can take up to 3 years to complete each level. Most of our students, however, aim to complete the course within 4-8 years.
Unlike on more traditional degrees, you won't be sitting any exams on this course. Your assessments will instead link your learning material to health, care, and management practice, providing you with key transferable workplace attributes for your future role. These include:
At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn't a clear pathway to this degree - we are more than happy to discuss your application.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study your degree in a flexible and convenient way. That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you'll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.
Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can join us, wherever you are.
That's why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or computer (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection. With this one tool, you'll be able to access information, advice, support, learning materials and our online library, as well as create assignments, keep notes, and collaborate with other students effectively.
To be eligible for our BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management with Foundation Year course, we need to see that you have:
In addition, an apprenticeship route: the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management (CMI) with NHS Mary Seacole Award is also available.
A degree from Arden University is your first step towards a rewarding position in the healthcare field. Our health and social care academic staff members have years of experience working in, studying, and researching their fields. We bring our own first-hand knowledge and professional expertise to the course, which adds even more value to your learning experience. I look forward to welcoming you to the Arden University family.
The BSc (Hons) Health and Care Management with Foundation Year provides students with not only just a degree, but the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management. This will allow you to gain key qualifications and professional competence in health and care management and leadership to start or enhance your career. This qualification is accepted by the CQC and Skills for Care in application for Registered Manager positions in social care, demonstrating the quality of the course from both a management and health and care perspective.
With the introduction of integrated care systems, the demand for highly trained professionals and managers in health and social care will most certainly increase. Our unique offering combines health and care with management principles, providing a foundation for you to both develop and build new skills for your current or future managerial roles. This includes those working or aspiring to work within NHS Trusts, social care, private clinics, charitable sectors, or within local councils or the wider health profession.
So, whether you’re looking for a career change, to develop new skills, or career progression, the course offers a pathway for you to achieve your ambitions. On top of this, gaining CMI status opens new doors for professionals in the field and can act as a fast-track to career development and progression.
Upon graduation, you may find yourself managing a health or social care setting, developing public health campaigns or policy, researching key health and care issues, working in medical technology, developing quality assurance practises, or even working in community health care development.
During your Foundation Year, you'll get comprehensive support and preparation for your university journey, including:
Introduction and preparation: our Foundation Year courses introduce you to university-level teaching, learning, and assessment methods. You'll develop essential study skills, research techniques, and critical thinking abilities, laying a strong foundation for your degree studies.
Personalised support: our academic staff will guide you throughout your Foundation Year. They'll ensure a smooth transition into your degree programme, providing the support you need every step of the way.
Direct relevance to your future degree: your programme content is carefully designed to align with Arden's degree courses. Studying a Foundation Year will equip you with subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary exploration, establishing a solid base for your chosen degree.
Improved degree outcomes: we prioritise not only your academic preparation but also your success. By boosting your confidence, academic skills, and understanding of the subjects, we empower you to achieve the best possible degree outcomes and expand your career opportunities.
With a health and care bachelor’s degree under your belt, you could work in the National Health Service (NHS), in the vast social care sector, with a private healthcare provider, or for a voluntary or not-for-profit organisation in a range of settings, including:
This course awards a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership and offers CMI Full Chartered Manager Status *
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) promotes excellence in UK management and leadership. As the CMI possesses a Royal Charter, they are the only organisation in the UK that can award Chartered Manager status to their members – the gold standard in management. With 140,000 members, the institute aims to boost career development across the management sector and connect like-minded professionals.
As an Arden student, you’ll have free CMI Membership throughout your studies, giving you access to a range of additional resources including a mentoring service and invitations to networking events both online and offline.
Upon completion of this CMI-accredited course, you will be awarded CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership and gain CMI Full Chartered Manager Status. This recognises you have the skills needed to be an effective manager, helping you stand out from the competition and start your management career journey - with a CMI qualification and a clear pathway to full Chartered Manager status.
*Upon completion of your course, the CMI award and level of chartered status awarded will depend on your level and length of study, whether you entered your course with Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) or if any compensation is applied on your modules throughout the duration of study. If this criteria applies to you, you may receive one of the 2 different levels; an Award or Certificate.
This course is endorsed by the Institute of Health & Social Care Management, whose aim is to create a supportive professional body that is relevant in its activities and modern in its approach and who holds sector leaders in the NHS, social care, third sector and private healthcare amongst its members. The IHSCM works with Arden University to contribute to curriculum development and delivery. As an Arden student, you’ll become a student member of the Institute, giving you access to a diverse range of events, conferences, workshops and networks as well as opportunities for mentoring and coaching. You are also encouraged to apply for full membership of the Institute once you graduate from the course.
Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.
This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB, and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange best practises between global business schools. Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.
Skills for Health is the UK's leading authority on skills and workforce development for the health sector. NHS and healthcare employers across the UK collaborate with Skills for Help to develop skills, roles, competencies, and strategies that provide better patient outcomes. They champion the entire workforce.
The Quality Mark is the UK’s benchmark for exceptional healthcare training and development. Being endorsed by the Quality Mark ensures that an organisation's training is world class, and has passed a rigorous review process of its delivery, strategy, and quality assurance practices.
The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.
As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complementary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.
All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.
With LinkedIn Learning, you can: