Our Health and Care Management Foundation Degree equips you with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the health and social care management sector. This two-year qualification provides a strong academic and practical foundation, preparing you for both further study and career progression.
Developed to meet the changing needs of the industry, this Level 5 qualification goes beyond the basics—helping you build leadership, critical thinking, and management skills that are essential for advancing your career.
Whether you're an aspiring professional looking to take your first step into management, a current practitioner ready to formalise your experience with a recognised qualification, or someone aiming for a Registered Manager position, this course offers a flexible and career-ready route to your goals.
Why study this course?
This course is subject to validation
This Level 5 FdSc course offers a solid grounding in essential skills needed for early career progression in the health and social care sector. You’ll focus on developing core management, leadership skills and critical thinking skills tailored specifically for the health and social care sector—preparing you to step confidently into early managerial roles.
Delivered full-time via blended learning, the course gives you the flexibility to balance your studies with other commitments. It’s ideal if you’re looking for a recognised qualification but aren’t ready to commit to a full 3-year degree right away.
After completing your FdSc, you’ll have the opportunity to top-up your qualification to a Level 6 degree, opening up even more advanced roles in health and care management.
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’ll study two modules at a time. Most modules are delivered over a single study block, while your Academic and Professional Skills Development (Level 4) and Workplace Impact Project (Level 5) span across three blocks for deeper learning and real-world application.
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 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.
We welcome motivated learners from all backgrounds. Whether you're returning to education or just starting out, we’ll support you every step of the way.
Flexible Entry (mature learners, 21+): If you don’t meet the standard entry criteria, you can still apply. You’ll need to:
Before you begin: All students must complete a one-week Introduction to Higher Education. This mirrors your course timetable and helps set you up for success.
We’re here to help you succeed every step of the way.
To find out more about the FdSc, click here.
Lucy is the Director of the Centre of Academic Persistence at Arden University. Qualified with Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy, Lucy is also an avid conference presenter, guest speaker and sharer of practice in the HE community. Lucy is an experienced senior leader of foundation year provision in a HE context working with different sizes of provision and subject-areas and previous award-winning ‘Lecturer of the Year’ at the University of Northampton in 2019.
Lucy’s understanding of the diverse student needs allows her to implement relevant interventions when needed as well as offering suitable pastoral support.
This course is designed to prepare you for a successful career in health and care management. You’ll gain key insights into areas like health policy, emerging healthcare trends, and organisational leadership—skills that are highly sought after in the sector.
Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to take on early management roles in a variety of health and social care settings, including achieve a Registered Manager position. You can also choose to top-up your qualification to a full BSc degree to unlock further advancement opportunities.
You’ll have access to optional micro-credentials designed to boost both your academic performance and career readiness.
A short, practical series of workshops delivered in your first semester to maximise your study success:
This career-focused micro-credential will help you develop key professional skills, including digital literacy, communication, and career management—giving you the tools to build a confident and sustainable career path.
