You will research the history of health and social welfare provision, critically examine a range of professional roles, discuss the potential for service user involvement and analyse global health issues and government policy. In addition, you will debate a range of significant social welfare issues such as disability; equality and social justice; mental health; and the social determinants of health.

This degree also aims to equip you with knowledge about some of the issues and tensions of partnership and inter-professional working, involving service users, and why integration between health and social care might lead to higher standards of care.

This knowledge will prepare you for potential roles in a variety of health and social care settings, such as working with people experiencing mental health issues, in Domestic Violence services, or in Public Health teams.  It will also prepare you for post-graduate and/or professional study in this health and social care related subjects. 

You will be encouraged to explore a range of career pathways throughout your degree and develop an understanding of contemporary ways of working in the field of Health and Social Care engaging with a range of employers, alumni and external agencies.

You will be supported to develop key professional and personal skills (such as one to one work, group work, interviews and presentations) throughout the course. You will be encouraged and supported to engage with volunteering opportunities and use the links and networks we have with local employers to improve your employability. A number of extra-curricular career development and employability sessions, focusing on different professions and aspects of job-hunting run throughout the year.

The skills learnt and assessed through the course will develop your employability, and you will have acquired the characteristics of a Northumbria graduate – the ability to think independently, work collaboratively, and apply innovation.