Which modules can I study?
There are a number of core, pathway specific and optional modules associated with the BSc (Hons)/BSc Professional Development course pathways, as well as four different exit awards.
Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Professional Development in Health and Social Care
Advance your career with our flexible BSc (Hons) in Health & Social Care. Tailor your learning with diverse modules and gain specialist knowledge aligned to your professional interests and development stage.Immersive learning
Designed for healthcare professionals at various career stages, this course offers over 100 module options to suit your evolving professional needs.
Practical experience
Gain critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and emotional resilience skills to deliver high-quality, accountable care and drive service improvement.
Shape future healthcare
Developed with input from employers, commissioners, and students, our syllabus promotes collaborative learning across disciplines to meet current and future workforce demands.
About
Gain a degree and advance your career with our BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Health and Social Care, a flexible course aimed at a wide range of healthcare professionals at various stages of career and professional development. You will have the opportunity to choose from a large variety of modules to reflect diversity of practice and take an innovative approach to gaining specialist and advanced knowledge specifically aimed at your individual area of interest and expertise.
This course is for you if...
you want to advance your healthcare career with a flexible, modular degree tailored to your professional goals and prior experience.
you're interested in building specialist expertise in clinical decision-making, service improvement, and evidence-based practice.
you want to learn collaboratively with peers across disciplines while gaining skills in critical thinking, emotional resilience, and leadership.
Details
Year 1
This course offers the awards of BSc/BSc (Hons), graduate certificate and graduate diploma.
BSc – to achieve a BSc you will need to earn 80 credits by undertaking up to four modules – one core 20 credit module and up to three optional modules adding up to 60 credits.
BSc (Hons) – to achieve a BSc (Hons) you will need to earn 120 credits by undertaking up to five modules – two core modules adding up to 60 credits and up to three optional modules adding up to 60 credits.
Students who have previously obtained a health related degree at 2:2 or above are eligible to access the course via the graduate certificate or graduate diploma route – please see panel below for further details.
For further information on the modules that make up this course please visit the
BSc (Hons)/BSc Professional Development modules
.
Examples of optional modules (not exhaustive)
HEAC385 – The child and young person with mental health needs
MENT604 – Confirming proficiency in professional practice
The module 'HEAD361 - Independent study' is only a core module for students who wish to achieve the BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Health and Social Care award.
HEAC385 – The child and young person with mental health needs
MENT604 – Confirming proficiency in professional practice
The module 'HEAD361 - Independent study' is only a core module for students who wish to achieve the BSc (Hons) Professional Development in Health and Social Care award.
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma
If you have previously obtained a health related honours degree at 2:2 or above, you are eligible to access this programme via the graduate certificate/diploma route:
Graduate Certificate Professional Development in Health and Social Care– 60 credits at degree level
Graduate Diploma Professional Development in Health and Social Care– 120 credits at degree level
Students seeking to achieve either qualification will be required to achieve the specified number of credits by choosing from a range of pathway specific modules.
Please contact the Professional Development Unit at PDUAdmissions@plymouth.ac.uk for further information.
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Opportunities for postgraduate study
Be at the forefront of changes to the traditional ways of working and become a Clinical Practitioner (CP) with our
MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner)
.
You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to assess, diagnose, treat and manage patients who present with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions, across all sectors of healthcare.
Certain clinicians can also exit as a non-medical prescriber, i.e. nurses, pharmacists and optometrists can become independent and/or supplementary prescribers, whilst radiographers, physiotherapists and podiatrists can become supplementary prescribers.
Develop significant expertise in your chosen area with our specialist routes:
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for part-time UK students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Part-time study
The fee for this programme is dependant on the modules undertaken. Please see the relevant module webpages for further information.
The fee for this programme is dependant on the modules undertaken. Please see the relevant module webpages for further information.
Tuition fee price changes
In November 2024, the UK Government announced an increase to tuition fees and maintenance support for 2025/26 academic year, setting the standard tuition fee and student maintenance loan at £9,535 per year and the University’s tuition fees were increased to this rate.
The UK Government has indicated that further fee increases may be announced this year and in subsequent years. If the UK Government does so, the University may increase annual tuition fees in subsequent years, which may include the fees for the 2026/2027 academic year, in line with the Student Contract and all times in line with the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Apply
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the BSc or BSc (Hons) programme you will need to be either a registered health and social care professional or a health and social care worker in possession of previous study at level 5 (foundation degree /diploma of higher education). You will also need to be working in an environment in which end of life care needs are delivered.
If you wish to undertake the graduate certificate and graduate diploma award pathways you must already hold an honours degree at 2:2 or above in a health or health related subject as well as working in an environment in which end of life care needs are delivered.
If you wish to undertake any clinical skills modules as part of your programme you will need to be working in an environment where you can meet the learning outcomes.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – minimum overall International English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 6.5 average with a minimum 5.5 in each category.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
Extended entry requirements
- English language requirements
- We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
When to apply
Applications for this programme can usually be made throughout the year. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.
Applications for this programme can usually be made throughout the year. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.
Applying
Please use the Apply button bellow and return the form to:
Email: pduadmissions@plymouth.ac.uk
What happens after I apply?
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case if you are an overseas student may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case if you are an overseas student may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.
If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Additional support for students with an impairment, health condition or disability website.
Institution code
NA
NA
Duration
5 years
Course type
Part-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
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