BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management (Accelerated)

The course aims to:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the key functional areas of health and social care organisations, their external environment and management practices.
• Provide knowledge, concepts and principles of health and social care operations.
• Develop an understanding of the key roles of management with an ability to apply this understanding to work-based problems.
• Prepare students with the skills and competencies for a successful career in health and social care management.

Entry to this programme is governed by the regulations of the University of Chichester and requires one of the following:

• A minimum of three ‘A-Level’ passes (or High School Diploma to age 18 where it is deemed equivalent), or
• A relevant Pearson/Edexcel BTEC National Diploma at Level 3 or equivalent in Health and Social Care or Health care assistant qualification.

• An International Baccalaureate (28 points), or

• A recognised and relevant Foundation/Access to Higher Education course,

• A current DBS Check/Certificate – should not have a criminal background which might prevent them from working with young people or vulnerable adults. (If you do not have a DBS and wish to apply for one, please click here for more information on how to apply).

All students whose first language is not English and have not done the last two years of their education in English must meet a minimum English language requirement before commencing their programme. To join an honours undergraduate programme, they must pass our initial assessment Numeracy and Literacy test and must achieve Level 1. Other equivalent English language tests at that level will be accepted.

International students should pass the IELTS for UKVI Test Score of 5.5 (Listening: 5.5; Speaking: 5.5 Reading: 5.5; Writing: 5.5) to be eligible for the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management (Accelerated Degree).

As the IELTS tests are not conducted by LSME, prospective international students must contact their respective local centres to arrange a suitable date and time for the test and ensure the results are available before they apply to LSME.

For further information on the application process for international students, visit https://lsme.ac.uk/students/international-students/

• Term 1
  • Mod. 1: Critical Thinking Skills (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 2: Personal and Professional Skills for Management (20 cr.)
• Term 2
  • Mod. 3: Organisation Theory (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 4: Operations Management, Quality and Excellence (20 cr.)
• Term 3
  • Mod. 5: Ethical Foundations of Health and Social Care  (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 6: UK Healthcare Policy (20 cr.)

• Term 4
  • Mod. 7: Project Management (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 8: Strategic Human Resource Management (20 cr.)
• Term 5
  • Mod. 9: Inter-professional Working in Health & Social Care (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 10: The Legal and Regulatory Framework (20 cr.)
• Term 6
  • Mod. 11: Service Planning and Budgeting (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 12: Research Methodology* (20 cr.)

• Term 7
  • Mod. 13: Leadership in Health & Social Care (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 14: Contemporary Issues in Health & Social Care (20 cr.)
• Term 8
  • Mod. 15: Managing Change (20 cr.)
  • Mod. 16: Managing Risk (20 cr.)
  • Research Project* (40 cr.)

* Module 12: Research Methodology includes a requirement for students to identify a suitable project and develop an outline for approval. International students may write up their Research Project after they have returned to their own country reducing the number of modules they take in the UK. (Students would continue to be supported whilst writing up their project via online learning.)

Please remove the two sub headings (year 2- 6 compulsory modules)

The accelerated BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management programme is delivered through full-time formal lectures, workshops, seminars and work-based learning.

The student requires a maximum of 20 hours of compulsory work placement each week in order to fulfil the full requirement of this qualification. The work placement activities would count towards the contact teaching hours for this programme to enable learners acquire the necessary learning, knowledge and skills required for all the modules within two years.

Normally the course will involve two years of intensive full-time study. 

Various methods are used to assess each module including workplace assignments, essays, reflective assignments, written reports, oral reports, case studies and projects. There are no time-constrained examinations.

Students who are awarded a minimum of a 2.2 classification can progress to a range of university Masters programmes in a relevant subject area. Students can also progress in employment in the health and social care sector in a supervisory or managerial role.

International students who want to gain more work experience in the UK can apply for a graduate visa which enables them to stay and work in the UK for two additional years after they have graduated. For more information on graduate visa visit:  https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa/apply

1. Is this a ‘proper’ degree? 

Yes, the degree is awarded by the University of Chichester. In 2021 the University was ranked in the top 30 of 180 higher education institutions in the UK.

Since 2018 the Office for Students, the regulator for higher education in the UK, has encouraged British universities to develop accelerated degrees as a means of providing greater choice for students. Research has shown that, on average, both completion and achievement rates of accelerated degrees are equal to, or better, than traditional three year degrees.

2. How can you complete a degree in two rather than three years?

Traditional degrees have at least 36 weeks of vacations over the three years of a course. As can be seen from the diagram, accelerated degrees typically have 13 weeks of vacations over the two years of a course. Less vacations means more time for teaching.

3. Do I have to study more hours per week?

No – less vacations means that the same amount of tuition can be provided as a three year degree.

4. What are the advantages of accelerated degrees?

There are three main advantages:

• You can finish your degree and start employment one year earlier than with a three year degree.
• Accommodation and living costs need to be funded for only two years rather than three.
• Commitment and motivation can suffer during the long vacations of a three year degree.

5. Are there any other advantages to LSME’s accelerated degrees?

LSME’s accelerated degrees have six workplace modules – arranged by the College – during which students are paid by an employer. The amount you receive will depend on your age, how many hours you work and working arrangements.

6. Is the course fee less because the programme only lasts two years?

Yes. One advantage of this programme is that your yearly tuition fee is similar to that of students on the three year programme but you will only pay for two years. This is because your work-based learning will be supervised by your employers at no additional cost to LSME although your teacher will visit you periodically in the workplace to observe you and provide some developmental feedback.

7. Will my degree certificate show that I completed the degree in two years rather than three?

Degree certificates only show the date you were awarded your degree, not the length of the course.

8. Is an accelerated degree suitable for everyone?

Not everyone, some students prefer long vacations in order to rest and ‘recharge their batteries’. However, for other students a long vacation means they lose momentum and it takes time to get back into the habit of studying which can affect performance.

9. Can I still get a student loan?

British students who fulfil the conditions of the Student Loans Company are eligible for a student loan irrespective of whether their course lasts two or three years.

10. When can I enrol?

Enrolments take place in September, January and June (subject to a minimum enrolment in each intake).

Structure of Accelerated Degrees