• Duration: Three years full time
• Mode of Delivery: Face-to-face
• Awarding Institution: GBS HE Malta
• Awarded Qualification: Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Health, Social Care and Wellbeing
• Level: MQF Level 6
• MQRIC Accredited Status: Accredited
• Accreditation Category: Higher Education Programme
• Language of Instruction: English

Students can expect to graduate from this course with broad in-depth knowledge, understanding, critical skills and competences in the areas of health, social care and wellbeing. The BSc (Hons) Health, Social Care and Wellbeing provides up-to-date coverage of key areas, topics, theories, concepts and applications for individuals, families, communities and society. Additionally, this course of study provides students with the competencies and skills to examine, evaluate and synthesise evidence-based research in areas related to health, social care and wellbeing. Students will also have the opportunity to undertake a significant final year project/dissertation examining a topic of their choice through a literature review, empirical study collecting data (where appropriate), analysing findings and drawing conclusions.

The first year of the full-time programme provides foundations in health and social care, through research and evidence in health and social care, communication and ethics in health, culture and society in health, and biological, psychological and social determinants of health.

The second year builds on these important foundations providing studies in equality and social justice, safeguarding for children and adults, policies and practices in health and social care, health and social care for healthy ageing, mental health and well-being across the life course and applied research in practice in the health and social care sectors. 

The third year provides studies in the evaluation and management of quality in health and social care, social justice, equality and vulnerability, challenging evidence in health and social care, and leadership and management in health and social care. Students will also undertake a major empirical-based project or dissertation involving a critical review of published research in an area of health, social care and/or wellbeing of their choosing.

Our Bsc(Hons)Health,Social care and wellbeing is assessed and accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and aligned with the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF).

Our programme is approved under the Malta Get Qualified Scheme, which allows students to claim back up to 70% of their tuition fees as tax credits after graduation. This government-backed initiative applies to programmes recognised at MQF Level 3 or higher. To be eligible for the refund, graduates must live and work in Malta for at least two years following the completion of their studies. This makes higher education in Malta both more affordable and financially rewarding.

Credits needed to earn the degree:

• ECTS Credits: 60 ECTS/year
• UK Credits: 120 Credits/year

Modules

MQF Level 5 Year 1 Full Time

• Introduction to Health and Social Care
• Introduction to Research and Evidence in Health and Social Care
• Communication, Ethics and Professionalism in Health and Social Care
• Culture and Society in Health
• Biological, Psychological and Social Determinants of Health Across the Life Span
• Care, Compassion and Wellbeing in Health and Social Care

MQF Level Year 2 Full Time

• Equality and Social Justice in Health and Social Care
• Health and Social Care for Healthy Ageing in Elderly Adults
• Safeguarding Children and Adults in Health and Social Care
• Health and Social Care: Policies and Practice
• Evaluating Research in Health and Social Care
• Mental Ill Health and Mental Health

MQF Level 6 Year 3 Full Time

• Evaluating and Managing Quality in Health and Social Care
• Social Justice, Equality and Vulnerability in Health and Social Care
• Challenging Evidence in Health and Social Care
• Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care
• Final Year Project/Dissertation in Health, Social Care and Wellbeing

(a) General Approach Assessment for the BSc (Hons) Health, Social Care and Wellbeing course will be through a range of different types of coursework. The range of coursework will include essays, case studies, portfolios, group presentations, posters, project proposals and project reports. Formative and summative approaches to assessment will be employed. Formative assessment tasks will be used in all modules and will be aimed at supporting students to understand and prepare for the module summative assessment requirements. In this way, students with different learning styles and abilities will be able to gain a good understanding of the summative assessment requirements and on their journey to submitting their summative assessments. Assignment briefs will be produced for each of the summative assessments required by each of the modules on this BSc (Hons) Health, Social Care and Wellbeing programme. Assignment briefs will set out the learning outcomes being assessed, appropriate material, context, etc. for the assignment. Suggested reading will include book chapters, published articles and published research, weblinks and case studies, as appropriate, to the assignment brief. Each assignment brief will include marking criteria so that students have a clear understanding of what is required to pass the assessment and what is required to achieve higher marks. Marking of a student summative assessment will be made using a 0% to 100% scale, with a pass set at 40%. Feedback will be provided to each student on their assessed work identifying both areas of strength and areas that could be improved. Where a fail mark is awarded, the student will receive detailed feedback on the reasons for awarding such a mark and the areas that would need to be addressed for improvement. 

Knowledge:

The learner will be able to:  

1. Understand and critically appreciate the structure, functions and dynamics of health and social care systems, including the roles of different stakeholders, funding mechanisms and policy frameworks. 
2. Describe and discuss theoretical and practical knowledge of the human experience of physical and mental health and wellbeing. 
3. Understand critical concepts of health and wellbeing, how they are shaped by society and policy from an institutional, local and global perspectives.  
4. Understand and critically evaluate research and evidence concerning health, social care and wellbeing. 
5. Evaluate how disease and illness impact individuals, families, communities and wider society. 
6. Collect, summarise, analyse, present, and critically evaluate information based on evidence-based research.  
7. Describe and evaluate theories and concepts related to health, wellbeing and quality of life including physical health, mental health, social determinants of health and factors influencing individuals and community wellbeing. 
8. Understand and critically discuss ethical principles, ethical issues and legal frameworks related to health and social care practice, including confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, and regulations governing healthcare delivery. 
9. Understand the importance of collaborative teamwork in health and social care settings and appreciate the importance of effective collaboration with professionals from diverse disciplines to deliver holistic health and social care. 

Skills:

The learner will be able to:  

1. Demonstrate skills and professional competence in verbal, written and interpersonal communication which fulfil requirements of a professional and interdisciplinary environment. 
2. Demonstrate skills of problem solving, critical reflection and use of information technology to inform safe and effective health and social care service delivery.  
3. Undertake an independent and evidence-based project/dissertation relevant to health, social care and/or wellbeing.  
4. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse complex situations, identify issues and develop creative solutions to address the needs of individuals, families and communities in health and social care settings. 
5. Demonstrate how to advocate for the rights and needs of individuals, families and communities to suggest informed decisions about care, and promote social justice and equity in health and social care provision. 
6. Show proficiency in the use if technology and information systems relevant to health and social care. 
7. Use self-reflection and feedback from tutors and peers to take proactive steps to enhance knowledge, skills and competencies through continuing education and understanding of professional practice and codes of conduct. 
8. Demonstrate the ability to work in small groups as part of a team to achieve shared goals and objectives. 

To be offered a place to study on the BSc (Hons) Health, Social Care and Wellbeing programme, prospective students would normally need to meet the following admissions criteria:

(a) Possession of certificated qualification(s) at or equivalent to MFHEA MQF Level 4 with at least one qualification in health, social care and/or wellbeing or relevant other.

Prior learning recognition

Prospective students who have worked in some capacity in an area of health, social care and/or wellbeing and who do not possess formal certificate qualifications at or equivalent to MFHEA MQF Level 4 may have their experiential learning, where appropriate, assessed through GBS Malta’s MFHEA accredited Policy and Procedure for the Recognition of Prior Learning: Accreditation of Experiential Learning.

English Language requirements

To be offered a place on this Bsc(Hons) Health,social care and wellbeing, prospective participants would be required to meet English language requirements. Prospective participants who do not initially meet these English language standards can take an English language course offered by GBS HE Malta to support participants to meet this English language standard, generally within three months.

An honours degree in health, social care and wellbeing can lead to a wide range of career opportunities in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Graduates of this programme can work in the following occupations:

• Healthcare or social care assistant: can work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or home care settings supporting nurses and other health care professionals providing direct social care.
• Health and social care management: roles as junior managers in health and social care settings.
• Mental health support worker
• Community health worker
• Health educator
• Health and social care administration
• Case manager
• Health promotion
• Rehabilitation support worker
• Social care coordinator
• Health/social care researcher