The published course and module descriptions were accurate when first published and remain the basis of the course, but the University has had to modify some course and module content in response to government restrictions and social distancing requirements. In the event of changes made to the government advice and social distancing rules by national or local government, the University may need to make further alterations to the published course content. Detailed information on the changes will be sent to every student on confirmation in August to ensure you have all the information before you come to Oxford Brookes.
Health Sciences Open Award
BSc (Hons)
Key facts
Start dates
January 2021 / September 2021 / January 2022 / September 2022
Course length
Full time: 12 months for BSc (Hons); Distance Learning 12 months
Part time: 2-5 years; Distance Learning 24 months
Overview
If you want to progress from your Diploma in Higher Education to a Bachelor of Science, our Health Sciences Open Award is for you.
You will build a bespoke honours degree pathway to suit your background and interests. You will learn from staff at the cutting edge of health and social care. We offer you;
- a world-class academic community
- access to invaluable resources, including the library in our John Henry Brookes Building.
We recognise the workplace as a forum for learning and development. This means you can include work-based learning and link your studies to your professional practice.
We work with local, national and international partners to translate our world-leading research into practical health and social care.
Our open award pathway was previously called the Health and Social Care Student Designed Award.
How to apply
Further offer details
Offers are made on an individual basis. The course is only available to applicants already working within a health- or social care-related profession. Offers will depend on prior experience and/or previously obtained academic credit.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The following entry criteria apply:
- Applicants must hold a Dip HE or equivalent qualification in a health or social care subject. No applicant shall be given AP(E)L equivalent to more than two-thirds of their target award.
- Applicants must be working in the fields of health or social care
- For applicants whose first award is not in English and for whom English is not a native language, you must have IELTS 6.5 or above (with 6.0 or above in reading and writing, 5, 5, or above in listening and speaking) or PTE 58 or above (with 51 or above in all skills).
- Applicants for full-time study must demonstrate a meaningful connection to the health or social care field, either by reference to their previous study or most recent employment.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
Credit transfer
Many of our courses consider applications for entry with credit for prior learning. Each application is individually assessed by our credit entry tutors.
If you would like more information about whether or not you may be eligible for the award of credit, for example from an HND, partly-completed degree or foundation degree, please contact our Admissions team.
We operate the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). All undergraduate single modules are equivalent to 7.5 ECTS credits and double modules to 15 ECTS credits. More about ECTS credits.
Application process
Application for BSc-HSI Health Sciences Open Award is via our portal.
Prior to applying, you may wish to discuss your programme of study with the Programme Lead Dr Jan Davison-Fischer.
Please contact the Programme Administration Team with any other questions.
Along with your application you will be required to submit:
- two references (professional/academic)
- copies of certificates of previous qualifications
- NMC PIN if registered
- English language qualifications if your first language is not English
- confirmation of funding.
Tuition fees
Please see the fees note
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
2020 / 21
Home/EU full time
£915 per single module
Home/EU part time
£915 per single module
Home/EU distance learning
£915 per single module
International full time
£1,750 per single module
International distance learning
£1,750 per single module
2021 / 22
Home (UK) full time
£1,155 per single module
Home (UK) part time
£1,155 per single module (subject to confirmation, Nov 20)
Home (UK) distance learning
£1,155 per single module
International / EU full time
£1,800 per single module
International / EU distance learning
£1,800 per single module
Please note tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students.
Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.
Financial support and scholarships
For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course, if any, are detailed below.
Learning and assessment
Our Health Sciences Open Award has an accessible and flexible structure. You can combine modules from any of our Faculty’s post-qualification provision, and sometimes from other faculties and institutions. So you can focus on areas which particularly interest you.
We use a variety of teaching methods. And you can include work-based learning or taught modules in your open award.
To achieve a degree with honours must have been continuously enrolled for two semesters. You will also need;
- at least 120 credits at level 4
- at least 240 credits at level 5/6, including at least 90 credits at level 6
- at least 120 credits from Oxford Brookes University.
To achieve a degree without honours you must have been continuously enrolled for one semester. You will also need;
- at least 120 credits at level 4
- at least 180 credits at level 5/6, including at least 60 credits at level 6
- at least 105 credits from Oxford Brookes University.
Study modules
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from that shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
Learning and teaching
Our course will build on your skills as an experienced professional. We also encourage your academic learning and develop your professional practice.
We are committed to student-centred learning and recognise that you are the best person to identify your learning needs. We allow you to test out ideas and develop your own plans and arguments. Our tutors will support you in this process, and are available for guidance and to give feedback.
We work on a partnership approach. You can either select one of eight pathways, or design your own bespoke course with the support of staff.
Assessment
Assessment methods used on this course
We will assess you either by coursework, examination or both. We ensure that your assessments are rigorous, fair and in line with other universities.
Our assessments encourage independent and reflective learning. They will show that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each module.
You will be able to discuss module content and activities with your academic supervisor. This will support your professional and academic development.
After you graduate
Career prospects
Entrants to the programme are generally in-service professionals whose employability and career progression is significantly enhanced by attendance on the programme. Course content is closely mapped to the professional requirements and priorities of the students' practice settings.
Further study
Students who successfully complete the award may be able to develop their careers further. A wide range of courses are available at Oxford Brookes for continuing professional development (CPD) including study at postgraduate level.
Free language courses
Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.
Programme Changes: On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website.
For more information, please visit our Changes to programmes page.