About your online business management degree
This course enables you to top-up your existing Foundation Degree qualification, or other relevant training/qualifications acquired during your Armed Forces service to a full BSc degree in Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care. You’ll develop the skills to manage and lead effectively in complex, dynamic and multidisciplinary organisations and studying online will give you the flexibility to advance your career around your other commitments.
Designed for you
ARU recognises and gives credit for your military training and offers advanced entry routes for Royal Air Force Medics, Royal Navy Medical Assistants and Army Medical Services Soldiers. Depending on your rank, training and experience you may qualify for Accredited Prior Learning (APL). APL can help you meet the course entry requirements, reduce the number of modules you need to study to complete the degree and potentially reduce the cost of studying with us. Each application is considered on an individual basis so if you would like to know if you’re eligible for an advanced entry route please contact us.
Course highlights
- Study 100% online providing ultimate flexibility wherever you’re deployed
- Professional accreditation – receive an industry-recognised CMI professional qualification
- Work-based approach allows you to deliver impact in the workplace as you learn
How you'll study
This course is studied 100% online
Course length
Study this course over 1 - 3 years
Start in January or September
Application deadline
Our next deadline is30th April 2024
Fees: £5,000
Professional accreditation
UK Quality Assured
Course overview
Our Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) will develop you personally and professionally, and provide the tools you need to achieve your career potential. You’ll build your ability to work as an effective team leader in settings involving people from different disciplines and agencies.
You’ll advance your understanding of the latest policy developments in health and social care and develop your research awareness and analytical skills. You’ll learn to use higher level strategies for solving practical problems, and understand how to implement, influence and adapt to change in your workplace. You’ll also explore the needs of service users so that their views – and those of their carers – are fully represented.
You’ll engage in work-based learning in your current setting so your study will be directly relevant to your job even though you’ll be investigating wider leadership and management themes.
You’ll study with, and learn from, other current and aspiring managers and leaders from a range of health and social care organisations, allowing you to benefit from their experiences and best practice. You’ll also build ongoing relationships that will support you in your future career.
As well as the Armed Forces, students on this course work in the NHS, the voluntary and private sectors leading to interesting discussions.
Once you have successfully completed this BSc you will be eligible for entry onto our MSc Healthcare Management course.
Modules
If you are eligible for an advanced entry route you may not need to complete all of the modules below. If you’re a Royal Navy or Royal Marine Medical Assistant you may also need to complete an additional two modules (Research and Critical Thinking and Work Based Project) from our Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (Armed Forces) foundation degree. The module descriptions for these modules can be found under the assessment section below. Please contact us for more information.
Modules
Leadership Practice in Health and Social Care
This module will empower you to develop the necessary leadership skills in order to become a facilitator and motivator of change in the workplace. The focus is upon contemporary theories of leadership such as transformational leadership, distributive and leaderful practice and the notions which underpin leadership such as personal dispositions, values and skills.
Evaluating Research for Evidence-Based Practice
You’ll reinforce your existing knowledge of the research process and further develop your skills of critical analysis, particularly in relation to published research literature. You’ll also have the opportunity to appraise the ethical dimensions of research studies.
Strategic Management in Health and Social Care
This module covers the main study areas in strategic management in health and social care and presents the practical issues and problems of strategic management in real organizations. You’ll look at how key concepts of strategic management are applied in real world situations in health and social care field and apply your own critical faculties to evaluate the usefulness of these concepts to your organization.
Undergraduate Major Project
The individual Final Project module allows you to engage in a substantial piece of work, focussed on a topic relevant to your specific discipline. The project topic will be assessed for suitability to ensure sufficient academic challenge and satisfactory supervision by an academic member of staff. You will be assigned an academic supervisor who will support you on a one to one basis during your study of this module.
Additional modules for Royal Navy and Royal Marine Medical Assistants
Research and Critical Thinking
The module will develop your understanding of the research process, including the major approaches to research, ethical considerations and research design. You’ll improve your awareness of the use of published research to underpin professional practice within the context of evidenced-based practice. It is important for health and social care professionals to understand the evidence-base for their area of practice and gaining an understanding of the research process will help you develop a more quizzical and critical approach in your workplace.
Work-Based Project
This module provides the opportunity to broaden or deepen your understanding of a given relevant work-based topic through undertaking a project using self-directed learning. You’ll submit a project proposal, including a rationale, showing you have made informed decisions about your intended topic. You’ll then implement your proposed change to working practice and evaluate the effectiveness of this change.
Assessment
Throughout the course, we'll use a range of assessment methods to help you and your tutors measure your progress on each module. These include reflective practice, essays and a major project, as well as the sharing of ideas and critical thoughts in an online setting.
Meet your tutor
Yvette Winnard
Yvette qualified as a therapeutic radiographer in 1983 and worked for 21 years in the NHS. She joined Anglia Ruskin University in 2004 and delivered the online distance learning radiotherapy course until 2010. Since 2010 Yvette have been course leader of the FdSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care.
How you'll study
Our Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons) (Armed Forces) is studied 100% online.
You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, pc or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.
On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.
Supported distance learning
We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your business management degree online, and that’s natural.
To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist online business degree tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.
Once you start your online business management course, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.
Contact us to talk through any questions or concerns or visit our support page for more information about the support services available.
Gold-standard education
We're proud to have received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of university teaching standards.
Why we're rated Gold
Our course content and delivery is rated as outstanding with the review citing ‘innovative and highly effective course design and content that inspires students to actively engage and commit to their learning’.
We’re also rated outstanding in the areas of:
- student engagement in learning
- learning environment and academic support
- learning resources
- student engagement in improvement
- approaches to supporting student success
- intended educational gains
- approaches to supporting educational gains.
What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?
The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students that focuses on the areas students care most about: teaching, learning, and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.
It has three outcomes: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
This rating was awarded in September 2023, and lasts for four years.
Be part of the University of the Year
We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023.
The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.
Accreditation
CMI Accredited
Our Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons) is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
CMI accreditation means you may opt to, at no extra cost, receive a second professional qualification upon successful completion of your programme. By adding this CMI qualification to your University qualification, you’re really on the road to success. Other benefits include:
- Professional recognition and Chartered Management status
- Free access to CMI online management and leadership resources during your ARU course and for a period of time after you complete your ARU course
- Access to the CMI career development centre with resources to help with writing CVs, interview simulations and career management tools
- CMI membership and opportunities for networking with other CMI members
- Access to CMI events
Careers
What could a Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons) do for my career?
With this top-up degree, you’ll gain benefits to your current role within the armed forces, as well as future-proofing your skills and employability for a career outside of the armed forces when that time comes.
Whilst serving, our top-up course will give you the skills you need to become the most effective manager you can be in your environment. You will develop further the skill to lead teams, and drive change. You’ll learn how management theory can be applied to real-life scenarios, whilst also developing the tools to take your own initiative when devising solutions.
Moving forward towards civilian life, you’ll be able to compete in a competitive job market and feel confident that you can apply for and attain the roles you want. This valuable skillset will set you apart as an exceptional leader and help you build a career in caring sectors that has a genuine impact, and with our work-based approach that allows you to learn while you earn, you can put your learnings into practice from day one.
What job roles can I consider with a Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons)?
A Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons) will enhance your understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a manager within a health and social care organisation. Some job roles this may encompass include:
- Practice Manager
- NHS Operational Manager
- NHS General Manager
- Care Manager for the following types of provision:
- Elderly care home / nursing home
- Children’s home
- Hospice
- Supported housing
If you are looking for more information about these job profiles and potential salary earnings see Roles in management | Health Careers or Prospects.ac.uk. It’s important to note that salaries can vary widely depending on the job role, employer, industry sector and location.
What skills will I get from a Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons) to help my career?
You'll learn many transferable skills from this CMI accredited qualification; here are just some of them:
- You'll understand how to use emotional Intelligence to make you a better leader
- Draw on your knowledge to manage teams and project effectively
- Enhance your research and analytical skills
- Improve your decision-making and problem-solving skills
What can I study after a Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons)?
Depending on your long-term goals and desired career, you may consider a postgraduate degree in a related subject. There are options that can be accessed through ELCAS such as Healthcare Management MSc (Armed Forces) or MBA (Armed Forces).
A Master’s degree is the most common type of postgraduate qualification and usually focuses on a specific area of a wider subject which may support your future career development. Having a bachelor’s degree under your belt is a key entry requirement in opening doors to postgraduate study.
Careers Advice Service
Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.
We offer:
- careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
- help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
- an online portal packed with useful careers resources
- our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.
Entry requirements
Successful completion of a FdSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (Armed Forces) or equivalent.
120 Level 4 & 120 Level 5 credits from a relevant subject such as a Dip HE Nursing.
Holders of the following rank or qualifications may also be granted access to the Top-up:
Army
SNCO or ALDP – Granted access to Top-up
RAF
TMT1/JMLC + TMT2/IMLC – Granted access to Top Up
OR
TMT RAF + IMLC - Granted access to Top-up
Royal Navy and Royal Marine
Medical Assistants – Granted access to Top-up following completion of Research and Critical Thinking & Work-Based Project Modules
If you have any questions, please contact us.
Fees & funding
Fees
The full tuition fee for this course is £5,000.
The tuition fees you pay each year will be between £2,500 and £5,000 depending on how long you take to complete the course. You can choose to study our Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (Top-up) BSc (Hons) in either 1 year (full-time) or 2 years (part-time).
Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.
Funding
Government-backed part time student loans are available to cover the cost of studying this course. These are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.
We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.
You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.
For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.
What our students say
Studying in later life has been very rewarding. I enjoy the challenge and being introduced to new skills. It's opened up new employment opportunities for me.
I would advise any Military personnel to give distance learning a go. You will be surprised what you can achieve when you have the right support and access to great resources.
Next application deadline:
30th April 2024
