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Online Health and Social Care Courses


Health and social care is a fast-paced and rapidly evolving sector that offers a diverse range of careers for people who are passionate about making a difference.

At ARU we specialise in supporting front line public services and are the largest provider in England for nursing, midwifery, and health and social care.

We offer an extensive range of flexible online healthcare degrees to help you get started as a healthcare professional or enhance your existing career.

Our courses cover a wide range of specialisms, from leadership and management in health and social care to audiology — and since they're online, they fit comfortably around your other commitments.


Making a difference with online healthcare degrees

Whether you're looking to enhance your rewarding career as a health or social care leader, develop your knowledge and understanding of mental health or convert your existing audiology or hearing sciences qualification into a full BSc degree, we've got you covered.

Depending on your aspirations, experience and prior learning, we have online degrees available to study at Foundation, Honours and Master's degree level.

Scroll down if you'd like to see our health and social care courses or visit our about us page if you'd like to know more about distance learning with ARU. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Our undergraduate healthcare courses

Gold standard education - we've received a Gold award – the highest possible rating in a UK-wide review of teaching, learning and student support. A reflection of the outstanding education we offer to our students. Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.


Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care (top-up) BSc (Hons)

Our online (top-up) is a great way to gain a full honours degree if you've already completed our foundation course or an equivalent.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredited top-up expands on your prior learning, enhances personal and professional development, and provides the tools you need to achieve your career potential.


Hearing Care Assistant Univ Cert

This course will build your confidence and skills in clinical practice and client care in under 12 months.

You'll gain a solid grounding in basic hearing care and customer services, giving you the potential to start your path to professional registration. You'll study online with campus-based assessments.


Audiology (top-up) BSc (Hons)

This RCCP accredited top-up course allows you to convert a Foundation Degree qualification (or equivalent) to a full BSc (Hons) degree in Audiology – ideal if you're a practising or aspiring Audiologist in the private or independent sectors, or the NHS.

You'll study online and attend block residentials.


Hearing Sciences (top-up) BSc (Hons)

Our course is ideal if you're a practising Audiologist looking to convert a Foundation Degree (or equivalent) to a full BSc degree.

The course is delivered in a blend of online learning and block residentials to provide a flexible, practical and career-enhancing learning experience.

Our postgraduate healthcare courses


Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing MSc

Our online Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing MSc is ideal if you're looking to either build upon your existing knowledge, to advance your career, or to start a career as a child and adolescent mental health expert.

Mental Health MSc

Our online Mental Health MSc is ideal if you're passionate about mental health and are looking to build upon your existing knowledge, advance your career, or begin your journey specialising in mental health.


Healthcare Management MSc

This Master's course is a good fit if you're a leader or manager in a health or social care setting looking to build relevant skills for progression.

You'll explore the key factors which influence managing and leading individuals and organisations.


Higher Midwifery Practice MSc

Our Higher Midwifery Practice MSc is designed to explore and develop your practice in midwifery and empower you to develop your leadership and management skills within the field, placing you in prime position to advance your career.

You'll study 100% online, and will also have the opportunity to complete this course with a Newborn Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) practitioner.

Flexible online learning that supports your passion

We know that studying while juggling a demanding health and social care job with irregular hours and family commitments is challenging – that's why our online healthcare degrees have in-built flexibility.

The flexibility of online health and social care courses allow you to further your education at your own pace.

You'll study your online course through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, tablet or computer, at home or on the move.

Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates. It's also where you'll submit your assignments and receive feedback.

Discover Canvas
Get in touch
If you'd like to talk to our experienced team about our healthcare degrees, ARU, career development after successful completion of your degree, or any aspect of studying via distance learning then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

Which degree is right for me?

At ARU we have a wide array of online healthcare degrees to help you build a fulfilling and rewarding career.

The right course for you will depend on many factors, including your career goals and existing experience.

We have options available at different levels of study, from Bachelor’s to Master’s qualifications.

With our Management & Leadership in Health and Social Care top-up BSc course, you can utilise your existing learning to level up your qualifications and go even further.

Alternatively, if you have already earned an undergraduate degree and want to study an online Masters that will allow you to specialise in a healthcare field, our Mental Health MSc and Child & Adolescent Mental Wellbeing MSc both offer incredible opportunities to explore an increasingly relevant – and increasingly urgent – field in greater depth.

With our range of courses, you’ll be able to specialise in the area of your choice and study flexibly, advancing your development at a pace that’s right for you.

Why study health and social care courses online?

Healthcare careers are highly demanding and often leave little time for study. For many would-be students in the field, their role demands irregular hours and unpredictable schedules, meaning flexibility is key when it comes to study.

That’s why our distance learning courses are designed to empower you in your career, giving you the tools to engineer your own learning and development.

At ARU, we're committed to providing qualifications that allow for maximum flexibility, and with our courses, you determine when and where you study, giving you access to learning materials on the go so that you can study at a pace that suits you.

And with a team of dedicated and experienced tutors, you’ll have support when you need it, whilst enjoying full study independence to set your own learning schedule.

Many of our students work full time whilst studying, and many of these are working in their chosen field already.

Our courses give them the opportunity to grow and develop on the job, and incorporate their learning into their current role, putting their knowledge into practice and growing their skills efficiently.

Who studies health and social care courses online?

At ARU, we understand that no two students are the same.

And with the diverse range of courses we have to offer, each of our students has their own unique set of goals for their learning and development.

But ultimately, the students who study our health and social care degrees are unified by a desire to make a difference in the care sector. Whether you’re specialising in mental health, midwifery or healthcare management, you’re building a rewarding career that touches lives.

That’s why the ideal candidate for an online healthcare degree with ARU is dedicated, passionate and driven by a desire to deliver a high standard of care.

Our degrees are designed to fit flexibly around your life, whether you’re a full-time worker, parent, carer or have any other commitments which might restrict your schedule – with distance learning, you’re in complete control.

What experience do I need to study a health and social care degree?

Again, this will depend on the type of course you’re aiming to study but we have a number of courses designed for candidates with a diverse range of experience.

If you’re aspiring to a leadership position, our Leadership & Management in Health and Social Care FdSc is ideal for those taking their first steps as a healthcare leader, whilst our Management & Leadership in Social Care BSc (top-up) will allow you to build on your existing experience and qualifications to take your career to the next level.

Alternatively, if you’re specialising in a particular field such as audiology or midwifery, we have a range of online courses which will help you advance in your current path, develop your skills and take your existing knowledge to the next level.

An online healthcare degree from ARU could be the stepping stone to your next career move in the field of health and social care.

*2023 alumni survey with 158 respondents