Integrated Health and Social Care

Integrated health and social care reflects the direction of travel in public services: the recognition that health and social needs are often inseparable, and that effective support for people requires professionals who can work across traditional organisational boundaries. People do not live in departments. They have health conditions that affect their housing situations, social circumstances that affect their mental health, and care needs that require coordination between the NHS, local authorities and voluntary organisations.

This degree prepares you to work in that complex, interconnected landscape.

At Anglia Ruskin University, the three-year full-time programme explores the policy, practice and organisational dimensions of health and social care, examining how services are designed, delivered and evaluated. You will study topics including care planning, safeguarding, public health, the legal frameworks governing care, and the principles of person-centred practice. The degree also encourages you to think critically about how services can be improved, paying attention to issues of equity, access and the experiences of different communities.

The programme develops your ability to communicate effectively with service users, families and professionals across different agencies, and to manage complexity with compassion and clarity.

The broad scope of the degree reflects the breadth of roles that graduates enter. Health and social care is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK, spanning the NHS, local government, housing associations, voluntary organisations and private care providers. Roles in care coordination, case management, service development, commissioning and policy are all accessible with this kind of qualification.

Many graduates go on to further professional training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy or public health. Postgraduate study in health services management, social policy or a related clinical field is also a common route for those who want to specialise or move into leadership.