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BA Health and Social Studies
About this course
Health and social studies is a degree that examines the interconnected social, personal, and policy dimensions of health and wellbeing in contemporary society. It draws on sociology, psychology, social policy, and public health to ask how health is shaped by the conditions in which people live, how social inequalities drive health disparities, and how individuals, families, communities, and institutions together determine whether people live well. The discipline bridges the academic study of health with the practical concerns of health and social care policy, providing a broad and critical perspective on what it means to promote health in diverse social contexts. At the University of the Highlands and Islands, this four-year programme develops your understanding of health and social care across the full complexity of its personal, professional, and policy dimensions. You will examine the social determinants of health, the experience of illness and disability, the organisation and delivery of health and social care services, and the ethical frameworks that govern professional practice in these fields. The programme is offered flexibly, with study modes that accommodate different levels of commitment and pace, making it accessible to students with varying circumstances. UHI's distributed learning model and its presence across the Highlands and Islands give the degree a distinctive context, connecting health and social studies to the realities of health and care provision in rural and island communities, where access, distance, and community resources shape the experience of both patients and practitioners in ways that differ from urban settings. Graduates from health and social studies degrees move into roles in health promotion, community health development, social care management, voluntary sector organisations, public health policy, mental health support, and a range of roles in the NHS and local authorities. The degree also provides a foundation for professional training in social work, nursing, or occupational therapy. Postgraduate study in public health, social work, or related health and social care fields is a natural next step.
Syllabus & Modules
Typical curriculumStudent Satisfaction
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