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Subject
Health and social care
Your chance to start a rewarding journey towards making a meaningful difference in people's lives through health and social care. Equip yourself with the expertise and compassion needed for a fulfilling career in the healthcare sector.
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Undergraduate courses
You're caring, compassionate, and hungry for change in health and social care. You're keen to advocate for the vulnerable and excited to push for fairer, more equitable health and social care for all.
Health and social care-based courses encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines, including nursing, social work, oral health science, physiotherapy, and more, offering diverse opportunities for individuals passionate about making a difference. This is your first step to a career changing the lives of thousands of others for the better.
At the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex, we recognise the importance of community engagement and hands-on experience. With strong links to our placement partners in various healthcare sectors, we are committed to providing you with the knowledge and skills necessary to turn your passion for advocacy into a rewarding career. Our state-of-the-art facilities within the school offer an immersive learning environment, ensuring you're equipped to positively impact thousands of lives whether you aspire to be a nurse, social worker, oral health scientist, or physiotherapist.
Course
Certificate of HE Health and Social Care
This programme has been designed in line with the Care Certificate, an agreed set of standards, skills and behaviours for support worker roles.
Course
Take your first steps towards professional registration as an Adult Nurse with our BSc Nursing.
Course
Take your first steps towards professional registration as a Social Worker with our BA Social Work course.
Course
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) (Including Year Abroad)
Take your first steps towards professional registration as an Adult Nurse with our BSc Nursing.
Course
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health)
Take your first steps towards professional registration as a Mental Health Nurse with our BSc Nursing.
Course
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) (Including Year Abroad)
Take your first steps towards professional registration as a Mental Health Nurse with our BSc Nursing.
Course
BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy
Take your first steps towards professional registration as a Speech and Language Therapist with our BSc Speech and Language Therapy course.
Clearing 2026
Get ahead of results day. Explore your Clearing options now and be ready to secure your place with us when the time comes.
Why study here?
- We have exceptionally strong links with regional NHS Trusts and community partners, giving students access to high‑quality placements and real‑world experience from day one.
- We're the first department in the University to have been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award for gender equality
- We have state-of-the art teaching facilities including mock wards at both campuses
Interested in an apprenticeship in healthcare?
If you're considering an apprenticeship route, you should explore potential opportunities with your current or future employer. We provide Health and Social Care apprenticeships with on-the-job training through employers.
Find out more about our apprenticeship opportunities, and read hints and tips for making your application successful.
Students on our Nursing course study at the Colchester Campus
Oral Health students practising their clinical skills in the skills lab
Physiotherapy students in class study
Career prospects
Despite the common assumption that healthcare careers primarily involve hospitals and local authorities, the reality is that they span various sectors. From nurses supporting private sector employees' return to work post-illness, to speech and language therapists aiding rehabilitation after head injuries, opportunities are diverse, including roles in oral health outreach programs, like visiting schools for preventive initiatives, beyond traditional dental practices. Find out more about the support we provide within the School and the career opportunities available to you with your health and social care degree.
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Postgraduate Masters degrees
A career in health or social care is unbeatable in our book. Whether you’re looking to top up your qualifications to progress your current career, or you’re looking for a change of direction, we have something for you.
We offer a broad range of learning opportunities that can be adapted to suit your professional needs, including workshops, bespoke learning, credit-bearing modules and degree pathways.
When you choose to study with us, you'll gain more than just a qualification. You'll be part of our learning community, and we've got plenty to offer. Check out our facilities, and find out more about the School of Health and Social Care here.
Why study here?
- We offer both on-site and off-site training to enable you to fit your study around your work and life.
- Our adaptable, bespoke CPD courses have been created to suit your professional role.
- Our staff are both academically and clinically qualified, and many are also practising clinicians researching in their own specialist fields.
Course
Dental practitioners who do are likely to be commissioned to provide specialised services under the proposed new dental contract. Periodontology is just one ...
Course
MRes Health Research enables health and social care practitioners to develop advanced and applied research skills and prepare them for careers.
Course
MSc Advanced Periodontal Practice
Dental practices who do are likely to be commissioned to provide specialised services under the proposed new dental contract. Periodontology is just one of ...
Course
MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
We understand that you may not have the time to do a full-time degree, so our CPD pathways allow you to study flexibly, in the way that best suits you.
Course
Investigate intersecting issues, critically appraise health and public policies, and engage in innovative research to drive forward change.
Course
Investigate intersecting issues, critically appraise health and public policies, and engage in innovative research to drive forward change.
Course
MSc Medical and Clinical Education
This programme enables health care professionals to acquire advanced skills in teaching and assessing students in a medical and clinical practice context.
Course
Graduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practice
Our certificates in PWP enable you to work with people who experience common mental health problems.
Course
Postgraduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practice
Our certificates in PWP enable you to work with people who experience common mental health problems.
Course
Postgraduate Diploma Medical and Clinical Education
This programme enables health care professionals to acquire advanced skills in teaching and assessing students in a medical and clinical practice context.
Postgraduate research degrees
Our multidisciplinary research addresses local, national, and international issues relating to health and social care policy and practice.
A research degree from Essex enables you to develop applied research skills and advance practice in your field. Our supportive team has international experience and they work collaboratively with service users and external organisations, giving you access to cutting-edge teaching and research.
Our research is organised into four research groups: Public health and social policy, Assessment and management of neuro-developmental and acquired disorders, Physical and mental health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and Pedagogy research for health and social care. Explore each group to find out more about our current projects and doctoral research, as well as a list of our academic staff, research staff and postgraduate students associated with each group.
Find out more about our portfolio of courses, as well as hints and tips on making your application.
Why study here?
- Our research is consistently ranked highly for its quality.
- Financial scholarships are available and include internship opportunities.
- Be part of a vibrant research community where challenging convention, striving for social justice and contributing towards a fairer, healthier future for all are the norm.
Start your application with us
Explore our Health and Social Care research by theme or your area of interest and find a supervisor that can support your through your studies. More information can be found about research degrees on our school pages. Our courses below will help guide you through the various research degree programmes we offer.
Research degree
Integrated PhD Global Public Health
Advance your career with a PhD in Global Public Health at Essex, conducting transformative research to tackle worldwide health challenges. Engage in transformat
Research degree
Our PhD Public Health offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of public health contexts e.g. schools, hospitals & community settings.
Research degree
Our PhD in Health Studies offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of physical and mental health contexts.
Research degree
Our PhD in Social Policy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of social contexts.
Research degree
MPhil Public Health offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of public health contexts e.g. schools, hospitals & community settings.
Research degree
Our MPhil in Social Policy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of social contexts.
Research degree
PhD Speech and Language Therapy
Our PhD in Speech and Language Therapy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of health and organisational contexts.
Research degree
Professional Doctorate Nursing
Are you in, or aspiring to, a senior professional appointment in practice, education or management in health or social care?
Research degree
MSc (by Dissertation) Public Health
Our MSD Public Health offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of public health contexts e.g. schools, hospitals & community settings.
Research degree
MSc (by Dissertation) Social Policy
Our MSD in Social Policy offers you a unique opportunity to undertake research in a variety of social contexts.
Do you know about our scholarships and studentships?
Find out more about our university wide funding, and opportunities specifically for Health and Social Care students.
