Are you passionate about supporting children and families? Would you like a career where you can tackle issues such as health inequalities and poverty? Achieve your ambitions by studying on this exciting four year course which includes a foundation year and offers you the ideal preparation.
A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions
- Prepare for a fulfilling career in roles such as family support worker or community health worker
- Engage with our enthusiastic and highly experienced teaching team who are dedicated to your success
- Make the most of our exceptional learning facilities
- The Foundation Year course leads on to the full BSc (Hons) Child and Family Health and Wellbeing degree.
Beginning with a foundation year
Starting at foundation level is ideal if it has been a while since you were in formal education; are planning a career change; would benefit from a more gradual introduction to university level study; or do not meet the entry requirements to join our three-year honours degree directly.
It gives you an insight into working in health and social care environments, as well as supporting you to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals.
On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full BSc (hons) Child and Family Health and Wellbeing degree.
We’re proud to welcome applications from candidates with practice experience in youth work, health, social care and education. This is as part of our commitment to enable those from non-traditional backgrounds to be able to study as part of our commitment to widening participation.
Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more
Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.
Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
From day one you’ll get all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.
We pride ourselves on offering a supportive, friendly and welcoming learning environment where you can fulfil your ambitions.
You will be inspired and motivated by our dedicated teaching team who boast extensive experience of working with children and families in a broad spectrum of roles.
We also draw on the expertise of research-active staff across our College of Health and Social Care, so you will benefit from insights into nursing, social work, counselling, psychotherapy, health promotion and creative expressive therapies.
Who you will meet
Our Programme Leader, Liz Eate, a registered adult general nurse who gained her Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing at the University. She has previously worked as a Health Visitor for Community Development and as a Family Nurse for the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), drawing on her special interest in teenage parents and safeguarding.
Senior Lecturer, Claire Ambrose, who has over 25 years’ experience in leading and managing work with children, young people and families in settings such as the NHS, family centres, healthy living centres and health action zones. Originally a teacher, she has specialist research interests in areas including mental health, family learning, health inequalities and the pressures facing families affected by poverty. Claire worked as an Ofsted inspector for six years and has been an assessor for the National Patient Safety Agency within the NHS since 2003
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
Requirement | What we're looking for | UCAS points | 80 |
A Level | CDD |
T Level | Pass (C or above in the core) |
BTEC | MMP |
GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
Requirement | What we're looking for | UCAS points | 80 |
A Level | CDD |
T Level | Pass (C or above in the core) |
BTEC | MMP |
GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study |
Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Graduates from the full BSc (Hons) Child and Family Health and Wellbeing course will be ideally prepared for careers in:
- Family Support
- Health Promotion
- Health Work in Schools
- Community Work
- Family Centres
- Parenting Support
- Childcare Teams
- Targeted work with vulnerable families
You could also continue your studies to postgraduate level if you would like to specialise further. For example, you could consider one of our postgraduate courses in Nursing or our MA Social Work. If your interest lies in teaching, there are opportunities to progress to a PGCE too.
Ongoing careers support
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with help, guidance and support from day one of your course – and for up to three years after you’ve completed your studies.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Travel expenses to placements, the student pays the first £5 of travel costs per day
Optional costs not included in your fees
- Text books to supplement anything available through the library
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.