Find your future and turn positive impact into a rewarding career that can lead you to opportunities where you can make a real difference.
Get one step ahead and take the path towards a fulfilling career in a number of care settings, helping you to play a key role in patients’ and individuals lives and wellbeing.
We offer a number of courses and hands on experience in specialist areas such as nursing and reablement. Start your journey today.
What is Health and Social Studies?
Care is at the very heart of our society, helping the vulnerable and those that need it most feel safe, secure, and supported in a range of professional and individual health care settings. From the elderly to small children, it’s important that everyone is supported by a range of services, skills and that levels of care are maintained.
Studying care can help you to learn all the necessary skills to excel in this growing sector, giving you valuable experience, honing your skills and nurturing your instincts to make you an inspirational care provider in whatever you choose to do.
Whether you want to become a nurse or social worker, a career in health care could be for you.
Stranraer Development Trust – First Aid for Mental Health
The content of the course was excellently explained, and the quantity and quality of support was brilliant. I am very appreciative of the colleges provision of the course; it has provided knowledge and skills that I am certain will be of great benefit to my future endeavours.
Why study in care?
Studying care can open up a range of fulfilling options as the sector in Scotland and in the region are investing resources in improving healthcare environments and support services. Opening up new pathways to a rewarding career or training opportunities to boost existing qualifications, making care a prime destination to develop and grow.
Study with us to enjoy:
- Access to world class learning facilities – Our state-of-the-art digital care hub is an invaluable teaching tool and space, giving you the opportunity to experience a real-life care setting with our simulated care flat – featuring top of the range modifications you would expect to see in a care setting.
- Real experiences of work – our courses are designed to provide you with the skills and hands on experiences you need by giving you the chance to put your skills into practice through real time projects and work placements.
- Support from highly-trained staff – our lecturing and care support staff will help you learn the academic theory and practical skills needed whilst helping you to develop your core skills, giving you all you need to get ahead and succeed.
- A route to a viable career – with a qualification in your chosen specialism, you could become a care assistant, social worker or even go on to shape the future of care provision and practice.
Where health and social studies could take you
Take a look where a qualification in care could take you.
Career Options
As more than 1 in 3 college leavers go on to find employment*, a qualification in care could lead to the following careers:
- Social workers – are caring individuals who support vulnerable people and safeguard them from harm. They work closely with communities and other health professionals to determine what is the best course of action for a person. It can often be a challenging role for social workers as they need to be patient and have the confidence to make tough decisions. Average starting salary between £24,000 – £30,000
- Healthcare Assistant – also known as Nurse Assistants, take care of patients on a day-to-day basis making sure they are comfortable. They are very patient people who understand and are sensitive to patients with medical problems. Healthcare Assistants can help feed, wash, dress and take blood samples of individuals for doctors and nurses. They could work in hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries. Average starting salary between £18,000 – £19,000
- Emergency Care Assistant – assist and provide patients with lifesaving care, supporting paramedics. They often drive ambulances safely with speed to attend accidents and emergencies. Emergency Care Assistants work well under pressure and remain calm. They will be able to record and draft reports of any incidents that may occur. Average working salary £20,000 – £21,000
- Adult Nurse – care for patients who are suffering from any illnesses or conditions. They support individuals with dependable care and are often the main point of contact for them. They have a lot of knowledge about the human body and illnesses using their academic knowledge along with their experience to confidently make decisions and explain to individuals what action needs to be taken. Average starting salary between £25,000- £26,000
Onward Study
As more than 1 in 3 college students who graduate with an HNC or above go on to university study*, a qualification in health and social care could lead you to the following degree options:
- Degree in Integrated Health and Social Care BA (Hons)
- Degree in Adult Nursing BSc
- Degree in Mental Health Nursing BSc
*Based on SFC (Scottish Funding Council) College Leaver Destinations report 19-20
Professional Membership
Students studying and graduates with a qualification in social care can become a member of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) – regulators for the social services workforce in Scotland.
Registration offers you:
- Placement on a public register, creating professional integrity
- Support to keep learning and boosting your skills
- Access to resources to keep you meeting the national standards of practice
All Courses
Choose the course for you and click through to find out more and apply:
*Courses listed above are available as at time of publishing. Availability is subject to demand and some courses may stop accepting applications or be withdrawn at any time.
Learning Environment
Our specialist care hub gives you the opportunity to participate in real time care situations within our specially constructed flat, complete with everything you need in modern care setting, developing the skills and knowledge for your future career or further education.
Find out more about our Digital Care Hub
With support from our qualified staff, they will help you learn about the distinct roles and the academic theory behind the training giving you the opportunity to succeed in your studies.