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Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Social Care (T39) course at Open University.
We're still busy gathering entry requirements for Social Care (T39) at Open University. Look out for more info soon.
Course summary
What this course is about
Here's what Open University says about its Social Care (T39) course.
Social care plays a crucial role in supporting individuals and strengthening communities, and this certificate explores ideas about what social care and social work are. Using case studies involving children, older adults, mental health communities and individuals with disabilities, you’ll apply your learning to practice contexts. You'll also build key skills in digital literacy, effective communication and reflective writing, which will support your understanding and development in the field. Whether starting your career or enhancing existing skills, this qualification equips you with the knowledge and practical abilities needed for meaningful and impactful work in social care.
Key features of the course
-
Considers the nature of social work and social care, and encourages you to apply learning to practice
-
Uses real-life case studies to aid learning
-
Builds key skills in information and communication technologies, digital and information literacy, and reflective writing
-
Potential first step towards an honours degree in social work
Source: Open University
Course details
There are a few options in how you might study Social Care (T39) at Open University.
Check the
2 course options available.
Qualification
Certificate of Higher Education - CertHE
Department
The Open University
Location
Distance Learning | Distance learning
Duration
1-2 Years
Study mode
Distance learning
Subjects
• Social work
Start date
October 2026
Application deadline
Unknown
The modules you will study
This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits. You’ll investigate the organisation of social care in the UK and of the different components of good social work practice, through real-life case studies. Key concepts around communication will open up your thinking about how professional ‘practice’ is informed and underpinned by theory, and you’ll make connections between your studies and your own personal and professional experience.
Open University student reviews
Showing 288 reviews
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
Very good
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
There is no Uni life - if there was I probably wouldn't do any work though so thats good
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
Its cheaper than Brick and Mortar so :)
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
Student support are great and helpful. Tutors are helpful.
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
Its all digital so ???? In terms of remote unis I think they are probably the best at doing it.
3rd year
Physics
7 months ago
Very good, tutors have been very helpful and the material is good enough. It is very Space focused in my opinion, but that is due to the OU being very focused on Space as a research area. Space is also pretty ideal for remote research to be fair as well.
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at Open University
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from Open University students who took the Social Care (T39) course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
91%
med
Teaching on my course
91%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
92%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
93%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
86%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
92%
med
Learning opportunities
86%
med
Learning opportunities
86%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
86%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
89%
med
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
94%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
84%
low
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
79%
med
Assessment and feedback
89%
med
Assessment and feedback
89%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
90%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
89%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
88%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
94%
med
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
84%
med
Academic support
88%
med
Academic support
88%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
84%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
92%
med
Organisation and management
80%
med
Organisation and management
80%
med
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
79%
med
How well organised is your course?
80%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
Learning resources
90%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
93%
high
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
91%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
86%
med
Student voice
67%
low
Student voice
67%
low
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
49%
low
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
73%
low
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
77%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
83%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
90%
med
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
70%
low
Healthcare and clinical practice placements
Healthcare and clinical practice placements
My contribution during placement(s) as part of the clinical team was valued.
94%
high
I was given opportunities to meet my required practice learning outcomes / competences.
97%
high
I was allocated placement(s) suitable for my course.
93%
med
I received sufficient preparatory information prior to my placement(s).
79%
med
I received appropriate supervision on placement(s).
94%
high
My practice supervisor(s) understood how my placement(s) related to the broader requirements of my course.
91%
med
Student information
We're still busy gathering student information for Social Care (T39) at Open University. Look out for more info soon.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Social Care (T39) at Open University.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from Open University graduates who took Social Care (T39) - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£24.5k
First year after graduation
£31.4k
Third year after graduation
£35.4k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Social Care (T39).
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree
Discussions
Discussions
Students are talking about Open University on The Student Room.
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