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Online Health and Social Care Courses


Health and social care is a fast-paced and rapidly evolving sector that offers a diverse range of careers for people who are passionate about making a difference.

At ARU we specialise in supporting front line public services and are the largest provider in England for nursing, midwifery, and health and social care.

We offer an extensive range of flexible online healthcare degrees to help you get started as a healthcare professional or enhance your existing career.

Our courses cover a wide range of specialisms, from leadership and management in health and social care to mental health and biomedical science — and since they're online, they fit comfortably around your other commitments.


97%

found studying via distance learning either very or quite accessible*

96%

would recommend studying with ARU Distance Learning* 

92%

said the effort and expense was worth the outcome* 
*2023 alumni survey with 158 respondents.

Undergraduate healthcare courses

Undergraduate

A young health and social care leader is talking in a hospital setting
BSc (Hons) Top-up

Management & Leadership in Health & Social Care

Our 100% online Chartered Management Institute accredited top-up expands on your prior learning, enhances personal and professional development, and provides the tools to achieve your career potential.

Undergraduate

Hearing Care Assistant helps a customer with a hearing device
University Certificate

Hearing Care Assistant

This course will build your confidence and skills in clinical practice and client care in under 12 months. You'll gain a solid grounding in basic hearing care and customer services, giving you the potential to start your path to professional registration. Includes campus-based assessments.

Undergraduate

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BSc (Hons) Top-up

Audiology

This RCCP accredited top-up course allows you to convert a Foundation Degree qualification (or equivalent) to a full BSc (Hons) degree in Audiology – ideal if you're a practising or aspiring Audiologist in the private or independent sectors, or the NHS. You'll study online and attend block residentials.

Undergraduate

View the Hearing Sciences top-up BSc Hons Course
BSc (Hons) Top-up

Hearing Sciences

Our course is ideal if you're a practising Audiologist looking to convert a Foundation Degree (or equivalent) to a full BSc degree. The course is delivered in a blend of online learning and block residentials to provide a flexible, practical and career-enhancing learning experience.

Online postgraduate healthcare courses

Postgraduate
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MSc

Healthcare Management

This Master's course is a good fit if you're a leader or manager in a health or social care setting looking to build relevant skills for progression.
Postgraduate
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MSc

Higher Midwifery Practice

Explore and develop your practice in midwifery and empower you to develop your leadership and management skills within the field.
Postgraduate
A young female is talking about Mental Health
MSc

Mental Health

Ideal if you're passionate about mental health and are looking to build upon your existing knowledge, advance your career, or begin your journey specialising in mental health.
Postgraduate
A young child sits alone in a school hallway
MSc

Child and Adolescent Mental Wellbeing

This online MSc is ideal if you're looking to either build upon your existing knowledge, to advance your career, or to start a career as a child and adolescent mental health expert.
Postgraduate
A public health practitioner sits in an audience with a microphone
MSc

Public Health Promotion

Master your understanding of public health promotion and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to become an effective public health practitioner.
Postgraduate
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MSc

Biomedical Science

This course is ideal if you're a working biomedical scientist looking to take the next step towards Chartered Scientist status, or further your research career by exploring research projects relating to your particular interests.
Postgraduate
Medical staff are in discussion round a table
PG Cert

Medical and Healthcare Education

Combine your passions for health and education and start your leadership journey with our online Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) accredited course.
Postgraduate
A mature female doctor stands at the head of a table as she meets with her team to discuss her patients needs
MSc

Medical and Healthcare Education

Develop the skills to become an educational leader in healthcare with our Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) accredited masters.

Teaching for change: Anu’s mission in Medical Education

Meet Anu, a medical educator on a mission to give back. With a passion for uplifting others and creating lasting change, she’s using her Medical and Healthcare Education PG Cert to lead with purpose. Learn how she’s combining leadership, teaching, and compassion to reshape training and support her wider healthcare community.
Meet Early Childhood Studies Student Jess


Flexible online learning that supports your passion

We know that studying while juggling a demanding health and social care job with irregular hours and family commitments is challenging – that's why our online healthcare degrees have in-built flexibility.

The flexibility of online health and social care courses allow you to further your education at your own pace.

You'll study your online course through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, tablet or computer, at home or on the move.

Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates. It's also where you'll submit your assignments and receive feedback.

Discover Canvas
Get in touch
If you'd like to talk to our experienced team about our healthcare degrees, ARU, career development after successful completion of your degree, or any aspect of studying via distance learning then please do not hesitate to contact us.
Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

Which degree is right for me?

At ARU we have a wide array of online healthcare degrees to help you build a fulfilling and rewarding career.

The right course for you will depend on many factors, including your career goals and existing experience.

We have options available at different levels of study, from Bachelor’s to Master’s qualifications.

With our Management & Leadership in Health and Social Care top-up BSc course, you can utilise your existing learning to level up your qualifications and go even further.

Alternatively, if you have already earned an undergraduate degree and want to study an online Masters that will allow you to specialise in a healthcare field, our Mental Health MSc and Child & Adolescent Mental Wellbeing MSc both offer incredible opportunities to explore an increasingly relevant – and increasingly urgent – field in greater depth.

With our range of courses, you’ll be able to specialise in the area of your choice and study flexibly, advancing your development at a pace that’s right for you.

Why study health and social care courses online?

Healthcare careers are highly demanding and often leave little time for study. For many would-be students in the field, their role demands irregular hours and unpredictable schedules, meaning flexibility is key when it comes to study.

That’s why our distance learning courses are designed to empower you in your career, giving you the tools to engineer your own learning and development.

At ARU, we're committed to providing qualifications that allow for maximum flexibility, and with our courses, you determine when and where you study, giving you access to learning materials on the go so that you can study at a pace that suits you.

And with a team of dedicated and experienced tutors, you’ll have support when you need it, whilst enjoying full study independence to set your own learning schedule.

Many of our students work full time whilst studying, and many of these are working in their chosen field already.

Our courses give them the opportunity to grow and develop on the job, and incorporate their learning into their current role, putting their knowledge into practice and growing their skills efficiently.

Who studies health and social care courses online?

At ARU, we understand that no two students are the same.

And with the diverse range of courses we have to offer, each of our students has their own unique set of goals for their learning and development.

But ultimately, the students who study our health and social care degrees are unified by a desire to make a difference in the care sector. Whether you’re specialising in mental health, midwifery or healthcare management, you’re building a rewarding career that touches lives.

That’s why the ideal candidate for an online healthcare degree with ARU is dedicated, passionate and driven by a desire to deliver a high standard of care.

Our degrees are designed to fit flexibly around your life, whether you’re a full-time worker, parent, carer or have any other commitments which might restrict your schedule – with distance learning, you’re in complete control.

What experience do I need to study a health and social care degree?

Again, this will depend on the type of course you’re aiming to study but we have a number of courses designed for candidates with a diverse range of experience.

If you’re aspiring to a leadership position, our Leadership & Management in Health and Social Care FdSc is ideal for those taking their first steps as a healthcare leader, whilst our Management & Leadership in Social Care BSc (top-up) will allow you to build on your existing experience and qualifications to take your career to the next level.

Alternatively, if you’re specialising in a particular field such as audiology or midwifery, we have a range of online courses which will help you advance in your current path, develop your skills and take your existing knowledge to the next level.

An online healthcare degree from ARU could be the stepping stone to your next career move in the field of health and social care.