Career Versatility with a Health and Social Care Degree

A degree in Health and Social Care opens doors to one of the more varied career landscapes in the UK. As healthcare systems evolve and integrated care becomes a national priority, graduates with a broad understanding of both health and social support are in growing demand.

At the University of Greater Manchester, students don’t just learn about care delivery. They develop skills that translate across sectors, roles and industries.

Where can a health and social care degree take you?

Graduates enter roles supporting people at every stage of life, in settings that range from hospitals and community services to charities and private organisations. Typical career paths include:

• Care coordinator — Working within hospitals, GP practices or community teams to plan and manage care for individuals with complex needs
• Support worker — Providing hands-on care and assistance to vulnerable individuals in residential or outreach settings
• Health promotion specialist — Designing and delivering public health campaigns on topics like healthy eating, mental health and substance abuse
• Social care manager — Overseeing the operations of care homes, supported living environments or community projects
• Youth worker / family support worker — Working with children, young people or families facing social challenges
• Policy or service development roles — Shaping how services are delivered through local councils, the NHS or charities

Many graduates also go on to postgraduate training in fields such as social work, counselling, nursing or public health.

Growing opportunities in integrated care

The future of UK healthcare is increasingly built around integrated care, which is a system where health services and social support work closely together to meet people’s needs in a joined up way.

This shift has created new roles that didn’t exist even a decade ago. Care navigators, wellbeing coordinators, link workers and community connectors are just a few of the emerging job titles you can expect to see popping up more frequently, designed to bridge the gap between medical care and everyday support.

A Health and Social Care degree gives graduates the broad knowledge you need to thrive in these hybrid roles, understanding both the clinical priorities and social factors that impact wellbeing.

Skills for public and private sector careers

One of the key strengths of this degree is its flexibility. Students graduate with skills that employers value across both public services (like the NHS and local councils) and private or voluntary sector organisations.

Modules typically cover topics such as safeguarding, health inequalities, leadership in care settings and person-centred support. Importantly, students also develop transferable skills in communication, teamwork, critical thinking and service planning, all of which are essential for any career involving people-focused work.

Ready to explore your future?

To find out more about how a Health and Social Care degree from the University of Greater Manchester can help you build a meaningful and flexible career, get in touch with our team today by calling us on +44 (0)1204 900 600 or sending an email to enquiries@bolton.ac.uk.