The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Learn how to better support and protect vulnerable individuals, groups and communities with this insightful online professional course.  

The course focuses on the value of providing compassionate and dignified care in line with the NHS’ core values. You’ll explore the main concepts and theories of vulnerability, while considering global perspectives on the vulnerable in society. You’ll also look at how to identify and assess vulnerable individuals via evidence-based approaches.  

You’ll cover a range of interesting topics including: 

  • current policies and evidence-based practice for meeting the needs of vulnerable people 
  • the role of alcohol and substance misuse, and mental health difficulties 
  • principles of empowerment in healthcare 

At the end, you’ll have the opportunity to study one of our popular postgraduate courses. 

Why we’re great 

  • Learn through interactive discussion forums and lecturecasts.  
  • Receive support with academic referencing and writing from our dedicated Study Skills team.  
  • Gain 20 academic credits on completion, to use towards a full postgraduate degree. 
  • Study with an institution with over 15 years’ delivering high quality online education.  
  • Enjoy studying 100% online, part-time, with no need for a career break. 

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • concepts and theories of vulnerability 
  • identifying and assessing vulnerability 
  • approaches to supporting vulnerable people 
  • national and international policy 
  • global perspectives 
  • children and families 
  • vulnerable adults 
  • mental health 
  • alcohol and substance misuse 
  • hard to reach groups 
  • community development 
  • vulnerable populations 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Patients online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Patients online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into healthcare – helping you stand out amongst the competition. 

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional health online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress on to our PG Cert Nursing (60 credits); PG Dip Nursing (120 credits); or the full MSc Nursing (180 credits). 

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable Patients online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

testimonials

Anjelika Maromedoba -Master of Public Health (MPH)

I chose the University of Essex Online because it’s a well-known educational organisation with a high student satisfaction rate and huge variety of educational programmes.

I chose the online format of education because it was highly convenient and affordable for me as an international student. I had a full-time job and other commitments, so it was impossible for me to leave my work and study on campus.  I planned to write a dissertation and achieve a Masters degree right from graduation at the regional state university in 2007, but following my internships, work duties didn’t allow me to continue my education and I started...

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