Nursing Associate Foundation Degree

Course Overview

A registered nursing associate plays a crucial role in patient care, administering a variety of treatments, monitoring health and preventing ill-health and supporting individuals and families. Working as part of a team alongside registered nurses, you’ll provide hands-on care in diverse clinical settings, including hospitals and community health and care environments.

Key Features

• Successful completion of this course makes you eligible to apply for professional registration as a Nursing Associate with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Explore healthcare holistically, going beyond physical wellbeing to recognise the emotional, social and psychological aspects of patient needs.
• Practice-based learning, simulation and clinical placements develop your hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced professionals.
• Develop your ability to provide compassionate, empathetic care and effective communication, essential qualities that lie at the heart of your practice.
• Advocacy and social justice are integral to the course, empowering nursing associates to champion patients’ rights and promote equitable health and care access.
• Study locations in Coventry, London, Scarborough and Salisbury.

Course Start Dates

• September 2025 entry – all locations
• January 2026 entry – all locations
• May 2026 entry – Coventry University (Vauxhall, London) and Wiltshire College & University Centre (Salisbury) only

What You'll Study

This course gives you the opportunity to develop a range of practical skills and the underpinning knowledge to allow you to make a real difference to quality of life and care of people of all ages and in a range of healthcare settings.

Year One

• Holistic Person-Centred Care - 20 credits
• Promoting Health and Care Equity - 20 credits
• Practice 1: Introduction to Person-Centred Care - 20 credits
• Practice 2: Contributing to Person-Centred Care - 20 credits
• Becoming a Professional Practitioner - 20 credits
• Evidence: Your Profession in a Global Context - 20 credits

Year Two

• The Nursing Associate’s Role in Safe Administration of Medication - 20 credits
• The Nursing Associate’s Role in Complex Care - 20 credits
• Journey from Student to Registered Nursing Associate - 20 credits
• Practice 3: Provide and Monitor Person-Centred Care - 20 credits
• Practice 4: Becoming an Autonomous Nursing Associate - 20 credits
• Exploring Knowledge Through Curiosity - 20 credits

How You'll Learn

We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:

• On-campus lectures, seminars and workshops
• Clinical skills teaching
• Group work
• Self-directed learning
• Online learning activities
• Videos
• Quizzes
• Practice placement opportunities

Teaching Contact Hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20 credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching Hours

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 10-12 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Practice-Based Learning

Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to university staff, but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the professional body regulating profession, the NMC. No less than 1150 practice-based hours gained from a combination of placement and simulated learning will need to be completed over the course of your degree.

Guided and Independent Study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online Learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

• Coursework
• Practice placement
• Formal examinations
• Simulations
• Objective Structured Clinical Examinations
• Presentations
• Case study
• Reflections

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements:

• UK
  • UCAS Tariff: Minimum qualification for 32 tariff points (excludes General Studies)
  • A level: 32 UCAS points
  • GCSE: GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
  • BTEC: 32 UCAS points
  • IB Diploma: 24 points
  • Access Diploma: 32 UCAS points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma, Access to Nursing or NVQ Level 3

Additional Requirements

Other requirements include commitment to completing a Foundation Degree programme, intermediate IT skills, evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise. An ability to work within multidisciplinary teams, escalate concerns, and show initiative are essential requirements for the role.

In line with the National Health Service constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section.

Fees and Funding

Student | Full-time | Part-time ---|---|--- UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £9,535 per year | Not available

Facilities

Our learning and simulation facilities, housed within our campus locations, provide hands-on experiences across diverse scenarios.

• Coventry University
• Coventry University (Vauxhall, London)
• CU Scarborough
• Wiltshire College & University Centre, Salisbury

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

You’ll have the opportunity to make use of our extensive simulation facilities – from basic life support manikins to high tech simulation manikins, which emulate patient responses and test resuscitation skills. You will also use healthcare devices found in the real world of practice.

Careers and Opportunities

Whether you choose to continue your education or embark on a fulfilling career as a nursing associate, this foundation degree equips you with the essential skills and knowledge you will need.

Beyond the nursing associate role, this degree can serve as a stepping stone to various nursing pathways. On successful graduation, you are eligible to apply for other pre-registration degree courses.

Where Our Graduates Work

Our graduates are employed in acute care organisations, community care settings and within general practice and social care.

How to Apply

HF12

Foundation Degree

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students applying to start from September 2025 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

• SHCF001 running at Coventry University
• SHCF001B running at CU Scarborough
• SHCF001H running at the Hudson Building
• SHCF001W running at Salisbury

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

1Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

2UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

3Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2025/26. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

4Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

5Placements

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

Degree Overview:

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Nursing Associate Foundation Degree

is a two-year program accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) that prepares students for registration as a Nursing Associate upon successful completion. The program focuses on developing practical skills and underpinning knowledge to make a real difference in the lives of individuals across diverse healthcare settings.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills required for the Nursing Associate role as defined by the NMC.
• Develop student's ability to provide compassionate, high-quality evidence-based care to a diverse population.
• Foster independent and critical thinking skills for lifelong learning and further study.
• Prepare students for work in a variety of health and social care settings.
• Offer a pathway to other nursing roles, including becoming a graduate nurse through progression onto a pre-registration program.

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Program Description:

The Nursing Associate Foundation Degree program combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience through:

• Balanced theoretical and practical components: Equal weighting is given to both aspects, ensuring students are well-equipped for real-world scenarios.
• Experienced faculty: Instruction is provided by experienced nurses and healthcare professionals who support students on their journey to becoming NMC-registered Nursing Associates.
• Well-established placements: Students gain clinical experience through placements in collaborating NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, covering diverse settings like private hospitals, hospices, and community settings.
• Emphasis on multidisciplinary teamwork: Students learn to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic patient-centered care.
• Focus on patient-centered care: The program emphasizes the importance of compassionate, person-centered care delivery.
• Development of communication and interpersonal skills: Students hone their communication and interpersonal skills for effective interactions with patients, families, and colleagues.
• Preparation for evidence-based practice: Students learn to critically evaluate research and apply evidence-based approaches to care delivery.
• Introduction to ethical and legal aspects of care: Students develop a strong understanding of healthcare ethics, legislation, and social policy.
• Pathways for further study: The program offers a stepping stone for students who wish to pursue further nursing education and career opportunities.
## Outline:

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Year One:

• Introduction to Science and Clinical Skills: This module provides a foundation in human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, sociology, pharmacology, and maternal health, highlighting their application in various healthcare settings.
• Foundation Skills for Nursing Care: This module introduces students to the concepts of health and wellbeing, focusing on assessment skills, interpersonal communication, and professional attributes.
• Foundations in Communication and Professional Practice (Practice Placement 1): This 10-week placement experience allows students to apply their communication and interpersonal skills in a real-world healthcare setting, fostering professional development.
• Applied Nursing Science: This module focuses on applying physiological and psychological knowledge to assess and manage care for people across the lifespan, emphasizing physical and mental healthcare needs in various care environments.
• Promoting Health and Wellbeing and Preventing Ill Health (Practice Placement 2): This 10-week placement emphasizes the social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors influencing individual and community health and wellbeing.

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Year Two:

• Therapeutic Approaches in Nursing Care: This module introduces students to various therapeutic approaches and models that underpin nursing practice, enabling them to examine their application in the Nursing Associate role.
• Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: This module develops students' understanding of evidence-based practice and research in nursing, equipping them to appraise evidence and research methodologies.
• Providing and Monitoring Safe Care (Practice Placement 3): This 10-week placement builds upon the foundation skills acquired in year one, enabling students to work more independently and demonstrate competence in the role of a Nursing Associate student.
• Supporting Learning and Assessment: This module helps students develop skills in personal development, lifelong learning, and assessment, enhancing their teaching and learning abilities.
• Foundations in Legal and Ethical Aspects of Care: This module provides an understanding of healthcare ethics, legislation, and social policy, exploring ethical challenges related to patient choices and decision-making.
• Effective Teamwork and Transition to Nursing Associate (Practice Placement 4): This final 10-week placement provides students with opportunities to showcase their competence, demonstrate independent practice, and further develop their teamwork skills in preparation for transitioning to the Nursing Associate role.
## Assessment: The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, integrating theory and practice, including:
• Case study-based essays
• Presentations
• Reflections
• Practical clinical examinations
• Teaching Service Users or peers
• Exams on topics like drug knowledge and calculations
• Interactive workbooks and online quizzes for self-assessment
Compassionate and caring attitudes and values are assessed throughout the program. ## Teaching: The program combines on-campus learning with modern online resources, including:
• Video lectures
• Interactive quizzes
• Games
• Workbooks
• Online tutorials and seminars
• Laboratory-based skills training
Students are expected to dedicate approximately 30 hours per week to their studies, with a balance between online learning and contact hours. ## Careers: Graduates of the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree can pursue careers in various healthcare settings, including:
• Acute care organizations
• Community care settings
• General practice
• Social care
• Hospitals
• Hospices
• Private practices
• Public health organizations
The program prepares students for diverse career paths within the healthcare sector. ## Other:
• The program is offered in Coventry, London, Scarborough, and Salisbury.
• The program is open to students with a minimum of 32 UCAS points and relevant qualifications such as GCSEs and A-levels.
• The program requires students to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and health clearance prior to enrollment.
• The program is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming students from a range of backgrounds and experiences.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1843 as the Coventry School of Design
• Received university status in 1992
• Over 30,000 students from over 150 countries
• Campuses in Coventry, London, and Scarborough
• Known for its focus on practical, industry-focused education

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in various disciplines
• Student support services include counseling, mental health support, and disability support
• Campus facilities include a gym, swimming pool, and student union

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Academics:

• Offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of subjects
• Faculty with industry experience and research expertise
• Teaching methodologies include lectures, seminars, workshops, and project-based learning
• Academic support services include writing centers, math labs, and peer mentoring
• Unique academic programs include:
  • Centre for Applied Science and Technology
  • Centre for Business in Society
  • Centre for Intelligent Systems

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Ranked among the top 150 universities in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
• Excellent industry connections and partnerships
• Specialized facilities such as the National Transport Design Centre and the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing
• Notable alumni include:
  • Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine
  • Sir David Attenborough, naturalist and broadcaster
  • Sir Patrick Stewart, actor

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Accommodation services
• Library with over 1 million books and resources
• Technology support
• Career development services