Program Overview

Overview

The Nursing Associate is a highly trained support role to deliver effective, safe, and responsive nursing care in and across a wide range of health and care settings. This role will bridge the gap between a support worker and a Registered Nurse, providing a workforce for future healthcare. The programme is a two-year programme leading to a Nursing Associate Foundation Degree.

Attendance and Duration

• Full-time
• Two years

Next Enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

The Nursing Associate programme is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to deliver high-quality, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Registered Nursing Associate (or other registered health and social care professionals). Students will work as part of a designated team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.

Course Details

Year One

• Foundations of Health and Wellbeing
• Application of Skills to Support Health and Wellbeing 1
• Application of Skills to Support Health and Wellbeing 2

Year Two

• Exploring Specific Health Issues
• Preparation for Professional Practice
• Developing and Changing Practice

Teaching and Assessment

• The programme structure will be delivered on a mix of block theory and block practice delivery basis.
• Typically students attend three to five theory days during theory blocks.
• Assessment will take place via a range of methods including; practice assessments, essays, objective structured clinical exams (OSCE), presentations, and viva examinations.

Employment and Stats

• Completion of this course will prepare students with the practice experience and knowledge required to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nursing associate.
• Students will gain experience and knowledge to work in all four fields of nursing (adult, children and young people, mental health, and learning disability) and across the lifespan.

Requirements

• GCSE or equivalent
• You will need GCSE Maths and English at grade C / grade 4 or above or equivalent Functional Skills level 2 and demonstrate the academic aptitude to undertake the programme.
• Previous experience as a healthcare assistant/clinical support worker is desirable but not essential.
• You will need to demonstrate the commitment to undertake the challenge of a career in healthcare.

Accreditation of Prior Learning

• The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) is used as per the university’s Admissions and Retention Policy.
• If you are made an offer, you’ll be notified about what you need to do next to proceed with this route.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time home: £9,535 per year (2025/26 and 2026/27)

Additional Costs

• You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding, and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Student Information

• Terms and conditions
• UCAS information: Course ID B713, Institution S03