Program Overview

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Nursing Associate FdSc

Overview

This course will provide you with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, and behaviours to become a Nursing Associate.

We’ll enable you to become a compassionate, competent, and confident nursing associate at academic level 5 (foundation degree) – qualified to deliver a wide range of clinical, care, and inter-personal skills, underpinned by a systematic knowledge base.

You’ll be able to practise safely and effectively within your parameters of practice, demonstrating appropriate values and behaviours in a wide range of health and care settings.

Study Style

You’ll experience a variety of learning and teaching methods to enable you to achieve all of the learning outcomes and continue your personal and professional development. Learning styles will include a flexible and blended combination of:

• Formal learning (face-to-face, physical and/or virtual/online)
• Mandatory clinical training prior to placement
• Placements in a variety of settings
• Clinical skills development
• Reading and study periods
• Self-directed learning (physical/online)
• Educational supervision and mentoring
• Assessment activities
• Teaching within the workplace
• Collaborative learning sets
• Informal learning (e.g., blogs, social media)
• Simulation
• Shadowing

Entry Requirements

• Typical offers:
  • 72 UCAS tariff points, CDE at A levels, MMP at Extended diploma.
• English and Maths GCSE or equivalent:
  • Applicants must have a Level 2 English qualification (GCSE Grade 4-9 /A-C) or Level 2 Functional Skills English. You must also have a Level 2 Maths qualification (GCSE Grade 4-9 /A-C) or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths.
• Recent healthcare experience:
  • You must have a minimum of one year recent healthcare experience and you should also hold the Care Certificate.
• Occupational health and Enhanced DBS:
  • All applicants must complete an occupational health assessment and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance as part of the selection process, and any offer made will be subject to these.
• Significant experience:
  • Entry requirements are flexible and inclusive, so if you do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements but have significant life and/or work experience then your application will be considered on an individual basis. You will still need to meet the GCSE English and Maths requirements.
• Interview:
  • Applicants who meet the course entry requirements will be invited to attend an interview which will assess your values and how you can demonstrate the ability to learn behaviours, in accordance with The Code (NMC, 2018).
• Accreditation of Prior Learning:
  • If you have prior study at University level (Cert HE, foundation degree, or degree) you may be able to apply for Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for some modules.
• Mature students:
  • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
• International students:
  • Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course Modules

You're viewing course modules for the Full Time (2 years) course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course modules.

Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).

Module information is not available for this programme.

Level 4 (Undergraduate year 1)

All students must complete these modules:

• Transition to Undergraduate Nursing Associate (NA4101)
  • This module will prepare students for their role as a Nursing Associate, supporting them to develop into independent adult learners with the skills they will need throughout their professional career. This includes academic skills such as critical thinking, questioning and arguing effectively as well as life skills such as managing emotions, self-care and work-life balance. During the module students will cover numeracy, medicines management and clinical skills in university-based learning environments. Practice based learning experiences will provide opportunity for students to work towards completion of their Practice Assessment Document (PAD 1) as evidence of their learning in practice.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Scheduled Hours on Placement: 287.5
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 2000 words
    • 002: 0% Portfolio: Individual: Practice Assessment Document
• Developing Professionalism (NA4102)
  • This module lays the foundations for how students use theory to inform and enhance their practice. Students will learn the fundamentals of accountability and professionalism required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The module will explore how to approach nursing care, building trusting relationships and communicating effectively with a wide range of people, including those they care for, their carers, colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure they can deliver safe and effective care.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 3000 words
• Understanding Research to Inform evidence Based Practice (NA4103)
  • This module will enable students to understand how research is conducted and its role in underpinning safe and effective practice and service-delivery. Students will be supported to develop critical thinking skills in relation to the evidence they will be expected to use to inform practice as a reflective and accountable practitioner. During the module students will build on their numeracy, medicines management and clinical skills in university-based learning environments. Practice based learning experiences will provide opportunity for students to complete their Practice Assessment Document (PAD 1) as evidence of their continued learning in practice and professional development.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Scheduled Hours on Placement: 287.5
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Presentation: Individual: 15 minutes
    • 002: 0% Portfolio: Individual: Practice Assessment Document
    • 003: 0% Exam: Unseen, Closed Book: Unknown hours
• Foundations of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology to Support Clinical Assessment Across the Lifespan. (NA4104)
  • This module introduces students to the structure and function of the human body. They will gain insight into how the body responds to internal and external influences and a range of illnesses, which are commonly seen in today’s communities. Students will learn how to apply this knowledge to the assessment and care of someone who is acutely unwell either physically and/or mentally or who is actively dying.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 30% Exam: Unseen, Closed Book: 1.00 hours
    • 002: 70% Oral Exam: 20 minutes

Level 5 (Undergraduate year 2)

All students must complete these modules:

• Managing Risk and Sustainability in health and Social Care (NA5101)
  • This module will deepen students’ understanding of the complexities of risk management and how it impacts not only individual patients but also the wider context – locally, nationally and globally. The module will guide students to critically consider how risk legislation, regulation and local, national and global policy affects the delivery of safe, effective and sustainable health and social care. Students will further develop numeracy, medicines management and clinical skills in university-based learning environments. Practice based learning experiences will provide opportunity for students to work towards completion of their Practice Assessment Document (PAD 2) as evidence of their continued learning in practice and professional development.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Scheduled Hours on Placement: 287.5
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 3000 words
    • 002: 0% Portfolio: Individual: Practice Assessment Document
• Promoting Health and Preventing Ill Health (NA5102)
  • This module aims to develop an understanding of the students’ role as a Nursing Associate within the wider context of health and social care and how the complexities of biopsychosocial systems impact on the people we care for. During the module, students will explore the role of the Nursing Associate in relation to health promotion and preventing ill health in the population.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 50% Presentation: Individual: 20 mins
    • 002: 50% Assignment: Individual: 2000 words
• Preparing to Become a Professional Registrant (NA5103)
  • This module will give students the tools to enter the profession as a Registered Nursing Associate, with confidence in their role within the interdisciplinary team, the skills to continue lifelong learning and development and to consider how they contribute to improving practice. During the module students will consolidate their numeracy, medicines management and clinical skills in university-based learning environments. Practice based learning experiences will provide opportunity for students to complete their Practice Assessment Document (PAD 2) as evidence of their continued learning in practice and professional development.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Scheduled Hours on Placement: 287.5
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 3000 words
    • 002: 0% Portfolio: Individual: Practice Assessment Document
    • 003: 0% Exam: Unseen, Closed Book: Unknown hours
• Exploring the Nursing Associate Role in Influencing Practice (NA5104)
  • This module will allow students to explore the different sources of health and social care policy and where they come from. Students will investigate how the quality and effectiveness of care is evaluated in practice to support continuous development and improvement in the delivery of quality health and social care. Students will be introduced to change theories and consider their role in supporting change to improve practice.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 72
  • Independent Learning Hours: 228
  • Assessment:
    • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 3000 words

Fees and Costs

You're viewing fees for the Full Time (2 years) course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

Start date	Location	Course code	Fee (UK)	Fee (international)
Sep 2025	Oxstalls, Gloucester	—	£9,535	£17,425
Sep 2026	Oxstalls, Gloucester	—	TBC	TBC

International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Careers

A nursing associate is a recognised profession within the NHS in England. On successful completion of the programme you can apply to become registered with the nursing and midwifery council (NMC) as a nursing associate. You may also use the qualification to allow you to seek accreditation of prior learning (APL) to progress onto a BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing programme.

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Claire Underwood

Academic Course Leader for Nursing Associate

We work with...

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Small Class Sizes

You’ll benefit from a personalised learning experience with more one-to-one support from lecturers. You’ll build stronger connections with peers, and engage in interactive discussions that enhance your understanding. This close-knit learning environment fosters collaboration, confidence, and a strong sense of community, helping you to thrive both academically and professionally.

Close Links with NHS Practice Partners

This course is designed in collaboration with NHS practice partners, ensuring your learning is directly aligned with real-world healthcare needs. These strong connections also provide excellent placement opportunities, networking prospects, and a seamless transition into the healthcare workforce.

Supportive Academic Team

You’ll be guided by an experienced and approachable academic team, dedicated to your success. Their expertise, mentorship, and commitment to student wellbeing will ensure you’ll receive both academic and pastoral support throughout your course. Whether you need help with coursework, career advice, or personal development, you’ll have access to a team that genuinely cares about helping you achieve your goals.

School of Health and Social Care

Help to shape our culture of care and make a difference to people’s lives. We will support you in becoming healthcare professionals of the future.

Placements

This two-year course includes 1,150 hours of practice placement activity across a range of health and social care settings in the region.