Program Overview

Introduction to FdSc Health and Care Practice (Nursing Associate)

The FdSc Health and Care Practice (Nursing Associate) course is designed to provide students with both an academic and professional qualification that gives entry to a range of careers within nursing. This exciting course prepares students for a role as a nursing associate, which is intended to complement registered nurses.

Course Overview

The course is a two-year full-time program that helps students develop fundamental clinical skills and techniques, such as taking a blood pressure or providing compassionate, person-centered care. The program prepares students to work in health or social care settings and gives them the confidence to work as part of a larger team.

Features and Benefits

• University experience: Students experience being a full-time university student with other undergraduates.
• Real-world experience: Wide range of placement and simulation opportunities.
• Build your confidence: Students learn clinical skills alongside student nurses to help develop confidence in working as part of a team.
• Student support: Wide range of support initiatives, including lecture recordings, tutorials, and drop-in sessions – both in-person and online.
• Teaching expertise: Students are taught by an academic team who have all worked as practicing nurses, health visitors, or emergency practitioners.
• Continue your studies: As a registered Nursing Associate, students could continue with their studies and undertake a shortened 18-month course: BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Top-Up).
• Outstanding facilities: The university has well-equipped clinical skills labs complete with computerized sim-man manikins, used to demonstrate both basic and challenging conditions and nursing interventions.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• The Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Teaching Excellence Framework: The university has received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning it's rated as an outstanding university for its student experience.
• National Student Survey 2025 (NSS): 90.6% of students were positive about teaching staff being good at explaining things.

Year 1

Over the course of the first year, students are introduced to a range of skills towards delivering professional, safe, and effective care. Students begin to develop their knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of patients, alongside the fundamentals of providing nursing care.

Core Modules

• Health and Illness across the Life-course: This module introduces key health conditions using a life span approach, incorporating relevant policies, legislation, clinical guidelines, and evidence-based practice.
• Health Sciences: This module equips students with the necessary knowledge of health sciences to deliver safe, effective, and competent nursing care.
• Practice in Focus 1: This module is the first of two practice modules that equip students with the necessary clinical and care skills and knowledge for practice to deliver safe, effective, and competent nursing care as a nursing associate.
• Principles of Health and Care in Practice: This module equips students with the underpinning professional skills towards becoming a nursing associate using person-centered, safe, and compassionate care.

Year 2

During the second year, students build upon their knowledge and skills within practice, recognizing a patient's health needs and treatments available. Students explore public health policies, as well as working within a team and conflict resolution.

Core Modules

• Public Health Policy and Practice: This module includes current public health policies and evidence-based approaches to public health practice. Students explore different approaches to health education, promotion, and protection.
• Developing Skills for Health and Care Practice: This module builds on the knowledge and skills obtained in the level 4 health and care skills across the lifecourse module. It gives students the skills to contribute to the provision of care for all people, including those with complex needs.
• Team Working and Quality Enhancement: This module equips students with the underpinning knowledge and skills for their role in contributing to risk monitoring, quality of care, and integrated care across organizations and settings.
• Practice in Focus 2: This module is the second of two practice modules that equip students with the necessary clinical and care skills and knowledge for practice to deliver safe, effective, and competent nursing care as a nursing associate.

Study and Assessment

• Study: Year 1: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 30% independent study; 50% placement. Year 2: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 30% independent study; 50% placement.
• Assessment: Year 1: 33% coursework; 50% placement; 17% examination. Year 2: 50% coursework; 50% placement.

Entry Requirements

• UK students: Applicants must hold level 2 or equivalent qualification in English Language and Mathematics (GCSE grade C or level 4), and demonstrate the academic aptitude to undertake the program.
• International students: Find out about English language requirements. If you are an international student, you will usually need to get a student visa before you can study in the UK.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalized for all courses. You can find information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in further study: 88.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, first-degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Explore your options and build sought-after skills: Through the Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.

Taught by Experts

FdSc Health and Care Practice (Nursing Associate) is part of the School of Nursing and Public Health at Manchester Met. Discover more about the school and who you’ll be working with if you choose to study this course.

Placements

You’ll go on practical work placements in hospitals and community settings. These may include operating theaters, inpatient wards, community-based clinics, Emergency Department, mental health areas, or child nursing environments.

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (Top Up)

Disclaimers

• Programme review: Our programs undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6-year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• Important notice: This online prospectus provides an overview of our programs of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate.