Nursing Associate - FdSc
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The FdSc Nursing Associate programme aims to produce compassionate, competent, and confident nursing associates at academic level 5 qualified to deliver a wide range of clinical, care and inter-personal skills underpinned by a systematic knowledge base....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award FdSc
- Start date February 2027
- Subject
- Location City South
This course is:
Overview
The FdSc Nursing Associate programme aims to produce compassionate, competent, and confident nursing associates at academic level 5 qualified to deliver a wide range of clinical, care and inter-personal skills underpinned by a systematic knowledge base. They will be able to practice safely and effectively within their parameters of practice, demonstrating appropriate values and behaviours in a wide range of health and care settings.
To support your learning and development during this course, you will be supported by academic assessors, practice assessors and practice supervisors (NMC, 2023). You will demonstrate the development of your knowledge, skills and behaviours by achieving the NMC Standards of Proficiency for nursing associates (NMC, 2018) reflecting the six platforms:
- Platform 1 – Being an accountable professional.
- Platform 2 – Promoting health and preventing ill health.
- Platform 3 – Provide and monitor care.
- Platform 4 – Working in teams.
- Platform 5 – Improving safety and quality of care.
- Platform 6 – Contributing to integrated care.
As work-based learning remains central to the successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
What's covered in this course?
The FdSc Nursing Associate is a full-time course delivered at City South Campus.
You will study six level 4 modules in the first year, which cover key theory and practice knowledge and skills to include person and family-centred care, professional values, the parameters of a RNA’s role and safe administration of medication. The second-year modules build on the theory and practice acquired in year 1 to support the development of knowledge and skills to produce competent and reflective practitioners.
Successful completion of the course leads to a registrable qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and professional recognition as a nursing associate.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- We have excellent facilities, including state-of-the-art simulation equipment that will support you in your studies. There are several study spaces and open access information technology support.
- We have been shortlisted for the Student Nursing Times Nursing Associate Training Programme Provider of the Year (pre-registration) 2022.
Open Days
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open for this event yet, register your interest and we'll let you know when booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 4 October 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants for this course also need GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.
Plus one of the following:
- One A Level grade D or above
- Two AS Level grade D or above
- BTEC National Award grade M
- BTEC National Certificate grade PP
- BTEC National Diploma grade PPP
- Access to HE Diploma
- NVQ Level 3 Full Diploma
Successful candidates will be required to obtain a satisfactory occupational health check and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to enrolling on this course.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Course in Depth
Level 4
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module aligns with platforms 1 and 3 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018). It also aligns with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duty 5 - Provide and monitor nursing care to individuals and groups, providing compassionate and safe nursing interventions.
During this module you will develop the knowledge and skills required to support your individual working roles and therefore benefit your service users. You will be exploring the theory, knowledge, and skills to ensure that you are able to work across organisational boundaries in a range of healthcare settings. You will learn to apply evidence and guidelines both in university and in practice to be able to demonstrate the appropriate behaviours, skills and knowledge within your role as a developing Nursing Associate.
This module aligns with Platform 1 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018), and to Duty 1 of the IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duties of being an accountable professional, acting in the best interests of people, putting them first and providing nursing care that is person-centred, safe and compassionate.
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain knowledge and understanding of your accountability in practice and during the provision of person-centred care.
This module aligns with platform 2 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC, 2018), and with the IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duty 3, promoting health and preventing ill health to improve and maintain the mental, physical, behavioural health and well-being of people, families, carers and communities.
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain an understanding of health inequalities and the role of health prevention and health promotion. As part of your role as a nursing associate you will support people with their physical, mental, and behavioural wellbeing and to help them maintain and improve this. As a nursing associate you will also be involved with the prevention of and protection against disease and reducing health inequalities.
This module aligns with platforms 3 and 6 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018) and with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational duty 4 - contribute to the ongoing assessment of individuals nursing care needs, recognising when it is appropriate to refer to others for reassessment and duty 8 - contribute to the provision of complex nursing and integrated care needs of people at any stage of their lives, across a range of organisations and settings.
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop the knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health care. You will gain the ability to work across organisational boundaries in a range of health and care settings and apply a wide range of nursing skills appropriate to your parameters of practice.
This module aligns with platform 5 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018), and with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational duty 6 - improve safety of individuals by identifying risks to safety or experience of care and taking appropriate action putting the best interests, needs and preferences of people first and duty 7 - improve quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of peoples experience of care.
Undertaking this module will enable you to develop an understanding of the principles of health and safety legislation and regulations and maintain safe work and care environments. You will develop understanding in the areas of data collection and audit and the implementation of quality improvement strategies. You will be supported to understand what constitutes a near miss, a serious adverse incident, a critical incident, and a major incident. You will develop an understanding of how to respond and escalate potential hazards that can affect safety.
This module aligns with Platform 4 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018) and to duties 2, 9 and 10 of the IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duties: communicate effectively, recognising and working within the limits of competence and being responsible for own actions; work in teams collaborating effectively with a range of colleagues and support and supervise others in the care team.
This module will support you to develop your team working skills and recognise the role of the Nursing Associate within healthcare. You will be supported to develop an understanding of the importance in recognising individual roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice within a team. You will work within groups to undertake a given task.
Level 5
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module aligns with platforms 1 and 3 of the NMC standards of proficiency (NMC 2018) and with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duty 5 - Provide and monitor nursing care to individuals and groups, providing compassionate and safe nursing interventions.
During this module you will continue to develop and build on the knowledge and skills required to support your individual working roles and therefore benefit your service users. You will be exploring the theory, knowledge, and skills to ensure that you are able to work across organisational boundaries in a range of healthcare settings. You will continue to learn to apply evidence and guidelines both in university and in practice to be able to demonstrate the appropriate behaviours, skills and knowledge within your role as a developing Nursing Associate.
This module aligns with Platform 1 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018). It also aligns to Duty 1 of the IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duties: Be an accountable professional, acting in the best interests of people, putting them first and providing nursing care that is person-centred, safe, and compassionate.
The aim of this module is to enable you to enhance your knowledge and deepen your understanding of accountability in practice and during the provision of person-centred care.
This module aligns with platform 2 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC, 2018). It also aligns with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duty 3 - Promote health and prevent ill health to improve and maintain the mental, physical, behavioural health and well-being of people, families, carers and communities.
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a deeper understanding of health inequalities and social determinants and how these inequalities can be reduced by promotion of health and preventing ill health. You will also explore how to support and maintain mental, physical, and behavioural wellbeing of people, families, carers and different communities.
This module aligns with platforms 3 and 6 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018). It also aligns with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duties; Duty 4 - Contribute to the ongoing assessment of individuals nursing care needs, recognising when it is appropriate to refer to others for reassessment and; duty 8 - Contribute to the provision of complex nursing and integrated care needs of people at any stage of their lives, across a range of organisations and settings.
The aim of this module is to enable you to further develop the knowledge and skills you are utilising to deliver high quality health care. You will enhance the ability to work across organisational boundaries in a range of health and care settings and apply a wide range of nursing skills appropriate to your parameters of practice.
This module aligns with platform 5 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (NMC 2018). It also aligns with IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational duty 6 - Improve safety of individuals by identifying risks to safety or experience of care and taking appropriate action putting the best interests, needs and preferences of people first and duty 7 - Improve quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of peoples experience of care.
During this module you will build on existing knowledge and begin to examine the role of evidence-based practice within the development and maintenance of high-quality person and family centred care. The aim of this module is for you to gain an understanding of the importance of being research aware and the role you can play in improving the quality of person and family centred care. You will focus on developing your critical thinking and reflective practice skills to enable you to evaluate and challenge current practice.
This module aligns with Platform 4 of the NMC standards of proficiency for Nursing Associates (2018). It also aligns to Duties 2, 9 and 10 of the IfATE Nursing Associate Occupational Duties; Communicate effectively, recognising and working within the limits of competence and being responsible for own actions; work in teams collaborating effectively with a range of colleagues and support and supervise others in the care team.
This module will further enhance your team working skills that you have developed during your first year on programme. You will develop skills of feedback and mentoring to develop your role as member of the interdisciplinary team and role model for others.
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The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Higher Technical Qualification
This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.
Employability
Employment opportunities
On completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council Nursing Associate register and practise in the UK. As a qualified Nursing Associate you could work in a range of roles in the NHS. You could also choose to continue your studies and qualify as a Registered Nurse.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our Nursing and Midwifery courses are based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.
See more of our skills facilities at City South
Centre for Skills and Simulation
The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.
Simulation Manikins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.