About the course
The new role of nursing associate is designed to bridge the gap between healthcare assistant and registered nurse. This flexible, practice-led course is aimed at healthcare assistants currently supporting registered nurses to provide care.
As a nursing associate, you will have the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours to play an active part in improving people’s experience of healthcare.
This Foundation degree provides the study- and work-based learning you need to develop these wide-ranging skills and widen the scope of your service. It also meets the requirements of the national Nursing Associate Training programme curriculum as well as the NHS Constitution (see below).
Why choose this course?
- Attend university for the equivalent of one day a week so it fits easily alongside your current employment and other commitments
- Learn through a combination of lectures and seminars, guided study and work-based learning
- Study a curriculum developed by experienced nurses and delivered in partnership with local employers and services
- Put your skills into practice in a range of healthcare settings
- Benefit from the support of a practice mentor and a personal academic tutor
The NHS Constitution brings together details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It sets out the principles and values that guide how the NHS should act and make decisions. The NHS Constitution states that the NHS "aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism”. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of these values throughout the selection process. View the Constitution here
Course Leader - Kirstie Sharpe
I joined the School of Healthcare Practice in October 2019 from a clinical leadership position within Children's Public Health Nursing Services. I qualified as a Children's Nurse in 2012 in Manchester and worked in a variety of paediatric inpatient settings in the North West and South East including paediatric acute wards, assessment units, trauma and emergency care, surgical and neonatal environments. In 2015 I moved from the hospital setting into the community and completed by Specialist Community Public Health Nursing qualification specialising in Health Visiting in 2016.
Units
- Academic Skills Development For Nursing Associates (ASP013-1) Compulsory
- Application Of Nursing Associate Theory And Practice (ASP016-1) Compulsory
- Exploring Health And Primary Care Services In The Community (ASP015-1) Compulsory
- Introduction To Nursing Associate Interventions (ASP014-1) Compulsory
- Understanding Health For Healthcare Practitioners (ASP017-1) Compulsory
- Consolidating Nursing Associate Practice (ASP012-2) Compulsory
- Integration Of Nursing Associate Theory And Practice (ASP013-2) Compulsory
- Nursing Associate Interventions And Person-Centred Care (ASP014-2) Compulsory
- Public Health Principles And Practice For Nursing Associates (ASP015-2) Compulsory
The assessment strategy for this course is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to have: immediate professional relevance to ensure safe and effective practice; foster active learning, be leaner-centred in approach and draw on expertise-by-experience. The choice of assessments is determined by their fitness for purpose i.e. to evidence achievement of unit learning outcomes at undergraduate level (Level 5). You will be assessed across a range of practice settings and learning environments throughout the course. To enhance your understanding and experiences of assessment practices you will encounter a wide range of formative and summative assessment methods including those that enable you to undertake practice-focussed tasks that have the potential to influence care delivery. Many of the assessment tasks are designed so that you can tailor them to your professional interests, experience and development needs. They are also designed so that you can rehearse ways of thinking and acting that are professionally relevant. Examples include: written assignments ranging from reflective pieces to case studies and academic essays as well as assessed practice within your placements. Assessments are also designed to support you integrating learning in theory and practice and in demonstrating that integration. You will be assessed in practice through the use of a Practice Assessment Document which outlines the skills and competencies required as a registered nursing associate. These assessments are recorded and confirmed by a Practice Assessor, alongside your own self-reflections on your progress. Service users and carers also contribute to your assessments. During each of your placement allocations you will have a nominated Practice Assessor in accordance with the NMC Part 2: Standards for student supervision and assessment (NMC 2018). They conduct assessments to confirm that you have achieved the NMC proficiencies and course outcomes for practice learning. You will also have a nominated Academic Assessor who is responsible for confirming your achievement of the NMC proficiencies and course outcomes in the academic environment for each part of the course. Together the Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor evaluate and recommend a student for progression for each part (year) of the course, in line with course standards and local and national policies.
Why study in the School of Nursing and Health Education?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry requirements
A Foundation Degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.
Foundation Degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.
As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 32-48 points, based on your level 3 studies.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don't have traditional academic qualifications.
We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
- Interview
- Written test (literacy)
- Written test (numeracy)
On entry, trainee nursing associates should demonstrate an ability to work at level 2 literacy and numeracy.
Applicants will currently, or on enrolment, be employed in a health or care role. (Trainee nursing associates need to be employed in a setting where they can be appropriately supervised by a registered nurse or other appropriate health or care professional).
As the course includes work-based learning, there is a requirement for the student to be employed within the workplace for the duration of the course. Students are advised to review their contractual agreement with their employing organisation on application to ensure they will meet course requirements for work place learning for the duration of their course
Applicants will need to demonstrate the ability to study a programme at academic level 4 (equivalent to first year of a degree), with the potential to progress to level 5 (equivalent to year 2 of a degree).
You will also need to demonstrate the appropriate values and attitudes for the programme in line with HEE's value based recruitment programme.
On completion of the Foundation degree, you will be eligible to apply for nursing associate posts or Year 2 entry to one of our BSc (Hons) registered nursing courses (as long as you also meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council entry requirement).
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £6,165. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering the full period of tuition, not the fees payable each year.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Extra Costs
Campus Library
The Bedford Campus Library set over four storeys offers students access to our extensive range of physical and digital resources with 300,000+ books & 80,000+ ebooks.
PCs are provided on each level for students to use offering access to a wide range of applications as well as access to group-work areas and presentation-practice rooms and a dedicated silent study floor.
BedsSU - The Hub
The Hub is home to BedsSU providing a great space for socialising with friends, catching up on some coursework or taking a well-deserved break.
The Hub is the place to go to take a break from your studies, play table tennis, socialise and watch live sport on the big screen.By night the venue becomes the place to be, with a variety of student events such as pub quizzes, live music and various themed club nights. Evening food includes delicious freshly made pizzas as well as a range of other beverages and snacks.
Bedford Gym
The Aspire Gyms offer a range of affordable membership options giving students exclusive use of a convenient campus-based fitness facility.
The Bedford gym facilitates state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smartphone compatibility as well as an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area. Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Dance Studios
At the centre of our campus is four fully sprung dance studios equipped with ballet barres, mirrored walls, audio playback and projection for our dance and performing arts students.
Our two campus theatres also provide the ideal performance space for students with regular events held that are open audiences of students, staff and the wider community.
Campus Theatres
Set within the Campus Centre is a 260 seat professional theatre on the ground floor with industry-standard lighting, media desk, roll-down screen, full backstage comms system and large dressing rooms with en suite showers. On the first floor there's also a well-equipped 80 seat studio theatre.
Our theatres welcome new and existing audiences to see a range of student work including contemporary dance, theatre and performing arts; holding regular events that are open to students, staff and the wider community.
Sports Science Labs
Our specialist sports science labs give students a fantastic environment to develop their research skills and expertise, where a student can explore the biology of an elite athlete who could be performing simultaneously within the sports hall.
The state-of-the-art laboratories are purpose built for research and teaching in the fields of exercise and nutrition science. This includes specialised equipment and facilities for assessing human health risk and delivering exercise and diet interventions for health promotion.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
