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 course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy which is designed to have: immediate relevance to practice; draw on expertise-by-experience; foster active learning and be leaner-centred in approach. A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks, including those that allow you to undertake workplace relevant assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. Examples include: written assignments ranging from reflective pieces to academic essays culminating in a project at Foundation degree level, assessed practice within your workplace; computer based examinations and oral presentations. Your use of professional and theoretical literature will increase in complexity, depth and breadth as you progress through the course. In the first year, you will be expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the evidence-based literature and apply this to practice. In contrast, the second year will demand deeper analysis and evaluation of the literature and its applications. For example, you will develop your ability to study and practice more independently.
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.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
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
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also 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.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
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
