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 Blended Learning
- Award FdSc
- Start date February 2026
- Fees View course fees
- 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 yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 22 March 2025
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
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.
Award: FdSc
Starting: Feb 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Blended Learning
- 2 years
- £9,535 in 2025/26 ✱ Important note for this price
- Apply via UCAS
(↩Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.
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
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Level 4
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Introduction to Delivery of Safe and Compassionate Care 20 credits
Introduction to Professional Accountability and Person-centred Care 20 credits
Introduction to Health Inequalities and Promotion of Preventative Health Behaviours 20 credits
Introduction to Human Development Across the Lifespan 20 credits
Introduction to Maintaining and Improving Safe Work and Care Environments 20 credits
Introduction to Developing and Managing Appropriate Relationships 20 credits
Level 5
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Consolidation of Delivery of Safe and Compassionate Care 20 credits
Consolidation of Professional Accountability and Person-centred Care 20 credits
Consolidation of Health Inequalities and Promotion of Preventative Health Behaviours 20 credits
Consolidation of Human Development Across the Lifespan 20 credits
Consolidation of Maintaining and Improving Safe Work and Care Environments 20 credits
Consolidation of Developing and Managing Appropriate Relationships 20 credits
Download course specification
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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.