Health and Social Care Practice foundation degree

Course structure

You are required to attend university one day a week during term-time, and the equivalent of two days a week in supported/supervised practice. 

You will spend approximately 30% of your course time at the university, 40% in practice undertaking skills and role development, and 30% undertaking independent, guided or private study.

Induction takes place during the first week, during which we provide you with information about the course and the wider university support mechanisms and university life (Students’ Union, Fresher’s Fair etc.). 

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

Syllabus

Our course team recognises that students come from a diverse background within NHS hospitals, community NHS and social care settings, including the private and voluntary sector, and so our course subjects cover a number of different areas. Subjects focus across the age spectrum on different service user groups and types of care from acute to long-term care.

Year 1 

The focus of the first semester is on study skills, the transition from the workplace to higher education (university), and communication skills.

You will cover writing academic essays, learning styles, time management, IT, reflective writing, effective studying techniques and numeracy skills, along with developing communications skills. In practice, you will complete a number of core skills related to practice and role development.

In the second semester you'll develop your knowledge and understanding of key areas related to your practice – anatomy and physiology, and legal and ethical aspects.. Additional skills sessions are built into the semester either within the classroom (knowledge-based) or practice skills rooms (simulated practice-based).

Modules

• Study Skills for Health and Social Care Practice
• Communication in Health and Social Care Practice
• Anatomy and Physiology to Support Health and Social Care Practice
• Legal and Ethical Foundations of Health and Social Care
• Work-based Learning

Year 2 

The focus of the second year is enhanced practice development towards associate and assistant practitioner roles. 

Skills on which you are assessed will be:

• negotiated in partnership with the employer
• closely related to your job description
• are applied to your developing role in the work environment.

You also have opportunities to develop your skills in the simulated environments that are available at the university. 

You will develop research awareness and knowledge in the first semester, and undertake a work-based project throughout the year. The projects you will achieve are challenging but often lead to promoting positive practice and changes in the workplace.

During the second semester, you will choose one of the option modules related to your broad area of practice in one of the following: acute care, community care or dementia care.

Modules

• Using Evidence as a Basis for Practice
• Project Planning
• Work-based Project
• Practice Skills Development

Plus one option* from:

• Acute Care
• A Life Span Approach to Primary and Supportive Care in the Community
• People and Dementia

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability

Facilities

Study abroad

Pre-registration students

Currently we offer an exciting opportunity for all nursing and midwifery students to experience nursing and midwifery in another country and also gain academic credit. Most experiences are for approximately two to four weeks with one of our 27 partner colleges throughout Europe and the USA. We offer preparation and provide support throughout the whole exchange experience.

There is also the chance for the more adventurous to undertake a three month Erasmus exchange placement in Denmark, Spain and Sweden with some free access to language preparation. Please ask at interview if you are interested in this or contact a member of the admissions team for more information. Find out which of our Erasmus partner universities are open to nursing and midwifery students.

For further information about Erasmus please visit the university's study exchange pages. 

We receive international students from our established European and American partner institutions, so even if you are unable to travel it is likely you will meet students from different countries.

We have established key links with locally based non-governmental organisations that work internationally, with international recruitment agencies and with the  Tropical Health Education Trust and all of these partnerships contribute to our Biannual International Perspectives Conference that we host and is free for all our students.

All students who take part in any international experience identify the immense value of the experience, whether through hosting visiting students or actually participating in an exchange. We share all students' experiences through our newsletters and through the student ambassador project.

If you wish to learn more about these opportunities you are welcome to discuss this at interview.

For further information on our European partners and network please visit the  European Nursing Module Network website.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Falmer campus