Course in brief

Health and social care is a growing area. As more emphasis is placed on health promotion in our society, there is an ever-increasing demand for qualified health and social care practitioners.

This foundation degree is suitable for you if you are currently working in a health or social care setting and want to develop your knowledge and skills in preparation to undertake nursing associate and assistant practitioner roles.

The course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge that you need to administer high-quality, safe and compassionate care in one of the rewarding careers under the umbrella of health and social care. 

There are a number of optional modules to choose from throughout the degree. This gives you the freedom to tailor your studies to suit your personal and professional aims.

The course has an applied focus, with practice-based learning making up 50% of the qualification, so that you can apply and consolidate your classroom-based knowledge through your practical work.

The values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – and the recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does are embedded in our curriculum.

We have a dedicated team of academic staff who are actively engaged in internationalising the nursing and midwifery curriculum, and we offer all our students the chance to experience practice in another country.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code Not applicable. Apply direct to the university. Download your application form from the 'Entry requirements' section below.

Full-time 2 years

Brighton is ranked 3rd in the Guardian University Guide 2017 for health professions

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

Applying for 2018: read our guide

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2018. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

All candidates must be employed in a suitable health or social care setting, have employer support and a guarantee of work-based supervision from an appropriately qualified work based mentor. Candidates must be employed for a minimum 30 hours per week to be eligible under the Higher Apprenticeship scheme.

In addition, candidates need to meet the following entry criteria:

  • have English and maths at GCSE or Key Skill level 2 equivalents.

or one of the following:

  • a relevant Level 3 qualification such as an Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care
  • a BTEC National Diploma (pass) or Certificate (merit)
  • A-levels
  • an Open University course in a health and social care-related subject such as SDK125, or a subject-related NVQ with a Skills for Health bridging skills for higher education course.

Other qualifications that have equivalence will be considered by the course leader. Candidates with relevant and substantial work experience but without a recognised level three qualification will be considered on a case by case basis.

For non-native speakers of English 
IELTS 6.0 overall with a 6.0 in writing.

Candidates will be interviewed in line with Health Education England’s value-based recruitment process. The interview will include an entry test (level 2) for maths and English.

How to apply
Download and complete the application form and reference form. Please note that failure to send references with the application form will delay or halt the application process.

Once you have completed the forms, you will need to send them via email to the addresses below: 

Course in detail

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

Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite

Our Clinical Skills and Simulation Suite is among the best equipped in the country, and is an invaluable tool for assessment and monitoring students' progress throughout the course.
 
You will benefit from practising nursing skills in an environment that simulates real-life professional experiences. Provided by the NHS’ South East Coast Ambulance Service, you may have access to our Simbulance, enabling you to work alongside paramedic students in an interprofessional learning environment. On board is a high fidelity mannikin with multiple uses, and a child-size mannikin for paediatric scenarios. 

Learning by simulation means you will be confident in your ability to apply your knowledge and skills in your professional life.

nursing suite

Flexible Learning Environment 

The Flexible Learning Environment is an adapted home environment in a residential location where you'll be able to practise skills and learn from other students while taking part in a realistic training experience.

Every room is fitted with cameras and microphones, so that students can be directed and monitored from the control room while the observation room provides the opportunity to review, playback and debrief.

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.

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

Graduates in most cases have their foundation degree award linked to assistant or associate practitioner status (for example, Band 4 NHS pay scale).

Graduates are normally in their own area of work and use the foundation degree as a stepping stone for career development within their own organisation.

Entry to our Nursing BSc(Hons) (Adult, Child or Mental Health)

Successful completion of the first year of this course qualifies you to apply for our Nursing BSc(Hons) to start in year 1. Completing year 2 of the foundation degree (with 120 credits at level 5) means that you could start in year 2.

Nurse and doctor using diagnostic equipment

Fees and funding

Your fees

This course, which provides professional development for qualified health practitioners, is not currently affected by the recent government changes to funding for new students starting health courses in 2017.

Students are usually sponsored and employed by a trust or organisation which enables them to meet the university's attendance requirements. Sponsorships are currently available for trusts or organisations where there is some NHS paid care.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2017–18.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.
 
The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

i360 and ticket booth on the seafront  What to expect enriching experiences 

Campus where this course is taught

Falmer campus

Surrounded by the South Downs National Park and just five miles from the centre of Brighton, our Falmer campus has benefited from over £60million of investment over the past 10 years. 7,000 students are based here, studying subjects including English, education, social science, nursing and medicine.

Recent developments include the Falmer Sports Centre – with its fitness suites and sports hall – and the innovative Checkland Building, which has natural ventilation systems and an insulating green roof.

Falmer has also recently installed more than 600 solar panels, which reduce the campus’s carbon emissions by more than 80 tonnes. The renovation has made us one of the top universities in the UK for on-site renewable energy production.

Accommodation

Brighton

Our Brighton halls of residence are located across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • Grand Parade is in central Brighton and has one hall of residence, Phoenix Brewery, within walking distance. 
  • Moulsecoomb is two miles from the city centre and also has one hall of residence, Moulsecoomb Place, on campus. 
  • Varley Park offers the biggest choice of student accommodation with ten halls of residence. 
  • Falmer campus has two halls of residence: Great Wilkins and Paddock Field. 
    Varley Park and Falmer are around four miles from Brighton centre; there are good public transport services nearby.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. 

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

Find out more on our Brighton accommodation webpages and if you have any questions, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 644100.

Paddock Field

Moulsecoomb Place


  

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Falmer campus and Brighton and Sussex Medical School map

 

Find out more

Sign up for course updates

  • Year of entry
  • Providing this information will help us make our updates even more relevant to you.
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School of Health Sciences
01273 644016
namcpeadmissions@brighton.ac.uk 

You are also welcome to contact course leader Julian Seal: J.D.Seal@brighton.ac.uk

Keep up to date at the School of Health Sciences blog. 

 

Student views  

Davina Lovell

"My university experience hasn't just taught me facts, figures and theories; it’s allowed me to grow, to become more open minded and to consider aspects of care that I didn't even know existed before. The depth of my knowledge now as I graduate in comparison to that on day one has grown so significantly I'm still astounded. Most importantly this growth and development is now benefitting the patients I care for and making a difference.

"Additionally the support I received from university staff was truly exceptional. Their commitment and passion encouraged success and inspired me to continue with my learning journey by applying for a second university course."

Davina was student of the year in her first year and also reintroduced the 'lone worker in the community policy' as part of her university project. This has made a great difference in ensuring safety and high quality of care within her NHS trust.

Davina Lovell

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