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 provides a higher apprenticeship pathway and is suitable for you if you are currently working in a health or social care setting. Our assistant practitioner and nursing associate apprenticeships will develop your knowledge and skills enabling you to progress to an assistant practitioner or nursing associate role.

These apprenticeships are 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 a high proportion of the qualification. This means that you can apply and consolidate your classroom-based knowledge through your practical work.

The recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – 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 now direct to the university. 

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)

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Please make sure that you meet the entry requirements before applying. If you have any questions the course team will be happy to help.

Apply now for your place

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 and/or Social Care setting, have employer support and a guarantee of work based supervision from an appropriately qualified work based supervisor (Assistant Practitioner pathway) or Registered Nurse Mentor (Nursing Associate pathway).

Candidates must normally be employed for a minimum 30 hours per week (N.B If the apprentice works fewer than 30 hours a week the provider must extend the minimum duration of the apprenticeship (pro rata) to take account of this).

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

Candidates must possess a minimum of Key Skills level 2 in English and Maths together with (or part of) a relevant or equivalent level 3 qualification such as –

  • 
an Advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care
  • BTEC National Diploma (pass), or Certificate (merit)
  • 2 A levels (with Maths and English GCSE grade C)
  • 
Open University course in Health and Social Care related subject such as SDK125,
 subject related NVQ level 3 (Includes key skills English and Maths level 2) 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 
Non-native speakers of English need to possess IELTS 6.5 overall with a 6.5 in writing (or its equivalence).

Invited candidates will have an interview at the university.
 The interview will include an entry test (level 2) for Maths and English.

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.

 

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

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
  • Key Concepts and Theories Underpinning Care in Mental Health Nursing

*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.

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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.

Careers and employability

Graduates gain an Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate Apprenticeship qualification as well as their foundation degree.

In most cases, graduates 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 this course qualifies you to apply with 120 credits at level 5 means that you could start in year 2 of our Nursing BSc.

Nurse and doctor using diagnostic equipment

Fees and funding

Your fees

This course is an approved Higher Apprenticeship. Higher apprenticeships offer an apprentice the opportunity to combine working while studying for a work-based academic or vocational higher level qualification, with course fees paid from apprenticeship funds.

To find out more you can contact your employer, visit www.gov.uk or contact the course team for more information on becoming an apprentice.

Read more about apprenticeships at Brighton. 

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.

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Accommodation

Brighton: Falmer

We have halls of residence across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • Eligible students can apply for any of these options. Find out if you are eligible…
  • You’ll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Falmer campus is linked to halls on the Falmer campus and Varley Park.
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms and catering options. Varley Park is less than a mile from Falmer and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on campus and offer a range of room types and catering options.

We also offer Unihomes and Unilets, student houses that we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option offers the most choice and flexibility and can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments.

There’s plenty of support if you choose private rented accommodation. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. And we run our housemates service over the summer for students, new and returning, looking for a place to live.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages.

Hillside hall of residence at Varley Park

Varley Park accommodation near to the Falmer campus

Student in our Moulsecoomb Place hall of residence

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Falmer campus

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.
    Please make sure you read our privacy notice

School of Health Sciences
01273 644016
foundationdegreeadmissions@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.  

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Student views  

Sharon Whitmore 

"I am thoroughly enjoying the course so far. The best aspect is how well the modules run alongside one another and relate to my role at work. I find they give me a fantastic amount of information, of which I am already putting into practice.

"Overall I think the whole experience will benefit me in the future and allow me to progress well in my career.

"After I have completed the course I would like to consolidate what I have learnt for a period of time before applying to the nursing degree apprenticeship."

Sharon Whitmore, 1st year student, 2017

Sharon Whitmore

Louise Garrett 

"I enjoyed the course, in particular the evidence-based practice. I had a great tutor and it was very interesting.

"The course has taught me to question and research everything. I am constantly finding myself wanting to learn more about procedures and aspects of my job that I had never thought of before. I am always asking 'why' and 'could this be done better?’

"I will use everything I have been taught in all sorts of different ways. When I complete the course, I would like to stay at the GPs I am in now but have more responsibility."

Louise Garrett, 2nd year student, 2017

Louise Garrett

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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