Nursing Foundation Year

1 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Kingston University London

Program Overview

This one‑year Nursing Foundation Year at Kingston University London gives you the essential academic knowledge, practical skills, and confidence you need to begin a nursing degree, even if you don’t yet meet the traditional entry requirements. It’s ideal for students who want to prepare for degree‑level study in nursing — whether your goal is adult, children’s, learning disabilities or mental health nursing — and helps you build the foundation for professional practice in healthcare.

Curriculum structure

Foundation Year – Preparing for nursing degree success
Throughout this foundation year you’ll develop the academic and professional skills that will help you thrive in the first year of your chosen nursing degree. In Becoming an Active Learner you’ll build study skills, academic writing confidence, relevant numeracy and understand how different learning styles help you succeed in your future degree. Introduction to Healthcare Biology gives you a strong grounding in the sciences, introducing biochemistry, cells, tissues and body systems, and teaches you how to use data and work safely in laboratory and clinical skills spaces. In Professional Practice you’ll explore what it means to be a healthcare professional, including the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s expectations, communication skills, self‑reflection and strategies for wellbeing. Finally, Project Based Learning lets you apply your knowledge to a real‑world healthcare scenario, helping you to develop research, problem‑solving, teamwork and communication skills that are essential for nursing study and practice

Focus areas (in a string):
Academic study skills, healthcare biology, professional practice foundations, project‑based healthcare problem solving.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Develop independent learning and study skills; understand core biological principles relevant to nursing; communicate professionally and reflect on personal development; apply critical thinking and teamwork in healthcare projects.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Successful completion leads directly into Year 1 of a chosen BSc (Hons) nursing degree (adult, children’s, learning disabilities or mental health) at Kingston University, putting you on the path toward professional nursing registration.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Kingston University has a Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework and is ranked top in London for Nursing and Midwifery by The Complete University Guide 2026 and The Guardian University Guide 2026, showing excellence in teaching quality and graduate outcomes

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kingston, the Nursing Foundation Year is all about getting you ready for a successful nursing degree. You’ll start developing practical skills, confidence, and professional habits from the very beginning, using hands-on activities and real-world scenarios to bring your learning to life. Through teamwork, group projects, and reflective exercises, you’ll practise communication, problem-solving, and collaboration — all essential skills for a career in nursing.

You’ll gain practical experience through:

Simulation and Clinical Skills Facilities where you can practise healthcare techniques safely before stepping into real clinical environments.
Laboratory and Practical Learning Tools in modules like Introduction to Healthcare Biology, helping you understand essential science for nursing and learn how to use modern lab and clinical tools.
Group Projects and Reflective Activities in Project Based Learning, giving you the chance to work on real-life healthcare scenarios with your classmates and develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Digital Learning Resources including Kingston’s virtual learning platform CANVAS, online libraries, and collaborative tools to support your independent study and group work.
Access to Library and IT Facilities such as the Nightingale Centre Library, providing space, materials, and technology for research, coursework, and self-directed learning.

These experiences ensure you leave the foundation year prepared, confident, and ready to succeed in a full nursing degree.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the Nursing Foundation Year at Kingston gives you a solid stepping stone into the first year of a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree, whether you choose adult, children’s, learning disabilities, or mental health nursing. From there, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding career where you can make a real difference in people’s lives, with potential roles including staff nurse, community nurse, specialist nurse, or healthcare coordinator. The foundation year equips you with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to succeed in your nursing degree and beyond.

Kingston supports your journey in several ways:

Careers and Employability Support: The Careers and Employability Team provides personalised guidance, CV and interview help, workshops, and access to job platforms to prepare you for degree progression and future employment.
Guaranteed Progression into Nursing Degree: Successfully completing the foundation year allows you to move straight into Year 1 of your chosen BSc (Hons) Nursing degree at Kingston, giving you a smooth transition into professional nursing training.
Strong Graduate Outcomes: After completing your full nursing degree, you will be eligible for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is recognised in the UK and internationally.
Industry‑Relevant Skills: You’ll gain practical, transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, digital competency, and adaptability — all highly valued by employers in healthcare.
Professional Accreditation Value: Progressing from the foundation year into a registered nursing degree ensures your qualification carries long-term credibility and opens doors to a wide range of clinical settings in the NHS and private healthcare sector.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your nursing degree, you can continue your studies with postgraduate options such as Master’s programmes in advanced clinical practice, mental health nursing, leadership, or healthcare education. These pathways can lead to senior clinical roles, specialist practice areas, management positions, teaching, or research roles, allowing you to further your career and make an even greater impact in healthcare.