FdSc Nursing Associate

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Lancashire

Program Overview

This two-year foundation degree is designed to get you ready to become a Nursing Associate, giving you the skills and confidence to provide hands-on, person-centred care in a variety of health and social care settings. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to make a real difference in people’s lives, enjoys learning through both study and practical experience, and is thinking about a future career in nursing.

Curriculum Structure:
Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll build the foundations for your nursing journey. Modules like Beginning My Journey as a Nursing Associate and Public Health and Well‑Being introduce you to the essentials of care, while your first placement experiences let you see how theory works in real life. This year is all about understanding health, care delivery, and starting to develop your professional identity.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on taking your skills further. Modules such as Improving Safety and Quality of Care, Complex Care and the Role of the Nursing Associate, and Developing Nursing Associate Practice give you the tools to work confidently in healthcare teams. You’ll spend more time in placements, apply your learning in real situations, and prepare to register as a Nursing Associate ready to start your career.

Focus areas:
“Nursing Associate role, person‑centred care, anatomy & physiology foundations, public health & well‑being, quality & safety in healthcare, interdisciplinary teamwork”

Learning outcomes:
“You’ll graduate able to deliver safe and effective care, use evidence to inform your practice, communicate and collaborate within healthcare teams, reflect on your professional development, and step confidently into employment or further study.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This programme is approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and meets national Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates.

Reputation (employability rankings):
While exact rankings for this programme aren’t published, UCLan’s strong partnerships with healthcare providers and NMC approval mean graduates are well-prepared and highly employable in nursing associate roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the very start of this programme, you’ll be learning by doing. You won’t just study theory in a classroom — you’ll get hands-on experience in specially designed clinical skills suites and real healthcare settings, practising essential nursing skills under guidance. UCLan gives you all the tools and support you need to become confident, professional, and ready for the real world of healthcare:

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Clinical Skills Suite & Simulated Hospital Environment at the Preston Campus, where you can practise procedures, patient scenarios, and anatomy/physiology with realistic manikins before stepping into real placements.
Work-based placements in hospitals, community care, and home settings, giving you supervised, practical experience in a range of healthcare environments.
Inter-professional learning through NHS partnerships, helping you understand how healthcare teams work together across different services.
Library and digital learning resources on campus, plus e-learning tools that support reflective practice, research, and preparing for placement assessments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme are ready to step straight into meaningful healthcare roles where they can make a real difference. Typical job roles include Nursing Associate, Health & Social Care Practitioner, Community Services Assistant, or Care Coordinator – and with UCLan’s strong support and industry links, you’ll be well-prepared for both work and further study.

Here’s how UCLan helps you get there and what you can expect after graduation:

Dedicated Careers Service: One-to-one guidance, CV and application support, interview practice, and access to careers fairs with over 100 employers.
Strong employability: Around 95.5% of UCLan graduates go into employment or further study within six months.
University–industry partnerships: Work alongside NHS trusts including Lancashire Care, East Lancashire Hospitals, and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, giving you direct exposure to real healthcare settings.
Professional value and accreditation: The programme is approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), ensuring your qualification is respected and has long-term career value.
Real career outcomes: Graduates are employed across acute, community, and primary care settings, using the practical skills and confidence they developed on the course.

Further Academic Progression:
After finishing this foundation degree, you can top-up to a full honours degree in nursing (like a BSc in Nursing) or specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health nursing, or community nursing. This programme gives you a solid foundation, so continuing your studies or advancing in your career is much smoother.