FdSc Nursing Associate (Direct Entry Route)

2 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Salford

Program Overview

This two-year foundation degree is your pathway to becoming a registered nursing associate, a vital role that sits between a support worker and a nurse. It’s perfect for someone who loves helping others, wants hands-on experience in healthcare, and is eager to learn both the practical and theoretical sides of nursing.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1: You’ll start with Foundations of Health and Wellbeing, learning the basics of safe, person-centred care and building your knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and ethical practice. Through Application of Skills to Support Health and Wellbeing 1, you’ll begin practising essential care skills across all age groups, from safeguarding to routine health checks. Application of Skills to Support Health and Wellbeing 2 takes you further, teaching you how physical and mental health challenges affect people, and helping you develop holistic care and care-planning skills.

Year 2: Exploring Specific Health Issues broadens your understanding to long-term conditions, mental health, medication management, and specialised interventions. In Preparation for Professional (NA) Practice, you’ll strengthen your clinical decision-making, teamwork, and real-world care delivery. Finally, Developing and Changing Practice equips you with leadership skills, insight into service improvement, and confidence in applying evidence-informed practice.

Focus areas: Hands-on nursing care across hospitals, community and social care settings, working with adults, children, young people, mental health, and learning disabilities, bridging the gap between support worker and nursing associate roles.

Learning outcomes: You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to deliver safe, effective, compassionate care, work confidently as part of a multidisciplinary team, apply evidence-based practice, and take professional accountability seriously.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), so you graduate ready to register as a qualified nursing associate.

Reputation (employability rankings): Salford nursing and midwifery graduates typically earn around £28,000 three years after graduation, reflecting strong employability and career potential.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Salford, learning isn’t just about lectures — you’ll spend around half your time in real healthcare settings like hospitals, community services, and care homes, working alongside experienced nurses who guide and mentor you. Back on campus, you’ll practice in purpose-built simulation suites and clinical skills labs that feel just like real wards, giving you the confidence to handle situations safely before you see them in real life. This mix of hands-on experience and classroom learning helps you develop the skills, professionalism, and confidence you’ll need as a nursing associate.

Here’s how you’ll gain practical experience and the facilities that support you:

Clinical placements: Supervised, real-world practice in NHS and independent sector settings across Greater Manchester, including day, night, and weekend shifts to reflect real working patterns.
Simulation suites: State-of-the-art patient simulators — including adult, paediatric, and baby mannequins — let you safely role-play emergency scenarios and routine care.
Clinical skills labs: Hands-on spaces to develop key abilities like taking observations, administering medication, and delivering person-centred care.
Collaborative learning: Small group projects, interactive workshops, tutorials, and seminars give you the chance to work with peers and reflect on practice.
Supportive campus resources: Access to libraries, IT tools, and learning spaces to back up your practical and theoretical learning.

Progression & Future Opportunities

When you complete this two-year foundation degree, you’ll be ready to step confidently into a rewarding role as a Nursing Associate, supporting people in hospitals, community care, and social-care settings. Graduates often go on to roles such as Nursing Associate, Healthcare Support Team Leader, Community Nursing Support Worker, or Mental Health Care Associate. Here’s how Salford helps you get there:

Careers Hub support: One‑to‑one appointments, CV and cover‑letter advice, and mock interviews specifically tailored for healthcare students so you’re fully prepared for the job market.
Strong graduate outcomes: Nursing and midwifery graduates at Salford earn on average around £28,000 three years after graduation.
University–industry partnerships: Work closely with organisations like Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust for placements, mentorship, and real-world learning experiences.
Professional accreditation: Your qualification is NMC‑approved, giving you a recognised and trusted credential across the UK.
Versatile career paths: You can work across adult, children & young people, mental health, and learning disability care in a variety of settings, from hospitals to community services.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’d like to continue your studies, you could progress to a full BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health, or Learning Disability), joining year 2 or 3 depending on your pathway. You could also explore postgraduate courses in leadership, advanced practice, or service improvement to further boost your career.