FdSc Health and Care Practice (Nursing Associate) at Manchester Metropolitan University

Programme overview

Our nursing associate programme is designed around the core values of the NHS, helping you develop the practical skills, knowledge, and compassion needed to deliver safe and effective care. This course prepares you for the realities of modern healthcare, equipping you to support registered nurses and work confidently as part of a multidisciplinary team. You’ll learn through a blend of classroom teaching and hands-on experience in clinical placements and simulated practice.

What you will study

Our nursing associate programme is built on the core values of the NHS, ensuring you develop the practical skills, knowledge, and compassion needed to contribute to safe, effective care. This course prepares you for the realities of modern healthcare, equipping you to work confidently as part of a multidisciplinary team and support registered nurses in a variety of settings. Year 1 core: Health and Illness across the Life-course, Health Sciences, Practice in Focus 1, Principles of Health and Care in Practice. Year 2 core: Public Health Policy and Practice, Developing Skills for Health and Care Practice, Team Working and Quality Enhancement, Practice in Focus 2.

Career pathways

As a nursing associate, you’ll play a vital role in delivering hands-on care and supporting registered nurses across a wide range of healthcare settings. This versatile role bridges the gap between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, and you can work in any of the four fields of nursing: adult, child, mental health, and learning disability.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold level 2 or equivalent qualification in English Language and Mathematics (GCSE grade C or level 4), and demonstrate the academic aptitude to undertake the programme. In addition, applicants must demonstrate they have the capability to develop digital and technological skills to pass the programme. English language requirement: an overall score of 6.5 in the academic version of IELTS. You should not achieve less than the equivalent of an IELTS academic score of 6.5 in each of the sections of reading, listening and speaking and 6.0 in the section of writing as an alternative to GCSE English Language or other level 2 equivalent. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview on a specified date. Due to the demand for places on this course, we may not be able to offer an alternative date, therefore it is really important that you make arrangements to attend on the interview date you are given. A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for this programme. In addition, students who have resided outside the UK will be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory overseas police check. Instructions on how to complete these checks will be provided once you hold a firm offer for this course. Satisfactory occupational health clearance is also required to participate in this course. Due to the nature of the environments in which you will be undertaking placements, Covid-19 vaccination may be required by placement providers and future employers.

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 2 years full-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.ucas.com

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