FDS Nursing Associate Degree at Coventry University
FDS Nursing Associate at Coventry University is nationally recognised and awarded by a UK degree-awarding body. The university holds Gold status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
About this course
The Nursing Associate Foundation Degree gives you the chance to make a real difference to the quality of life and care of people in a range of healthcare settings. From the provider’s course page.
FDS Nursing Associate is a Degree (Degree) at Coventry University, based in CU Scarborough. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 100% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £27,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 60% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Holistic Person-Centred CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip you with essential knowledge and skills to provide person-centred care. It begins by exploring human anatomy and physiology, emphasising how body systems adapt over time. It also covers how to view health holistically, considering biological, sociological, psychological and spiritual factors. By integrating these dimensions, you will aim to address individual needs and promote wellbeing. Additionally, you will be introduced to the principles of safe and effective medici
- Promoting Health and Care EquityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Within this module, you will consider communities and populations to explore their diverse richness. The objective of the module centres around identifying frequently encountered health conditions within the health and care context, supporting you to develop the skills required to equip individuals with knowledge, empowering them to make informed decisions about their own health and wellbeing. The module emphasises patient advocacy as a cornerstone of practice, guiding all healthcare professiona
- Practice 1: Introduction to Person-Centred CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to enable you to apply and demonstrate your learning of professional values, attitudes and behaviours in the practice-based learning setting. It offers the opportunity for you to put into practice your knowledge of holistic, person-centred care and fundamental nursing skills during care delivery. The learning activities will primarily be undertaken in the practice-based learning placement area. A named person will oversee the placement learning journey and each student will have
- Practice 2: Contributing to Person-Centred CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The primary aim of this module is to further build upon your practice learning and experiences by continuing to develop your clinical competence to provide high-quality care with professionalism and integrity. There is an emphasis on how you implement your knowledge of social, economic, cultural and environmental factors that may impact the health and wellbeing of people in your care to incorporate health promotion techniques into your practice. The learning activities will primarily be undertak
- Becoming a Professional PractitionerCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip you with the values, behaviours and actions essential for professional practice. We will support you to develop your personal and academic skills, providing you with opportunities to reflect on your knowledge, skills and values. We will work with you to foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration and valuing diversity to prepare you to work within multi-professional environments.
- Evidence: Your Profession in a Global ContextCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and appreciate the role of evidence in both your profession and the wider health and care sector. The module supports you in understanding how your personal views and experiences may influence your thinking in developing your professional identity. It is also designed to help you develop critical thinking skills by encouraging you to question, challenge and reflect. You'll also explore using evidence to build your
Year two 6 modules
- The Nursing Associate's Role in Safe Administration of MedicationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will aim to gain a deeper understanding of what is required to ensure safe, effective practice when working with medicines. You will have the opportunity to gain insights into the interactions, side effects and contraindications associated with medicines used to treat and manage commonly encountered mental, physical, behavioural and cognitive health conditions. It emphasises adherence to professional standards and legal guidelines governing medication administration which ser
- The Nursing Associate's Role in Complex CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to enable you to reflect and explore some of the challenges you may face in your future role in delivering person-centred care for people living with multiple health conditions. It is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to enable you to interpret and analyse holistic assessment data to contribute to the planning and evaluation of true person-centred care. This information can be used to support you in making safe clinical decisions and understanding when
- Journey from Student to Registered Nursing AssociateCompulsory20 credits
Module details
During this module you will reflect, explore and consolidate on your previous knowledge and experiences to understand and clarify your professional identity, recognising the value of your role within health and care, your responsibilities related to working and developing within your Nursing Associate scope of practice and the NMC Code. You will aim to develop the skills and support strategies required to embrace your new career with a commitment to lifelong learning, personal and professional d
- Practice 3: Provide and Monitor Person-Centred CareCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module is designed to support you to build upon the practice skills gained during year one with increasing independence. You will aim to develop as a role model for fellow nursing associate students, healthcare support workers and those new to the role and within your team. You will be expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and competence within the context of the placement. By integrating ethical principles, legal frameworks and self-awareness, you will aim to enhance your abil
- Practice 4: Becoming an Autonomous Nursing AssociateCompulsory20 credits
Module details
As your final practice module, you will have the opportunity to apply all of the learning, knowledge and experiences you have gained so far. You will aim to develop the confidence and competence to work under minimal supervision as an effective member of the interdisciplinary team, providing and monitoring care to people with increasingly complex needs with increasing knowledge and skill to ensure that you are ready to join the NMC register as a nursing associate. You will aim to continue to dem
- Exploring Knowledge Through CuriosityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module explores methods of enquiry utilised in daily practice. You will aim to develop your ability to analyse the knowledge, theory and practice-based evidence within health and care. This module explores how daily inquiry methods can be transformed into more systematic approaches to data collection and analysis. It covers quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation and audit techniques. Through exploration and debate, you will aim to develop an appreciation of interdisciplinary and
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This Foundation Degree gives you the chance to make a real difference to the quality of life and care of people in a range of healthcare settings. A course like this typically moves from foundational clinical skills and anatomy in Year 1, covering person-centred care, body systems and your first supervised placement, to more complex assessment and medicines management in Year 2, alongside broader placements in community, mental health or specialist units. You'll usually study core topics such as acute and long-term care, before progressing to leadership, evidence-based practice and specialist pathways such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, or community and primary care. Placements run throughout, meeting NMC standards for supervised practice in real healthcare settings.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a structured pathway into nursing and allied health professions. You'll study specialisations such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Paramedic Science. The two-year format allows you to progress into clinical practice or further study without the length of a full honours degree. It's designed for committed learners ready for full-time study and hands-on healthcare work.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing and Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £27,000–£30,500 at 15 months post-graduation, rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect the broader graduate outcomes landscape rather than university-specific guarantees. The healthcare sector continues to recruit across multiple specialisms.
University & format
The FDS Nursing Associate is a 2-year full-time degree delivered at Coventry University's Scarborough campus. Coventry University, founded in 1970, is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; degrees are nationally recognised. The course is taught in English and carries Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. You'll combine classroom learning with supervised practice placements in healthcare settings. On completion, you'll be eligible for NMC registration as a Nursing Associate.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Coventry University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
National funding for this subject
- NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible nursing, midwifery and allied-health students can receive a non-repayable training grant. Official guidance
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Nursing & Health graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £27,000 | £27,000 – £28,000 | 30 |
| 3 years after | £35,500 | £27,000 – £40,000 | 90 |
| 5 years after | £40,500 | £30,500 – £47,000 | 85 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
- 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
- 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally
National figures for Nursing & Health graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Nursing & Health courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,506 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Other Health ProfessionalsSOC 2020 225 · 100% of published destinations · ASHE median £42,902
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine documentation and triage support
- Scheduling and records admin
- First-pass risk flags from data
- Standard reference look-ups
More human than ever
- Hands-on, compassionate care
- Clinical judgement and accountability
- Communicating with patients and families
- Ethics and safeguarding decisions
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Nursing & Health graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- NHS trusts
- Private healthcare
- Care providers
- Community & mental-health services
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Nursing & Health graduates.
Nursing Home ManagerJarrodean Healthcare RecruitmentSenior Charge Nurse Uist Community Nursing teamNHS National Services ScotlandCare Assistant - Nursing Home | Flexible Hours, Weekly PayMpa RecruitmentCare Assistant (Nursing) - Nightshift - RatheaneMacklin Care Homes LimitedSenior Support Worker: Meaningful Care & Flexible ShiftsPotens GroupDental NurseBupa Dental CareIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
95% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.3 out of 10: NSS 93.1% · in work or study 95% · continued 60%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Coventry University
Subjects allied to medicine across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around CU Scarborough
1,378 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Nursing & Health right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Coventry University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £9,790 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Coventry University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Coventry University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Coventry University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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