FdSc Nursing Associate Foundation degree at Oxford Brookes University
FdSc Nursing Associate at OBU is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a post-registration and continuing professional development qualification, and is nationally recognised as a UK degree-awarding qualification.
About this course
Our Nursing Associate Foundation (FdSc) course is ideal for people who want to work as a nursing associate or want to progress onto a nursing degree, whether this is your first or second career. From the provider’s course page.
FdSc Nursing Associate is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at OBU, based in Swindon Campus. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Nursing & Health, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Study Skills for Foundation DegreesCompulsory
Module details
This module will provide you with the theoretical and practical study skills necessary for successful completion of the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree. It will give you an understanding of the learning process and of yourself; developing confidence to take control of your learning. It offers you the opportunity to apply different approaches and learning strategies and to develop the study skills needed for Higher Education.
- Clinical practice experience 1Compulsory
Module details
Through a combination of simulation based education and direct care, this module will allow you to develop a relevant knowledge base, skills and behaviours to fulfil the professional requirements for the nursing associate programme. You will have the opportunity to apply the theoretical principles from year 1 modules to your clinical practice.
- Science for Nursing AssociatesCompulsory
Module details
This module aims to provide an underpinning of anatomical and physiological knowledge for safe and effective delivery of care regardless of setting. The module introduces and reinforces an understanding of the major physiological systems, their normal workings and frequently encountered potential abnormalities that may occur for those requiring health care throughout the lifespan. The teaching and learning of anatomy and physiology within the module will follow an integrated approach. Students w
- Applied Social Science for Health and Social CareCompulsory
Module details
This theory module will introduce you to the study of major psychological and social influences on human behaviour within the context of health care. You will gain understanding of the links between behaviour, and the development of self, and will develop your understanding of health behaviour and aspects of health care delivery.
- Promoting Health for Nursing AssociatesCompulsory
Module details
Nursing Associates play a role in supporting people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing (NMC, 2018). You will gain an understanding of Public Health and how this will inform nursing associate practice, moving from universal prevention campaigns to targeted approaches across the lifespan. You will explore health promotion theories and models and how behaviour can be changed. This will link to evidence regarding the social determinants of health. Health
Year 2 4 modules
- Legal and Ethical Aspects of Evidence-Based PracticeCompulsory
Module details
In this module you will explore theories and current thinking underpinning and guiding evidence based decision making in nursing associate practice. The module will provide you with an understanding of the complexities of legal and ethical aspects of the delivery of care in various settings and your own accountability within the delivery of nursing associate care. Throughout the module you will develop an understanding of the need for best practice in the workplace, with opportunities to highlig
- Practice Based Learning 3Compulsory
Module details
As the first Level 5 PBL module, this module builds on the previous year's theory modules and PBL modules. By the end of the module, you will have demonstrated new knowledge and its application to professional practice.
- Integrated Care for Nursing AssociatesCompulsory
Module details
This module develops your knowledge of specific areas of nursing associate care across the lifespan. It introduces the underpinning frameworks and responsibilities for the organisation, assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of holistic family/person-centred and compassionate care in a variety of settings. It is underpinned with an understanding of local and national policies that influence the delivery of health care.
- Practice Based Learning 4Compulsory
Module details
This is the final Practice Based Learning module, which consolidates all of your previous learning; it will enable you to link the application of theory to practice. Within this module, you are expected to be a more independent, self-directed learner who can identify and fulfil their own learning needs and objectives.
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 course prepares you to work as a nursing associate and provides a foundation for progression onto a nursing degree. You'll start with core clinical skills, communication and person-centred care, alongside anatomy and physiology. From Year 1 onwards, supervised placements run through the entire course, typically half your time in practice settings, so you'll gain hands-on experience early and build it continuously. Year 2 moves into assessing and managing acute and chronic conditions, medicines management and pharmacology. A course like this normally includes settings such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, and community and primary care. Throughout, you'll develop knowledge for evidence-based practice and leadership relevant to your field, leading to NMC registration as a nursing associate.
Who it's for
This course suits registered nurses and healthcare professionals seeking to develop specialist knowledge and credentials. Specialisations include Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Paramedic Science. The full-time format is designed for those able to commit to intensive study whilst balancing professional practice.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those in work, 87% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National graduate 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 national labour-market outcomes, not university-specific guarantees.
University & format
Oxford Brookes University is a public university founded in 1865, located on its Swindon Campus. This FdSc Nursing Associate is a 2-year, full-time foundation degree taught in English. The course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a post-registration and CPD qualification, and Oxford Brookes is a recognised UK degree-awarding body whose degrees are nationally recognised. The university received Bronze for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
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.
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
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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 (code B710). 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at OBU →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.
- 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.
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.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Oxford Brookes 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 Swindon Campus
566 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 OBU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by OBU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 OBU’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 OBU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at OBU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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