FD Health and Social Care (Mental Health) Degree at Preston College
FD Health and Social Care (Mental Health) at Preston College leads to a nationally recognised degree awarded by a recognised UK degree-awarding body.
About this course
Course Detail – Preston College Home | Courses | Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care (Mental Health) FOUNDATION DEGREE IN HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (MENTAL HEALTH) Awarded By: University of Lancashire Duration: 2 years Levels: Level 4, Level 5 Developed in collaboration with the University of Lancashire, the Foundatio From the provider’s course page.
FD Health and Social Care (Mental Health) is a Degree (Degree) at Preston College, based in Fulwood 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.
Level 4 / Year 1 5 modules
- Foundations for Professional PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
To provide you with the necessary skills to work within a mental health setting. You will examine and apply skills, and knowledge to develop and improve practice with service users and identify areas for improvement.
- Study and Lifelong Learning SkillsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To equip you with the study skills required to succeed at this level of academic study. You will learn how to reflect and learn from your work-based learning to facilitate application of theory to practice and improve self-awareness.
- Mental Health across the LifespanCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Focussing on the key components of mental health, you will develop your knowledge of developmental, psychological and social issues affecting an individual's mental health.
- Communication and CollaborationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To gain a deeper understanding of communication skills, methods and their importance in delivering effective health care.
- Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Psychology of HealthCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To develop knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body and how this can be affected by illness, disease and injury. You will also identify health and disease processes on diagnostics tests as relevant to your chosen area of practice.
Level 5 / Year 2 4 modules
- Evidence Based PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To develop the skills to locate and appraise research, and to continue in building knowledge of your chosen area of practice.
- Management and LeadershipCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To develop leadership and management skills, which underpins theoretical knowledge to support best practice within health and social care.
- Supporting Professional PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
To continue building on and improving skills and knowledge gained in your first year of study, combining theory and practical experience. You will research and use skills and evidence to demonstrate best practice and evaluate outcomes in the workplace.
- Interventions in Mental Health PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
To develop practical knowledge, values and skills essential in meeting the needs of service users who suffer serious mental health problems.
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, developed in collaboration with the University of Lancashire, focuses on mental health within health and social care. You'll usually begin with core clinical skills, communication and anatomy and physiology, moving through to specialist care practice in your second year. A course like this typically combines classroom learning with supervised placements throughout, placements form a substantial part of your study. You'll cover foundations of nursing practice, assessment and management of conditions, medicines management, and evidence-based approaches. Specialisations such as mental health, adult nursing, community and primary care, and leadership pathways are often available, depending on the course structure.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking to develop expertise in health and social care, particularly with an emphasis on mental health support. It is designed for students ready to commit to full-time study over two years and who wish to gain a nationally recognised qualification in this field.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing and Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National earnings data shows graduates in this field earn £27,000–£30,500 at the 15-month point, rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years. These figures reflect the broader graduate population rather than outcomes specific to this institution.
University & format
This Foundation Degree is studied full-time over 2 years at Preston College, a higher education college located at Fulwood Campus. The course is taught in English and delivered at Level 4 and Level 5. It is awarded by the University of Lancashire and is recognised as a nationally recognised UK degree.
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.
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
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. 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 Preston College →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.
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 CareWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
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 Fulwood Campus
647 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 Preston College from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Preston College; 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 Preston College’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 Preston College and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Preston College
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
Request information about FD Health and Social Care (Mental Health)
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.