FdSc Health and Social Care (Health Care Assistant Practitioner) Foundation degree at Southampton Solent University
FdSc Health and Social Care (Health Care Assistant Practitioner) at SSU equips you with practical skills and knowledge to support healthcare delivery across diverse settings.
About this course
This course will provide you the skills to gain a role as a Health Care Assistant Practitioner within the healthcare industry. From the provider’s course page.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Health Care Assistant Practitioner) is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at SSU, based in East Park Terrace. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
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)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 6 modules
- Anatomy and Physiology to Support PracticeCore
Module details
You will learn about the biology of the main body systems, focusing on anatomy, physiology and pathology. You will also explore how the body systems interact to maintain homeostasis and gain an understanding of cellular function within the human body.
- Developing Professional PracticeCore
Module details
The module will explore accountability within health and social care by examining lessons learned from public inquiries and critical practice incidents.
- Foundation Skills to Support PracticeCore
Module details
As a foundational introduction to higher education, this module provides an opportunity for you to develop skills in academic reading and critical writing. It also provides knowledge, and promotes understanding, of key concepts in health and social care practice such as effective communication and equality in care settings. This knowledge underpins your practice and helps with skills development to enable you to work in a wide range of health and social care settings.
- Introduction to Public Health and Health PromotionCore
Module details
This module will explore contemporary approaches to public health and examine the historical origins of the discipline in Britain which lie in the 19th century industrial age and the movement of populations from countryside to crowded cities. Public health utilises epidemiological and demographic data, and you will be introduced to the calculation of simple public health measures. Understanding the social determinants of health and the contribution of these to health inequalities entails new way
- Developing Practice-based Learning Year 1Core
Module details
This module aims to promote your understanding of the responsibilities, challenges and limitations of your professional role as a healthcare assistant practitioner (HCAP).
- Long-Term ConditionsCore
Module details
This module aims to support development of your knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours when caring for people with long-term conditions. You will explore the pathophysiology and aetiology of commonly occurring long-term conditions, the impact of the condition on an individual's and family life, consider patient needs in community settings and explore patient transitions between different healthcare settings.
Year two 5 modules
- Extending Professional PracticeCore
Module details
In this module you will extend your understanding of how evidence-based approaches to health care can be used in decision-making about the care of individual patients or the delivery of health services.
- Investigating Health and Conditions Across the LifespanCore
Module details
This module will examine the biological basis of disease exploring pathophysiological response to disease including fever, inflammation, cell signalling processes, cellular adaptations, cell transformation, proliferation, apoptosis, ischaemia, necrosis and impact of disease on the cell cycle.
- Practice-based Learning Year 2Core
Module details
Like its level 4 version - this is a wide-ranging module focusing on a diverse array of topics. It further explores expectations and limitations of the Healthcare Assistant Practitioner (HCAP) role.
- Service Improvement ProjectCore
Module details
This module will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge to identify, plan and implement a small-scale project which will enhance or improve patient experience or service provision.
- Supervision and Assessment of PracticeCore
Module details
This module will help you apply knowledge of teamwork, leadership theories and principles of equality to practice and equip you for future responsibilities supervising and assessing others in accordance with occupational standards.
Modules 2 modules
- Extending Therapy PracticeOptional
Module details
The module will allow students to consider concepts of assessing, treating and planning the discharge of patients in relation to physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
- Recognition and Escalation of Deteriorating Physical and Mental HealthOptional
Module details
This module will equip you with the skills and knowledge to assess and identify patients who are at risk of physical or mental health deterioration. You will identify appropriate interventions to prevent further deterioration, including escalation and reporting to more senior members of the inter-professional team.
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 equips you with the practical and theoretical skills to work as a Health Care Assistant Practitioner in healthcare settings. You'll usually begin with foundations in nursing practice, anatomy and physiology, and person-centred care. A course like this normally progresses through core clinical areas such as acute and long-term care, medicines management, and evidence-based practice, interspersed with supervised placements throughout. Placements run alongside taught modules (following NMC standards of around 50% practice) across diverse settings: you may experience hospitals, community care, or specialised units. In the final stages, you'll focus on complex care and leadership skills, consolidating competence for professional registration. Depending on the pathway, you might specialise in areas such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, or leadership.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking a direct pathway into healthcare practice without committing to a full three-year honours degree. It's designed for candidates with A-levels or equivalent qualifications, 80% of accepted students entered with these credentials. You should have a genuine interest in supporting vulnerable people and a commitment to professional healthcare standards. The course welcomes mature students and those returning to education, provided you meet the entry requirements and demonstrate readiness for hands-on healthcare work.
Careers & job market
Nationally, 90% of graduates from Nursing & Health courses are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those working, 87% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings across the sector start at £27,000–£30,500 (15 months post-graduation), rising to £23,800–£33,600 after three years and £27,200–£38,400 after five years, according to national Graduate Outcomes and LEO data. This qualification can lead to specialisations such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work, and Paramedic Science, either through direct practice or further study.
University & format
This Foundation degree (FdSc) is taught full-time over 2 years at Southampton Solent University, a university based in Southampton. Instruction is in English. The course is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, and degrees are nationally recognised. Southampton Solent University holds a Gold award for teaching quality under the Office for Students' TEF 2023 scheme. The university has approximately 11,340 students overall.
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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
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.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 80% |
| another higher-education qualification | 10% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
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 HSC1). 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 SSU →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 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.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: NSS 85.3%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Southampton Solent 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 East Park Terrace
3,609 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 SSU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £19,081 / 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 SSU’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 SSU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SSU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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