FDA Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) · University of LancashireFoundation degree · 3 years
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University of Lancashire · Undergraduate

FDA Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) Foundation degree at the University of Lancashire

FDA Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) at University of Lancashire includes a foundation year, making it accessible to students without traditional entry qualifications.

FDA
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Want to work in the growing health and social care sector? Our work-based Health & Social Care (with Foundation Year) is a great option to pursue this route. From the provider’s course page.

FDA Health and Social Care (with Foundation Year) is a Foundation degree (FDA) at the University of Lancashire, based in Main Campus,Burnley Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, typical earnings around £30,000. (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.

6.2
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85

Stronger evidence Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Fair38

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 38% (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.

Foundation year 7 modules
  • Applied Anatomy and PhysiologyOptional
    Module details

    You'll study the anatomy and physiology of the body. You'll learn how this may be affected by illness, disease, or injury and how to apply these key principles.

  • Academic Writing and Studying in Health and Social CareOptional
    Module details

    This module aims to introduce you to the principles of academic writing and studying to prepare you for your academic career.

  • Learning Development and Using Information Communication Technology to Present InformationOptional
    Module details

    This module aims to develop key reflective skills and critical thinking. You'll internally reflect on your current practice and also interpret research and apply this to practice.

  • Developing Professional Skills for Delivering Health and Social Care (2)Optional
    Module details

    This module aims to support you in applying your understanding of professional skills needed in the Health and Social Care Sector. You will particularly focus on collaborative communication, teamwork skills and developing the professional qualities and values which are essential for working in health and social care.

  • Measuring Health and WellbeingOptional
    Module details

    This module will introduce you to health interventions at all levels, including government policy and individual practice. You will understand the key sources of evidence and develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of these interventions.

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Health and Social CareOptional
    Module details

    Develop your understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion in health and social care services. Explore social concepts like discrimination, stereotyping & social identity within health & social care services & wider society. Discuss diversity approaches to equality by exploring legislation and cultural contexts. Explore the patterns of segregation and disadvantages for groups. You'll also consider visible and non-visible dimensions of diversity. These include ethnicity, race, religion, gender

  • Volunteering and Community ActionOptional
    Module details

    This module will provide you with the practical experience of volunteering. This includes planning and arranging your placement as well as considering the ethics of volunteering. You will be expected to reflect on your practical volunteering experience.

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 work-based course combines classroom study with supervised practice placements to prepare you for health and social care work. You'll usually begin with core foundations, clinical skills, communication and anatomy, before progressing to modules on acute and chronic care, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice. Placements run throughout all three years, structured to comply with NMC standards. In your final year, you'll focus on complex care, leadership and quality improvement, culminating in supervised practice towards NMC registration. Specialisations available include adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, community and primary care, and leadership pathways, allowing you to tailor your study to your chosen field.

Who it's for

This course suits students seeking entry into health and social care professions. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, though the foundation year provides an alternative pathway. Recent entrants typically had UCAS tariffs between 64 and 79 points. If you're considering a career in nursing, allied health, social work or related fields, this qualification provides structured professional preparation and recognised credentials for employment.

Careers & job market

Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of completing their degree. Of those in employment, 87% work in highly skilled roles or are 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 the broader nursing and health sector; individual outcomes vary. The course supports progression into regulated professions requiring professional registration and continuing professional development.

University & format

This Foundation degree (FDA) is offered by the University of Lancashire, a university founded in 1828 with campuses in Burnley and main campus locations. The course runs full-time over 3 years and is taught in English. As a nationally recognised UK degree-awarding body, your qualification will be officially recognised. The university holds Silver recognition for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023).

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Open daysAttend our next Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent51% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Lancashire's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent51%
No / unknown prior qualifications30%
Other12%
an Access course6%
another higher-education qualification1%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDDDA-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeN337quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code N337). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Lancashire whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at University of Lancashire →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of Lancashire funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Financial Support Package£500–£750 a year
Means-tested2026/27

Undergraduates from low-income households, subject to eligibility

How it worksAutomatic assessment after enrolment when Student Finance shares household-income data.
TimingNo separate application
Check eligibility →
Means-tested2026/27

Eligible undergraduate students with experience of care

How it worksApply through the Student Hub after enrolment.
TimingNine months after the academic year starts
Check eligibility →
Means-tested2026/27

Eligible undergraduate or taught-postgraduate unpaid carers

How it worksApply through the Student Hub after enrolment and provide evidence.
TimingNine months after the academic year starts
Check eligibility →
Sanctuary ScholarshipFee waiver + up to £5,000 a year
Means-tested2026/27

Forced migrants who are not eligible for student finance

How it worksComplete the university application form; an offer is not required to apply.
TimingCheck the current application form
Check eligibility →

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

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

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

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£30,000£23,000 – £33,0001170
3 years after£19,500£14,000 – £23,50030
5 years after£23,500£18,000 – £28,50030

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

85%
in work or further study 15 months on
38%
continue past their first year
  1. 1Newly Qualified PractitionerPreceptorship / first post · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Registered PractitionerAutonomous practice · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / SpecialistSpecialist or team lead · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Advanced / Consultant PractitionerAdvanced practice or management · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Nursing & Health nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£30,000
£27,000 – £30,500
After 3 years LEO
£19,500
£23,800 – £33,600
After 5 years LEO
£23,500
£27,200 – £38,400
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,000 – £40,000

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.

85 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

35% working10% working and studying40% in further study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,170. Cohort 2021-22. 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.

Job market & outlook

How Nursing & Health graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Nursing & Health courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
87%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • NHS trusts
  • Private healthcare
  • Care providers
  • Community & mental-health services

Is 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

85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £30,000. 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 6.2 out of 10: in work or study 85% · continued 38%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

University of Lancashire

All students23,865
International20.5%
Aged 25+43.6%

Subjects allied to medicine across the UK

Students360,360
Aged 25+51.5%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Main Campus

2,263 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 753Anti Social Behaviour 464Shoplifting 194Criminal Damage Arson 169Public Order 166

Around Burnley Campus

1,999 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 695Anti Social Behaviour 332Shoplifting 263Criminal Damage Arson 138Public Order 129

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 University of Lancashire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by University of Lancashire; 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 University of Lancashire’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 University of Lancashire and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 64 - 79 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by the University of Lancashire. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Social sciences graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, typical earnings around £30,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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