FdSc Nursing Associate Foundation degree at the University of Plymouth
FdSc Nursing Associate at University of Plymouth. The University of Plymouth, founded in 1992, holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 and is.
About this course
FdSc Nursing Associate is a Foundation degree (FdSc) at the University of Plymouth, based in The Exeter School of Nursing. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Subjects allied to medicine graduates from this provider, 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.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Evidence Based Practice in NursingCore20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce students to the role of the Nursing Associate in society and in contemporary healthcare, and equip them with the tools to gather and use appropriate information to become independent learners and reflective practitioners.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Nursing AssociatesCore20 credits
Module details
This module will develop student's knowledge, understanding and application of anatomy and physiology in terms of human development, key body systems and their relevance to holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care.
Assessment: 100% Examinations
- Therapeutic Relationships through Effective CommunicationCore20 credits
Module details
This module supports students to develop basic, person-centred communication skills enabling them to engage effectively with individuals and their families, utilising a range of collaborative interpersonal skills and adopting therapeutic and ethical frameworks that can be applied in health and social care.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Being an Accountable ProfessionalCore20 credits
Module details
This module explores and develops participants' understanding of the role and parameters of practice for Nursing Associates. It will support students to develop resilience and provide an understanding of the ethical, legal and policy requirements of the role as well as the individual accountability which Nursing Associates have, to provide high quality person centred, safe and ethical care.
Assessment: 100% Examinations
- Delivering Patient Centred Care Throughout the Nursing ProcessCore
Module details
This module will develop the student's knowledge and understanding of person-centred, evidence-based care throughout the Nursing Process. Within the scope of Nursing Associate Practice the students will utilise appropriate tools and models to effectively and robustly assess, plan, implement and evaluate safe nursing care across the lifespan, with a focus on maintaining patient safety and promoting health, wellbeing and working in partnership.
Final year 5 modules
- Promoting Public Health and Preventing Ill HealthCore20 credits
Module details
This module aims to develop the student's knowledge and skills in relation to assessing and prioritising public health needs across the lifespan, using global, national and local epidemiological data, to define contemporary health challenges and appropriate health education and health promotion models used to address these.
Assessment: 70% Practicals 30% Coursework
- Medicines ManagementCore20 credits
Module details
This module will develop apprentices' knowledge and understanding of medications and relevant pharmacology, working to support medication adherence and safe administration.
Assessment: 100% Examinations
- Team Working and LeadershipCore20 credits
Module details
This module will develop participants' understanding of leadership and team working in healthcare practice. It will explore self-leadership and the role of the Nursing Associate in role modelling and providing leadership and supervision for others. It will develop participants' knowledge and understanding of quality and service improvement, clinical governance and health and social care leadership frameworks.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Improving Patient Safety and Quality of Care through ResearchCore20 credits
Module details
The module introduces students to research methodology and methods, including audit, in order to apply research-based evidence to professional practice, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective, timely, efficient and equitable person-centred care, making adjustments and improving where necessary through responsive innovation.
Assessment: 100% Coursework
- Developing Nursing Associate Practice and Skills Through Teaching, Learning and AssessmentCore
Module details
This module will prepare students for the transition to registrants. It will introduce theories of teaching and learning in practice to underpin the role of Nursing Associate as a learner, teacher and supervisor, including the theory of reflective practice; coaching; a range of methods for giving and receiving feedback as well as applying knowledge of teaching, learning and assessment in peer learning or core skills and proficiencies.
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 FdSc programme equips you with clinical and theoretical knowledge across nursing practice. You'll usually begin with foundations in clinical skills, communication and person-centred care, alongside anatomy and physiology. A course like this normally progresses through Year 2 to acute and long-term care management, medicines administration and pharmacology. Placements run throughout, meeting the NMC standard of around 50% practice time. You'll typically explore specialisations such as adult nursing, mental health, children's nursing, and community and primary care settings. Year 2 broadens to complex care coordination, evidence-based practice and leadership principles, culminating in supervised placements designed to consolidate your competence for NMC registration as a Nursing Associate.
Who it's for
This course suits registered nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking to develop specialist knowledge and skills. You can specialise in areas such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health, Child Health, Midwifery, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Social Work, or Paramedic Science, depending on your career direction and the university's current offerings. The foundation degree structure allows you to build on your existing professional experience whilst gaining formal academic qualification.
Careers & job market
Across Nursing & Health courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 87% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (15 months post-graduation) range from £27,000 to £30,500, rising to £27,200–£38,400 after 5 years. These figures reflect the broader graduate labour market rather than guarantees specific to this programme.
University & format
The University of Plymouth, based at the Exeter School of Nursing, offers this FdSc Nursing Associate as a full-time, 2-year Foundation degree taught in English. The award is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a post-registration and CPD qualification and recognised as a nationally recognised UK degree. The university holds Gold 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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at University of Plymouth →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 | £24,000 – £30,000 | 805 |
| 3 years after | £29,500 | £26,500 – £35,000 | 25 |
| 5 years after | £34,000 | £27,500 – £38,000 | 20 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 805. Cohort 2021-22.
- 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.
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.
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
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £27,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Plymouth
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 The Exeter School of Nursing
435 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 University of Plymouth from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £19,200 / 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 University of Plymouth’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 Plymouth and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Plymouth
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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