FdSc Health Care Practice (Nursing Associate HTQ)
Gain the skills, experience and qualification to start your nursing career. This nursing associate degree gives you a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) and the opportunity to progress onto a full nursing degree.
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Typical offer: 48 or relevant work experience in health or social care
Entry requirements -
Fees: £770 per 15 credits (UK)
Full details -
Course length: Two years full time
Find out more -
Location:
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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Institute code: H36
4th in the UK for nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2025)
Leads to professional accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
98% satisfaction for teaching (NSS, 2024, based on the average of Q1-4)
Course overview
This nursing associate course is ideal for anyone looking to launch a career in nursing, either in the role of nursing associate, or to progress onto one of our full nursing degrees to become a registered nurse. Nursing associates bridge the gap between health care assistants and registered nurses and working with people of all ages, in a variety of settings in health and social care.
This course is designed to equip you with the competencies and understanding you’ll need to succeed in the role of nursing associate. You’ll also develop essential transferable skills, such as problem solving, time management, communication and effective team working.
Our strong emphasis on practical learning means that you’ll spend over 1,000 hours gaining invaluable experience in a range of clinical settings, including hospitals, GP surgeries and hospices. You’ll be guided by practitioners, as you observe and practise your skills in real-life settings. Working closely with multi professional health care teams, you’ll see first-hand how to deliver compassionate expert care.
Successful completion of this foundation nursing course will earn you a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). HTQs provide a high-quality, hands-on, alternative to apprenticeships or degrees, equipping you with the skills and experience employers seek. All HTQs are approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Why choose this course?
This nursing associate course will launch your career in nursing: You will gain a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) and professional accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and will be able to start work as a nursing associate. The course also gives you the opportunity to progress onto one of our full nursing degrees to become a registered nurse.
You’ll gain invaluable clinical experience: The range of placements throughout the course, amounting to over 1,000 hours ensures you are equipped with the practical skills and experience needed to succeed in your career as a nursing associate. You’ll gain substantial hands-on experience, with placement opportunities from mental health to palliative and primary care.
Benefit from our industry connections: Employment opportunities are available through our excellent partnerships with employers.
Fantastic facilities will enhance your learning: You’ll be taught in an inspiring environment that includes simulation labs to practise your skills in a real-life setting.
Professional accreditations
The nursing associate degree leads to a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) and a professional accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, allowing you to work as a nursing associate. You also gain the opportunity to progress onto one of our full nursing degrees to become a registered nurse.
Your future career
On successful completion of the FdSc Health Care Practice (Nursing Associate HTQ), you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and work as a nursing associate.
There is also the opportunity to progress onto one of our full nursing degrees to train to become a registered nurse.
What you'll study
This foundation nursing course is delivered full-time over a course of 24 months. We offer a blended learning approach, which includes lectures, seminars, workshops, group work and clinical placements. Nursing associate students attend University one day per week for 45 weeks of the year, and complete three six to eight-week placement blocks during the academic year.
On this course, you will gain the skills and knowledge to become a safe, accountable and proficient nursing associate, from technical skills such as taking blood pressure and an ECG to learning how to effectively communicate with patients, families and carers. You’ll learn how to prioritise and manage your own caseload to meet patients’ needs safely and effectively. Every step of the way, you’ll benefit from constructive professional feedback. By learning how to evaluate your own delivery of care, you’ll become an extremely knowledgeable, reflective and self-aware practitioner.
Together, we’ll explore theories and current research, which you’ll use to provide evidence-based care. You’ll learn about all areas of care such as hygiene, nutrition and how to prevent infection. You’ll gain an understanding of how to deal effectively with safeguarding issues relating to vulnerable adults or children.
Assessment methods include essay assignments, simulated practical assignments, scenario-based presentations and professional discussions. This approach to teaching and assessment ensures a stimulating learning environment for you to thrive in.
What if I need support?
You’ll have a personal tutor to guide you through your course, all the way to graduation.
If you need additional support during your time with us, rest assured that we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both of our Learning Resource Centres run drop-in study skills sessions.
Where you'll study
Your main campus is College Lane. This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym, or have a drink in our on-campus bar and cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.
Who you'll learn from
You will be taught by registered nurses from all four fields of nursing, with years of practical experience in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, community care, mental health and primary care. Many of our staff still work in clinical practice, ensuring you receive up-to-date, real-world knowledge of nursing practice. We have state-of-the-art simulation labs that replicate hospital environments, allowing you to practise clinical skills in a safe, supervised setting before engaging in real-world practice. During your placements, you will be supported by registered nurses or healthcare professionals with many years of clinical experience, providing invaluable on-the-job training.
How we support our students
At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.
We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.
Entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | (enter tariff range) |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | (enter range) |
| Typical IB offer | (enter range) |
| Typical BTEC offer | (enter range) |
| Typical T Level offer | (enter range) |
| GCSE | EG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics |
| Access courses | EG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | 48 OR relevant work experience in health or social care |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | DD |
| Typical BTEC offer | PPP |
| Accepted T Levels | Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science |
| GCSE | Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
Ready to apply?
UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
| Start date | Study type | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Full time | Apply with UCAS |
| September 2026 | Full time | Apply with UCAS |
Apply through Clearing
Fees and funding
At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.
| Study type | Fees | |
|---|---|---|
| UK students | Part time | £770 per 15 credits |
Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
| Scholarships, grants and bursaries | Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies. |
|---|---|
| Disabled Students' Allowance | The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. |
| Student loans | Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments. |
| Accommodation costs | We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget. |
| Additional course fees | Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet. |
More about the course
| Course fact sheets | |
|---|---|
| FdSc Healthcare Practice | Download PDF |
| FdSc Healthcare Practice | Download PDF |
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| FdSc Healthcare Practice | Download PDF |
| FdSc Healthcare Practice | Download PDF |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
|
Applications open to international and EU students |
No |
Course length |
Full Time, 2 Years |
