About Nursing Associate Foundation Degree, FdSc - at Keele University

The Nursing Associate Foundation Degree (FdSc) at Keele University prepares you to take the next step in your healthcare career. Designed for those already working in a caring role or with some prior experience, the programme focuses on the practical skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours needed to become a Nursing Associate. You'll study alongside apprentices on Keele's established Nursing Associate Apprenticeship (FdSc), gaining hands-on experience and real-world insights. This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Course overview Our Nursing Associate Foundation Degree (FdSc) programme is fully aligned with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards, providing a solid foundation that connects across all fields of nursing: Adult, Children's, Learning Disability, and Mental Health. The combination of theory and practical modules will develop your knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours. You'll build progressively in academic level, professional responsibility, and technical skills, with key themes embedded throughout the programme. These include being an accountable nursing professional, promoting health and preventing ill health, providing and monitoring care, working in teams, improving safety and quality of care, and contributing to integrated care.

Your progress will be reviewed throughout the year with your Academic Mentor. These regular check-ins help keep you on track and ensure you get the right support at every stage, whether from academic mentors, clinical supervisors, or specialist wellbeing services. You'll spend at least two days per week in clinical practice, across eight placement blocks over two years, adding up to a minimum of 1,150 hours. Practice areas will include hospitals, primary care, mental health, learning disabilities, and community-based settings.

Successful completion of this programme means you are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) within five years of completion. 2nd in England for Nursing (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025) Top 10 UK universities for Nursing and Midwifery (Complete University Guide, 2026) Top 10 in England for Adult (General) Nursing (Guardian University Guide, 2025) This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council 9th for Nursing and Midwifery (Daily Mail University Guide, 2026) For more details, please see the course page on the Keele website.

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact Keele University to find course entry requirements.

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