What is a nursing associate?
Nursing associate is a relatively new role, which bridges the gap between health and care assistants and registered nurses. Nursing associates work in many health and social care settings, from hospitals to care homes, hospices, GP practices and community services.
Responsibilities vary depending on the care setting you work in, but your duties are likely to include:
- performing and recording clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse
- undertaking clinical tasks including venepuncture and ECGs
- supporting people when they are faced with unwelcome news and life-changing diagnoses
- discussing and sharing information with other professionals on a patients’ condition, behaviour, activity and assessments
- ensuring the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
- recognising issues to do with safeguarding vulnerable children and adults
Key benefits of this course
- Learn about all four fields of nursing so you can find out where your passions and talents lie
- Get the qualification you need to become a Registered Nursing Associate (a title protected by law) and/or use this course as a step towards becoming a Registered Nurse
- Study in Derby or Chesterfield
- Spend 50% of your time on placement and 50% of your time at university
- This is a well-established course. In fact, we were one of the first institutions to run a nursing associate programme
Is this course for me?
This is a two-year course that requires you to study full-time. If you would prefer to train while you are working, you could look for a Nursing Associate Apprenticeship with an employer, and then follow our equivalent apprenticeship programme.
People usually take this course for one of the following reasons:
- They want to become a Registered Nursing Associate
- They want to become a Registered Nurse but don’t yet have the qualifications to get onto one of the full nursing degrees
- They want to become a Registered Nurse but don’t yet know which area to specialise in, so they want to experience all four areas of nursing first
These are all good reasons to take this course! After completing this foundation degree, you could join one of our full nursing degrees in year two and complete that within 18 months.
First-class facilities
Our Derby campus and Chesterfield site both offer outstanding learning environments. They include replica wards, treatment rooms, and a state-of-the-art Immersive Suite, which simulates the sights and sounds of different care settings - such as the inside of an ambulance, a busy A&E ward, or an operating theatre. It’s as close to the real thing as you can get, and will help prepare you for placements. You will use these facilities periodically throughout year one and two.
In tune with latest developments
This course is closely mapped against the needs of employers. In delivering the programme we respond to national changes, such as latest government policies, to ensure your learning is up-to-date and relevant.
As health care is increasingly delivered by multi-professional teams, we offer opportunities at each stage of the course for you to learn with, and from, students from other disciplines. This is really important in preparing you to work in more flexible ways after graduation. By learning to work together, you can help achieve the best outcomes for your patients.
Higher Technical Qualification
This programme has been recognised as a Higher Technical Qualification, which means it has been developed by awarding bodies in collaboration with employers, so you'll get the right training, knowledge, and skills to succeed in the workplace.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Placements
At least 50% of your time will be spent on placement in both years. This is so you can build up the clinical skills required to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates. Placements happen throughout the course, so that you alternate between learning the theory at university and then gaining experience on placement.
We aim to provide a variety of placements. For instance, you could be placed in hospitals, GP practices, care/nursing homes, or with community-based teams, such as school nurses or mental health crisis teams. You will have a Practice Assessor and Supervisor on each placement who will provide guidance, support, and valuable feedback.
Please be aware that you are expected to travel up to 90 minutes each way to get to a placement, and to work the shift hours set by that organisation.
Other study
During your time at university, you will learn through lectures, scenario-based learning sessions, tutorials, seminars, debates, and practice-based workshops. You will be asked to consider different cases and say what you would do, share your own experiences, and listen and learn from other trainees.
How you are assessed
Assessment approaches are varied and include poster presentations, exam, essays, assignments, case based discussions and practical skills assessments.
Who you will meet
Our teaching team includes experts in all four areas of nursing. All are qualified health professionals, with years of experience in nursing and leadership roles within health and social care. They have strong links with the local NHS trusts as well as with smaller health and social care providers, and this will really benefit you when it comes to finding placements.
"I found the staff were very supportive and wanted everyone to thrive. I really feel like the staff took a great person-centred approach with students.” Emma Macukiewicz, Nursing Associate student
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (with C or above in the core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
*The University will accept the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship in lieu of UCAS points or level 3 qualification requirements.*
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
2025 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (with C or above in the core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 |
*The University will accept the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship in lieu of UCAS points or level 3 qualification requirements.*
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area)
Please note: This course is only available to people who already have permission to live and study in the UK and we are not able to issue a CAS for visa purposes for this course.
How to apply
Please look at our before you apply.
UK students
If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.
Apply through UCASIf you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.
Apply directly to the UniversityEnglish language entry requirements must be achieved and evidenced as part of an application and before an interview can be offered for this programme.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
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