Interested in a nursing profession and would like to study at foundation degree level? You may be a school or college leaver, mature student, new to healthcare, making a career change or already working in a relevant healthcare support role. It doesn't matter. You just need to be dedicated to providing compassionate care for a wide range of people who use health and social care services, want to develop your understanding of key concepts in nursing and be motivated.
The degree emphasises the role nursing associates play in providing holistic treatment to support the delivery of safe, effective and responsive nursing associate care. Taught by lecturers who are registered health professionals and have worked across the healthcare settings in our outstanding teaching environments, you will not only develop key skills and values, but key behaviours such as leadership, resilience and discretion. You will be allocated placements in multiple settings and build on these by working with experienced healthcare professionals who will support and assess you.
Once completed, you can register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and apply for Registered Nursing Associate roles or go onto further study in nursing, health and social care. You can also top-up to a full bachelor's degree in 18 months to become a Registered Nurse in either adult or mental health nursing.
September 2025
University College Birmingham
Summer Row,
Birmingham,
B3 1JB, CENTRAL ENGLAND, England
September 2025
University College Birmingham
Summer Row,
Birmingham,
B3 1JB, CENTRAL ENGLAND, England
Level 2 qualification requirements:
One of the following Level 3 qualifications is essential:
You must also complete a check (Enhanced DBS). The link to e-safeguarding will be provided to you.
You must complete an Occupational Health self-assessment form before enrolment onto the programme. The form will be provided to you following a successful interview.
English Requirements:
We will accept the following English grades at the point of application. However, students must achieve the required NMC IELTS and OET English requirements on completion of year two of their studies. See the heading NMC Requirements below.
The University will provide additional English classes to support students in achieving the following NMC requirements. No additional fees will be charged, but students must commit to attending a minimum of 3-4 hours of English Language support.
The University will meet the cost of exam fees for the first attempt; however, subsequent attempts must be paid by the student.
English Requirements accepted at the application stage:
IELTS -overall score of 6.5 in reading, listening and speaking and a minimum of 6.0 in writing
Occupational English Test (OET): with a minimum of grade C+ (330-340) in listening, reading and speaking and a C in the writing section (this must be between 250-290)
NMC English Requirements on completion of year two:
To achieve NMC approval and successfully graduate, students must achieve the following.
IELTS score of 7.0 – a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking, and a minimum of 6.5 in writing.
Occupational English Test (OET): an OET examination certificate – a minimum of grade C+ in the writing section and grade B in the reading, listening and speaking sections.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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