Nursing Associate

Top 5 For General Nursing. The University of Northampton is a top 5 institution for general Nursing in the Best UK University Guardian League table for 2025.

Nursing Associates work with Registered Nurses to care for patient and service users of different ages and in a range of settings. Nursing Associates are members of the nursing team and are accountable for their own practice. This full-time 2 year FdSc Nursing Associates course will prepare you to be a highly skilled autonomous and reflective practitioners who is able to deliver high quality, compassionate, professional and safe care.

Our aim is to help you to develop into a safe and effective nursing associate who is caring and compassionate and able to deliver high quality care to people of all ages and in a range of settings. The programme is a 50/50 split of theory and practice to enable you to develop your knowledge and apply this in clinical practice. You will have a range of practice placements allowing you to develop your competence in caring for people of different ages and in different settings.

FdSc Nursing Associate has been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This means you can be confident that this programme meets the standards of education, training, conduct and performance required for nurses in the UK. After successful completion of this programme, you’ll be awarded a FdSc and can apply to register as a Nursing Associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

FdSc Nursing Associate graduates can apply to one of our BSc Nursing programmes, and subject to successful interview, can complete a further 18 months of study. This will enable you to gain BSc (Hons) in Nursing and apply for a registration with the NMC as a Registered Nurse in one of the areas:

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing
BSc (Hons) Children and Young People’s Nursing
BSc (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing
BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing

Why choose the University of Northampton?

At the University of Northampton, you’ll benefit from a supportive, career-focused experience designed to help you succeed.

Personalised learning

Study in small groups led by expert academics, with dedicated one-to-one support. Our close-knit community ensures you receive individual guidance while being challenged to achieve your best.

Built for your future

Whatever your goals, we’ll help you get there. You’ll develop valuable skills, discover your strengths, and gain real-world experience - so you’re ready to stand out when applying for jobs or further study.

Guaranteed accommodation

We guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time first-year students who apply and accept their offer by June 2027*.

Exceptional student benefits

You’ll receive a brand-new laptop at no additional cost**, and all essential textbooks are available through our library - helping you save money throughout your studies.

A modern campus experience

Study at our student-led purpose-built Waterside Campus, designed to provide an inspiring and dynamic environment for learning and student life. Visit us at an Open Day to see it for yourself.

✱ Eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱ Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information.
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information.

Course Modules

STAGE 1:
•Discovering My Identity as a Nursing Associate (compulsory)
•Professionalism and Public Protection for Nursing Associates (compulsory)
•Exploring the Evidence Base for Nursing Associates (compulsory)
•Developing Competence in Safe, Effective Administration and Optimisation of Medicines for Nursing Associates (compulsory)
•Foundations of Practice for Nursing Associates (compulsory).

STAGE 2:
• Developing My Nursing Associate Identity Towards Becoming a Registrant (compulsory)
• Applying Understanding of Nursing Professionalism and Protection of the Public in Nursing (compulsory)
• Interpreting the Evidence Base Influencing Nursing Associate Practice (compulsory)
• Demonstrating Competence in the Safe, Effective Administration and Optimisation of Medicines for Nursing Associates (compulsory)
• Advanced Work based Learning for Nursing Associates (compulsory).

*Students must take all modules. All modules have supplementary regulations applied. Students successfully achieving 120 credits at level 4 are eligible for Certificate of Higher Education.

**Module information is quoted for 2025/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

Assessment on this programme is by a variety of methods including written assignments, presentations, scenario assessments and assessment in clinical practice.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council