FdSc Nursing Associate

How to apply Come to an Open Day

Introduction to our Nursing Associate degree

Video still of a nursing student's hands treating a medical dummy's eye Find out more about ARU Nursing courses

Studying to become a Nursing Associate at ARU

Take the first step towards a fulfilling career as a Nursing Associate with our NMC-validated Foundation degree. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to start working as a registered Nursing Associate.

Times Higher Education (THE) Awards 2023 logo

Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

This course is currently undergoing NMC revalidation. The course and module information on this page is liable to change.

The role of a Nursing Associate is a new role that is designed to bridge the gap between a healthcare assistant and a registered nurse.Their valuable contribution to healthcare is regulated by the NMC and will allow for progression via further study to registered nursing programmes such as Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing and Child Nursing.

As part of your course, you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in placements that will help you to build up the practice-based knowledge and skills to deliver such care, and become an integral part of the nursing community.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and paying for university

Facilities and accreditation

Two nursing students being given instructions on how to fill a syringe

Nursing skills labs

As part of your nursing studies with ARU, you’ll be able to take advantage of:

  • purpose-built simulated hospital wards offering the very best in experiential learning
  • registered, practising tutors and lecturers who’ll make sure you’re being taught the latest techniques and give you the support you need to succeed.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

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Nursing & Midwifery Council

Our degree course is validated by the NMC and you’ll be linked to one of our eight NHS healthcare trust partners for your placements.

Logo for Student Nursing Times Awards 2023 finalist

Nurse Education Provider of the Year

We’re proud to have been shortlisted for the Nurse Education Provider of the Year award in 2023.

Careers

On graduation you’ll be eligible to register as a Nursing Associate with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Once registered you’ll be able to join the Nursing Associate workforce in England.

We work with staff across acute hospital and community settings in Cambridgeshire and Essex, and service users, in developing this course to ensure that it meets the needs of health care employers and the needs of the public accessing health care services.

You may choose to continue your studies after completion and may have the opportunity to progress on to a registered nursing degree in Adult Nursing, Child Nursing or Mental Health Nursing. This would be on completion of a bridging module to prepare you for branch specific study.

Moving a patient

Tom

"The program taught me not only the career perspective but taught me to be who I want to be and I want to share that"

Tom

Nursing Associate FdSc student

Nursing students caring for a patient on a ward

Emily

"My first placement was on a care for the elderly ward. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was great for me."

Emily

BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student

Ten placement tips for nursing students

Apply now for FdSc Nursing Associate

Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

Two student nurses being given instructions on a dummy patient

Taster Days

If you want to know more about nursing at ARU, book your place at one of our Taster Days. Meet our lecturers and current students, explore the role of the nurse, find out more about our nursing courses and placements, and pick up tips for your application and interview.

Find out more about our Taster Days
A student nurse with a sample tube

Placements

You’ll spend 50% of your learning time out on placement. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in assessing, treating and communicating with patients.

You’ll be required to have all your vaccinations before you can go on placement.

Failure to complete this might result in your offer being withdrawn or your studies discontinued once enrolled on the programme in line with our student suspension policy.

Your guide to placements
A nursing student  talking with friends

Interviews

If your application to study nursing at ARU is successful, we'll invite you to an interview day in Cambridge or Chelmsford. Here’s how to get prepared.

Your nursing interview

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