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An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice
Healthcare professionals are essential to the functioning of health services, and this Certificate of Higher Education enables healthcare support staff to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to underpin effective practice. You’ll develop a wide range of practical skills and competencies while exploring essential biological, social, political, ethical, and psychological concepts. You’ll also build valuable numeracy, literacy, IT, communication, and cognitive skills. If you're looking to enhance your current role, this course provides a solid foundation for further study and professional development.
A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this certificate of higher education is also equivalent to the first stage of a foundation degree or an honours degree.
This healthcare practice certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
You’ll be introduced to the study of health and social care, together with underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills. You’ll consider care in a variety of settings, alongside work-based study of the factors influencing health in different service user groups. There is a strong focus on person-centred, compassionate care and the development of practice-based skills to meet patient/client needs.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Introducing health and social care (K102)60Oct | Feb
Introduction to healthcare practice (K104)60Mar | Oct

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal and practice tutors, flexible learning materials, and continuous feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
Your online module website is your central learning hub. It provides weekly study planners, course materials such as readings, videos, and interactive activities, plus discussion forums where you can connect with other students and share your experiences.
This qualification combines theory and practice in equal measure. You’ll learn through enquiry-based and reflective approaches that encourage you to think critically and apply knowledge to real healthcare situations. Half of your learning takes place online through OU modules, and half in your workplace, supported by your employer and supervised by a registered nurse.
Your OU tutor will guide you through your academic study with online tutorials, personalised feedback, and one-to-one support. You’ll also take part in collaborative activities with peers, developing communication and teamwork skills that are vital in healthcare practice.
Practice learning makes up 50% of this qualification. You’ll complete 770 hours of supervised practice in your workplace, supported by practice supervisors and assessors. These placements are designed to help you develop confidence, practical skills, and the professional behaviours required for safe and effective healthcare.
Assessment is varied, combining academic and practice-based elements. You’ll complete tutor-marked assignments, online assessments, and end-of-module tasks, while your practice competence is assessed through a portfolio of evidence and feedback from your supervisors. Together, these assessments demonstrate both your theoretical understanding and your professional skills.
Alongside flexible online and printed materials, you’ll have dedicated tutor guidance, practice support in your workplace, and access to specialist student services. You’ll also benefit from the OU library, IT support services, and the wider OU community throughout your studies.
To study our Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice, you’ll need to:
You must have the support of your employer for the work-based module Introduction to healthcare practice (K104). This includes your employer providing supervision by a registered nurse for the 770 practice hours needed to complete the module. The employer must ensure that the student is allocated a separate practice assessor as well as practice supervisor in order to fulfil NMC requirements, if there are plans for the student to progress to BSc (Honours) Nursing (R39) later. Read the Guidance for employers and supervisors or see the module description for more details.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

2 years
£4,088*
A certificate is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying one 60-credit module per year for 2 years.
£8,176*
Our qualifications cost less than equivalent-level qualifications offered at campus-based universities.
Compare the cost of studying at the OU with other campus-based universities in England.
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£29,370
£29,370
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£24,528
£24,528
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£19,580
£19,580
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£16,352
£16,352
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
£9,790
£9,790
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
£8,176
£8,176
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
£1,614
£1,614
Qualification
Qualification
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at campus university*
Total cost at The Open University**
Total cost at The Open University**
Saving with The Open University
Saving with The Open University
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
£29,370
£29,370
£24,528
£24,528
£4,842
£4,842
Diploma of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
£19,580
£19,580
£16,352
£16,352
£3,228
£3,228
Certificate of Higher Education
Certificate of Higher Education
£9,790
£9,790
£8,176
£8,176
£1,614
£1,614
*Based on maximum chargeable fees for the 26/27 academic year.
**The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
You cannot apply online for this qualification. To register, employers and individuals should contact us directly.
The certificate builds key employability skills in areas such as communication, IT, problem-solving, planning and organisation. It also prepares you for further academic study.
Although this certificate provides no guarantee of promotion in the workplace, it is designed as the first step to prepare healthcare support workers for the role of assistant/associate practitioner. Your employer is required to provide a workplace supervisor/mentor who will support and assess you in the workplace.
Following completion of this qualification, you may wish to pursue further study opportunities leading to, for example, our BSc (Honours) Nursing. The Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice allows access to Stage 2 of this degree, subject to successful selection and meeting the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) minimum entry requirements.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, a website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that most careers will require further study, training and/or work experience):
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
Ask a question
Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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