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An image to illustrate the Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate Practice
Develop the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality, safe, and compassionate care with this Foundation Degree. The nursing associate role has been developed in England to meet workforce needs, acting as a bridge between healthcare support workers and registered nurses, and this Skills England-approved Higher Technical Qualification meets the occupational standards for this sector. To study, you must work in an appropriate healthcare setting or be supported by an NHS Trust or healthcare organisation that can provide the required practice learning experience. Upon successful completion, you can register as a nursing associate with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
This course is recognised as an HTQ:
Higher Technical Qualification logo
This nursing associate practice foundation degree has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
In Stage 1, you’ll start with a 60-credit module introducing health and social care. This is followed by a 60-credit module that focuses on healthcare practice, where you’ll be required to complete 770 hours in practice. This consists of 345 hours as a supervised student, 230 hours in supernumerary external practice placements, and 195 hours in a healthcare setting, which can be the role you are already employed in.

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

In Stage 2, you’ll complete your foundation degree with a 60-credit theory module and a 60-credit practice module. The practice module requires an additional 770 hours: 345 hours as a supervised student, 230 hours in supernumerary external placements (recommended), and 195 hours in a healthcare setting, which can be the role you are employed in.
We recommend spreading external supernumerary placements equally across the programme. However, as long as you can evidence a minimum total of 460 hours by the end of the programme, you can split these in different ways between Stages 1 and 2. For example, you might complete 300 hours in Stage 2 and 160 in Stage 1, rather than 230 in each.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study both of the following:
Developing nursing practice (K211)60Jun | Oct | Mar
Healthcare theory for practice (K234)60Oct | Feb

By studying this foundation degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by academic and practice tutors, structured practice placements and feedback, all designed to prepare you for NMC registration.
You’ll be awarded a Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate Practice upon successful completion.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
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.
This is a flexible, practice-based programme that takes between 2–4 years, depending on your start date and the pace of study.
Your online study hub is your main point of access for learning. It includes weekly planners, course materials such as readings, videos, and interactive tasks, as well as discussion forums where you can connect with other students and share experiences.
You’ll combine online study with hands-on practice, exploring modules in anatomy, pharmacology, leadership, and person-centred care – and applying your learning directly in the workplace. This balance helps you develop both the knowledge and the confidence needed in the role of Nursing Associate.
Your academic tutor will support you through online tutorials, regular feedback, and one-to-one guidance. You’ll also take part in collaborative activities with your peers, which will help you to reflect on your practice and develop teamworking skills.
Practice makes up a significant part of your studies. You’ll complete at least 460 hours of supernumerary practice in different healthcare settings, such as hospitals, community services, and home care. Practice supervisors and assessors will guide and support you as you build your skills and demonstrate competence.
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods, including tutor-marked assignments, online assessments, and end-of-module tasks. In practice, your progress is recorded in a Practice Assessment Document, which captures evidence of your skills, knowledge, and professional behaviours.
You’ll benefit from online and printed resources, tutor guidance, support in practice from supervisors, and access to specialist student support teams. You’ll also have full use of the OU library, IT support, and the wider OU student community to help you succeed.
This practice-based qualification is offered in association with partnering employers in England. You must have access to an appropriate setting to undertake the practical element of this foundation degree.
To register for this qualification, you must:
If you are a student nursing associate, you'll need to be employed in a setting where you can be appropriately supervised by a registered nurse or other appropriate health or care professional.
If you have studied at the Higher Education level in the last 5 years in a subject relevant to healthcare, you may be eligible for exemption of up to 120 credits of an Open University Nursing Associate degree. These credits will be counted against your level one study only. However, if your previous qualification is more than five years old, it will not be eligible for credit transfer. This also applies even if the modules were studied with the OU.
If your previous healthcare-related qualification was completed with the OU, you do not need to complete any forms or apply for credit transfer, as your previous study will be credit-migrated towards the nursing degree, subject to meeting the conditions of the nursing programme and OU criteria. You must indicate on your Nursing Associate programme application form if you have previous OU study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
£16,352*
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:
Online registration is not available for this qualification. Employers and individuals should contact us on +44 (0)300 303 0529 for more details on how to apply. Employers interested in offering the foundation degree to their staff can find more employer-related information here.
This foundation degree will prepare you with the practice experience and knowledge required to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nursing associate. You will gain experience and knowledge in all four fields of nursing and across the lifespan, including long term conditions, mental health, children and young people, end-of-life care, learning disabilities, and primary, secondary, community and acute care.
We’ve created this qualification to meet defined occupational standards approved by Skills England. Meeting these standards means you’ll gain professionally approved skills and abilities applicable to a range of employers in the public and private sectors.
Throughout this qualification, you'll build on your skills and knowledge already gained from working in the healthcare sector. This will lead to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a nursing associate.
When you have successfully completed this foundation degree, you'll be eligible for Nursing and Midwifery Council registration as a nursing associate. You must complete your registration within five years of completing the qualification, or you will be required to undertake further training to register.
Skills England has approved this foundation degree as compliant with the Nursing Associate Higher Technical Qualification occupational map.
Higher Technical Qualification logo
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.
Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Check you meet the Entry requirements, then see How to apply.
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