Nursing and Allied Health Professions Foundation Year

Foundation year

This course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge required to prepare you for a rewarding career in a number of healthcare professions.

Year of entry

2024-25

Location

CU Scarborough (Scarborough)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

C740

Start date

June 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Event

Download a prospectus

Course overview

You will understand the key contemporary issues relating to the roles of health professionals, including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and operating department practitioners alongside the skills required to progress within higher education.

You will examine the importance of the professional values, standards and working practices required to support patient-centred care and support. This course is designed to provide you with a level of academic knowledge and develop your self-confidence that will aid your transition to a relevant degree course and then the workplace.

Why you should study this course

You will be taught by staff with a range of expertise across a number of health professions who will use their insight and experience to give you an understanding of the wide range of healthcare roles available.

This course has been specifically designed to prepare you for a degree course in Nursing or Allied Health Professions at Coventry University or at CU Scarborough. These degree pathways are shown below.
All successful students on this course are therefore guaranteed an interview for degree courses in nursing and allied health profession courses at Coventry University, subject to completing an internal application form before the UCAS equal consideration January deadline. Progression on to your chosen degree is subject to successfully passing your interview, subsequently accepting your offer, and passing your foundation year.
You will be given an opportunity to begin to develop the skills and competencies that relate to the successful study of the Health Professions and their regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Nursing and allied health professions pathways include:

As a (very) mature student coming to CU Scarborough the biggest challenge I found was ‘learning how to learn’ again after being out of education for over 30 years. I can honestly say that the staff, in general, not just my course tutors, were second to none! They encouraged, supported and believed in me throughout the course, with nothing ever being too much trouble. The learning environment was positive and easy to fit into and I have no hesitation in recommending CU Scarborough.
Tammie Sephton, student, quoted in 2023

Three trainee nurses around a hospital bed

What you'll study

The curriculum has been designed to equip you with the knowledge, competences and skills required to be successful in today’s workplace as well as provide the academic rigour that is expected from degree-level study.

The course aims to enable you to develop an independent, reflective and self-managed approach to using skills appropriate for study in higher education and working in the health professions i.e. vocational numeracy. You will improve your confidence in learning, study and approaches to finding information relevant to health professions and develop an understanding of, and insight into, a range of careers including public health, the allied health professions, nursing, health and social care, counselling and psychology.

Modules

Fundamentals of Pathophysiology and Disease - 30 credits

This module introduces you to how ill-health and disease develop and the key pathophysiological changes to body functions throughout the levels of organisation from chemical/molecular to cells, organs and organ systems. The module introduces you to the relationship between pathophysiological changes to structure and function of body systems and the most common causes of morbidity, mortality and sickness absence. You will also be introduced to the inter-relationships between specific health issues and how they impact on homeostatic control, and therefore cause key signs and symptoms.

The module covers the basic pharmacological principles involved in the management/treatment of the most common causes of morbidity, mortality and sickness absence and provides the opportunity to undertake practical activities using non-invasive techniques to investigate normal responses to routine variations in body functioning.

Compulsory

Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology - 30 credits

This module introduces you to the fundamental knowledge of anatomy and physiology and how the body functions throughout the levels of organisation, from cells to body systems.  As well as covering the relationship between structure and function of each body system, you will also be introduced to the inter-relationships between body systems and how they work together to maintain homeostatic control. You will have the opportunity to undertake practical activities which requires you to take measurements, using non-invasive techniques to investigate normal responses to routine variations in body functioning.

Compulsory

Introduction to Professional Practice and Regulatory Standards - 30 credits

Successful completion of this module will enable you to become familiar with the professional and regulatory standards in relation to your chosen health profession. You will explore the current challenges to these within your chosen profession whilst exploring areas for good practice and service development. Issues around law and ethics, accountability and professionalism and clinical governance will become familiar discussion points.

You will gain confidence in your ability to challenge practice through this knowledge and in relating it to your preferred profession.

Professional resilience within the health professions will be discussed and strategies on how to achieve this and indeed its impact on delivering holistic care will be debated. You will be able to explore your own resilience and develop strategies that will support you with your future studies and career.

The transition into learning in higher education can pose a range of challenges to students before they can become effective independent learners. The aim of this module is to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the requirements of academic study through exploring a range of skills that enable you to navigate your future programme of study in higher education with the greatest chance of success. Alongside this, you will gain understanding of the vital role that literacy and numeracy plays in the health professions today.

Compulsory

Approaches to Health and Wellbeing for the Health Professional - 30 credits

This module will examine how health and wellbeing are viewed in society, enabling you to challenge definitions and perspectives of health and ill-health. Models of health will be explored alongside health beliefs allowing you to determine professional approaches to health and wellbeing. The impact of social determinants of health will be examined in order to identify the environmental conditions that promote good health for all.

You will explore the role of Public Health - locally, nationally and internationally - as an essential aspect of the health professions. Health promotion strategies will be examined and their impact upon health behaviours debated giving you essential tools for working with community health.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Your foundation year is focused on applied learning geared to high-intensity teaching and study throughout the course. The delivery of course content is a blend of lectures, tutorials and online mediums.

You will be given the opportunity to critique and evaluate given scenarios and insights relating to the health professions and make recommendations to influence decision-making and increase your professional awareness.

Teaching contact hours

You will receive approximately 20 hours of guided learning per week. This will be a combination of face-to-face teaching and online learning support. There will also be group tutorials every week.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake up to 30 hours of self-directed study, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

Assessments have been designed to reflect those that you will be able to develop and use within your future role within the health professions e.g. a structured report, a professional debate and poster presentation. In addition, your assessments will prepare you for the interview process (values-based recruitment) required for progression on to further study in the health professions.

You will be assessed using:

case study
individual presentations
essay
numeracy test
portfolio.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

This course is an excellent starting point for students with an interest in health careers including nursing. It is especially helpful for those who have had a break from study. The courses help to develop both academic skills and contemporary knowledge.
Becky Canning, Course Leader Health Courses at CU Scarborough, 2023

Two students outside Scarborough building

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Applicants should have A levels or equivalent qualifications and hold a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in English and Maths. Applicants with significant work experience will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk to discuss your individual circumstances or for information regarding what might amount to ‘relevant work experience’ or ‘equivalent studies’ that would qualify. You could also consider the Access to Nursing course.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on how to apply and travelling to and living in the UK.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK	£7,950	Not available
International	£18,300	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees³ cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees³:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

In order to receive funding for degree with foundation courses, you will need to complete a four-year degree programme which includes the integrated foundation year. If you study a standalone foundation year, you may be responsible for your foundation year fees. For further information refer to the 'Foundation Year Funding' section.

Facilities

You will have the opportunity to use virtual reality teaching⁴ and learning and simulated, hands-on learning to experience the roles within Nursing and Allied Health Professions and access to guest speakers from the healthcare professions you might want to consider².

You will be encouraged to apply digital literacy through the use of technology during taught sessions and practice assessment activities. This will prepare you for the exciting developments in the current world of Technology Enabled Care Service (TECS).

Careers and opportunities

As the course is designed specifically to prepare you for roles in healthcare you will develop the skills and knowledge valued by employers in this field. In addition to practical and theoretical understanding of health professional roles you will also explore the importance of attributes such as care and compassion and develop an understanding of the expectation of healthcare professionals. This will be supported by developing teamwork, resilience and effective communication approaches that are essential to healthcare roles.

The foundation course (subject to successful completion, progression requirements and meeting specific entrance criteria, i.e. values based interview) may allow progression to the following range of nursing and health degrees at Coventry University Group:

Certain courses provide registration with professional bodies and enable you to practice as a registered healthcare professional. Please see the course page for more details.

Our graduates from these degree courses work in a range of roles in both the NHS and private sector. They make a positive contribution to the quality of life of their patients, often at very difficult moments.

How to apply

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

ukadmissions.cu@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
CUSCF031

International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

(+44) 02477 652222

cus@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.