Introduction
This is a schools Foundation Academy for senior phase pupils in 5th and 6th year only. The course is delivered in partnership with UWS and the NHS. You will be a UWS Associate Student on the pathway towards a degree in nursing with them.
Successfully completing this programme alongside other specific subjects at your school will mean you may go on to the level 6 Foundation Academy course whilst still at school next year.
It is a challenging theory-based course where a considerable proportion of your learning is online/hybrid. It is only suitable for those who wish to pursue a nursing career pathway.
The course will help you develop an understanding of the skills, principles and qualities needed to become a nurse.
There is some biology, employability, and a study of different roles within the health care sector.
You should be interested in nursing and aiming to follow a study path towards this career through UWS. This route is particularly interesting as it is a clear pathway for those who plan to become nurses.
You may have the opportunity for a one-week placement with the NHS early in the year and then later you will have a one-week placement with UWS to give you experience of what university study is like.
You will also be using the NHS TURAS website for some of your learning.
You will need to be an organised and independent learner who can work with minimum direction as a considerable amount of the study will be online/hybrid. For the Skills for Work Health and Social Care award you will be mostly learning online lessons and for a little of that time you will be participating in simulated practice and role play in our state-of-the-art Care Hub.
We have additional units which we can offer you to strengthen your application to UWS – ask your tutor when you start the course.
Towards the end of your time with college you may choose to begin a short First Steps to Nursing Course with our UWS partners. This is at SCQF level 7 and will count as one Higher.
Course code
SHEA
Location
Dumfries Campus
Duration
Your attendance is required 100% of the time and you will need to submit work on time and be engaged with all the learning activities and resources. This is a great opportunity to make an impression with us, UWS and the NHS as a potential employee.
Entry Requirements
You need to have National 4 Maths and be working towards National 5
You need to have National 4 English and be working towards National 5
You need to be studying towards another two National 5 qualifications; it would be preferred if one was a science
You must have internet access and device access for completing work online
If you are joining online from school, you will require a quiet area with access to headphones
You need to be in S5 or S6 at school – we cannot accept S4 to the programme
You must be 16 or over within a month of the start of the course
If you are in S6 you need to be studying or have passed N5 Maths and Higher English in addition to this programme
Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum ESOL Intermediate level 2 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher for HNC/D courses
Information and Interview Session Requirements
Read the entry criteria carefully. Sell yourself on the application form. We expect this to be a competitive application, and we may not be able to offer a space for everyone who wants to be a nurse – make sure your application stands out.
Course Content
Biology, meta-skills, employment with the NHS, Healthcare, Wellbeing, Health Promotion
Assessments
Assessment is ongoing throughout the year and includes practical assessments and project work.
Progression
On successful completion of the course, you can progress to the level 6 UWS foundation academy programme if you are still at school, or you may wish to progress to a full-time programme at college.
Career Prospects
Health and Social Care Support Worker
Nursing
Additional funding information
Not applicable for schools
Course Contact Details
Michelle Hodgson hodgsonm@dumgal.ac.uk
Selling Points
You will be an associate student of UWS, gain a recognised qualification, taught by industry experts, recognise your meta-skills and reflect on them, and have experience built up towards your goal of working in the sector.