Overview

As a higher apprentice you will be in employment in a health-related role while studying part time for a work-based foundation degree in health and social care. The higher apprenticeship offers you the opportunity to extend your clinical skills and also identify and develop your understanding of the theory underpinning practice.

The course has been developed in consultation with senior managers and employers to meet the education and training requirements of assistant/support workers across all health and social care services and can lead to employment as an assistant practitioner. The higher apprenticeship recognises the work place as a centre of knowledge building and supports you by combining opportunities with the workplace and the learning environment of the University. It offers a range of modules to support your continuing personal and professional development, whether you work in health, social or community care. Throughout your studies you are supported by a practice mentor and academic tutor.

Routes currently available include (subject to demand): radiography, adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disabilities nursing, rehabilitation, biomedical science and perioperative care.

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

This core module gives you the opportunity to develop a basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as part of your foundation year. It focuses on the concept of homeostasis – how all systems work in harmony. The content is delivered using a systems approach across a range of body systems.

Foundation of Practise

Foundations of Practice is a 60 credit module. It is a work-based learning module exploring practice-related theory and work-based learning with emphasis on safe practice and patient safety.

You develop your knowledge, skills and professional conduct, values and attitudes that are relevant and important to your work-based role.

Learning to Learn

Learning to Learn is a 10 credit module. When entering higher education, you need to develop a range of skills to support your academic studies. These skills range from basic IT skills through high-level information retrieval.

How you learn

You attend the University one day a week for 32 weeks in the first year and one day a week for 28 week in the second year. You share your learning experiences with students from other care settings. The course is focused on work-based/work-related learning and you are expected to use your experiences to fulfil work-based activities and inform your academic development. There are modules which enable you to undertake learning in the workplace and develop a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your skill development.

The learning and teaching methods include lectures both in the classroom and through digital means, seminars, group work, and IT skills laboratory. The course is supported by the use of a virtual learning environment that allows you to engage with the learning and tutors whilst in the workplace.

How you are assessed

You are assessed as part of the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Practice. Each module is assessed individually, using a variety of methods including assignments, examinations and presentations to allow your knowledge to develop. In addition, you also complete a work-based portfolio and your competence in practice is assessed on an ongoing basis if you are following the competency route. You have access to a wide range of support including personal tutors, academic tutors and work-based mentors/supervisors who support you and guide you through the range of assessments.

In addition to meeting the assessment requirements for the foundation degree, your employer also assesses your vocational competencies on an ongoing basis. You also need to pass an overall higher apprenticeship end point assessment.
To be awarded the higher apprenticeship you are required to successfully complete all assessment elements.

career opportunities

On successful completion of the higher apprenticeship you can seek employment as associate or assistant practitioners. There may also be opportunity for progression to an honors degree course or relevant pre-registration healthcare programmes, for example nursing, if the competency route has been completed.