FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Independent Route)
Course Overview
The health and social care sector is vast and offers enormous career potential. The University of Bolton's FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Independent Route) provides an opportunity to develop the values, skills, and knowledge essential to good health and social care practices in the UK. These can support your initial development in providing support for people of all ages and walks of life who have disabilities, mental health issues or are vulnerable in other ways.The course is linked closely to the UK government's health and social care agendas, so you'll experience a current and carefully considered balance of policy, practice and academic training. Join us as we explore the principles of care, care planning and delivery, the ethical aspects of care, and areas such as health promotion and safeguarding, among many more.
This foundation degree emphasises work-based learning. A significant part of your learning will take place on-the-job with support from your practice trainer in the workplace and your University tutors. We'll guide you in reflecting on your practice and how the skills and knowledge you develop in the workplace relate to the academic theory you've learned. You'll then take your learning back into the workplace, enhancing your practice further. This two-way process offers the best combination of theory and practice. Studying at the University of Bolton complements the experience you gain at work, supporting your journey to becoming an Assistant Practitioner.
We're working to bridge the gap between health and social care and foster a multi-agency approach. We'll support you every step as you learn how to collaborate across professional boundaries, use evidence to support your professional decision-making and enhance your understanding of critical health and social care issues.
We focus on helping you become a knowledgeable, compassionate, and person-centred care professional.
Highlights
- A collaborative approach is fundamental to the delivery of this foundation degree. We'll support your learning through coordinated practice and theory development, with regular interaction between the University and your workplace, facilitated through your employer's practice trainer.
- This foundation degree features guest lectures and talks by health and social care service providers and users, so you'll get balanced real-world perspectives to contextualise your learning.
- You can benefit from the purpose-built health and research facilities at the Bolton One centre here on campus, including our Clinical Simulation Suites.
- In addition, you'll have the chance to develop your skills in research, data evaluation, critical reasoning and analysis, professional communication, teamwork, problem-solving and self-reflection.
- We'll support you as you develop your study and critical thinking skills in preparation to take on more demanding roles in health and social care delivery and further learning at the honours and postgraduate level if you choose to continue your studies after graduation.
Key Features
- Our approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, so we'll work with you on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout your studies.
- You'll benefit from our teaching and research team's vast professional experience in health and social care and our close links with the social care sector, the NHS, and several voluntary and charitable organisations.
- We'll encourage and support you in taking voluntary work placements in health and social care environments throughout your studies. These can contribute significantly to your portfolio of evidence and impress potential employers.
- By studying alongside people from other clinical and professional areas of health and social care, you can benefit from a broader range of knowledge and experience that supports multi-disciplinary thinking.
Entry Requirements
- Normally a level 2 or level 3 qualification in health and social care is desirable, but not essential.
- You should have at least two GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), preferably including English and Mathematics. If you do not have GCSE English or Mathematics at grade C/4, an equivalent such as Functional Skills Level 2 in Literacy or Numeracy is acceptable.
- Entry to this course is also available to applicants with extensive appropriate work experience in the health and social care sector. We'll be delighted to consider your application if you don't possess the academic qualifications listed above but have extensive appropriate work experience.
- You'll be required to attend an interview, and depending on your qualifications, we may ask you to undertake an additional assessment(s) as part of the application process. You'll also need to meet the other non-academic entry requirements listed below.
- Admission to this programme is only available to candidates who meet the following criteria. 1) You must be employed for a minimum of 2 days per week in a role relevant to the programme. 2) You must have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Your employer will need to agree to your participation in the programme.
- If you work for a large organisation in health and social care, you may want to enquire about the possibility of studying towards the FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Higher Apprenticeship Route) instead.
- If you don't have an appropriate work placement in the health and social care sector but otherwise meet the entry requirements for this course, please consider our BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care or HND Health and Social Care courses.
- This course involves regulated activity so you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service. (Normally your sponsoring organisation will organise this.) Please note that your DBS must have been completed within three years of the course start date.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
- Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
The University of Bolton's FdA Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Independent Route) is ideal if you wish to further your career in health and social care services. Assistant Practitioners have direct contact with patients, service users or clients and work as part of the wider health and social care team to provide high-quality, person-centred, compassionate care. Occupying the crucial gap in care delivery between a care support worker and a registered practitioner, the job title of Assistant Practitioner applies to a wide variety of roles developed locally by employers to meet individual service needs.
Assistant Practitioners work in a range of areas across health and social care, such as acute, social care services, community, physiotherapy, mental health, general practice, hospice care, genito-urinary medicine, orthopaedics, occupational therapy, cancer services, and learning disabilities, as well as in hybrid roles that cross traditional occupational areas. This foundation degree provides an excellent platform for various roles in care homes, residential homes, voluntary organisations, special schools and agencies providing domiciliary care.
Some key transferable skills this course offers include communication, teamwork, negotiation, presenting ideas and arguments, working independently, and reflecting on and reviewing progress.
What can I do with this qualification?
Further academic studies and professional training in numerous fields, such as social work, teaching and allied health professions, are possible future options.
Many students choose to pursue honours-level study after completing this foundation degree. You'll be able to apply for the University of Bolton's BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care (top-up) degree, which can be completed in one year by full-time study or in 18 months part-time. Alternatively, you could study stand-alone professional development modules in additional areas of professional practice or interest.
After successfully completing and achieving the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Health and Social Care (Assistant Practitioner (Health) Independent Route), you may be able to progress to one of the BSc (Hons) Nursing degrees or degree apprenticeships offered by the University of Bolton.
Alternative career options
Graduates can also use the qualification to enter a range of other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or postgraduate study. Some possibilities include the following:
- Counselling
- Social prescribing
- Dietetics
- Writing and journalism
- Occupational therapy
- Mental health
- Social work
- Teaching and education
- Health promotion
- Mentoring
- Armed forces
- Community support
- Youth work
- Care home management
- Health services
- Child protection
- Early years
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at Bolton for September entry, then apply through UCAS
You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.
The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.
You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:
Institution Code Name: BOLTN
Institution Code Number: B44
Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com
If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Bolton for any intake, you can apply directly
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.
A direct application to Bolton provides the following features:
Free of charge to apply
Secure, simple and streamlined
Contact us directly for any admissions queries
Regular updates on your application directly from the University
Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
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Apply online: University of Bolton FdA Health Social Care (Assistant Pract(H)) ind route - 22 September 2025
International Applicants
International applications are not possible for this course
As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.
We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.
Partner Organisation Applicants
University of Bolton Group Partners
Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Bolton
For valued members of the University of Bolton Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.
If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.
When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.
NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to Bolton. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to Bolton.
For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Bolton, you agree to these terms.
If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.
Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.
If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.
Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:
Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates
Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies
Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role
Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately
Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference
Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.
Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.
If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@bolton.ac.uk
-
Apply online: University of Bolton FdA Health Social Care (Assistant Pract(H)) ind route - 22 September 2025
We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!
Teaching & Assessment
We use various learning, teaching and assessment methods to make this course as engaging and beneficial as possible. These help you gain the skills, knowledge and competencies you need for a successful health and social care career. We also support you in developing the values and attitudes essential to good health and social care practice. Learning focuses on the workplace environment, and you can expect to participate in a mix of face-to-face, online and work-based education.
Lectures introduce the course content. To complement these, seminars and group-based activities allow you to explore subjects, policies and practices in greater detail. Tutorials help to clarify your understanding of the topics we cover in lectures and seminars. At the same time, we use case studies, practical scenarios and role-playing to help you apply your newly acquired knowledge and theory to real-life problems. These activities help you gain valuable insights into health and social care practice.
You'll also have the chance to develop your practical skills in our clinical skills laboratory. We'll also encourage you to use our extensive online learning resources to support your self-directed learning. We'll expect you to undertake considerable guided independent study, such as library research and background reading, preparing for seminar and tutorial activities, and working on assignments. In addition, we offer masterclasses with practitioners from the health and social care sector, plus insightful sessions with guest speakers who either provide or use health and social care services.
We emphasise learning at work and through work, so learning in your workplace will complement and enhance your university studies. The theory-practice link is of great importance, and we'll encourage you to reflect on your practice and draw from your practice experiences throughout the foundation degree. You'll benefit from considerable one-to-one support from University tutors and work-based education facilitators, who will work alongside you in both the workplace and the University.
Our assessment methods reflect what you may be required to do in a health and social care setting. For example, we'll ask you to submit written reports, give presentations, analyse care plans, review relevant literature, analyse complex cases, and discuss managing change. Because the work-based learning aspect of the programme is so important, you'll build a portfolio to demonstrate your skills, competency and role development. We'll also expect you to write essays and reflective accounts, take practical and written tests, and actively participate in group discussions. Some assessments contribute to your final module marks, while others help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and where you can seek extra support from course tutors.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Fundamentals of Perioperative Practice
- Working Within Allied Care Profession (Level 1)
- Enhancing Communication and Academic Study Skills
- Accountability and Ethical Practice in Health and Social Care
- Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
- Principles of Care and Support Across the Lifespan
- Introduction to Research Evidence-Based Practice
- Mental Health and Well-Being
- The Impact of Social Policy in Health and Social Care
- Negotiated Studies
- Leadership in Health and Social Care
- End Point Assessment
- Negotiated Studies
- Person Centred Health and Social Care
- Children and Families
- Acute Illness Management
- End of Life and Palliative Care
- Social Inclusion, Empowerment and Health
- Management of Long-term Conditions
- Principles of Medicines Management
- Understanding and Working With Alcohol and Substance Misuse
- Mental Health and Wellbeing - Children and Young People
- Mindfulness and Equanimity in Practice Striking the Balance Between Compassionate Care for Self and Others
- Health and Applied Positive Psychology Interventions
- Care and Support for An Ageing Society
- Disability Support and Enablement
- Developing Clinical Skills
- Working Within Allied Care Profession (Level 2)
- Human Anatomy and Assessment (Lower Limb)
- Human Anatomy and Assessment (Upper Limb)
- Collaborative Working in Health and Social Care
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 100% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 100% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 29% Placement/study abroad 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 21% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 29% Placement/study abroad 50% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 21% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
