Assistant Practitioner Health & Social Care FdSc
The Sheffield College
Key Course Facts
Course Description
This flexible course, validated by Sheffield Hallam University, is a work-based learning award that combines health and social care education with either existing employment or work placements to develop your skills and competencies for a wide range of roles across the health/social/community care sectors.
The course offers two routes; entrants already employed in assistant or support worker roles in health, social or community care can complete both the Higher Apprenticeship in Health (Assistant Practitioner) and the Foundation Degree. The course provides you with your continuing personal and professional development and, depending on your employer, would allow you to undertake a Band 4 Associate/Assistant role.
Delivered over two years (full time) you will spend 2 days a week in college, as well as working at your placement. You will be expected to spend an equal amount of time split between college, placement and self-directed study. Feedback will account for approximately 5% of the course.
Students must attain a work placement in a health and social care setting prior to enrolment on the course. Guidance can be given to students about how to do so. Prospective students should be aware that 400 hours of work experience is a mandatory requirement of this course. Students must be able to demonstrate potential to be caring and compassionate, and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with service users and carers.
You will also need to obtain a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check prior to starting your placement. This course is a work based learning award which combines health and social care education with either existing employment or work placements to develop your skills and competencies for a variety of roles across the health/social/community care sectors. The course offers entrants already employed in assistant or support worker roles the opportunity to complete both the Higher Apprenticeship in Health and the Foundation Degree.
On successful completion of the Foundation Degree you may be able to apply for a number of professional courses, providing you have appropriate work experience practice in a suitable setting relating to one of the following areas:
BSc (Hons) Nursing [Adult]
BA (Hons) Social Work
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Many of these degrees may allow entry with advanced standing, meaning that you would join the second year of the degree course. This would be decided by assessment on an individual basis.
In addition to the above awards, a bespoke top-up degree is also being developed which will provide a route to achieving a full degree within one year after completion of the foundation degree.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Minimum Required UCAS Tariff
Prospective students should hold one of the following: •A minimum of 48 UCAS points (please see the UCAS website for further details about the updated tariff system) from A-Levels (including General Studies) •Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised course You must also have: •GCSE English Language/Literature and Maths at grade C or above OR •Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy; Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number Students MUST attain a work placement in a health and social care setting prior to enrolment on the course. Guidance can be given to students about how to do so. Applicants must be able to demonstrate potential to be caring and compassionate and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with service users and carers.
Qualification requirements
Costs
Tuition Fees Assistant Practitioner Health & Social Care FdSc
| England UK | £7500 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | £7500 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £7500 | year 1 |
| Wales | £7500 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students must obtain a current DBS check, which is currently priced at £52.
Students can opt to study additional modules such as First Aid, Moving and Handling and others which may benefit professional practice. There is a charge for such modules of approximately £50, which is payable on registration onto the module.
You will also be encouraged to take part in optional educational study visits which are relevant to the programme, which will incur and additional cost.
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
August 1, 2026
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
UCAS application code:
L5L5
About The Sheffield College
The Sheffield College is one of the largest providers of Further Education in the English city of Sheffield. The college operates from four main campuses, which are City, Hillsborough, Peaks, and Olive Grove.
List of 18 Bachelor and Master Courses from The Sheffield College - Course Catalogue
Where is this programme taught
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FAQ about Assistant Practitioner Health & Social Care FdSc The Sheffield College
- Tuition fees for this programme are 7500 per year for UK students. In addition to the tuition fees you should also take into consideration the average monthly cost of living for students in the UK.
- Assistant Practitioner Health & Social Care FdSc is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at The Sheffield College.
- It is very difficult to get accepted into this course. Accepted students had an average UCAS tariff score of which makes it one of the 0% most difficult courses to enter among all Health and Social Care students in the UK.