Health and Social Care - Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc)
Course Type
Higher Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
14 September 2026
4 June 2028
Location
Ballymena
Interview Required
Yes
There is a growing demand for competent and patient-centred employees in the health and social care sector. The Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc) in Health and Social Care is an innovative and contemporary course validated by Ulster University which aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, experience, attitudes and values needed for employment in this sector. The programme also aims to provide a platform for those that wish to apply to further programmes of study at undergraduate level in areas such as Health and Wellbeing, Health and Social Care Policy, Nursing and Social Work as well as other allied health professions at Ulster University and other Higher Education Institutions within the UK and beyond. The programme is designed to address the needs of the local market by preparing graduates to meet the current and future evolving needs of health and social care services in Northern Ireland whilst providing a national and global perspective on health and social care.
In Year 1 you will gain an exciting introduction into Health and Social Care by studying a range of Level 4 modules including:
In Year 2 you will undertake Level 5 modules such as:
In addition, all students must complete 240 hours of Work Based Learning (placement) in a setting, which will also be assessed.
There are no additional mandatory costs for this course.
This course is validated by Ulster University.
Successful completion of first year modules means the students will have attained a level 4 Certificate of Higher Education. Following completion of year 2 modules students will be awarded the level 5 FdSc in Health and Social Care.
Upon achievement of the level 5 qualification students can apply to progress to either Year 3 of BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing or year 2 of BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Policy at Ulster University.
In addition, students can also apply for admission to a range of Health Profession Degree programmes including Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Paramedic Science and Community Youth Work as well as a range of Social and Life Science Degrees including Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Criminology and many more.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.
Applicants must:
(a) have attained grade A, B or C at GCSE level in 5 subjects or an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification and
(b) provide evidence of competence in numeracy and literacy (GCSE grade C or above in both Maths and English or Essential Skills Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy) – this requirement may be met within (a) and
(c) hold a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or a related Level 3 subject area, or at least 1 GCE A Level pass or equivalent. This must meet a minimum of 48 UCAS points.
OR as an alternative to (a), (b) and (c):
(d) Completion of an Access to Higher Education Diploma (NI) or
(e) Provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
Non-standard admission will be agreed with the University Faculties.
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director as soon as possible, as an application deadline will apply. or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the Applicants must refer to further details online.
All applicants must be aware that they will also need to satisfy Enhanced Disclosure from Access NI to continue on the programme.
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £2773 |
| Year 2 | £2773 |
| Total |
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please make sure they upload an Employer Consent Form to your online Prospect account.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Full details are available on our fees and funding page.
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
This course is validated by Ulster University.
There is a growing demand for competent and patient-centred employees in the health and social care sector. The Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc) in Health and Social Care is an innovative and contemporary course validated by Ulster University which aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, experience, attitudes and values needed for employment in this sector. The programme also aims to provide a platform for those that wish to apply to further programmes of study at undergraduate level in areas such as Health and Wellbeing, Health and Social Care Policy, Nursing and Social Work as well as other allied health professions at Ulster University and other Higher Education Institutions within the UK and beyond. The programme is designed to address the needs of the local market by preparing graduates to meet the current and future evolving needs of health and social care services in Northern Ireland whilst providing a national and global perspective on health and social care.
In Year 1 you will gain an exciting introduction into Health and Social Care by studying a range of Level 4 modules including:
In Year 2 you will undertake Level 5 modules such as:
In addition, all students must complete 240 hours of Work Based Learning (placement) in a setting, which will also be assessed.
There are no additional mandatory costs for this course.
Successful completion of first year modules means the students will have attained a level 4 Certificate of Higher Education. Following completion of year 2 modules students will be awarded the level 5 FdSc in Health and Social Care.
Upon achievement of the level 5 qualification students can apply to progress to either Year 3 of BSc (Hons) Health and Wellbeing or year 2 of BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Policy at Ulster University.
In addition, students can also apply for admission to a range of Health Profession Degree programmes including Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Paramedic Science and Community Youth Work as well as a range of Social and Life Science Degrees including Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Criminology and many more.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s admission and progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.
Applicants must:
(a) have attained grade A, B or C at GCSE level in 5 subjects or an equivalent standard in an approved alternative qualification and
(b) provide evidence of competence in numeracy and literacy (GCSE grade C or above in both Maths and English or Essential Skills Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy) – this requirement may be met within (a) and
(c) hold a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or a related Level 3 subject area, or at least 1 GCE A Level pass or equivalent. This must meet a minimum of 48 UCAS points.
OR as an alternative to (a), (b) and (c):
(d) Completion of an Access to Higher Education Diploma (NI) or
(e) Provide evidence of their ability to undertake the programme through the accreditation of prior experiential learning.
Non-standard admission will be agreed with the University Faculties.
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director as soon as possible, as an application deadline will apply. or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the Applicants must refer to further details online.
All applicants must be aware that they will also need to satisfy Enhanced Disclosure from Access NI to continue on the programme.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £2773 |
| Year 2 | £2773 |
| Total |
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer please make sure they upload an Employer Consent Form to your online Prospect account.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Full details are available on our fees and funding page.
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.