Health Care Practice - Level 4 Certificate Higher Education
Course Type
Higher Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
14 September 2026
4 June 2027
Location
Magherafelt
Interview Required
Yes
This innovative 1-year work-based health care programme will be delivered and assessed in partnership with the Open University and the Northern Health Care Trust. On successful completion, the programme of study provides the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to work in the health and social care sector. As healthcare support staff you will undertake studies which will equip you to pursue a higher professional qualification in health and social care.
You will study theory with Northern Regional College staff one day a week in college and complete 770 hours (24 hours per week) placement in an appropriate setting. On successful completion, this vocational health care qualification will give you solid foundation of clinical skills to progress into Year 2 of a higher professional qualification in the health and social care sector.
You will benefit from the industry experience of qualified nurses and industry experts who teach on the programme. You will also be allocated a placement supervisor and assessor in placement. In College, you will study modules including psychology, sociology and safeguarding, giving you a solid foundation of knowledge in health and social care. It is anticipated clinical placement will be two days per week and you will be able to practice your clinical specialist skills in a dedicated clinical skills room within the College.
The course is enriched with a catalogue of guest speakers who are industry experts and will add value to your learning experience.
This course is validated by the Open University.
There are two mandatory modules. K102 (60 credits) Introducing Health and Social Care, this module provides the underpinning knowledge of Health and Social Care. The teaching modality is face to face one day per week in college and consists of 6 core topics. K104 (60 credits) Introduction to Health Care Practice this module provides students with the underpinning knowledge for professional practice to ensure safe care while on placement.
Download and view the full programme specification for further details.
Students will be required to wear a uniform on placement.
Northern Regional College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.
Information on The Open University is available below:
The Open University Regulations
The Open University Student's Guide
Academic Reports, Poster Presentations, Case study work, Exams, online tests, observed practice and the completion of Northern Ireland Practice Assessment Document (NIPAD).
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £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 innovative 1-year work-based health care programme will be delivered and assessed in partnership with the Open University and the Northern Health Care Trust. On successful completion, the programme of study provides the underpinning knowledge and practical skills required to work in the health and social care sector. As healthcare support staff you will undertake studies which will equip you to pursue a higher professional qualification in health and social care.
You will study theory with Northern Regional College staff one day a week in college and complete 770 hours (24 hours per week) placement in an appropriate setting. On successful completion, this vocational health care qualification will give you solid foundation of clinical skills to progress into Year 2 of a higher professional qualification in the health and social care sector.
You will benefit from the industry experience of qualified nurses and industry experts who teach on the programme. You will also be allocated a placement supervisor and assessor in placement. In College, you will study modules including psychology, sociology and safeguarding, giving you a solid foundation of knowledge in health and social care. It is anticipated clinical placement will be two days per week and you will be able to practice your clinical specialist skills in a dedicated clinical skills room within the College.
The course is enriched with a catalogue of guest speakers who are industry experts and will add value to your learning experience.
This course is validated by the Open University.
Academic Reports, Poster Presentations, Case study work, Exams, online tests, observed practice and the completion of Northern Ireland Practice Assessment Document (NIPAD).
There are two mandatory modules. K102 (60 credits) Introducing Health and Social Care, this module provides the underpinning knowledge of Health and Social Care. The teaching modality is face to face one day per week in college and consists of 6 core topics. K104 (60 credits) Introduction to Health Care Practice this module provides students with the underpinning knowledge for professional practice to ensure safe care while on placement.
Download and view the full programme specification for further details.
Students will be required to wear a uniform on placement.
Northern Regional College is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organisation to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards.
Information on The Open University is available below:
The Open University Regulations
The Open University Student's Guide
Course Fees
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £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.