Course Overview
Please note: Applicants must be employed in a health or care setting for a minimum of 30 hours per week. If you aren’t in relevant employment, you could apply to do this course as part of an apprenticeship instead. Find out more and check for current apprenticeship vacancies here.
Assistant Practitioners have skills and experience in a particular area of clinical practice. Although they are not registered practitioners, they have a higher level of skill through their experience and training and work across both the NHS and other areas of healthcare services.
This Foundation Degree is designed for those working across mental health services. You will be supporting individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions in both community and inpatient settings. You will develop the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, recovery-focused care that promotes resilience and wellbeing.
You will explore mental health across the lifespan, including early intervention, crisis support, and long-term management. The course places strong emphasis on communication, safeguarding, and reducing stigma.
Learning occurs in the workplace and draws on your current employment experience. This enables you to gain, develop and demonstrate the additional theoretical, practical and professional knowledge and skills required by an Assistant Practitioner, supporting you to deliver enhanced care to your patients.
Modules may include:
- Developing your Clinical Practice in Mental Health 1
- The Management of Risk for Mental Health
- Developing your Clinical Practice in Mental Health 2
- The Principles of Professional Assessment for Mental Health.
Assessment Methods
Assessments are a mix of written assignments, presentations and exams.
Progression Options
On successful completion of the programme, you are eligible to apply for Band 4 Assistant Practitioner positions or equivalent within the NHS and private, voluntary and independent health and social care organisations.
For those who wish to continue their studies, you may be eligible to apply for advanced entry to a Level 6 BSc (Hons) programme, for example BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing at University Centre Somerset.
Entry Requirements
Typically entrants will possess:
- A minimum of 48 UCAS Points from a full Level 3 qualification
- GCSE maths and English at grade 4 and above, or equivalent.
Applicants must be employed in a health or care setting for a minimum of 30 hours per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
The application route depends on your chosen study mode. For full-time undergraduate degrees, you will need to apply via UCAS. If you are applying for a part-time course, a professional qualification, or a Degree Apprenticeship, you can usually apply directly through our website using the ‘Apply Now’ button on the course page. If you need any guidance, our Admissions team is always on hand to help.
Every programme at University Centre Somerset is designed as a ‘Degree for Real Life.’ We focus heavily on employability, meaning your studies will be directly linked to industry needs. You will benefit from work-based learning, live commercial briefs, and our strong regional employer networks. Additionally, our dedicated Careers team offers 1:1 guidance to help you refine your CV, prepare for interviews, and build your professional network.
Transitioning to higher education is a significant step, and we treat you as an independent adult while providing robust support. You will be assigned a personal academic tutor to guide your academic progress. We also offer dedicated Higher Education study skills sessions, library support, and a comprehensive Student Support team providing confidential advice on mental health, wellbeing, and financial concerns.
Most UK students studying a first degree, Foundation Degree, or HND are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance loans through Student Finance England. If you are studying a Degree Apprenticeship, your tuition fees are fully funded by your employer and the government, and you earn a salary while you learn. We also offer advice on eligible bursaries and financial hardship funds – contact our Student Support team for tailored advice.
Yes. We offer dedicated, independent student accommodation tailored for our higher education learners, primarily based at our Taunton and Cannington campuses. Our HE options provide a safe, comfortable, and mature environment that fosters a strong learning community, with easy access to our state-of-the-art campus facilities.
Absolutely. We welcome applications from mature students and those with non-traditional qualifications. We consider a wide range of experience, including vocational qualifications, Access to HE diplomas, and relevant professional experience. If you are unsure whether your current qualifications meet the entry criteria, please get in touch with our admissions team to discuss your individual pathway.
We understand that many of our HE students balance their studies with employment and family commitments. We strive to condense our full-time degree timetables into a few days a week to allow for part-time work or independent study. Our part-time routes are specifically designed to be flexible for working professionals.
We are here to help. You can submit a direct enquiry using the form our Contact page, or you can contact our Higher Education admissions team via email or phone. We also highly recommend registering for our next Open Event, where you can speak directly with the lecturers and tour our advanced facilities.
