Equivalent to the first year of a university degree, this new Level 4 Higher National Certificate with Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) status is widely recognised both in the UK and overseas. The course has been designed to offer a special emphasis on practical skills development, alongside knowledge and understanding of health and social care in the UK which is also relevant to healthcare on an international basis.
The HNC provides a thorough grounding in key concepts in healthcare professions' support including: law, evidence-based practice, health inequalities, reporting and record-keeping in health practice. The course includes contemporary themes and current practice. All students undertake healthcare-based work placements to develop their own professional practice and meet the requirements to work in the sector.
About the course
This course will be based at the college's new £58 million City Hub campus, near Nottingham train station. The campus features state of the art teaching and learning facilities, science laboratories, with a restaurant, cafe, performing arts venue and specialist healthcare facilities including a simulated hospital ward, which provides students with a realistic learning environment that mimics a hospital environment.
Assistant practitioners work as part of the more comprehensive health and social care team and have direct contact with patients, service users or clients, providing high-quality and compassionate care.
Higher National Certificate (Level 4) modules may include:
-Law, Policy and Ethical Practice
-Demonstrating Professional Principles and Values in Health and Social Care Practice
-Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health and Social Care
-Fundamentals of Evidence-based Practice
-Principles of Health Education
-Effective Healthcare Practice Using Maths
-Applied Anatomy and Physiology
Compulsory work placement
This course includes a minimum requirement of 225 hours’ of work placement or experience in health and/or social care settings.
Assessment
A wide variety of innovative and traditional methods will be used including: practical assignments, portfolios of evidence, data analysis, case studies, written reports, essays, presentations, work-based evidence with employer statements.
Qualification awarded:
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Healthcare Professions' Support for England (HTQ)
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
These new qualifications have been developed in partnership with employers and industry stakeholders to provide students with the specific training, knowledge, and skills required for their chosen career.
Bursaries
We want our courses to be accessible to students from any background, so we’ve put together a cash support package in the form of non-repayable bursaries to provide financial help where it’s really needed. Details for 2025-26 will be advertised once approved by the university regulator – the Office for Students (OfS). Please check our website - www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk - for more information.
Your career and progression
Students from the Level 4 HNC can progress to the new Level 5 Higher National Diploma course.
Possible careers in this sector are: healthcare support worker, nursing assistant/auxiliary roles in a range of areas of specialism, e.g. adult and community nursing, clinical support, midwifery support, rehabilitation services. Assistant practitioners (sometimes called associate practitioners) work in many branches of the NHS including: operating departments, prehabilitation/rehabilitation, maternity and community care.
This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers.
Learn more about Higher Technical QualificationsTo work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Nottingham College has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Students are advised to contact their own national student finance service for up-to-date information concerning potential financial support.
Applicants who are permanently resident outside the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Republic of Ireland are advised to contact the College before submitting an application.
Any additional costs or fees are shown on the UCAS page for each individual course.
For entry to our university-level courses, we expect applicants to be working (or to demonstrate competency) at Level 2 or above in English Language/Literacy and Mathematics/Numeracy.
Generally, we accept GCSE passes in English Language and Mathematics at Grades 9 – 4 (formerly Grades A* - C).
Experienced mature applicants (those aged 21 or above at the start of the course) with relevant professional or industrial experience and/or qualifications are very welcome to apply.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Guidance on English language requirements https://www.nottinghamcollege.ac.uk/study/university-centre/how-to-apply-for-a-university-level-course
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £8250 | Year 1 |
| England | £8250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £8250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £8250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Students are advised to contact their own national student finance service for up-to-date information concerning potential financial support.
Applicants who are permanently resident outside the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland are advised to contact the College before submitting an application:.
Any additional costs or fees are shown on the UCAS page for each individual course.
City Campus, The Adams Building
Stoney Street
The Lace Market
Nottingham
NG1 1NG
Visit our website Visit our course page
Email:he.team@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
Phone:0115 838 0610
Email:he.team@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk
Phone:0115 838 0610
At Nottingham College
