Nursing
Take the essential first step toward a career in nursing with our Nursing Foundation Pathway.
Key Information
Prepare for a fulfilling career as a nurse. Our foundation year will expand your knowledge and help you develop skills needed for an nursing degree at ARU.
Key information
Undergraduate course
Duration
- Two Trimesters
Intakes
- September (Home and International)
- January (International)
Location
- Cambridge/Chelmsford
Overview
Our one-year programme delivers the academic, professional, and practical preparation you need to progress onto a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree at ARU. While the foundation year is not NMC-accredited, it provides a vital springboard into fully accredited programmes by equipping you with core skills and confidence. It serves as a supportive route for individuals who may not yet have traditional qualifications but display promise through work experience or alternative educational routes.
Pathway progression
- BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) (Available for International and Home students)
- BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children) (Available for Home students)
- BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) (Available for Home students)
Entry requirement
5 GCSE passes at grade 3 or above (for GCSE’s taken prior to 2017 a grade E will be accepted) plus either:
- evidence of having attempted two years of post GCSE study;
- minimum two years’ employment (to be confirmed by submission of a CV and reference letter).
- combination of the above amounting to a minimum of two years.
Progression requirement
The Nursing Foundation Pathway is designed to help you take the next step into an NMC-accredited BSc (Hons) Nursing degree. When you finish your foundation year, you’ll be ready to move forward if you:
- Pass and complete all foundation year modules
- Successfully pass a faculty interview for your chosen Nursing specialism
- Obtain a clear Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Meet Occupational Health clearance requirements
Note: Only once these steps are completed can you enrol onto the NMC-accredited BSc (Hons) Nursing degree at ARU.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course;please email info@arucollege.com for further information.
Please see our International and UK course matrix for entry point, intake and study location information.
Course structure
Transitioning into higher education can be exciting but challenging. This module will help you develop the study skills, academic writing techniques, and digital literacy you’ll need for success. You’ll explore strategies for independent learning, improve your English for academic purposes, and build employability skills that will serve you well throughout your career.
Strong numeracy skills are vital in healthcare, from calculating medication dosages to interpreting patient data. This module will help you build confidence in arithmetic, algebra, statistics and data handling, with a focus on applying these skills in real-world health and care contexts. By the end, you’ll be ready to use numbers accurately and effectively in your future studies and professional practice.
Working in health and social care is about more than clinical skills—it’s about understanding people, systems and values. This module introduces the structure of the NHS, the roles of professional bodies such as the NMC, and the principles of effective communication. You’ll reflect on your own values, develop interpersonal skills, and gain insights into what it means to provide compassionate, person-centred care.
Human behaviour, emotions and mental processes all play a role in health and wellbeing. In this module, you’ll explore psychological theories, patterns of behaviour, and common mental health conditions. You’ll also examine how psychology can inform and improve care, giving you a deeper understanding of the people you will work with in the future.
A strong understanding of the human body is the foundation of effective healthcare. In this module, you’ll learn about anatomy, organ systems, genetic inheritance and biological regulation. You’ll also explore how the body responds to changes and challenges, preparing you to apply this knowledge in nursing and healthcare settings.
Good health is shaped by more than medical care—it’s influenced by education, income, housing and wider social factors. In this module, you’ll explore these determinants of health, and how to promote wellbeing for individuals, groups and communities. You’ll look at health promotion from local, national and global perspectives, gaining insight into public health initiatives and preventative approaches. Alongside this, you’ll develop key employability skills—such as communication, cultural awareness, adaptability and teamwork—preparing you to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and champion equality and diversity in care.
This module is subject to approval.
Treating people with fairness, respect and dignity is at the heart of effective, compassionate care. In this module, you’ll explore the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, and how to recognise and challenge discrimination in practice. You’ll learn about the Equality Act 2010, its role in promoting equality and preventing discrimination, and practical ways to create inclusive care environments.
This module is subject to approval.
Related links
For more information about intake semesters and campus location please see our course matrices.
Find out the academic entry requirements for our courses listed by country. Unless stated, requirements are standard across all courses.