UWTSD Home - Study With Us - Undergraduate Courses - Healthcare Practice (DipHE, CertHE)
Subject to validation
Both Cert HE and Dip HE Healthcare Practice have been designed to enable individuals who aspire to work in a healthcare-related profession, to complete a recognised formal qualification at level four (CertHE) or level five (DipHE).
The programme has a strong focus on person-centred, compassionate care and the development of knowledge, skills and competencies needed to underpin effective practice in a variety of healthcare settings. You will gain an insight into key aspects of healthcare practice including integrated working, evidence-based practice and professional development, while also exploring fundamental biological, social and psychological concepts and theories.
The programmes provide the knowledge, skills and qualification that increase degree applicants’ likelihood of gaining entry to their first-choice degree. While studying students continue to apply to their chosen degree programme and leave UWTSD’s course at the end of year one or two depending on when they gain their place.
From 2024 this course will replace our existing Nursing Studies and Health courses (subject to revalidation)
Pathway Options
Cert HE Healthcare Practice
UCAS code HCP6
Dip HE Nursing Studies and Health
UCAS code HCP5
All programmes are offered on a full and part-time basis. Applicants to full-time courses can apply through UCAS. Applicants to part-time courses can apply through the University.
We also offer two options for study over two and three years — this depends on your own current level of qualifications and employment experience.
Successful completion of a two-year programme leads to an unconditional ‘top-up’ one year of study for you to gain your BSc.
Book an Open Day Book a Taster Day Request Information
Tuition Fees 2022/23:
Home (Full-time): £9,000 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £13,500 per year
Why choose this course?
- Employability is at the heart of our programme, given our focus on developing compassionate and innovative healthcare practitioners.
- The learning and teaching strategy for the programme is research informed and practice-driven and has been mapped to a range of relevant professional competencies and skills.
- All teaching staff have close links with industry, are or have been practising practitioners themselves and/or hold professional body awards.
What you will learn
Throughout your studies, you will benefit from the industry experience of the qualified nurses and allied health professionals who teach on the programme. The combination of their professional insights and academic rigour ensures that your learning is always practice-driven and research informed.
Successful completion of the Certificate of Higher Education/Diploma of Higher Education in Healthcare Practice, will enable you to pursue a career in a health-related profession; apply for further professional training programmes such as pre-registration nursing, midwifery, allied healthcare, paramedic science or progress onto further study in one of our degree programmes (BSc Health & Social Care, BSc Health and Care of Children and Young People, BSc Health and Care Management).
Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE & Dip HE)
- Communication and Counselling (20 credits)
- Introduction to Health Research (20 credits)
- Introduction to the Physiology of the Body (20 credits)
- Managing Organisations in Nursing (20 credits)
- Personal and Academic Development in Nursing (20 credits)
- Industry Engagement and Professionalism (20 credits).
- Welsh in the workplace (Subject to validation)
Year Two – Level 5 (Dip HE)
- Collaborative Learning in Practice (20 credits)
- Community Care (20 credits)
- Living Well: The Older Person in Context (20 credits)
- Physiology of the Body including Nutrition (20 credits)
- Psychopathology and Therapeutic Responses in Health (20 credits)
- Public Health Promotion (20 credits).
- Practicing Healthcare in Wales (Subject to validation)
All modules are compulsory.
Exams are not heavily used in the programmes because the assessment focus is on the rehearsal of activities typically undertaken in the nursing and healthcare environment.
Coursework is the primary assessment strategy.
Coursework and practical tasks are set in a variety of formats; these include:
- Practical in-class set exercises (e.g. debate seminars)
- Role play (e.g. mock nursing interviews with heads of industry)
- Presentations
- Professional nursing portfolio (mirroring demands of industry)
- Research projects
- Reflective blogs
- Peer mentoring
- Video critique
- Essays
- Reports
- Work experience/placements.
Related Links
Swansea Business Campus
Key Information
- Tania Davies
- Neil Hapgood
- Joanna Fender
- Ben Duxbury
- Karen Hudson
- Donna Morgan
These programmes are for applicants who hold either a level 2 or 3 qualification. However, each applicant is considered individually on merit, meaning that we can take your life and work experience or current job role into account.
It is our intention that every single applicant receives an offer, and therefore, a route into healthcare.
We recommend making clear in your personal statement:
- Any industry related work or employment experience
- Any family-based care or support experience
- The type of healthcare role you aspire to.
Enhanced Child & Adult DBS required
The University has partnered with Trinity Nursing Services, a national nursing and care agency, in order to secure free training at health care support worker level, a priority induction service, and most importantly, the opportunity to work as paid agency nursing assistants across Wales.
Staff provide careers guidance for learners, as well as offering a seamless progression route for our nursing students onto any other course offered within the wider portfolio.
For those who progress onto NHS bursary courses, paid employment, or other courses within UWTSD, we have worked with internal professional services staff colleagues to streamline the process.
“This course has helped me to reach my future educational goals and I’m hoping that by completing the second year of this course it will give me the opportunity to get my place on my degree. It’s been a brilliant experience.” — Natasha Phillips
“It has helped me achieve the grades needed to begin my nursing degree. I thoroughly enjoyed counselling, anatomy and the opportunity to do workplace practice. If you sincerely want to achieve your desired goals then this course will be suffice to push you further.” — Sharde Dovaston
“A brilliant course with the best group of lecturers who are all friendly, approachable, supportive and extremely intelligent and knowledgeable. I would not be in the position I am now, starting my degree in September, without this course. I enjoyed all aspects, with my favourite modules being leadership and organisation, communication and counselling and physiology/anatomy.” — Eleise Evans
“Thank you to my lectures and staff they were always very approachable and supportive. I have met fantastic people and made great friends through my time at University of Wales Trinity Saint David.” — Eva Castro Jara
“I’ve really enjoyed this course, it really made me understand more about myself and others around me.” — Kirsty Briscoe
“This course will lead to more opportunity and knowledge for your future.” — Sophie Webb
