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FdSc Mental Health Practice (HTQ)

  • 5

    Level
    Level 5

  • Duration
    2 years

  • Start Date
    Multiple - see below

  • Venue
    Norfolk House, Exchange Street

  • Course Code
    F0115

Start Dates

  • September 2025, Full Time
  • February 2026, Full Time

Summary

This programmes is aimed particularly at healthcare assistants and care workers, and is designed to offer flexible study so that it is suitable if you are already in work.

It has been designed in conjunction with local employers (the Primary Care Trusts and the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust) and is an ideal first level HE qualification for healthcare workers in both the public and private sector.

The emphasis on skills for work means that this is a truly vocational programme and will enable you to both ground your learning in the workplace as well as reflect on work practice in an academic context. Students in employment will be expected to receive practical and enabling support from their employers.
You will complete 460 hrs of placement on this programme. If you are not already in a suitable role (either paid or voluntary), we can support you to find a suitable placement.

Year 1 / Level 4 (20 credits unless otherwise stated)
Academic and Professional Skills
Cognitive and Biological Systems
Law, Ethics and Safeguarding
Mental Health and Society
Person Centred Care
Practice and Policy in Mental Health Care

Year 2 / Level 5
Assessment and Risk
Human Growth and Development
Intervention and Recovery in Mental Health
Service Improvement
Professional Practice (40 credits)

If you have any specific questions about this course, please contact Alex Guy - HE Delivery Manager (Mental Health Practice), email alexander.guy@ccn.ac.uk

The honours degrees and foundation degrees offered at City College Norwich are awarded by the University of East Anglia (UEA) with whom we enjoy Associate College Status. This partnership means that you will graduate with a UEA degree and be able to access facilities at the UEA while you are studying with us.

Why our College?

Flexible study options

Most of our courses require two days per week attendance at college. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

Smaller class sizes

Our smaller class sizes mean you get all the support you need during your studies. This is a crucial difference to larger universities and provides you with access to your lecturers when you need them.

Outstanding progression

97% of our full time graduates and 100% of our part time graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after completing their degree (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes, 2019, for CCN, published by Office for Students)

Entry Requirements

64 UCAS points
English and Maths GCSE at Grade 4 / (C)

Applications from mature learners (21+) who do not have 64 UCAS points, but have relevant experience in practice, or other suitable qualification(s)/experience, are also considered.

For International learners we require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading), the required minimum is: IELTS (SELT) Academic 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of level 4 (Year 1 of the course), learners will be expected to achieve/demonstrate the following:

  • a sound knowledge, understanding and application of underlying concepts and principles to practice in mental health practice.
  • apply scholarly conventions to inform evidence-based arguments.
  • professional skills, attitudes, ethical values and behaviours
  • transferrable skills in relation to their practice through applying the role of reflection in learning.

    By the end of level 5 (Year 2), learners will be expected to achieve/demonstrate the following:

  • conduct investigation, analysis, research, and critically evaluate academic sources when engaging with the principal debates in mental healthcare
  • demonstrate knowledge of different practices and processes in mental health care.
  • demonstrate practical skills and professional behaviours relevant to employment in the mental healthcare sector.

In addition to these programme level outcomes, each module will have its own module learning outcomes

Assessment

Assessments are varied and innovative and are aimed to develop transferable skills to support employability. They include essays, journals, individual and group presentations, academic posters, reports, portfolio/CPD building, professional discussion, examination, and exhibitions. Each module assessment has been considered alongside the knowledge, skill, and behaviours required in practice. Therefore, assessment activities have been designed to encourage theory-practice links, and to develop transferrable employability skills specific to the sector.

Progression

FdSc graduates may progress to an Honours degree programme top-up, in the health and social care field

Career Progression

This increasingly well-recognised qualification will help you to find employment in the health and care sectors or, if you are in work, will enhance your ability to contribute effectively to your organisation.

This will aid progression towards a variety of roles within nursing, assistant practitioner roles and other allied health professions.

Fees

September 2025, Full Time

£9,250 per year (for UK students)

For international students (students from outside of the UK), fees are set at £14,335 per year

February 2026, Full Time

£9,250 per year (for UK students)

For international students (students from outside of the UK), fees are set at £14,335 per year

Where Next?

Why our College?

Flexible study options

Most of our courses require two days per week attendance at college. This means you can continue to work alongside your studies and balance other commitments.

Smaller class sizes

Our smaller class sizes mean you get all the support you need during your studies. This is a crucial difference to larger universities and provides you with access to your lecturers when you need them.

Outstanding progression

97% of our full time graduates and 100% of our part time graduates are in employment or further study 6 months after completing their degree (Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes, 2019, for CCN, published by Office for Students)