Certificate in Higher EducationHealthcare PracticeValidated by The Open University
Qualifications
Certificate in HE in Healthcare Practice
Day of week: Multiple Days
Overview
The Open University Certificate in Higher Education in Healthcare Practice (Belfast Met in partnership with The Open University and Belfast Health & Social Care Trust)
Start your career in healthcare with Belfast Met and the UK’s largest integrated Health and Social Care Trust.
This exciting one-year, work-based programme gives you the essential knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to begin your journey into a professional healthcare career. Delivered in partnership with The Open University and the Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (BHSCT), it combines blended learning with substantial workplace training in real clinical settings.
What makes this course unique?
• Prestigious placements with the Belfast Trust – the largest in the UK – offering access to world-renowned hospitals such as the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast City Hospital, Musgrave Park Hospital and Mater Hospital
• Unrivalled career opportunities: develop the clinical and professional skills needed to progress to Nursing, Midwifery, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Paramedic Science and other health professions.
• Professional teaching and support: you will learn from lecturers with healthcare backgrounds, be supported by a placement supervisor, and practice skills through simulated activities.
• Work-based learning: spend 24 hours per week in placement, building up to 770 hours of clinical experience while studying at college with a mixture of online and in person classes.
In-person classes will take place in the evening to ensure flexible delivery. Teaching will include a mixture of in person, face to face classes (evening), online learning, directed study, independent study and mandatory work placement.
What you will study
You will complete two modules: K102 and K104
Your modules will give you both theoretical understanding and practical skills, including but not limited to:
• Communication in healthcare
• Psychology and sociology in practice
• Infection prevention and management
• Hygiene, skin integrity and wound care
• Assessment skills and care planning
• Safeguarding and patient safety
• Resilience and wellbeing as a healthcare worker
Work Placement
You will complete a minimum of 770 hours (24 hours per week) of practice learning during the programme.
• Belfast Met will help secure a high-quality placement within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT).
Throughout your placement you will be supported by experienced supervisors in the Trust, tutors from the College and the practice education team within the trust ensuring you gain the skills and confidence to progress in your healthcare career.
Throughout your placement you will be supported by experienced supervisors in the Trust and tutors from the College, ensuring you gain the skills and confidence to progress in your healthcare career.
OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.
Regulations for validated awards of The Open University
Student's guide to studying on a programme validated by The Open University
Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying for or enrolling on any of our courses.
Upon successful completion of the course students may be able to progress to Stage 2 of the Open university Nursing Degree. You can also apply for admission to Year 1 of a range of Allied Health Profession Degree programmes such as Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Paramedic Science.
Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each universities admission and progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College
Applicants must be 18 years of age at the time of enrolment.
Applicants must have GCSE English and GCSE Maths at Grade C/4 or above or an equivalent qualification e.g. Essential Skill Numeracy and Literacy.
Applicants must have a minimum of 48 UCAS points through a recognised level 3 programme e.g. A levels or BTEC programme or Access course.
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria but have substantive work experience may make an application for Accreditation for Prior Experiential Learning.
APL guidance
Applicants who meet the academic requirements will also be subject to successful completion of an interview prior to being offered a place on the course.
Prior to enrolment applicants must satisfactorily complete an Occupational Health Declaration and an Enhanced Access NI check.
The AccessNI check will be carried out in accordance with the AccessNI Code of Practice which can be found here. A copy of this can be made available upon request
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
Please note:
Belfast Met actively promotes equality of opportunity and welcomes enrolments from a wide range of applicants and students, including those with criminal convictions. However, in order for the College to manage any risk that you may pose, you must tell us about any unspent criminal convictions you may have. For certain courses, you must disclose all criminal convictions.
To tell us about your convictions, please complete either a Criminal Offence(s) Disclosure Form or an Enhanced Criminal Offence(s) Disclosure Form
Both forms are available on the Student Criminal Disclosures page of our website Student Criminal Disclosures (belfastmet.ac.uk)
Are you already an internationally registered nurse? While we would welcome an application to study you may not need to complete further training to gain employment in Northern Ireland. Please check the following links to determine your next steps
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) UK Registration Guidance:
www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/toc - NMC Competence Test Centre at Ulster University (Derry/Londonderry Campus):
www.ulster.ac.uk/nmc-competence-test-centre
Fees:
Academic period 2026*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Fees are payable annually.
*The fees have not been finalised and may be subject to change.
Uniform – Approximately £30
Visit our Student Funding page here to find out how to fund your studies
Please contact our Funding Team by emailing studentfunding@belfastmet.ac.uk for other options.
Assessment will be a mixture of observation, assignments, presentations, scenario- based assessment and computer- based assessment.
Careers
On successful completion, you will achieve the OU Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) in Healthcare Practice, opening pathways to higher-level study such as being eligible to apply for the OU Nursing degree, starting on year 2 of the programme (subject to a successful application and interview directly with the OU) or employment as a valued member
Why choose Belfast Met?
✔ Placement with BHSCT – the largest and most diverse Trust in the UK
✔ Access to regional specialist services not available elsewhere in Northern Ireland
✔ Strong progression routes to higher education and professional training
✔ A supportive, industry-experienced teaching team
✔ Opportunities to engage with guest speakers and sector experts
Interests
Helping Others
Healthcare
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Nursing
Midwifery
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
Paramedic Science
Care
Level 4
OU
Contact us
School Administrator, Tel: 028 9026 5332 or Email: hcslinfo@belfastmet.ac.uk
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