If you’re looking for a career in healthcare, our new Higher Technical Qualification courses may be the perfect fit for you.
What are Higher Technical Qualifications?
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) in health are new to 2023 and have only been introduced to select institutions across the UK. Here at the University of Chester, we will be offering Assistant Practitioner and Nursing Associate HTQs. These courses are level 4 and 5 qualifications that sit between A/ T levels and degrees.
Who are Higher Technical Qualifications for?
The HTQ Assistant Practitioner and Nursing Associate courses are for those who wish to pursue an alternative route into healthcare, rather than studying a foundation year, and will allow self-funders to apply.
This means the HTQ courses could be an ideal choice for lots of people. Perhaps you're interested in working in a health or social care setting and want to learn some more specialist skills applicable to the role. These courses are also a good choice for mature learners wishing to pursue a career in a healthcare setting but not meeting the right requirements to study an undergraduate course.
What are the benefits of studying a Higher Technical Qualification?
These courses have been approved by recognised employers and businesses to ensure that students get the specific training, knowledge and skills required for their chosen career. The HTQs will prepare students to work effectively and safely within their defined area of practice, within legal and ethical frameworks, and will develop and promote critical, analytical and reflective thinking skills.
These courses will also help prepare students to work inter-professionally as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and promote lifelong learning. Through the HTQs students will learn to respond to the constantly changing context within which health and social care policies are being implemented. Both courses provide first-hand experiences which demonstrate how learning can occur in both education and practice environments, and the Nurse Associate course will lead to a professional registration with the NMC as a registered Nursing Associate.
What will the Higher Technical Qualifications at the University of Chester be like?
The HTQ courses at Chester will be a blend of active learning in classrooms and online seminar groups where students can engage in activities such as scenario-based learning, problem-based learning, case-based learning and collaborative team-based learning.
Students will engage in reactive learning, where people with lived experience of using health and social care services will work alongside the academic team to develop a greater understanding of the recipients’ perspective. Health and social care practitioners will share their expertise and experiences to extend students’ understanding of their chosen profession.
Students will have access to a range of services and facilities, being able to utilise an impressive range of accessible and up-to-date online resources and materials to develop independent learning skills. There will also be simulation-based learning designed to reflect real-life practice and enable students to learn by experience in a safe and supportive environment.
There will also be further opportunities to gain real-world experience through experiential learning, including the completion of placements where students actively work as part of the health and social care workforce.
Find out more about our Assistant Practitioner and Nursing Associate Higher Technical Qualification courses.
