Western Daily Press (Saturday)
From sports coaching to nursing, it’s not too late to find your vocation at University Centre Somerset
FIND OUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE AT UNIVERSITY CENTRE SOMERSET AND SECURE THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU
Niall Carr hopes to become a teacher once he’s finished his studies with University Centre Somerset
Do you have a love for sport or health and wellbeing? Were you hoping to start your studies in 2022 but missed the January university deadline? Not to worry - you still have a chance to enrol this September by applying to a Somerset-based higher education provider.
University Centre Somerset (UCS), part of Bridgwater & Taunton College, is on a mission to transform the lives of students by ensuring they begin their careers with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen field. Despite the passing of the UCAS deadline in January, the college will still accept applications right up until the course starts in September 2022, meaning you still have a chance to apply to the range of amazing sports, health and wellbeing courses.
From sports coaching to care, and from nursing to criminology, UCS has some inspiring subjects that are delivered by knowledgeable lecturers. Plus, students can be assured that their degree course at
UCS is of a high standard because courses are validated by some of the UK’s most prestigious universities, including Plymouth University, Oxford Brookes University, University of the West of England Bristol and The Open University.
If this all sounds appealing to you, visit somerset.ac.uk/how-to-apply/
Since the Nursing Associate course launched in 2017, UCS has successfully trained over 100 Nursing Associates
The Sport, Health and Wellbeing department offers courses in Sports Science and Coaching, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Early Childhood Education and Care, Adult Care, as well as Public Services and Criminology. Take a look at some of these courses in more detail below and we’ve also spoken to some current students about their experiences.
Sport courses
UCS has some exciting new equipment to enhance learning, such as a ‘point of collapse treadmill’ that allows students to safely measure and analyse performance to a degree of accuracy not possible on a normal treadmill.
As well as the new apparatus, the campuses boast a range of facilities including a floodlit 3G FIFA approved artificial pitch, five football pitches, a rugby pitch, sports halls, gyms, sports rehabilitation rooms and a studio cycling facility. Plus, a stunning nine-hole golf course in the beautiful Cannington countryside and an outdoor activity centre.
The sport and public services programmes at UCS also have long-standing relationships with elite clubs and organisations to ensure students get real-world experience during their studies.
Experience the latest technology in sports science at UCS
Niall Carr, an Applied Sports Science and Coaching BSc (Hons) Top-up student, has benefited from the impressive facilities and links with local clubs: “I started off on a Level 3 Football Coaching course at BTC, then went on to coach the under 18 Football team. The degree seemed like a good progression route for me from there.
“I love coaching the football team and find the aspects of this course such as Psychology and Sociology benefit my coaching. I am hoping to progress on to a teacher training course at UCS and want to go on to be a lecturer at the College in the future.”
For those students who are interested in science, UCS has a dedicated sports science lab containing a range of physiology and biomechanics equipment, and students can have access to sports halls and outdoor spaces to develop their coaching skills.
The ‘point of collapse treadmill’ in action Somerset Live has taken a look at some of the sport, coaching and fitness courses available to help you make the best decisions for your future:
• Sports Science with Sports Coaching Education Foundation Degree: This two-year course will provide you with a conceptual understanding of both the Sports Science and Sports Coaching industries. Students will study subjects such as nutrition, sociology of sport, sports psychology, and sports biomechanics, among others.
Find out more, here.
• Applied Sports Science and Coaching BSc (Hons) Top-up: This full-time, one-year degree supplements the knowledge and skills developed through previous studies in sports science and coaching with a wider appreciation and understanding of the role these disciplines play in the industry. Students will develop further skills relevant to the wider aspects of working as a sports scientist and/or coach and will be expected to write a dissertation.
• Sports Massage Therapy Level 4: If you currently work in sport and active leisure, including osteopaths, physiotherapists, sports therapists and massage therapists, this course has been designed for you. Students will benefit from fully equipped, modern facilities, which cater for all students’ practical needs, including a steady supply of clients for student case studies and work experience. Learn more here somerset.ac.uk/courses/ sports-massage-therapy-level-4.html
• Sports Coach Apprenticeship Level 4:
This course lasts for 18 months and allows students to pick one of three pathways: highperformance sports coach, community sports coach, or school sports coach. To successfully enrol, applicants must already have sports coaching experience and ideally will have a coaching qualification in one or more sports. Students must already be employed before starting an apprenticeship and you can find vacancies here www.btc.ac.uk/find-a-course/ apprenticeships/
Find your vocation at UCS
Health and Wellbeing courses
In 2021, Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) became the first college in the country to be recommended to deliver Nursing Degrees and Nursing Degree Apprenticeships by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The college was granted this opportunity in recognition of the shortage of nursing skills in Somerset and now, in collaboration with health and social care employers across Somerset, the college aims to train students who will have the knowledge needed to fill these skill gaps and serve the local community.
Danielle Deeks was able to take advantage of these new courses, she said: “I chose the Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at UCS so I could stay close to home and earn a wage whilst studying. I have enjoyed learning new skills in a practical hands-on environment. “The location of the campus so near to Musgrove Park Hospital is ideal. UCS has a great new clinical skills centre where we can practise simulations and apply them to our work in the community and on the hospital wards.”
Danielle Deeks is currently doing a
Nursing Degree Apprentice at
University Centre Somerset
Here’s a look at some of the courses available at UCS:
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult): Over three years, students explore subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, medicines management, supporting people with complex needs, and decision making. Applicants should be aware that nursing is a challenging but rewarding career that will impact and change lives, including your own. As part of a government scheme, nursing students are eligible for a £5,000 per year training grant. Find out more about the course and financial support somerset.ac.uk/ courses/nursing-adult-bsc-hons.html
• BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health): As a mental health nurse you’ll play your part in improving access to healthcare, wellbeing, social inclusion and quality of life. During your studies you will work in a variety of settings, including specialist and community services. This course lasts three years and will focus on topics such as the fundamentals of nursing practice, pharmacology and medicines management, sustainable global public health, and more
• Adult Care Level 4 Diploma: This twoyear course is specifically designed for learners wanting to work in Adult Social
Care in England. A career in adult care can be extremely rewarding as you will make a positive difference to someone’s life when they are faced with physical, practical, social, emotional or intellectual challenges. To find out more about this course, head to the website, here www.somerset.ac.uk/ courses/adult-care-level-4.html
• Health and Social Care BA (Hons) Top-up: To apply to this top-up course, somerset.ac.uk/ courses/health-and-social-care-ba-hons-topup.html students must already hold a relevant foundation degree in health and social care or other relevant Level 5 qualifications.
During the one-year course, you will learn how ethical, legal, social, economic and political factors influence the provision and development of services. Plus, students you will have the opportunity to research areas of personal interest in the health and social care sector within the dissertation module.
Find all healthcare courses, here. www.somerset.ac.uk/health-and-care.html
Sam Reilly, Assistant Principal, said: “This is an exciting time to be joining UCS as we launch full-time Nursing degree programmes in Somerset. We are currently investing an additional £2 million into our Nursing provision at the Taunton campus to improve the clinical skills and simulation facilities and to implement learning for virtual reality.
“We are excited about the potential to enable learners from all walks of life to make the jump into becoming
Nursing professionals, without the need to leave the county.”
Healthcare is a rewarding career and offers a vital service to our communities
So, it’s time to find the perfect course, submit your application, and start studying for your future career this September at UCS! To see all courses available at UCS, entry requirements and how to apply, head to the course search page on the website. https://www.somerset.ac.uk/course-search/ To find out more about the courses available and how to apply, head to the University Centre Somerset website, here www.somerset.ac.uk/course-search/. Or get in touch via phone or email:
01278 441234 or info@somerset.ac.uk.