Begin with real-world experience

One of the most direct routes into healthcare is through experience. Support roles like healthcare assistants, physiotherapy assistants, and mental health support workers are often open to people with no formal qualifications, especially if you show the right values: compassion, reliability, and a willingness to learn.

These roles allow you to work closely with patients and healthcare teams, often in hospitals, GP surgeries, or residential care homes. Many people use them as a stepping stone into more advanced positions over time.

They also give you a realistic view of day-to-day life in care – and a chance to see where your interests might lead you next. Some employers will look for healthcare-related experience, which makes volunteering a fantastic way to get started. If you're starting from scratch, it can be a great opportunity to get your foot in the door.

Hospitals, charities and care services often welcome extra help, and even a small amount of time in a support role can boost your confidence and help you build valuable connections.

Becoming a Nursing Associate through an apprenticeship

Nursing associates play a vital role in modern healthcare. They work alongside registered nurses to provide, monitor and coordinate care in a range of settings – from hospital wards to community clinics and mental health services.

It’s a hands-on, patient-focused role, ideal for people who want to make a real difference without spending years in full-time study. At University College Birmingham, the Nursing Associate FdSc apprenticeship programme is designed for people already working in a health or social care setting who are ready to take the next step. The course runs over two years and blends practical experience with academic study. 

It allows you to keep earning while you upskill, and by the end of the programme, you’ll be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – a key professional step that formally recognises you as a qualified practitioner. What makes the role even more appealing is the potential to progress.

Many qualified nursing associates go on to become registered nurses through a nursing top-up degree, which builds on your foundation and leads to full NMC registration as a nurse. From there, you can continue developing in specialist areas such as mental health, paediatrics or community nursing – or move into leadership and advanced practice roles over time.

How can University College Birmingham help?

At University College Birmingham, we understand that not everyone follows the same path into healthcare. That’s why we offer a range of flexible, career-focused options designed to support people at every stage.

Our Nursing Associate apprenticeship is one of the most accessible and rewarding routes into healthcare, particularly for those already working in care and eager to take the next step.

Ready to get started? Find out more about our Nursing Associate FdSc – with hands-on placements and the option to train while you work.

Discover our Kick-Start Scheme.

Explore our Student Stories to hear from people like you who have taken this path and are now building successful careers in healthcare.