A CERTIFICATE of Higher Education course run by the University of Sunderland adopts a reassuring ‘bedside manner’ to help members of the military community to pursue a career in healthcare.
Designed with serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families in mind, the one-year online programme provides a flexible and supportive pathway into degree-level study in nursing, mental health, paramedic science and other health professions.
The course was developed in partnership with HQ Army Medical Services and underlines the University’s commitment to its Armed Forces Covenant gold award, ensuring that military learners are valued and supported.
A number of veterans and reservists teach on the programme and bring an understanding of the challenges faced, and skills possessed, by the Armed Forces community. This helps students transition smoothly into academic study.
Explaining how multiple moves as an Army spouse had hampered her ability to build a career or advance her education, Nicola Ross commended the course:
“It has opened a door to a career I’m passionate about and helped me begin my mental health nursing degree at Sunderland. The course structure was clear and easy to follow and the support from my tutor, Garry, was outstanding. I don’t think I could have done as well without his encouragement and guidance.”
Jacob Halls, who is married to a member of the Royal Army Medical Service based in Brunei, added: “I faced the extra challenge of living overseas with an eight-hour time difference. Despite that, I completed the course thanks to its flexibility and the fantastic support from Garry, who went above and beyond to help me stay connected.
“The course broadened my understanding of health-related topics and gave me the confidence to pursue further studies, with the goal of becoming a PT instructor.”
To find out more about the course, which is registered with the Student Loans Company and eligible for the Ministry of Defence’s Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Services, visit sunderland.ac.uk/cert-he-health