The course is aimed at people who wish to study nursing at degree level. Successful completion will enable you to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
As this programme is funded by the Department of Health, it is not open to International Students.
- 50 per cent of each year is spent in clinical practice. The course requires attendance for 45 weeks per year.
- The Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOSs) are designed to emphasise patient-centred care, integrate theory with practice and acquire professional competence. Academic achievement is high with many students obtaining a first or upper second class honours degree.
- The programme is delivered within a dynamic and forward-looking Faculty which uses the best in modern learning and teaching methods.
We have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
Entry Requirements
Numeracy and literacy tests are a requirement determined by the Nursing and Midwifery Council linked to the recruitment and selection of pre-registration nursing students. Try our sample tests, would you pass?
Applicants October 2013 start
A minimum of 280 UCAS tariff points:
| Level 2 qualifications which must be achieved PRIOR to application for all applicants except Access students (Please see Access entry requirements below): |
GCSE at Grade C or above in 5 subjects, must include English Language, Mathematics and one of health and social care, biology, chemistry, physics or science double/triple award.
Acceptable GCSE Equivalents:
- BTEC 1st Certificate
- BTEC 1st Diploma
- Intermediate GNVQ
- OCR Level 2 National Award
- OCR Level 2 National Certificate
Acceptable English GCSE Equivalents:
- Key Skills Communication - Level 2
- Functional Skills English – Level 2
Acceptable Maths GCSE Equivalents:
- Key Skills Application of Number- Level 2
- Functional Skills Maths – Level 2
or |
Leaving Certificate
A minimum of 5 Ordinary levels at Grade B3 or above, must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject.
or |
Scottish qualifications
A minimum of five Intermediate Standard 2 or above, must include English Language, Mathematics and a Science subject. |
| Plus one of the following Level 3 qualifications which you may be working towards: (Except Access students - please see entry requirements below) |
GCE A/A2 Level
280 UCAS points from a maximum of three A/A2 Level passes, which must include one of Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Psychology or Social Science. A typical offer would be BBC.
General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted. |
GCE AS/A2 Level
280 UCAS points from a maximum of two AS/A1 Level passes, plus a maximum of two A/A2 Level passes at Grade C or above, which must include one of Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology or Social Science.
General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted. |
GCE/AVCE Double Award in Health and Social Care
280 UCAS points from A*, A* profile or combined with UCAS points from a maximum of one GCE A/A2 level. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. |
BTEC National Certificate (NQF) in Health and Social Care, Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents
Acceptable only when combined with other Level 3 qualifications. |
BTEC National Diploma (NQF) in Health and Social Care, Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents
280 UCAS points from Distinction, Merit, Merit profile. |
BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents
280 UCAS points from Distinction, Merit, Merit profile. |
BTEC Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents
280 UCAS points from Distinction*, Distinction* profile. |
BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents
Acceptable only when combined with other Level 3 qualifications. |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Minimum Grade 25 points (282) required. Acceptable on its own or combined with other level 3 qualifications. |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced diploma
Core plus combined other Level 3 qualifications CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education Minimum Grade B required (300 tariff points). |
CACHE Diploma in Child Care and Education
Minimum Grade B required (300 tariff points). |
The Open University K101 – An Introduction to Health and Social Care or equivalents
Completion of full year (transcripts will be required) |
Irish Leaving Certificate
290 UCAS points from a maximum of 5 Highers at Grade B3 or above |
Scottish Qualifications – Advanced Highers
280 UCAS points from a maximum of 5 Advanced Highers at Grade C or above. |
NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care
Full award required, plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or above. |
| 14-19 DIPLOMAs in Society Health and Development To be achieved in Advanced Diploma or Progression Diploma 300 UCAS points from an A Grade. |
OCR National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Science
280 UCAS points from an M2 Grade OCR National Diploma or National Certificate in Health and Social Care or Science Grade D. Acceptable only when combined with other Level 3 qualifications. |
Access to HE Diploma in a Health and Social Care Subject
Full award (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 including 24 at Merit or Distinction, of which a minimum of 18 must be in a Science or Health related subject and 15 at Level 2 which must include Mathematics and English Language GCSE equivalent if you do not already have these two subjects at GCSE. |
Foundation Degree
Foundation degrees will be reviewed on an individual basis and will require a transcript of the content of the course. |
Other qualifications:
Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis.
International candidates:
Those who meet residency/academic requirements of UK students but whose language is not English will need to hold IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.0.
In addition
- Applicants must provide evidence of having been in general education for a minimum of 10 years
- Applicants must demonstrate evidence of literacy, numeracy and IT skills in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements.
- Literacy and numeracy tests will form part of the selection criteria for this course and you must achieve the minimum of 11 out of 15 for the literacy test and 9 out of 12 for the numeracy test in order to proceed to interview
- Applicants must provide evidence of study within the last 5 years.
- No offers are made without a face to face interview.
- All offers are subject to satisfactory Occupational Health Clearance, an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and, registration with Independent Safeguarding Authority.
- Applicants should be aware that qualifications, personal statement, interview and references all form part of the selection criteria for this course.
Sample Literacy and Numeracy Tests
Download Sample Literacy Questions as a PDF
Download Sample Literacy Questions with Answers as a PDF
Download Sample Numeracy Questions as a PDF
Download Sample Numeracy Questions with Answers as a PDF
I really want to become a nurse but do not meet your entry requirements. What advice can you give me?
- All applicants must meet our academic entry requirements in order to be considered for the course.
- If you do not have sufficient Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications we advise you to consider undertaking a course which will give you the opportunity to gain the correct entry criteria. For example, an access course in a health/science-related field at your local further education college. This course contains the right mix of level 3 and level 2 qualifications which allow you to access higher education.
- Alternatively, you could undertake the Open University K101 course, as long as you have the appropriate GSCE qualifications as defined in our entry criteria.
Application Details
Apply via UCAS using UCAS code B761 Learning Disability.
UCAS Information
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
UK, EU and international students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
You submit an application via the UCAS website with a list of up to five courses. All choices are confidential during the application process so universities and colleges considering an application cannot see your other choices. Applications must be completed by mid-January of the year that you wish to start university.
You can monitor the progress of your application using the UCAS Apply system.
How will I know what has happened with my UCAS application when I have submitted it?
You will be notified via UCAS if your application is unsuccessful. If your application is successful you will be invited to attend an interview from Birmingham City University’s Health Admissions department.
What will the interview consist of?
You will undertake a literacy and numeracy test, have a face-to-face interview from academic and clinical staff and Learning Disability applicants will also be questioned by service users via an electronic application.
How will I know the outcome of my interview?
You will be notified via UCAS track.
If I am not offered a place, can I have some feedback?
Yes, you can request feedback from Health.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk
Fees and Finance
|
Fees for students from the UK or EU countries?
|
|---|
| Start | Mode | Duration | Award | Fees |
|---|
| Sep 2013 | FT | 3 years | BSc (Hons) | NHS Funded |
The University reserves the right to increase fees broadly in line with increases in inflation, or to reflect changes in government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
International students may not apply for this course.
Additional costs
We recommend that you join a Union or professional organisation, approximate annual fee £10. Please also allow up to £60 to cover work shoes and a fob watch / cardigan where required.
NHS Funding
UK students
Eligible UK students who have a place on a NHS-funded course will normally have their tuition fees paid on their behalf and may apply for a means-tested maintenance bursary plus a non means-tested grant from the NHS. They may also be able to apply for a partial student maintenance loan from Student Finance England if they meet the eligibility criteria.
EU students
Full-time and part-time undergraduate EU students may be eligible to apply to the NHS for support with their tuition fees only.
For further information (UK and EU students) visit the NHS Student Bursaries website.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible financial support. This includes how to access non means tested grants, means tested bursaries and any additional grants.
University Approach to Employability
Expertly woven into our curriculum and work experience opportunities, and underpinned by a diligent approach to career preparation and the close involvement of professional bodies, the University views employment as one of the principal rewards for a student's ambition, application and academic achievement. It's why the University is one of the country's top 30 universities* for placing students in graduate-level employment.
Our close links with business and the professions mean that our courses are always relevant, up-to-date and meet the exact needs of the current marketplace. Wherever possible, we involve employers in planning the curriculum, while many of our lecturers come from and maintain their links with industry, ensuring they are up to speed with the latest developments.
Employability will be an integral outcome of your studies.
* Sunday Times University Guide 2012
Employment Opportunities
Once qualified and registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council you can practice in the UK and many countries overseas. As a qualified nurse you could find yourself working within:
- the NHS
- the private sector
- in the community
- at GP surgeries
- at schools,
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- Older Adults
- Dual Diagnosis
- Specialist Housing Support
- specialist Clinics
- Community Care
- Forensic
- Primary Care
- Prison
- Health Facilitation Teams
- Respite Care
- Day Care
plus many more - the options are endless.
The Learning Disability Nurse website shows you careers in this area.
Placements
Placements take place across a range of settings. You may experience care in acute, critical care, long-term care and community settings which are related to your Field. During your second year there will also be the opportunity to undertake a placement learning experience elsewhere in the UK or abroad* (*subject to selection criteria).
Further Studies
Nursing provides the opportunity for lifelong learning and the BSc (Hons) Nursing RN award forms the basis for progression onto further study.
Many opportunities exist for post-registration and post-graduate study. As a graduate, you may progress to a masters degree , e.g. Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice, MPhil and PhD.
A comprehensive portfolio of post-registration courses called Continuing Professional Development is available within the Faculty of Health. These courses allow for academic and/or clinical development.
Many of the courses are taught as part-time flexible modules to fit around your work and domestic commitments.
Full Time
About KIS data
From September 2012, all universities and colleges are publishing standardised information for all undergraduate courses in the form of a Key Information Set (KIS). The KIS data is designed to meet the needs of prospective students and allow for informed decision-making when choosing a university course.
Putting our students first
We pride ourselves on our student satisfaction levels which have risen from 73 per cent to 83 per cent between 2010 and 2012. Our dedication to improving the student experience is illustrated by our award-winning student engagement, our close links with business and industry and our £180 million investment in new facilities.
Employability facts
The University is the largest regional provider of qualified staff to the NHS for health and social services. 95.1% of leavers from the School of Nursing and Midwifery who responded to the survey went into either employment and/or further study. The average full-time salary for a leaver was £23,100. Graduates of the School found roles such as Staff Nurse and Paediatric Nurse, in institutions including Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Working with your Students’ Union
Improving student satisfaction is a priority commitment shared by both Birmingham City University and its Students’ Union. In its strategic planning, the Union has pledged to be more accessible, more relevant and provide more opportunity to engage with a diverse student community.
The Students’ Union is already a key stakeholder in supporting an excellent teaching experience at Birmingham City University, through joint projects such as the Extra Mile Teaching Awards and the Student Rep scheme, which allows students to share their ideas on how they are taught.
As Birmingham City University moves towards a two campus strategy where it can better support enhanced learning and student support facilities across a two-mile radius, the Students’ Union will also be better able to implement its commitment to improve communication and engage with its valued student membership.
Course Structure
Your programme is delivered using a modular approach and divides the content of the programme into manageable elements of study and practice learning opportunities.
The first year prepares you for further study and facilitates the understanding of the principles which underpin nursing. This is supported by two placement learning experiences of about 10 weeks duration each.
In year two there is an increasing field specific focus and comprises Core and Field Specific modules. Core modules help to contextualise nursing whilst Field Specific modules prepare you for the two placement experiences which follow each period of study.
In year three all the modules are Field Specific but there are opportunities for shared learning with the other fields of nursing and you will again complete two placement experiences.
You will experience a mixture of teaching, self-directed study and practice-based clinical placements, spending half of your time each year on placement.
Upon successful completion you will graduate with a BSc (Hons) Nursing degree worth 360 credits and be eligible to apply for Registered Nurse status with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Study Commitment
Frequently Asked Questions about placements and study commitments:
Will I be expected to work shifts while I am placement?
Yes, when you are on placements you will be expected to follow the normal shift patterns of the staff working in the ward or department you are allocated to for your clinical experience. This may include evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
How many weeks holiday will there be each year?
7 weeks each year which is pre-planned into your three year course.
Will I be able to have a part-time job while undertaking my studies?
You must appreciate that this is a full-time programme which includes considerable periods of study in university, independent study and clinical practice which must take priority over any part-time employment. We recommend that you carefully consider your circumstances and seek advice before undertaking any part-time employment.
Course Modules
During the first year you will study specific subject areas such as how the body functions in health and ill-health, communication skills and how to give care compassionately and begin to relate this to the clinical skills that you will practice both in University and on placement. You will also begin to learn about aspects of caring for patients/service users from all four fields of nursing.
In year two you will be taught how to assess, implement, plan and evaluate care for patients in a variety of settings and you will undertake two practice placements where you will have to pass the Standards of Proficiency as required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. There is also a specific placement learning experience where you will scope the services available within the community. A range of subjects such as ethics, research, physiology, social policy will be integrated into your studies to inform your practice. The acquisition of skills is given a high priority throughout the course, aided by our excellent state-of- the-art simulation facilities and skills suite.
Personal and professional development is emphasised throughout the course as it equips you with the skills required for your future employment and you will demonstrate this by developing your ePortfolio which will be monitored by your Personal Tutor.
Your final module in Semester 2 of year 3 is designed to facilitate the transition of nursing student to Registered Nurse.
Examples of Modules
Core Modules:
• Professional Values and Academic Skills (30 credits)
• Introduction to Nursing Practice and Decision Making (30 credits)
• Health in Society (30 credits)
• Nursing in Society (30 credits)
• Professional values and Evidence Based Practice (30 credits)
Field Specific Modules:
• Nursing Practice modules during each year of study (three 30 credit modules over years 1 and 2 and a 45 credit module in year 3)
• Academic and Practice Enquiry for Nursing (45 credits)
• Transition to Qualified Practitioner (45 credits)
Assessment Methods
Assessment will evaluate both your practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Methods include written assignments, examinations, presentations and an Ongoing Achievement Record. The Standards of Proficiencies in each Assessment of Practice document and Ongoing Achievement Record form the basis for assessment of practice, which is based on care delivery and encourages links between theory and practice.
Some of the assessments are designed to test certain competencies or essential skills but do not count as credits towards the final award. Those assessments are as follows:
| Title of Module |
The non-credit assessment name (e.g. competencies) |
Brief description |
When (year) the assessment takes place in the programme |
| NUR4022 Introduction to Nursing and Decision Making |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 1 |
| NUR4024 Adult Nursing Practice 1 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 1 |
| NUR4025 Child Nursing Practice 1 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 1 |
| NUR4027 Learning Disabilities Nursing Practice 1 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 1 |
| NUR4026 Mental Health Nursing Practice 1 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 1 |
| NUR5066 Adult Nursing Practice 2 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5067 Adult Nursing Practice 3 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5068 Child Nursing Practice 2 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5069 Child Nursing Practice 3 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5070 Mental Health Nursing Practice 2 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5071 Mental Health Nursing Practice 3 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5072 Learning Disability Nursing Practice 2 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR5073 Learning Disability Nursing Practice 3 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 2 |
| NUR6036 Adult Nursing Practice 4 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6045 Adult Transition to Qualified Practitioner |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6047 Child Nursing Practice 4 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6048 Child Transition to Qualified Practitioner |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6050 Mental Health Nursing Practice 4 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6051 Mental Health Transition to Qualified Practitioner |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6053 Learning Disability Nursing Practice 4 |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
| NUR6053 Learning Disability Transition to Qualified Practitioner |
Competencies |
NMC Practice Competencies |
Year 3 |
Rebekah Bartlam
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.