Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Acute Care (Top-Up)

Introduction

Learn more about caring for acutely ill adults, and top-up your existing nursing qualification to a BSc (Hons) in just one year. You’ll learn about current laws, procedures and best practice in this field while enhancing your leadership, decision-making and teamwork skills.

Course Options

• 1 year full-time (Top-Up)
• 2-3 years part-time

Key Facts

• Study options: 1 year full-time (Top-Up)
• Start dates: September
• Location: Blended learning
• Fees: £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and Assessment

1 year full-time

• Year 1
  • Modules are subject to change and availability.
  • Assessment: Your practice assessment booklet sets out the core skills you should gain on this course. Depending on the module, you’ll demonstrate these skills in a number of ways, including essays, presentations, observed structured clinical exams (OSCEs) and/or exams.

Core Modules

• Research Methodology
• Undergraduate Major Project
• Into ARU

Optional Modules

• Adult Acute Care
• Care of the Patient Undergoing Anaesthesia
• Cardiac Care
• Critical Care
• Management of Acute Stroke and Rehabilitation
• Management of the Person with Diabetes
• Pain Management
• Pain Management - Theory Only
• Palliative and End of Life Care Management of Symptoms in Advanced Disease
• Principles and Practices of Anaesthesia
• Principles of Respiratory and Thoracic Care
• Surgical First Assistant
• Theoretical Perspectives in Adult Acute Care

Entry Requirements

• Applicants are required to hold a relevant healthcare professional qualification plus:
  • 120 credits at Level 4 and 5 e.g. Diploma in Higher Education in Nursing or Operating Department Practice
  • Qualified health professional, registered with a UK regulatory body
  • Normally have completed a period of consolidation post-registration.
• APCL and APEL may be applied up to the 2/3rds regulation (reg 4.29) to meet the threshold for admission

Fees and Paying for University

Tuition Fees and Student Loans for UK Students (2025/26)

• £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Living Costs

• Living at university: The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include:
  • accommodation
  • bills
  • internet, mobile phone and calls
  • travel
  • food and drink
  • socialising and going out
  • study materials.

Facilities and Accreditation

• Outstanding student support
• Join our student community and:
  • learn from experienced tutors, who'll provide encouragement and feedback
  • benefit from a Personal Development Tutor from day one, who's there to support you throughout your time at university
  • make full use of facilities including extensive library and IT resources
  • access support with careers and employability, study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.

Careers

• We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and this course offers two great ways to boost your career.
• Firstly, you’ll turn your existing qualification/s into a BSc (Hons) degree in just one year. Secondly, when you graduate you’ll have an important nursing specialism under your belt.
• Having developed your intellectual and practical skills on this course, you’ll be a real asset to any team. You might choose to remain in your current job, or you might pursue a more specialist role. Whatever your plans, we’ll help you choose the course modules to suit.
• Once you’ve got your bachelor’s degree, opportunities to study or research at Masters level will be open to you.