Program Overview
Nursing Studies | Top-up BSc (Hons)
Year of entry
- 2026
Duration of study
- 1 to 5 years
Course summary
Nursing Studies BSc (Hons) at Keele University offers health and social care professionals the opportunity to enhance their clinical expertise and academic achievements. We provide six distinctive clinical pathway options in: Critical Care, Contemporary Rheumatology, Fundamentals in General Practice Nursing ,Neonatal, Generic andInternational.
Why study Nursing Studies | Top-up at Keele University?
- 2nd in England for Nursing (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025)
- Benefit from our specialist Health Library at the Clinical Education Centre
- Top 20 for Nursing & Midwifery (Complete University Guide, 2023)
- Top 20 for Nursing & Midwifery (Guardian University League Table, 2022)
Course overview
Nursing Studies
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies curriculum reflects contemporary clinical practice and recognises that the health and social care needs of patients and clients are changing. It aims to future proof your career by building on your existing professional experience, enabling you to progress in your chosen field.
As a registered clinical practitioner you will strengthen your competencies in areas such as critical reflection on clinical practice, clinical reasoning and ethical conduct, theoretical knowledge and practical abilities, to enable you to improve your practice to confidently manage and coordinate the evolving provision of clinical care.
Nursing Studies expertise
Our academic staff and pathway leads come from a range of clinical backgrounds and have a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience to support you throughout this Nursing Studies programme. Many of our staff are research active and all are registered with the appropriate professional body, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Nursing Studies pathways
You can select one of the following pathways:
Critical Care
- NUR-30158: Critical Care (30 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30163: Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 105 credits. You must choose a 15 credit option module. This enables you to reach the 120 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
This Critical Care Pathway is currently only available for students who hold postgraduate qualifications and would like to integrate RPL (recognition of prior learning) into this pathway.
Contemporary Rheumatology
- NUR-30163: Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30018: Introduction to Arthritis and Allied Conditions (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30019: Management of Arthritis and Allied Conditions (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 105 credits. You must choose a 15 credit option module. This enables you to reach the 120 level 6 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
Fundamentals in General Practice Nursing
- NUR-30204: Fundamentals in General Practice Nursing (30 level 6 Credits)
- NUR-30163: Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 105 credits. You must choose a 15 credit option module. This enables you to reach the 120 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
Neonatal
- NUR-30148: Practice Focused Neonatal Intensive Care (45 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 105 credits. You must choose a 15 credit option module. This enables you to reach the 120 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
Nursing Studies (Generic Route)
- NUR-30163: Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 75 credits. You must choose option modules to a total of 45 credits. This enables you to reach the 120 level 6 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
International
- NUR-30233: Research Application in Clinical Practice (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30245: Applied Advanced Healthcare Leadership and Management (15 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30171: Independent Professional Practice Development (30 level 6 credits)
- NUR-30234: Dissertation (30 level 6 credits)
Successful completion of the core modules will total 90 credits. You must choose online elective modules to a total of 30 credits. This enables you to reach the 120 credits required for the BSc to be awarded.
Course structure
Double Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework
Keele is one of only 15 broad-based universities in England - out of over 100 - to have been awarded Gold in both the 2017 and 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) exercises, demonstrating our consistent teaching excellence.
Additional opportunities
Explore more
There are a range of additional opportunities for this course. Please note that undertaking one may impact the availability of another.
Entry requirements
These are the typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If your qualifications aren't listed, please contact us to check if we can accept them. If you don't think you'll meet the stated requirements, you may be able to access this course via a Foundation Year.
Additional information
Entry requirements
- Current registration with a relevant regulatory body
- Working in practice where pathway specific care is delivered
- Hold a Diploma in Higher Education in a related subject or equivalent
- Recognition of Prior Learning considered
- International candidates should have an English Language qualification in written and spoken English. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) minimum 600 score or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7 score.
- International candidates who meet residency/academic requirements of UK students but whose first language is not English will need to hold IELTS with an overall score of 7.
- Keele University currently accepts Tofel iBT tests that have been taken outside of the United Kingdom. All Tofel iBT tests will need to be taken no longer than two years prior to your start date at Keele and must be verifiable with ETS. If you have taken your Tofel iBT test in the UK please contact the admissions team for more information.
English language requirements
All our courses require an English language qualification or test. Most students meet this through a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please visit our English Language pages for details, including test information for international students. For students who require a test, this course requires a result from .
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. We offer alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying in the Keele region, and recognition of a range of additional qualifications.
General information
The entry grades outlined indicate the typical offer, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary conditions based upon a candidate's application.
Social life, societies and sports
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Accommodation
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Local area and travel
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Boost your employability
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Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year
- UK: £9,535 for the 2025/6 academic year (subject to Parliamentary approval).
- International:
Please note, our 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set. We set our fees on an annual basis and they will be updated here once set.
For Home students, the University's fees are regulated by the UK Government and may be subject to change in subsequent years of your course in-line with government policy or legal requirements. For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPI, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
For details of our international fee bands visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page.
For 2025/26 entry, fees are as follows:
Home (UK)
- £1,100 per 15 credit module
- £2,150 per 30 credit module
International
- £1,100 per 15 credit module
- £2,150 per 30 credit module
Please note, our 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set. We set our fees on an annual basis and they will be updated here once set.
Going to university can be daunting as well as exciting. It's important to understand the costs and financial support available.
Our Student Financial Support team offers confidential advice and guidance to help you manage your money, resolve issues with Student Finance, create a budget, explore your options if you're facing financial hardship, and access any funding you are eligible for, such as bursaries and scholarships.
For more information visit our undergraduate fees and funding pages.
Supporting you
We provide a supportive learning environment for you throughout your studies. You will be allocated an academic mentor from the School who will be your first point of contact for academic advice and guidance.
Based within our Faculty is a Student Experience and Support team who have a member of the team dedicated to the School of Nursing and Midwifery. As part of Keele’s student services, they work closely with teams across Keele to ensure you can easily access the support you need.
There is peer support, and additional help is available from the School's Disability Inclusion Tutor who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have special learning needs.
You will have access to advice and support services at Keele which include:
- Learning Support and Academic Guidance
- Disability Support and Inclusion
- English Language Unit
- Student Advice at Keele (ASK)
- Student Support Services
- Occupational Health Department
The local NHS Trusts also provide counselling services.
Your future career
Keele’s Careers and Employability team offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about Careers and Employability Support at Keele
Your future career
Previous Nursing Studies graduates have gone on to pursue specialist and advanced practice roles or continued their studies on other programmes.
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching, learning and assessment
We use various learning and teaching methods in recognition of the varied nature of nursing studies. The course is delivered through a range of blended learning approaches including online synchronous and asynchronous teaching. The Keele Virtual Learning Environment (KLE) supports and complements this approach which reduces the emphasis on traditional, classroom based learning.
Learning and teaching methods may also include:
- Lead lectures
- Tutor and student led tutorials
- Problem solving scenarios
- Case study presentations
- Small group work
- Experiential learning - where you will reflect and critically appraise your practice experiences
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): you will participate in structured, simulated clinical scenarios to further enhance your existing skills.
- Independent study
Assessment
We utilise a variety of assessment methods on this programme which may include:
- Essays
- Reflective analysis/accounts
- Portfolios
- Presentations
- Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE)
- Clinical assessment of competence in practice
Successful completion of the course requires achievement of 120 credits at Level 6 for BSc (Hons).
Facilities
The School of Nursing and Midwifery has excellent facilities, based centrally on Keele campus and at the Clinical Education Centre (CEC). Academic colleagues and professional support staff from the school are based on Keele campus.
David Weatherall Building
The David Weatherall building contains a large lecture theatre, flexible learning teaching spaces and a range of classrooms, computer suite and seminar rooms.
Darwin Building
The healthcare simulation suite within Darwin Building is used by students across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. This state-of-the-art facility has been created to give students the opportunity to practice and hone their skills in a realistic environment throughout their curriculum.
Clinical Education Centre
The Clinical Education Centre (CEC) based at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) provides a modern clinical learning environment, which is shared between the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and the School of Medicine. The clinical skills suite is equipped to a high standard to facilitate a wide range of clinical skills learning and simulation. It hosts a range of electronic learning packages and licences to aid dynamic, flexible individualised learning including drug calculation software. Explore the CEC.
Libraries
In addition to the University Library facilities on Keele campus, the school provides excellent facilities with a multidisciplinary Health Library at the CEC. The libraries house a specialist stock of health and health-related material including books, journal subscriptions and other web-based resources. There are quiet study areas, and self-service photocopiers available for use as well as a help desk for queries.
How to apply
Submitting your application
We are aware that some applicants may experience delays in receiving responses from the University, possibly due to NHS firewalls or limited access to work emails.
To ensure you receive important updates about your application, please include both your work and personal email addresses.